Random – Page 6 – Brian Fence

July, Come Back!

This month has practically FLOWN by, meaning my Goodreads giveaway only has a week or so left, so if you haven’t entered to win a signed copy of Librarian (paperback only), you should do so! Stat!

We’ve had some miserable weather, some family troubles, and in my own case, a bit of writer’s block this month, so I wish I could rewind and start it over on a better foot. Don’t worry, though, Apprentice is still on track; chapters 1-5 are already out to early beta-readers, and barring any more of this horrific slump I’m in I should be able to get a couple more chapters in before I head off to England.

Worry not, though: I’ll still be hard at work even though I’m technically on vacation (just most likely I’ll be working from a pub instead of my office).

Keep cool, kiddos!

Meltybao

Holy crapola, kids, this is quite a heatwave! I woke up this morning at 8 am and it was already 82 F. This week is supposed to be mega-hot-super-sassy-sauce, and it’s making me think of that hysterical Black Books episode when Manny turns into a neanderthal. Well, those who get it, get it.

I’ll try to keep up my steady resolve, though! Yesterday I cranked out 3540 words on Apprentice, finishing up chapter five. That at least makes me feel a big better about the huge amounts of nothing I did over the weekend.

In further news, the Goodreads giveaway for Librarian is half over, so if you haven’t entered to win a free signed copy, you’d better sign up soon!

WAIT! Summer Vacation

…it’s happening! I had enough miles banked up with Virgin that I scored a free ticket back to England, so I’ll be there from 2 August until 2 September! In addition to being very excited about seeing all my old mates and visiting my haunts in Oxford, it means I’ll have a lot of time to work on Apprentice (from pubs).

Also, I’ve scored my first official book signing of Librarian — September 7th (Sat) at 1 pm and the Barnes & Noble in Brick, NJ. Nervous as anything, but I have my fingers crossed that it’ll be a success.

I’m American!

Who knew? Finally, a little justice for the LGBT community; common sense and decency prevailed, and now the federal government recognizes that I have the same rights as a heterosexual! Huzzah!

GOODBYE DOMA!

…in further news, the first three chapters of Apprentice are complete and being beta-read. I’m crankin’ this stuff out, so those who haven’t picked up Librarian — you’d better get cracking!

4235

…is the number of steps it takes from the backdoor of my house to the office. I know this because I woke up, inhaled the sweet summer breeze, and decided to march along the tree-lined paths to work rather than increase the size of my carbon footprint by using a car.

Actually, that’s not why I walked at all. It’s 4235 steps, and that gave me 10 coins on my Nintendo 3DSXL. That’s the most brilliant method to encourage exercise EVER, Nintendo. EVER!

Then, I did some paperwork to fund a new ordinance in town, I harvested some fresh peaches and cherries, and chopped down a tree. I also bought a new pair of glasses and donated some fossils to a local museum.

…in Animal Crossing…

Welcome to my pathetic existence.

…

In further news, Librarian made the main SFF review page on Kirkus Reviews! I’m ONE ABOVE JOHN SCALZI. I had such a nerdgasm I might have started to have a nosebleed. Check here for the SFF page, or go straight to the review. Calloo-callay! If you haven’t gotten a copy of Librarian yet, pick up one today!

Thank You for Soap

So, big week. I launched a book! (If you’re reading this blog and don’t know what the heck I’m talking about, see: this post). I want to offer a HUGE thank you to everyone who’s taken their time and/or money to support me with Lenna’s adventure!

BUT REALLY. More pressing on my mind is the state of affairs in my bathroom. Now, that sounds far scarier than I intend it, but it’s kind of becoming a strange place. If you know me, you already consider bathing something of an obsession of mine, as I’m frequently in the shower or the tub.

Subsequently, I produce a certain amount of humidity (and use so much water that all of Australia weeps every time my hand draws near a faucet) so I’ve found that my bathroom is the ideal place to start growing plants. I have an Anthy plant (real name: unknown), a moon plant (real name: I think it is a moon plant), and then a couple of cacti that sometimes stab me when I’m reaching for my toothbrush, hungover.

I’ve also been cultivating a bar of soap. That sounds strange, and I’m willing to agree with that. As I started using it, it began to take on a shape that alarmed me, so I ceased. Now, I just watch as the gradual splashing from me in the shower and the humidity wear it down.

And do you know what it looks like? DO YOU? It’s Rei/Lilith from THE END OF EVANGELION.

My shower is the site of the Third Impact.

Lilith Soap — Don’t let any Angels touch it!

If you don’t believe me, compare!

Oh yeah. I’m officially an author on Goodreads.

Still Smiling

Hello, kids!

It’s been awhile since I’ve posted. My life’s topsy-turvy due to a family emergency, but it should be sorted out by the end of the weekend. The launch is slightly delayed, but don’t worry; deals are being made and the hardcover and Kirkus review should be out by mid-June! Get your imaginations ready!

A Bao Flies at 428 mph

The beauty of Virgin America is that if you’re willing to cough up the cash (and I am, of course; it’s a business expense) you get wi-fi, so transcontinental flights aren’t nearly as dull as they used to be. Combined with the fact there’s a “booze button” in the display panel in front of me, I’d say I’m pretty well sorted.

Though I should be reading Librarian on my kindle YET AGAIN to look for more errors, I decided to tackle a short story starring a character who was actually created long before Lenna and her comrades — Tenny Orange. In the grand, cosmic scheme of Bao’s universe, Tenny has his own arc much like Lenna, and the discerning reader will start to notice some connection, I imagine.

The short story is going to be featured in Moon Rabbit Publishing’s (our imprint!) first ‘zine, mooncrisis!, which it set for launch this summer. We’re still looking for submissions — artwork, photography, short stories, reviews, or essays pertaining to science, science fiction, fantasy, and the like. Interested parties contact ME, the Bao!

Anyway, it’s time to press the booze button again. Chin chin!

12 Days

…until the unholiness of Tax Season ends!

…until I’ve finished going over the copy-edited manuscript proof!

…until I stop running around like a lunatic (note: I’m just planning on stopping the running).

STAY WITH ME, KIDS.

No More Leprechauns

Sorry about the delay in blogging! I was swept away in a tide of St Patrick’s Day fêtes, beer-filled reunions with old school mates, a ton of great food, and meeting up with the Master of my College, St Cross, at Oxford, and some alumnae about the new addition to the buildings. Excitement!

Subsequently, zero work was done, New York City was a massive blizzard all weekend, and now I am back to my mundane existence and feeling rather melancholy about it.

But much fun was had, and I did experience some of the finer highlights the City has to offer…

Ponies and Bubbly — Ponies, pate, and bubbles.

And…

Brian Tackles Mega — The “mega” size Sapporo at my fav izakaya.