Twins of Saranthium Books - how do you find them?

I've had many queries of late about availability of the books in my fantasy series The Twins of Saranthium. People are having difficulty in finding them now, so I'm doing this special post to let you know what's going on. Firstly let me say thank you all so much for your enthusiasm for the series and for contacting me about sourcing copies. I will be trying as hard as I can to get them out there and available as I know how frustrating it can be if you never find out what happens to the characters you've grown so fond of in a series! 

Unfortunately the english language versions of the first two books, Awakening and Betrayal, are no longer available for purchase at bookstores in Australia or New Zealand. This is just one of those things that sometimes happens in the publishing world. 

At the moment the only place you can source these in english is either at your local library or perhaps at a second hand bookstore. I am hoping to release english language ebook versions of the books, but at this stage nothing is yet organised. As soon as they are available I will post a notice here on my webpage. 

As for book 3 in the series - Redemption - I am still writing it for the German market and both the first and second books in the series are available in German through Penhaligon - in hardback, softcover and as ebooks.  So if you read german you're in luck and will be able to get Redemption, hopefully within the next year or so. I have no publication date as yet for Redemption in Germany but will let people know when I do - and hopefully it may be late this year. . As for the english language version, please just hang in there I am trying to make it happen!

Once again, thanks so much for all your messages and hopefully sometime soon I will be able to let you know where you can get the books in english. 

all the best

Lara

Big Sky Festival - fun times with lemon pie

Yes I know that is an odd title, but I chose it because, A. I just love talking about pie - and eating it which I did at the festival. B. ....nope that's it. So over the weekend just gone, September 9  - 11, I was at the fabulous Big Sky Readers and Writers Festival in Geraldton. Where I live. Which makes it all the more lovely because I don't have to travel, I can sleep in my own bed and all these fabulous people come to my town who I can talk to and hang out with. This year was a stellar line up with Ita Buttrose headlining as keynote speaker. I have never met Ita before but like most Aussies feel like I know her because she is so high profile. My first meeting with her though was perhaps not as auspicious as I might have liked. 

On the Friday night the library held a lovely opening ceremony to introduce all the writers and launch Peter Dockers new book, The Waterboys. So I arrived a little late (only a few minutes, really I'm sure no one noticed!) and there was a mingling crowd of people hovering around the stage while the MC Will Yeoman said hello and talked about the festival then asked all the writers to come forward and say a few things about themselves. As I was at the back, I had to work my way through the crowd to the front ( followed by a certain author lad I'd been whispering to named Craig Silvey in his ever present thongs (that's footwear for the non-Aussies - not the under wear which would have been odd). So anyway here's me sidling and excusing my way to the front and right near the front is a slim blonde lady blocking my way. I tap her on the shoulder - well it was more like a push really (hand to forehead), she turns around and I freeze, stare and stammer, 'Oh, it's you, hello!" as if I know her. As if we're old pals and it's okay for me to be shoving her around. Yes, you guessed it, it was Ita. Gulp. Ita however was unphased. Hello, she said. So I make dumb gestures at the stage and she, says, 'We have to go up, how about you go first and I"ll go after you.'.  'Yes! Great idea!' I say, breathing a sigh of relief. I mean, who wants to go, unprepared up to a mike to introduce themselves after Ita? Not this little writer.So I waited, waited, and - after almost rushing Juliet Marillier to the mike, finally got up on stage and said something I now can't remember. It was the lights, they're so bright up there!

So how about the rest of the festival? I was doing only one panel on the Sunday and a reading, so Saturday was a relaxing day for me to chat to the other authors and go to their panels. Which I did. Though I must admit there was a lot more chatting than panelling. There's something about the green room - which for this festival was called the pink room on account of that being the theme colour - which is where writers can go to relax, drink coffee and eat cake and chat about things author related. Most of which I cannot reveal here because it's all secret author business. Kind of like fight club for authors. Without the fighting - unless you count over cakes which we didn't need to because there was plenty of food. 

What I can reveal though is : Sally Dingo ate all the mini quiches, Peter Docker is always 'putting another nail in his coffin', (yes you will have to figure that out), Juliet Marillier bought a lot of books, Piers Ackerman is adept at tossing hand grenades, Craig Silvey was once not allowed in business class because of those thongs, Shamini Flint is funny enough to do stand up, Kirsten Tranter is more than just an author she's a campaigner for equality. And those are just some of the things I can talk about.

As for Sunday - my panel with Juliet Marillier on the inspiration for our worlds went very well. Lots of great questions. I had a lovley long chat with illustrator James Foley about being in New York in a blizzard, and a fantastic long lunch at which I read a bit from the upcoming Equinox, which comes out in November. 

And what about the pie? you ask. Well it was gooey and runny and lemony. Two kinds. Best kinds. 

Now, next stop in my life is a book to write and a blog tour to organise for Equinox. And maybe some gardening. Ciao for now.

Equinox Cover Reveal...

Finally it's out there. Equinox, The Rosie Black Chronicles Book 2 cover is up over on the blog at http://laramorgan.wordpress.com

Rosie Black Chronicles 2: Equinox. Cover Reveal countdown....

Things have been busy these past few months at the Morgan ranch as I've been flat out editing the second book in my young adult series but it's almost ready now and I can finally say when the cover and first chapter will be released into the wild.

On August 22, Equinox will be getting it's first unveiling to the world in the form of a cover, first chapter and new book trailer. I post about this series more on the dedicated blog I've set up for it at http://laramorgan.wordpress..com which is all about Rosie Black and her world, so if you want the most up to date news on the series its always best to check there. 

And you can always find me lurking around twitter as well - I'm a serial lurker when I should be working! Any questions, mail me, tweet me or comment on the blog. Love to hear from you! 

April 12, 2011

On my soapbox: a woman's worth

Women have always been valued for their beauty. Ever since Helen of Troy our worth has been weighed by the constructions of our faces, the litheness of our bodies and a lack of the perceived perfection of the time meant a woman may never be as valuable as her more pleasantly constructed sister. In some parts of the ancient world being beautiful was akin to goodness and being less than perfect, or the gods forbid, downright plain was a mark of your inherent badness.

How much has that really changed? I was wondering this to myself as I read an article recently which celebrated an American woman being the oldest cheerleader ever. Her body taut as a teenagers, blonde hair and slightly strained smile she stares into the camera with triumph. She is 42 and most definitely the oldest woman ever to be accepted into a cheerleading squad for a national football team. As I read of her joy at having exercised her way to athletic heights and gaining the position after the terrible doubts she felt standing in a line next to girls half her age, I wondered am I the only one who is disturbed by this? Am I the only one who instead of feeling a cheer coming on for her for scaling this bastion of youth feels a sense of disappointment and, yes, just a little bit of anger?

It is not that I denigrate her athletic achievements, or that it is an important achievement for her, but I wonder about this being held up as if is the best, the most important thing she’s ever done. And I worry that she believes it is. Cheerleading is undoubtedly ferociously tough on the women who choose to compete in it. They hone their bodies like gymnasts and to achieve those jaw dropping tosses and tumbles must take long hours of dedication. But still, at the end of it all what are they really considered to be? Outside of their inner circle, are they anything more than pretty girls who tumble and jiggle pom poms as entertainment before what is considered the more important event, the men’s football game? Are they? When they can no longer keep up with the demands of the sport and retire, will they be remembered like the footballers, or simply disappear?

Seeing this celebration of an older woman conquering a young woman’s field, I can’t help thinking, is this all there is for us? Is this what we’ve come to? Can we not age gracefully anymore? Are we still valued more in this society for our beauty, our bodies, than for anything else? If this woman had, instead of turning to cheerleading, gone to university and got a phd, or taken up leading a charity group in the Middle East, would she have received the same glowing coverage, the same gushing praise? Looking at how women are celebrated in the media I’m going to have to say no.

Increasingly women, and now even men, are praised the highest for having a makeover, losing that baby weight or exercising their way to supermodel lean. It is not that our intellectual achievements are ignored but they are rarely given the same wide eyed reception as when we lose ten kilos. No wonder we are becoming more and more obsessed with our appearances when so much of our value to society is tied up in it. And we are doing it to ourselves. Caught in the loop of wanting to fit in, wanting to be valued, we still stare at ourselves in the mirror and turn physical faults into character flaws. We all want to be beautiful because for thousands of years, society has told us we are worth more if we are. So what has changed? Can we change? I want to hope so, but the way we are going now, I just can’t see it.

April 5, 2011 

Betrayal nominated for Tin Duck award

While checking out the latest info and zooming around the Swancon 2011 website today, I had a lovely suprise when I saw Betrayal listed as a nominee in this year's Tin Duck Awards. 

After a trying couple of days working on book 3 in the trilogy it was so lovely and brigthened my day right up to see it there. The Tin Ducks are the WA writer awards for sci fi and fantasy and to be listed alongside some other wonderful authors makes a little warm place in my heart. I'm not sure if I can make it to Swancon this year, but I will try, I will. 

February 9, 2011

Twins of Saranthium 3 - Redemption, CURRENTLY UNDER CONSTRUCTION

Yes that is not a rumour, that is fact. I am, this year, working on the third and final book in the Twins series. 

A big hi and thanks must go to those people who have read the first two and liked them enough to take the time to contact me and ask about this third last book. Yes it is coming. No, I don't have a publication date, but it won't be until 2012. I've been typing away on the draft after coming up with the skeleton outline and am hoping it's all going to go well. For me that is. Some of the characters are not going to fare so well. There will be deaths, but I'm not telling who will be skipping in the fields of the after life. Although, while not committing myself to anything, I am open to receiving bribes for that information in the form of chocolate, champagne and quirky sci-fi themed t-shirts. 

I'm also going to be working on the third book in my YA series, The Chronicles of Rosie Black. No title hints yet but you will be too distracted when the second book, Equinox, comes out later this year to worry too much about that yet. Hopefully. 

As I have two books in the fire, I'm typing until my fingers bleed - or that's the plan. Stay tuned for assorted descriptions of days when I just dont' get enough done. Like today. Word count is so tragic it can almost be considered negative. Hopefully no editors are reading this. 

In other news, to distract myself from my paltry need to stare mindlessly at the computer screen, I made a lovely batch of smoked salmon nori rolls, went for a swim with my dog (turns out he is not happy to be used in place of an inflatable sea biscuit - who knew?) and purchased some much needed printer ink, prawns and a tube of wasabi paste. Yes, life in the fast lane here, folks. Just wait until I regale you with my tales of floor washing and dish wiping!

Ciao.

PS there was one exciting thing that happened recently. A snake got into the outdoor loo (that's toilet for proper folks and bathroom for North Americans) then disappeared. Am still looking for the wormhole it escaped through. Anyone in other dimensions who may have seen it, please do not send it back. 

December 7, 2010  

It's been a long time between blogs here, mostly because I've been caught up in blogging on my Rosie Black Chronicles dedicated site. Since Genesis came out I've run the blog tour and also have been working on getting the second in the series, Equinox, ready to go the publishers. It's been a big edit this time with lots of changes which hopefully will be for the better, but I have to get it in to get it printed and out to you. It's due out next year, no date yet, but I'll let you know when I do.

In other exciting news, Book 2 in my Twins of Saranthium series, Betrayal, was released in Germany in hardback last month. A gorgeous cover as always which I'll post here when I can. I am planning on going back to work on the third and final book in the series in the new year. It's titled Redemption, but you'll still have to wait a while I'm sorry to say, it's not due out until 2012. 

I post a bit more regularly on my Rosie website at http://laramorgan.com or you can also follow me on Twitter which I use far more often than I should! Find me @Lara_Morgan 

Tour Date Oct 20, 2010 The last day.... but it's a good one.

It's the last day but there's still so much to do. You can see me on Mabel Kaplan's site talking about to her about Rosie's past and future and all things Genesis

go to http://belka37.blogspot.com  and head on over to award winning author Sally Murphy's blog as well where I'm chatting about the difference between writing YA and adults among aother things

got to http://sallymurphy.blogspot.com  and don't forget you can win a Free Book on my blog at http://laramorgan.wordpress.com

Day Nine on the Blog Tour Bus Oct 19, 2010

It's all about boys today. I'm over at The Phantom Paragrapher blog talking about what it's like creating a male character in heroine driven YA. Go to http://www.thephantomparagrapher.blogspot.com to check it out and have your say.

Blog Tour Day Eight, Oct 18, 2010

On the last few days of the tour now, today I'm visiting YA Reads to talk about young adult heroines got to:

http://www.yareads.com

Blog Tour Weekend

It's a double post today so you'll know where I'll be all weekend

Sat Oct 16 I'm visiting the Book Gryffin for a chat about Rosie Black  http://bookgryffin.globalteacher.org.au

Sun Oct 17 I'm dropping in to Rhiannon Hart's blog to talk about writing sci fi for young adults, go here: http://rhiannon-hart.blogspot.com to see that.

Blog Tour Day Five, Oct 15, 2010

I'll be visiting great YA site We Love YA for a chat about Rosie Black and writing in general go to:

http://weloveya.wordpress.com

Blog Tour Day Four, Oct 14, 2010

Today Ripping Ozzie Reads is hosting me and I'm going to talk about the ins and outs of writing fiction for young adults at:

http://ripping-ozzie-reads.com

I am also dropping by fellow author Sandy Fussell's blog to talk about writing a fantasy series, see that at:

http://sandyfussell.blogspot.com

Blog Tour Day Three, Oct 13, 2010

Roll up, roll up to the third day of the Rosie Black tour of the internet. Today I'll be stopping by the Kids Book Review blog to talk about what it's like to get published and all the mysteries involved.Go to:

http://www.kids-book-review.blogspot.com

Blog Tour Day Two, Oct 12, 2010

Today I'm visiting Dee White's blog again, but a different one this time, and passing on some writing tips on creating a futuristic world. Go to:

http://deescribewriting.wordpress.com

The Rosie Black Chronicles Blog Tour Day One, October 11, 2010

Well the blog tour for the first book in the Rosie Black series, Genesis, is kicking off today. For all things Rosie, reviews and giveaways follow along over the next ten days. First up I'm visiting Dee White's blog 

Kids Book Capers.

http://content.boomerangbooks.com.au/kids-book-capers-blog

For all the details every day of the tour visit my Rosie Black blog at http://laramorgan.wordpress.com for updates and a giveaway! See you there.

September 15, 2010 - Blogging and book trailers...oh and Worldcon

I'm a bit behind but I am finally trying to put some words down about the fabulous time I had at Worldcon. It was, of course, wonderful, informative,hilarious and totally exhausting but worth every minute and cent spent to go.

Highlights: Meeting people I've only talked to online in the flesh - nothing beats it really. Having long conversations about Buffy where everyone is so keen and no one rolls their eyes and suggests talking about something as mundane as politics or the state of the world. Who cares really! Being at Worldcon was like being in a beautiful sci fi bubble where it was normal to pass a storm trooper on the way to a panel and fancy hats and tight bodices were everyday wear. Best Panel: so hard to choose, but I think The Series question panel I did with Ian Irvine, David (DM) Cornish and Kate Forsyth was the most fun - everyone had so many great things to say about how they worked and we were all quite different from chaotic and mildly planned (me and David) to tightly planned and totally organised (Ian and Kate). I also enjoyed watching the Vampire Zombie Smackdown panel which was complete with sprited audience participation. Best party: every one! But perhaps the London Bid 2014 was one of the most popular - or maybe it was all the free booze.

Lowlights: it's over. But for those who couldn't make it this year - you will have to save those pennies and head to the USA next year where it will be in Reno, Nevada.

Now on to blogging and book trailers. In honour of Rosie Black's entrance into the universe I'm starting a blog dedicated to the series at wordpress ; www.laramorgan.wordpress.com  I'm giving away a copy of the first book during October and November so go have a look. 

And there is a fab BOOK TRAILER  see it first at www.rosieblack.com and I am also lining up a blog tour so watch this space...

 WORLDCON!

Well I'm almost ready to go and have got my schedule of where I'll be and what I'm up to.There's a few panels and lots of fun stuff so drop by and have a chat or if you miss a panel,just track me down at the bar! 

Worldbuilding in YA spec fic Panel - Thursday 4pm

When history become fantasy: Artistic license and historical cinema - Fri 10am

Book signing Fri 1pm - bring your book along and I'll sign it saying whatever you like.

kaffeeklatsche Sat 11am 

The Series Question YA panel - Sun 11am

Has Hollywood Sucked the Vampire Dry panel - Sun 1pm

Fantasy tv: what happened panel - Sun 2pm.

I'm also planning on going to the Nightmare Ball, Hugos and the Ditmars at Dudcon - anyone who doesn't know about Dudcon go here to find out more http://members.optuszoo.com.au/~dudcon/

See you at the Con.

July 22, 2010 Finishing the first draft

I've found, through trial and terror, that by the time I'm on the last few chapters of a first draft a weird thing happens. At some point I start to hate everyone and everything in the book. Even the main character. Does this happen to other authors? I don't know. I also enter a kind of suspended state where I seem to be intent on self sabotage and write less than a three fingered monkey. 

Why does this happen? I wish I knew. But it does. In the hours when I am not working - ie the middle of the night, often around 3.30am - I find myself weaving elaborate fantasies that tomorrow (in a few hours) everything will be different. I will magically love my characters and world again and be unable to wait to finish it. I will gallop to the end of the book like a mouse spotting aged gouda. My fingers will fly over the keyboard, I will write prose that although not magical is at least choherant and I will, at last, finish it. 

Of course this is three in the morning and everyone knows our brains are not fully engaged at this hour. We are mutant versions of ourselves with delusions standing - mostly of the paranoid kind. So when the next morning comes I am once again at my desk staring at the computer screen with a mixture of despair, frustration and self disgust that would keep many a therapist in pens and self help books. Instead of writing I phone a friend, clean the cupboard no one uses, do the dishes, spend hours on Twitter, or even perhaps blog. Like this. And all the while I can feel the unfinished book breathing behind me like a toddler with a head cold. 

I hate that toddler. And yet when I am not at my desk that toddler is all I think about. I even dream about it, seeing the final scenes like polished shots of film in my head. I can only hope that one day soon - hopefully tomorrow - I will actually get it done. 

June 15, 2010  Are you there world, it's me Lara

I had this thought last night, sometime after the magic hour, that went around in my head like a whirly gig for far too long. In this weird world of online social networks, if you don't have a profile on at least one of them do you still feel like you exist? Are you part of this modern society? And at some point in the future, will an online profile be the only real proof of your life? 

I have a friend who has, for many years now, sworn that online social networking is the community building of the future. Online communities can solve our feelings of isolation and distance. She believes that people today can find that elusive feeling of belonging in a group online that they may not be able to find offline. But is that true? There are people who say they feel it is, but I'm not really sure if I believe them. Until those online groupings turn into real life meetings, are we really making a connection or is our idea of what belonging to a group, or being heard changing? 

I have been blogging and twittering for a little while - and not as often as the publicists and marketing people say I should - but I am still not convinced. Yes, there is a surge of satisfaction from an immediate reply to a blog or a tweet, that feeling that someone has heard you, that you are not shouting into the void - but more often that not I feel like those small contacts are feeding a kind of addiction that in the end just isn't really satisfying. If there is a lack of comments on blogs, an absence of friend comments on facebook or no one replying to your tweets there is an element of feeling invisible. A feeling that you are being left out of the party. So are we just creating another, virtual arena that recreates isolation online? Are people who are really lonely and looking to the net to fill the void finding something that helps them, or is it only a panacea that if taken away leaves them even more alone than before? 

May 24, 2010

Hard on work on two books right now - Rosie Black Chronicles Book 2 and The Twins of Saranthium Book 3, Redemption. Rosie 2 is getting more love as I try to tie up the plotlines. (Not literally though I hope!) I am also hoping to revamp my website. An intertactive blog is first in line for a makeover. Now if only I could find the time..... suggestions on website design always welcome. :)

And then there is plannign for Worldcon in September. Am planning to go just have to sort out all the pesky details 

April 28, 2010  Things I'd do if I had the power.

Ok, now firstly you should know that I am a little bit of a geek so things written here may be slightly skewed to the sci fi corner of the spectrum, but you know what do I care? This is my blog and I'll blog on if I want to.

So this is not about writing so much per se, but I had a good writing day and was indulging in a bit of the old web surfing and got to thinking about what I'd like to do to get rid of some of the stuff out there that is perhaps as entertaining and valuable as serving hamsters stuffed with caterpillars to a vegetarian. Really it's not wanted.

So if I had absolute power and could corrupt things to my way of thinking absoulutely here are my 5 edicts:

1. Joss Whedon would have to do another season of Firefly. I know, some might say it's been too long, that Alan Tudyk couldn't be in it, that Morena would need hair extensions or that the Captain's pants might have to be loosened, but I say - Don't Care. It will be done. And in it we shall find out about Book gorram it! And Wash could come back as a ghost or something. It's ok, Joss will figure something out. You know he's god don't you?

2. Reality tv competition cooking shows would be banned. Yes, that's it. BANNED. Enough of the engineered drama of a soupy risotto, stop the dramatic orchestral drumming to the unveilng of another soggy chicken pie. And don't get me started on those chefs. Just because you can make a killer souffle does not give you the right to turn into a narcissistic sociopath. 

3. No more vampire love stories or vampire schools stories can be published for two years. Really, I think there's enough already. How about a zombie love triangle? Or Love in the time of Leprosy. No? You know Edward and Jacob aren't real don't you??

4. Anyone using a mobile phone at the cinema or theatre would be magically ejected - painfully - by the demon of eviction. No exceptions. And maybe it could even happen to people who have inappropriately loud conversations on public transport as well. 

5. News programs would actually have to contain news. It's ok, we could still have all that info-tainment masquerading as news, but it can't call itself news anymore. Headlining with a story about Tiger Woods or some other celebrity's love squabbles is not news. It just isn't. 

April 19, 2010     Back in the saddle

I can't believe it's been so long since I blogged, sheesh, can hardly move here for the virtual cobwebs but have armed myself with a big can of cobwebs-be-gone and am clearing the air for an assault on the keyboard....let the spewing of words commence. 

So today I'm back in typing mode after a ten day sojourn in the wilds of Asia. Ok it was a long way from wild and there was room service but the traffic was wild so that's something. One of the things I love about travelling though is the opportunity to eavesdrop on people from  many nations. Breakfast at a hotel is always great for me - not so much for my breakfast partner whose conversation is often met by a blank stare as I crane my neck sideways trying to listen to the next table. Note to writers: eavesdropping is not rude if you're a writer. Really, I'm sure that's written in the secret writers' handbook.

So odd things heard at breakfast: 'Im very particular about my jam.' Says older man with slicked back hair trying to convince younger woman he is worldly. Gag. 

"I've been to Barcelona and I don't know why anyone would want to go. It smells and everyone takes a nap in the afternoon.' Says the super thin woman to her expensively shoed breakfast partner.  A: I wonder where she actually went in this, one of the best cities in Europe. Did she miss Gaudi's amazing concotions of stone and curliqued glass? Did she not ramble on La Ramblas? Or perhaps she was simply staying above a fish market and had a desperate need to go shopping at 3 in the afternoon? Odd. And B: who wears closed shoes to breakfast in Asia?? Hmm. 

So now, on the writing front, the first book in the Rosie Black Chronicles is getting closer to completion and publication. I've reworked the title as well it is now simply called Genesis - short and sweet just how I like it. A sneak preview will be available soon so keep your eyeballs peeled and blinking for it.

Now I really need to get some work done. Ciao and over and out. 

March 22, 2010 Inspiration - or something like it

I recently returned from a stint at a writers festival at a school and am still thinking of this one great question one of the kids asked. What was your most inspirational moment? For about five seconds after she asked this I just had a big blank. It was a really good, hard to answer question and mostly because it's not something I usually think about. Do any of us? I do spend time thinking about what inspires me regarding certain stories I might write, where the ideas came from, how the characters evolved, but an actual moment of inspiration akin to a Eureka moment is another thing. I ended up answering her by saying I thought it was being read Lord of the Rings when I was a child, because it was an inspirational moment and one I still do remember, but the most?? I don't know.I'm not even sure I really have one defining moment. Do you? 

Some people talk about people they've met - amazing people with incredible life stories - others it's just a moment in time like man's first steps on the moon, but the most inspirational is hard to pin point. I'm still wondering.

March 3, 2010. BETRAYAL is out!!

Yes, finally book 2 in the Twins has hit the shelves and I'm excited.  Check out the trailer link above to have a look at what it's about. There's always something magical about seeing your own work up there alongside all the others. I've also not long got back from a long weekend at the Perth Writers Festival. Fantastic time, meeting other authors, finally meeting in the flesh my publisher from Walker (the lovely Sarah) and hopping in and out of all the author panels and buying far too many books as usual. I have run out of bookshelf space now - books are in overflow mode now, but I can't be stopped. 

I also handed in the first book in my new series, The Rosie Black Chronicles,to Walker and it will be out later in the year, probably in October now, but stay tuned here for the actual date, cover art and exciting stories from the dangerous world of editing. 

I am also (right now in fact) preparing for my appearance at the All Saints Festival in Perth on March 17 & 18 and in the middle of it yesterday a baby snake slithered into my office for a visit. I looked at it (from the safety of the top of my sofa) it looked at me and we were both as alarmed as each other. After rearing up and looking terrified it ducked under the bookcase. Spent hours taking out all the books from the bottom of the bookshelf only to find it asleep on the window sill. Had to call in the husband snake removal squad to get it out as I am a total chicken when it comes to long bitey things, I shall leave the heroics to my characters I think.

February 9, 2010: Zen and the art of juggling books and procrastination

ok so there's nothing remotely Zen about me. I drink (wine and coffee and even sometimes *gasp* diet coke), I got to bed late, I watch TV, I pretend I do yoga but only actually do it about once a month....ok maybe every six weeks, and I enjoy reading novels so pulpy they could bulk out juice, BUT I also juggle books.
Not the throw them in the air and catch them kind of juggling but the writing two books at once and editing another kind of juggling.
This, I am discovering is perhaps not the best plan in the universe. It leads to non- Zen type behaviour - hence the drinking and minus yoga points.

To juggle books it is essential you have deadlines breathing at you noisily from the corner like overweight dragons on meth and a slightly crazed stare - like you've been up all night watching the Twilight Zone and are now seeing gremlins on plane wings. It is also essential that you procrastinate. As we all know, procrastination is the writer's friend.
Yes, I said friend.
Without procrastination how would we get that dreaded gurgling feeling of blind panic bubbling up from our colon in the middle of the night?  How would we know were were supposed to be doing something - anything - if we did not feel that pit of doom approaching? It motivates us, terrifies us and makes us pick up the keyboard/pen/caffeine drip and actually get to work.
then again there is always the other approach. the Zen approach which involves herbal tea, organisational calendars and yoga.
But where's the fun in that?
See, here I have just procrastinated for some ten minutes and already I feel motivated to switch screens and get my Word count on.
Just as soon as I've checked Twitter just one more time.....

January 20, 2010

New year has come and gone, January is almost over and finally I am getting back to the keyboard after a protracted retreat involving two seasons of Pushing Daisies and finally watching season four of Battlestar Galactica. Love that Starbuck, she is so messed up. The last two months have been a mad whirlwind and I'm in the mood for a break from this  place called reality and am ready to hop the on the alternate existence express. AKA  - back to the business of books. Betrayal - book 2 in the Twins of Saranthium - is going to press so hopefully all the commas, semi colons and names are in the right place and order 'cos it's too late now to turn back It should hit bookshelves in March, along with a re released paperback of Awakening (with a beautiful new cover to go along with)

And I am finally getting on with my next project which is editing the first book in my new young adult series, The Rosie Black Chronicles......drum roll please as I put in another shameless publicity plug... yes the first book, The Genesis Project, is due out in September with Walker Books so I'm head down and elbows deep in space ships, mars and some futuristic action.Plus a little romance on the side. Always got to have a touch of that. So it's the red pen for me for a few weeks and then I'll be preparing for attending the All Saints College Festival in Perth on March 17 in Perth. No rest for the wicked. 

December 3, 2009

The book trailer for Betrayal is on the web! Finally finished it and have uploaded it to Youtube - find it here:  

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZX8hTS0Cj_I

November 17, 2009

Some say travel broadens the mind, others that it's just another opportunity to buy more shoes. Either way, I've just got home from yet another trip south to the 'big smoke'and as usual have come back with more books than I left with and a sock that I'm pretty sure does not belong to me. (Suspect I must have bypassed that black hole where all the odd socks go and one just slipped out when I wasn't looking and landed in my bag). Anyway, NEWS.....Am almost finished the final edit of Betrayal, Book 2 in the Twins of Saranthium trilogy. It's due out in March 2010 with Pan Macmillan in Australia and NZ and right now ( well almost right now as soon as I finish this) I am going over the final pages with the editors, crossing eyes and dotting t-shirts etc.

I'm also starting work on a book trailer for Betrayal - which will hopefully be good and not one of those dodgy ones which steals ninety seconds from your life that you can't claim on tax. I'll be posting it here on my site when it's done so comments and criticisms can be lobbed at it. 

I'm also on Twitter now so you can follow me there, codename Alterin01 - but just look for Lara Morgan and you should find me. Ciao for now.