The joy of blogging

A karmic approach to promotion

So here’s the thing; in less than two months “Between Two Thorns” will be released and I really do want it to be a success. I’ve written the best book I possibly can, Angry Robot Books are spreading the word and the cover is absolutely beautiful.

Part of my job as an author of the 21st century is to help promote it, and part of that is telling people about things like reviews, interviews, guest posts, exciting mentions and all that malarkey.

But… and it’s a big one, I just can’t bring myself to write what could be (hopefully) lots of round-up posts without feeling all squiffy. I feel I should do it though, so I’ve come up with what I hope will be a solution: every time I put something up here about Between Two Thorns or something I’ve been doing, I’ll also put up something about something cool and creative someone else has been doing. How does that sound?

Let’s give it a go.

Stuff about Between Two Thorns that has made me happy

Mary Robinette Kowal (who is one of the coolest people I have ever met and is now one of my role models after meeting her at Worldcon 2012) said this about “Between Two Thorns”

“Emma Newman has created a reflection of Bath that reminds one that charming is not safe. Between Two Thorns shows the darkness beneath the glamour of the social Season. Learning to be a young lady has never seemed so dangerous.”

Why does this make me happy? When I heard that Mary had agreed to take a look at the book before release I was so terrified she’d hate it. She didn’t! Hooray! Cups of tea all round!

It’s been listed in these ‘anticipated reads for 2013 posts’

Angels of Retribution
Ranting Dragon
A Fantastical Librarian
Joanne Hall

Why does that make me happy? Well, this is the first novel of mine that’s actually been anticipated by people who don’t know me personally!

Apparently I’m a writer to watch according to the splendid Cheryl Morgan

Women to watch out for in 2013

Why does that make me happy? Look at the other people on the list! You could knock me down with a feather.

The karmic balance

That monkey…

The very wonderful Gareth L. Powell has just had a new book published called Ack-Ack Macaque. I have a signed copy on my shelf, begging to be read, but I have to finish a couple of others first. If you haven’t read it already, go and buy the book he had published last year called The Recollection. I loved it. I mean really, really adored it.

A is for Angelica and awesome and even awesomesauce

I read a book in the tail-end of last year which has haunted me since. It’s called A is for Angelica and it’s about a man who is caring for his wife following a major stroke. That doesn’t even come close to describing the depth, subtlety, humor and elegant darkness contained within its pages. It’s by Iain Broome who’s been doing all kinds of interesting writerly blog and podcast things for years. I have to admit I was so relieved I adored the book, because he’s a lovely, lovely chap. But be careful; it’s the kind of book that might want you to give up writing because it’s so ace. You know what I mean?

The Month of Letters Challenge

Mary Robinette Kowal has laid down a challenge which I find utterly compelling:

1. In the month of February, mail at least one item through the post every day it runs. Write a postcard, a letter, send a picture, or a cutting from a newspaper, or a fabric swatch.
2. Write back to everyone who writes to you. This can count as one of your mailed items
Seeing as the first (and hopefully second) draft of the third Split Worlds novel will be done by then, I’m planning to take part. Who’s with me?
I’m planning to look into this to help: https://www.postable.com/ which enables you to create a secure online address book. I’ll keep you posted (no pun intended).

That’s all for this week. Have you spotted anyone doing something fabulous that you want to shout out about? Have you read a book you loved or saw a particularly brilliant film? Let everyone know in the comments and spread the love!