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Tee and I just got back from New York Comic Con.

To say that it was an assault on the senses would be an understatement. Previous to this DragonCon was the biggest event I’ve ever been to. NYCC made that look like my Nana’s tea party.

Held in the Javits Convention Centre, there were a few niggles- like the Shuttle Buses finishing at 8.30 while the programming went until 10- but on the whole it was a great event. With over 2,000 booths from mega players like Marvel, to single artists trying to get more exposure for their work.

Getting anywhere in the push of people was tricky, but there was so much to see. We did catch a glimpse of a banner saying ‘Podcast Arena’, but never actually got there. Yeah, it was that kind of event.

On Friday we finally got to the event itself after a series of irritating and frustrating delays. We raced around, found our badges and the Harper Collins booth. It was only a few minutes until our signing, but there was this line of people. Our first reaction was ‘oh well, another author mustn’t be done yet…’ Then we found out that it was for us. For the next twenty minutes we shook hands, personalized books and had a ripping time. We’d given fifty copies away, and signed another fifty for the booth. After Tee did his panel, those fifty went by Saturday morning as well.

The next day it was the same for me and Geist at the Penguin booth. A line of people, and all the books gone.  Fifty books in twenty minutes. It was not what I had expected.

Neither was the panel “Winter is here: Epic Fantasy takes the Throne’. It was a packed house, over two hundred people, and I was on a panel with Brandon Sanderson, Peter Brett, Rae Carson, David Chandler and Nils Johnson-Shelton. Ron Hogan did a fantastic job of moderating, and everyone got a chance to answer every question. I’ve been on plenty of panels were that wasn’t the case, and I was delighted that on such an important day everything went smoothly.

We also had two meetings with my two editors Diana Gil and Danielle Stockley. Two great meals, and some interesting thoughts. The title of the second book Of Cogs & Corsets is going to change- but Tee and I came up with some great options that I think are even better. Then Danielle opened my eyes to some possibilities in the Books of the Order series, that I hadn’t even considered, or thought were an option. Exciting chances that I am still mulling over.

We left Comic Con on Saturday, and took the train home- but the fun wasn’t over yet. A very nice gentleman helped us get our luggage up in the rack, and he had also been at Comic Con. Before we knew it we were networking on the train, and a bunch of other possibilities began to ferment.

So from this event which was just supposed to be about signing and participating in panels, we came back with a whole lot of new directions to investigate. The takeaway for authors is, always be open to new chances, and always have business cards on hand for those moments.

We sure hope to go back to New York Comic Con, and next time we’ll be prepared for the madness!

Philippa Ballantine

As you probably- or possibly- know I got married last week to my co-author Tee Morris. You’d think that would be enough of a week…

But then we went to Comic Con. See my post for all about that. (Tor.com wrote up this review of the panel I was on Winter is Here)

Then we started to hear whispers about the Airship Awards. Now, after a convention those volunteers who organise it, are usually pretty beat. So when we looked into who had won and found nothing, we weren’t that surprised.

Then the Steampunk Scholar himself, said that we’d won. He was there presenting, but still we managed to hold in the excitement. Then the Airship Ambassador confirmed it.

Yes, Tee and I are now award winning steampunk authors!

The other nominees included The Strange Affair of Spring Heeled Jack (Pyr), Camera Obscura (Angry Robots), and The Half-Made World (Tor). All heavy hitters, all amazing books..so we are beyond ecstatic!

Previous winners of this award include Phil & Kaja Foglio, Alan Moore, and Abney Park. This is an award voted on by the attendees of Steamcon, and that matters a great deal to us. We’ve always said Phoenix Rising is a romp, and we want to make people smile.

Now we feel like we’ve done our job…and that’s a great feeling.

Oh yes, and as part of applying for my change of status here in America I found out I don’t have leprosy! So all in all, a fantastic week!!!

Philippa Ballantine

Tee Morris, the Social Media guru is heading to New Zealand. This is your chance to catch him and listen to his expertise. And here’s where and how to do it.

May 29-June 1
Conscription in Auckland, New Zealand

June 2
ANTI-Social Media, presented for LIANZA, 12pm-2pm
Room 420 Kate Edgar Information Commons Building #315
2 Alfred Street, University of Auckland
Auckland, New Zealand

All a Twitter, presented for LIANZA, 3pm-5pm
Room 420 Kate Edgar Information Commons Building #315
2 Alfred Street, University of Auckland
Auckland, New Zealand

June 3
Social Media Mainline Workshop for LIANZA, 9am-5pm
Computer Lab Room 433, Kate Edgar Information Commons Building #315
2 Alfred Street, University of Auckland
Auckland, New Zealand

June 15
ANTI-Social Media, presented for LIANZA, 12pm-2pm
Seminar Room, Reserve Bank of NZ
2 The Terrace
Report at ground floor reception no later than 11.45am
Wellington, New Zealand

All a Twitter, presented for LIANZA, 5pm-7pm
Conference Room, Department of Conservation
18-32 Manners Street
Report at ground floor reception no later than 4.45pm
Wellington, New Zealand

June 16
Social Media Mainline Workshop for LIANZA, 9am-5pm
SOLD OUT (Waiting List available)
Computer lab 510, Level 5, WelTec Wellington Campus
11-17 Church Street (off Boulcott Street)
Wellington, New Zealand

June 17

Speak Geek to Me, for Te Papa Tongarewa: The Museum of New Zealand, 10am-12pm
Location: TBA
Wellington, NZ

Philippa Ballantine

Well if I thought it was all just a mad dream, here is evidence that I am not. From May 2009 edition of Locus confirmation that the Ace deal is a go.

So I sent the contract by fast plane to New York, and now I have a date of publication. Geist will be out November 2010 and its sequel the following year.

I can’t wait to get start on final edits. Geist 2 (still have to come up with a satisfactory name) is about 15,000 words done and it is a lot of fun to get back to this world.

So apart from that writing here’s my calendar of things to get done

• Finish podcasting Weather Child.
• Begin planning and then podcast Digital Magic
• Write, edit, produce and podcast Books and Braun
• Write and podcast a series of perhaps 10 episodes of short stories in the Geist universe.

Philippa Ballantine

I’ve had plenty of fun this past week, hanging with my peers online.

I got to talk with the Dead Robots and Helen Madden, Nick Scipio and Nobilis about writing erotica. It is a subject I am just learning about, but it was a fun time. (WARNING- you may have already guessed, but this is NSFW or children, or those with a sensitive disposition to subjects of a sexual nature). We cover lots of saucy stuff, so have a listen.

And then I had a great interview with Michell Plested of Get Published where I talk about my 12 year journey to this point of having a book deal with a New York Publisher. Have a listen here.

Philippa Ballantine

One of the first things that we warn folks before they come to our house is ‘we have cats…five of them.’

It’s a strange thing that folks (readers and listeners) who don’t know me personally know about me. I share quite a bit about my life, and I was worried that I talked about the aforementioned cats a little too much. Then I went to FenCon.

Two seperate people asked about my cats. Then I got an email asking about them- wanting to know why there were no pictures of them on the site.

It made me think about what we are all seeking in this day and age of instant access with people all over the world. The same thing humans have always wanted. Connection with other human beings. We like to know personal details no matter how silly they may seem.

It’s a curious thing about being a podcaster; you’re in peoples ear drums, in their car, in their bedroom, entertaining them. It’s a very personal thing. You start to wonder about folks and feel a personal connection with them. It’s something about someone reading to you.

I have not (as yet) had a bad personal experience with listeners or readers. I’ve been very lucky that so far, everyone I have met has been kind, generous and very sweet. They talk, not just out about my writing, but about my life. I am still sorting out that boundary for myself, but so far the most intriguing question is about the cats.

This weekend at FenCon in Dallas, Texas I realised perhaps it wasn’t just me. It was revealed in the art show. Cats are big in fantasy. We like them on covers. We like them with jetpacks. We like them dressed up like people. It’s a thing…and I as a fantasy writer am almost required to have cats. Luckily five have chosen us to carry out their orders.

Who am I to fight the power. So, I think I will just post a picture of Sebastian and Viola, and let you judge what kind of person I am from that…

Now I am off to hang up a picture of a cat wearing a jet pack…

Philippa Ballantine

Philippa Ballantine

I finally got the first rough draft of Wrayth off to Ace, and am heading into other editing projects, but along the way you will be able to find me in Reno, Nevada attending to WorldCon. This is a huge event in the convention calendar, with many publishers, editors, fans and writers attending.

Last year I went to Melbourne Australia, and it ended up being a very fruitful trip. This time I’ll be touching base with my agent Laurie McLean, and meeting my new publisher, Lou Anders from Pyr Books, for the first time.

I’ll also be doing panels and various other events, so if you’re in Reno and want to say hi, please don’t be shy. I love meeting listeners and readers!

Here’s my schedule where you can find me:

• Introduction to Steampunk: What Is Steampunk and Why Is it so Popular? (Panel), Fri 19th August 1:00pm – 2:00pm
• Reading: (It’ll probably be form Spectyr) Fri 19th August 4:00pm – 4:30pm
• New Producer, New Doctor, New Companion: Steven Moffat, Matt Smith, and the New Doctor Who , Fri  19th August 5:00pm – 6:00pm
• Writers Collaboration Panel, Sat 20th August 11:00am – 12:00pm
• Steampunk versus Alternate History Panel, Sat 20th August 1:00pm – 2:00pm
• Autographing: Sat 20th August 2:00pm – 3:00pm
• KaffeeKlatsch:Sat 20th August 5:00pm – 6:00pm

Philippa Ballantine

Finally been given the go ahead to release at least one piece of the cool news I’ve been sitting on for awhile.

(These things are very uncomfortable things to balance on you should know!)

Tee Morris and I will be attending Comic Con in New York. There is a sentence I never dreamed I would say.

New York Comic Con is a huge event where every kind of forms of genre comes together; movies, television, comics…and writers. The last numbers they have on the event show that over 90,000 people attend!

This is the panel I will be contributing to

WINTER IS HERE: EPIC FANTASY TAKES THE THRONE
Saturday, October 15
Room #: 1A15
6:30PM – 7:30PM

WINTER IS HERE: EPIC FANTASY TAKES THE THRONE
Long a staple of the SF/F genre, epic fantasy is poised to take a coup over the bestseller lists, thanks in part to HBO’s fantastically popular series based upon George R.R. Martin’s “Game of Thrones” novel.  This summer saw signing lines hundreds of readers deep (luckily none with swords in hand) for #1 New York Times bestselling author Patrick Rothfuss’ American appearance.  Now, in a special spotlight session exclusive to New York Comic Con, we pair internationally bestselling author Brandon Sanderson, Peter Brett, Phillippa Ballantine and epic fantasy debut authors Rae Carson, David Chandler and Nils Johnson-Shelton talk about why swords and sorcerers, king-makers and kingslayers; dragons and high drama have renewed resonance in fiction.

I’ll probably also put some time in at my publisher’s booth, doing a spot of signing. So if you are attending Comic Con, then please stop by and say hi.

The wonderful marketing folks at HarperCollins made this happen, and I am pretty excited to get in there and speak. Imagine…a kiwi writer from Wellington in the heart of New York talking about writing!

I know if I traveled back in time and told my thirteen year old self, just starting out as a writer, she would think I was completely mad!

Philippa Ballantine

In two weeks, I’ll be attending FenCon in Dallas/Fort Worth. It’s my first time in Texas, and I am looking forward to adding another state to places I’ve visited.

I’m looking forward to meeting more people out there—especially Odin from View from Valhalla.

So here’s my schedule between 23-25 September, and I hope to see some of you there. Please don’t be shy about coming up and saying hi!

Saturday  10:00 AM  – 11:00 AM  Trinity I – IV
Goggles, Gears, and Gadgets: The World of Steampunk

Saturday  2:00 PM  – 2:30 PM  Gallery
Autographs

Saturday  5:00 PM  – 5:30 PM  Pecan
Reading

Sunday  11:00 AM  – 12:00 PM  Trinity I – IV
Steampunk Around the World (In 80 Days)

Philippa Ballantine