Howard, Gardner, and George Show

November 25, 2013 at 4:20 pm

FROM THIS YEAR'S CAPCLAVE:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nvdsmhQYTyc&feature=youtu.be

Warning: contains risqué anecdotes and off-color stories that may offend some.

I should also mention that I had a senior moment during the panel, when I mentioned that I won my first Hugo in 1985 and appeared on my first panel in 1986. While the relation between those two events is correct, the dates aren't. I misplaced a decade there. I actually won my first Hugo in 1975, and appeared on my first panel later that same year (at the same con where the trophy was presented to me).

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Tags: conventions

Treasures for Pearl

November 22, 2013 at 11:05 am

My friend Janis Ian is launching an amazing charity auction for her Pearl Foundation. Parris an I are thrilled to be a part of this.

Details, from Janis herself:

Starting November 21^st, Grammy Award winning singer/songwriter Janis Ian and eBay auctioneer Amy Leslie will host PROSE FOR PEARL, a 10-day auction of unique items and memorabilia by famous authors, to raise money for returning students. The auction will take place on the Pearl Foundation’s eBay site: http://stores.ebay.com/thepearlfoundation/

You can see the items right now at http://www.janisian.com

and you can read the whole story here:

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.543110765775646.1073741829.357191544367570&type=3

We have items signed and donated by George R. R. Martin, Harlan Ellison, Neil Gaiman, Orson Scott Card, Wally Lamb, Pat Conroy, Len Wein, Joe Haldeman, Jane Yolen, Harry Turtledove, Kevin J. Anderson & Rebecca Moesta, Michael Swanwick, Mercedes Lackey, Mike Resnick, and the family of Anne McCaffrey, plus a gold, diamond, ruby watch Janis’ family gave Pearl when she graduated.

What’s unusual about this auction?

— It was suggested by author George R. R. Martin (Game of Thrones) and his wife, Parris McBride, who are donating a pilot script from the hugely successful television series, signed by all the “Starks”, as well as signed books and personal notes from Martin to the high bidders.

— The authors are Janis’ friends, and chose the items themselves. Many posed with their items, and sent photos of themselves with Janis for the sale.

— The items are offered with no reserve. Each item has a description from the author as well as a short vignette by Ian detailing their relationship.

— The authors will sign and personalize their items whenever possible.

The Pearl Foundation – history and FAQ

— In 1998, Ian held the very first Internet auction through her own website, raising over $60,000 in college scholarship funds for Goddard College. What begun as a one-time tribute to her mother’s life-long dream of attending college became the Pearl Foundation, an IRS-approved charitable organization dedicated to raising funds for returning students.

— To date, the Pearl Foundation has given away more than $700,000 in college scholarship funding. The Pearl Foundation’s annual overhead is less than 2%.

Come to http://stores.ebay.com/thepearlfoundation/ November 21st and

The items I've donated myself–
— a television script from GAME OF THRONES signed by the members of House Stark,
— a p/c copy of the SUbPress limited edition DANCE WITH DRAGONS,
— a set of five current edition hardcovers for books one to five of SONG OF ICE & FIRE.

I will be pleased to personalize all these for the winners… so bid lustily.

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Tags: charity

Down Under

November 19, 2013 at 11:42 am

Kicking around Down Under. Supanova Brisbane, Sydney Opera House, Melbourne Wheeler Center, Supanova Adelaide have all passed in a blur of signatures, smiles, panels, signatures, readings, questions and answers, signatures. Now we are back in Melbourne for a couple of days before we take off for New Zealand.

My only regret: I did not have the presence of mind to belt out the theme song to HAVE GUN, WILL TRAVEL in Sydney. That would have allowed me to say that I'd sung at the Sydney Opera House.

I understand the Giants have won every game since I've been away. Maybe I should leave the country more often.

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Tags: travels

Gang Green and the Purple Haze

November 4, 2013 at 12:41 am

Okay, I cheated. In between packing and answering emails and paying bills and otherwise getting ready for our trip down under, I watched a little of the Jets game.

Seven hells. The Jets won. Over the Saints. Who'da thunk it?

And they won the way they were winning a couple of years ago, when Rex took them to the AFC title games: with killer defense and a running game.

Ivory was unstoppable. I hope this guy stays healthy. He's a terrific RB when he's not hobbled by injury. And I can't say enough about the D.

On other football fronts, however… you know, it's a good thing I don't follow college football. I just learned today that my alma mater, Northwestern, lost to Nebraska on a Hail Mary in a fashion that would surely have given me a heart attack if I'd been watching. Ah, Northwestern… I'm a member of the Class of 1970 (BSJ) and the Class of 1971 (MSJ), which means I went to school there in the 60s. During my tenure, the student body voted overwhelmingly to change the team nickname from the rather cliche "Wildcats" to the much more distinctive "Purple Haze." Now you see why. (Alas, the university ignored the will of the students, in favor of the will of the alumni donors).

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Tags: nfl

Getting Crazy

November 3, 2013 at 11:28 am

Much as I like travel — well, at least the part where I'm in some cool place, I have actually come to hate the process of getting there, thanks to the airlines and the TSA and such — getting ready for a trip is always Crazy Time around here. There is always too much to do, and too little time to do it in, and no matter how hard you try, something always gets forgotten. And it's worse when it's a LONG trip, like this jaunt to Australia and New Zealand.

Which is my long-winded way of saying that I have so damn much to get done today that I don't even think I can watch football.

So let me go work.

Meanwhile, I will leave you with a fun trailer for next weekend's late movie at the Jean Cocteau. Sad to say, I won't be here to see it… but you should.<lj-embed id=”380″ />

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Tags: everyday life, jean cocteau, movies, travels

Coming at the Cocteau

October 31, 2013 at 3:56 pm

Even though I'm going a little nuts getting ready for the trip to Australia and New Zealand, my crack team at the Jean Cocteau is carrying on as usual.

THE WHISPERER IN DARKNESS and ESCAPE FROM TOMORROW wrap up today, so if you've been meaning to see those, this is your last chance. We're holding over THE WICKER MAN for another week. We're also holding over ABBOTT & COSTELLO MEET FRANKENSTEIN for two more weekend matinees, since Bud and Lou and the monsters have been filling the hall. Kids under twelve STILL free for Abbott & Costello.

And we have some cool stuff coming up tonight for Halloween — in cooperation with the Santa Fe Film Festival, we're screening a restored 3D print of the Vincent Price horror classic, HOUSE OF WAX, one night only, and starting a late night run of (yes!) THE ROCKY HORROR PICTURE SHOW. Costume contests for both, with prizes.

Two new movies debut tomorrow, one old and one new. The new film is a quirky new SF movie from Magnolia called MR. NOBODY. Take a look:

<lj-embed id=”377″ />

The old film is an indy classic, KING OF HEARTS, where the inmates really do take over the asylum. Like this:

<lj-embed id=”378″ />

Seeing as how I'm plugging our coming attractions, I want to mention one more for all my gamer friends, since I'll be travelling in Australia when it screens and might not get to mention it elsewise. Starting on Friday, November 8, we will be showing the RPG dramedy ZERO CHARISMA:

<lj-embed id=”379″ />

We're going to be offering a special 1d6 discount on all ZERO CHARISMA admissions. That's right. We'll have a six-sided die at the Cocteau box office, so when you turn up for the movie, ask for a roll, and you'll get somewhere between one buck and six bucks off the cost of admission… depending, of course, on how well you roll. (We did consider using a d20, but then we would have ended up owing YOU money).

See you at the movies.

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Tags: jean cocteau, movie theatre, movies

Heading Down Under

October 31, 2013 at 10:44 am

Things are pretty hectic here. A million things to do, and in less than a week, I will be headed off Down Under.

Details of my tour have been available for ages on the Appearances page of my website, but I know that some of you never visit my website (bad on you), so in the hopes of avoiding the "why don't you ever visit X" emails that inevitably seem to turn up whenever I've just gotten back from X, let me hit the highlights here for all my fans and Not A Blog readers in Australia (and New Zealand):

I'M COMING TO AUSTRALIA (and NEW ZEALAND).

First stop will be Brisbane, where I will be appearing at the SUPANOVA convention, November 8 – 10. I will be doing signings, panels, signings, Q&As, signings, maybe a reading, signings, interviews, and signings. It's a big big convention with lots of cool guests, so I'll be joined at some of these events by Lena Headey (Queen Cersei), Mark Addy (King Robert), and Jerome Flynn (Bronn) from HBO's GAME OF THRONES, along with stars from TRUE BLOOD, SPARTACUS, and many other actors and writers.

Then on to Sydney. On November 11, I will be speaking at the Sydney Opera House. I'm informed that Lena will be on hand as well, along with Michelle Fairley (Lady Catelyn). This will be an interview and Q&A, I believe. I promise not to attempt to sing opera. ('Kill the wabbit! Kill the waaaaabit').

On Wednesday, November 13, I will be in Melbourne, appearing that evening for a similiar event at the Wheeler Centre. The sponsors tell me that Michelle will be on hand for that one as well.

Afterwards it's on to Adelaide, and another SUPANOVA, November 15-17. As with Brisbane, there will be a full lineup of signings, panels, interviews, and other events. Mark Addy, Jerome Flynn, and Lena Headey are supposed to join me for that one as well.

For my fans elsewhere in Australia… I am sorry, but no, I am NOT appearing in Darwin, Townsville, Cairns, Canberra, Hobart, Alice Springs, Perth, Kangaroo Island, or any of the other cool towns and cities in your lovely country. If you want to see me, hear me, or get your book defaced, you will need to travel to Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne, or Adelaide. You can find my details, and links to the SUPANOVA webpage and other events, on the Appearances page of my website, so get yourself hither if you'd like to buy tickets. Some of these events may sell out. Some may be sold out already.

Last stop on the trip will be New Zealand. Or, rather, Wellington, where I am scheduled to do a signing at Whitcoulls booksellers at 12:30 on Friday, November 22. That will be my only public appearance in NZ; the rest of our time there will be private.

Parris and I love Australia and New Zealand and have lots of friends there, so we're looking forward eagerly to returning. (Though I do rather wish it wasn't coming up so fast, I have so much else to do).

See you Down Under.

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Tags: conventions, signings, travels

More on the Art Show

October 30, 2013 at 4:51 pm

James Monosmith of Seattle's LTD Gallery has sent me a list of artists who will exhibiting in the WINTER IS COMING art show next March.

So far they have committments from:

Aaron Jasinski

Alexander Laccarino

AMOK

Augie Pagan

Barry Blankenship

Brian Rood

Bruce Yan

Camilla d'Errico

Carl Faulkner

Carolina Eade

Craig Drake

Cris Griffin

Dave Perillo

David Kloc

Donato Giancola

EMILIZ TOLIBAS

Gregory Manchess

Jae Drummond

Jarreau Wimberly

Jason Engle

Jen Zee

Jessica Deahl

Jim Burns

John Picacio

Jon Foster

Jonathan Bergeron

Joshua Buddich

Kali Ciesemier

Ken Wong

Levi Hastings

Maj Askew

Marc Simonetti

Marco Cardonna

Mark Englert

Mark Evans

Mick Minougue

Mike S Miller

Mikeatron

Paul Shipper

Ruel Pascual

Sam Bosma

Scott Campbell

Siolo Thompson

Snaggs

Stacey Aoyama

Steve Thomas

Steven Daily

Ted Nasmith

Tim Doyle

Tom Kidd

Tomasz Jedruszek

Yoann Boissonnet

It's a pretty impressive list, and it is by no means complete.

It should be quite an exhibition.

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Tags: art collecting, artwork, song of ice and fire

Winter Is Coming… to Seattle

October 29, 2013 at 4:54 pm

Fans of Ice & Fire… and of great fantasy art in general… have a treat coming next winter.

Seattle's famous LTD Art Gallery, a premiere fine art gallery that specializes in the works inspired for the many icons of contemporary pop culture, will be hosting WINTER IS COMING, a showcase of original artwork inspired by A SONG OF ICE & FIRE. James Monosmith, owner and director of the gallery, declares that the show will be "an unparalleled collection" by "today's top fantasy and pop artists."

The show will be open on March 1, 2014, and run through March 23rd, at the Ltd Art Gallery, 307 E. Pike Street, in Seattle. There will be an opening reception at the gallery on Saturday, March, 1, and a final special engagement at Emerald City Comicon, March 28 – 30th.

It's no secret that I love fantasy art, so I'm very excited about this show. I've had the honor and privilege of working with incredible artists like Michael Komarck, John Picacio, Gary Gianni, Marc Simonetti, Charles Vess, Jeff Jones, John Howe, Marc Fishman, Donato Giancola, Stephen Youll, Tom Kidd, and many many more in the past, and it's my hope that some of them will be sending brand new original pieces for inclusion in the show… along with many new artists, some of whom may very well win places in my personal pantheon. I look forward to seeing all sorts of wild, new, exciting visions of my world and characters.

You can check out the gallery website at http://www.ltdartgallery.com/

Artists who would like to submit their work for consideration for inclusion in the show should contact James Monosmith at the gallery email.

(At this date, I can't promise that I will be able to attend the gallery opening. But if I can, I will).

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Tags: art collecting, artwork, fantasy, song of ice and fire

The Dragons Are Here

October 29, 2013 at 10:14 am

It's publication day!

The long-awaited mass market paperback of A DANCE WITH DRAGONS hits the bookstores today. (Yes, we know you folks in the UK, Australia, South Africa, Ireland, New Zealand, and like places have had the UK mass market for ages, thanks, you can stop gloating now).

And yes, the paperback of DANCE does include a sample chapter from THE WINDS OF WINTER. A lot of folks have been clamoring to know which one, and now it can be revealed: we've included the first Ser Barristan chapter from the novel-in-progress, wherein we glimpse the beginning of the Battle of Meereen. I hope you will all enjoy it.

The dragons are not flying alone, either. Also hitting the racks (and virtual racks) this morning in both the US and the UK is THE WIT AND WISDOM OF TYRION LANNISTER, a little hardcover stocking stuffer collecting most of the Imp's best (and worst) lines from the five novels published to date, illustrated by Jonty Clarke.

This one is meant as a Christmas book of sorts, small enough to slip into a stocking (if you have very big feet). We hope you get a kick out of it.

US edition

UK edition

And who knows, if our little venture meets with favor, perhaps next year we will do THE WIT AND WISDOM OF HODOR.

DANCE and WIT & WISDOM are both available at a bookstore near you, or from your favorite online retailer.

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Tags: a dance with dragons, publications

Not a Blog

Howard, Gardner, and George Show

Treasures for Pearl

Down Under

Gang Green and the Purple Haze

Getting Crazy

Coming at the Cocteau

Heading Down Under

More on the Art Show

Winter Is Coming… to Seattle

The Dragons Are Here

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