Kage Baker R.I.P.

I'm sorry to say, I've just read the news that award winning, beloved Science Fiction luminary Kage Baker passed away in January (January 31 to be exact).
(No!!!!!)

Yes, sad to say.
*fangirl moment of silence*

Ms. Baker's work was lush and made her what some might call an aunt of Steampunk, with the Company novels. Her short story works were published in everything from Asimov's to the Pirate anthology published by Night Shade Books Fast Ships, Black Sails, to the Women of Nell's Gwynne published last year by Subterrean Press. You can see her full bibliography at her site, here.

The full story is over at SFWA. R.I.P. Kage. You will be missed!

***
*sigh* We're just losing icons left and right. :(

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New author alert: Erica Ridley

Ok, I'm sorry, I only just found out about this, but there's a debut author at Plot Monkeys right this moment. Her first Regency/Gothic romance has just been released and I really think we should give her some support. :) Do go check out her post, and with a chance to win her novel, I think you will enjoy this. You can find it more about her, and the Plot Monkeys visit, here.

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Monday's question of the day

Well, I didn't see this one until this morning, but we'll just pretend it's still Monday. My friend Eleni at La Femme Readers posted this question on her fabulous blog:

Question: Which type of YA genre do you prefer, dark and edgy or fun and light-hearted?


Personally, I'm not as well-versed in YA as Eleni, but I like fun and lighthearted in a YA book, ala Meg Cabot; but then I adore Tamora Pierce's YA Fantasy novels too, but I'm not sure I'd call them Edgy and dark, or light-hearted, definitely fun, for an old fashioned Fantasy lover like me, but not the other two. So, fun and light-hearted. I'm mainly a happy endings girl, what can I say? :)

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The Brotherhood Challenge

Jessica Rabbit created The Brotherhood Challenge. The goal? To read the J.R. Ward Black Dagger Brotherhood Series. You can read about her challenge here. And about J.R. Ward's series here. To be entirely frank, I've heard odd things about the author's style, so I'm curious to see more, and how far I'll get through it; thought this might be the year to give it a shot. :)

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Who's your book boyfriend.Take two!

Take two:

So, Jessica Rabbit tagged me for this. :) Let's see....

We all have our favourite book boyfriends and now you have the chance to create one just for yourself and your fantasies! How do you play? Fill out the quiz bellow, post a picture of sexy man and tag five (5) other book addicts to do the same. Don't forget to pop to their blogs as let them know they have been tagged! Once tagged... you have do do the same, grab the button, answer the questions, and keep it rolling! But don't forget the picture of the sexy man! It doesn't have to match your fantasy man, just a little eye candy for the rest of us... heheheee!


1- Hair colour and style
I tend to go for long hair, dark or blonde, depending on the boy. ;)


2- Eye colour and facial features
Eyes, gray or green--or brown, either color the eyes will be soulful and sexy.

3- Height and body type
I'm short but most of my heroes are taller than me, 5'6"-5'8" is good, not much paunch, but not bulky weightlifter, either. I expect him to be able to handle an airship or a a few baddies, if necessary, though. Does he have a black belt in something? That'd be excellent too.

4- Visible age
30s-ish

5- Bangability ie: kinky/bi/size
Ahem.... his eyes are all for the girls definitely--but not into pain at all, unless he has to kick someone's A&&.

6- Human or other
part alien, or he could be full shapeshifter.

7- Paranormal skills
Ability to mind-meld might prove interesting. ;)

8- Interests
Literature, movies, music, science, and the ability to do my taxes for me!

9- Habitat
Definitely a city boy in a nice luxurious mansion, with many rooms, and cable!

10 Special skills
Ability to drive away anyone that bothers me, would be perfect (think Aragorn), but if he's got some sort of magical ability, that'd be great too!

I tag....
Le Femme Readers


A Bluestocking's Place


Don't forget to come back to the Gutter Girls and let us know you posted so we can check out your man.

And now the eye candy!

Thanks for tagging me, Jessica!

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Erica Ridley blogs at Barnes and Noble

I almost feel guilty posting one more time today, but this is about a new writer I've met.
Tampa author Erica Ridley, author of the Regency novel Too Wicked to Kiss is blogging over at Barnes and Noble Book Clubs this afternoon. You’ll also find details there on how to win copies of her novel. So drop on by there, and say hello, and check out her fine new offering!


I've also posted about several other author related web happenings this week, in a short article over at the Examiner. Go here to see that round up, if you wish.

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Library Girl Reads February contest(deadline tonight!)

Anyone up for some good reads? I'm so late on this, but Library Girl Reads is hosting her February giveaway, here. Unfortunately, the contest ends tonight. :( Said I was late in finding it. Sorry.
But if you try, good luck to you!

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Meet Senior Editor Selina McLemore

This is an interesting post I found (thanks, Julie!) at the Ninc blog about how an editor works (and chooses new authors!). Thought other budding authors might find it so too.
Meet Senior Editor Selina McLemore

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For Jaci, and other budding synopsis writers. :)

Hey, you were asking about writing Query letters, the other day? Pub Rants has a great example here, as does Fantasy author  Lisa Shearin, here; also check out RomCom/Momlit/Mystery author Kathy Carmichael's examples. Even if the sample queries are not in the genre you write, believe me, I hear every little bit helps.

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Can't we all just get along? ;) Or readers, unite...please?

You know, one of the things I dislike about being a reader is this snobbishness that crops up in the debate of genres vs. literary works.  Personally, I read both: I adore Virginia Woolf, and Tolkien/Shearin/Clarke/Rawn/Moorcock/Rom com author Kathy Carmichael and so many more...is that so wrong??? :) Mystery author Cathy Pickens doesn't think so. Read her interesting post on the subject here.

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An author's "local" book signing.

For any fans in the Tampa area, YA Author Lisa McMann is going to be doing a book signing this week at Inkwood Books in South Tampa.  Full details in the article here at the Examiner.

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Who is your favorite book couple? Meme

This from La Femme Readers' blog.
Herm...this is a tough one. I think they change all the time, but right off the bat, I have to say I'm pretty much in love with Rain and Ellysetta from C.L. Wilson's Tairen Soul series. :) Second to them would be Lucan and Cael from Susan Kearney's Pendragon Cycle, and lastly Terence and Rachel (poor Rachel) from Virginia Woolf's The Voyage Out. So those would be my choices....at the moment. This can always change later... Who are your favorites?

And please link this meme back to me, and La Femme Readers? :) Can't wait to see the answers!

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Nora Roberts

For Nora Roberts readers (any here besides me?) there's a new Nora Roberts companion like thing coming out soon. The Nora Roberts Examiner has an article on it; if you'd like to see a little more info on it, you can read her article here. :)

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