randomly, tiredly....

[lagilman]

I did not have a good time in Calgary airport, but am settled once again in Seattle,fed and cozy and decompressing off the WFC chaos. It was, all told, a very good convention (despite some off notes and utter exhaustion), with useful meetings and story-developments, and very good to see a number of friends who have been too-long from the scene (and even better to hear about some of the very excellent stuff they're writing),

And speaking of writing and good reports, found this in my in-box, from PUBLISHERS WEEKLY:

Unusual Suspects: Stories of Mystery & Fantasy Edited by Dana Stabenow. Ace, $14 paper (320p) ISBN 978-0-441-01637-2

This follow-up to Powers of Detection (2006) breaks no new ground, but offers 12 stories with enough well-paced variety to keep readers happy. In Charlaine Harris’s notable Sookie Stackhouse tale, “Lucky,” one insurance agent’s good luck makes him a target. A “resurrected” Humphrey Bogart is murdered in Carole Nelson Douglas’s “Bogieman” while Santa Claus investigates the murder of an elf in John Straley’s “Weight of the World.” On the lighter side, a divorcée gets used to a menagerie of ghostly housemates in Sharon Shinn’s “The House of Seven Spirits” and a young woman confronts a cave dragon turned loan shark to solve her father’s disappearance in Laura Anne Gilman’s “Illumination.” Strong tales outnumber the weaker ones by a considerable margin and will satisfy fans of both genres. (Dec.)

I figure, if I'm one of the five-of-twelve singled out,they probably liked it, huh?:-)

Comments

[wyld-dandelyon.livejournal.com]

Yay! I'll have to watch for that one.

[lagilman]

available in December. I got my paws on an early copy this weekend,and was waving it about and challenging people to read the opening passage in my story without cracking a smile. Nobody could. ;-)

[arouraleona.livejournal.com]

Oooh, good to hear, I like to keep up with collections, and with you and Harris in the mix its certainly something to pick up. Seriously, you're better than my amazon recommend list.

Also, good to have you back in Seattle!

[lagilman]

this story is also the 'kickoff' for HARD MAGIC (Spring 2010), as it officially introduces Bonnie Torres and her penchant for investigation...

(imagine a goth-y,polyamorous Nancy Drew. With magic.)

[(Anonymous)]

I secretly think Nancy Drew WAS polyamorous... Bess was more boycrazy maybe, but Nancy certainly had it in her. And Ned was so boring.

[arouraleona.livejournal.com]

oooh, and somehow I missed sharon shin! Awesome!

[carolendouglas.livejournal.com]

Hi! Glad to get a report on WFC and hear that the Unusual Suspects anthology has been reviewed in PW. Like you, I figured if my story got a specific mention they probably liked it. :) I'm one of those authors long absent from the sf/fantasy scene while writing mystery series, but urban fantasy has drawn me back into the fold. Don'tja love that blending genres is actually encouraged nowadays?

[lagilman]

Mystery and the supernatural have always been the peanut butter and chocolate of the genres, IMO. Some people may not like the combo, but for those many of us who do, it's an addiction. And the better-quality the ingredients, the more orgasmic the taste.

[carolendouglas.livejournal.com]

So true. Hybrids have more flavor. I go for white chocolate and peanut butter myself, though (See Reese's peanut butter cups) . . . that's what's great about mixing your own. I even created the Albino Vampire cocktail in my urban fantasy series: white chocolate liqueur, creme de cacao and vanilla vodka in a martini glass, with a dollop of raspberry liqueur sunk like a bloody sunset at the bottom. Multiply orgasmic! Recipe: http://juno-books.com/albino_vampire_cocktail.html

[neadods.livejournal.com]

Oooo! I think you're right. Huzzah!

[egret17.livejournal.com]

Signs say yes. :)

[house-draven.livejournal.com]

That's great! Can't wait to read it!

[burger-eater.livejournal.com]

Welcome back, enjoy the falls and the book sounds cool.

Have fun!