"Bridesicle," The Trail of Tears, and Steampunk

[eldritchhobbit]

* My unabridged narration of one of this year's Nebula Award nominees, Will McIntosh's chilling short story "Bridesicle," is now available to stream or download on the latest episode of StarShipSofa. The episode also includes great segments from Mur Lafferty and Cheryl Morgan, as well as an interview with legendary author Gene Wolfe. If you listen, I hope you enjoy!

* Just a reminder for those of you in/near North Carolina this Friday: at the invitation of the Friends of the Rudisill Library, I will be giving my presentation "'I Take My Life in My Hand': A Tale of Two Cherokees and the Trail of Tears" at Lenoir-Rhyne University on Friday, March 12. I also will be signing books after my talk. The evening is free and open to the public. More information is here.

* I am so pleased that K.W. Jeter's pioneering steampunk novel Morlock Night will soon be back in print!

* Speaking of steampunk, The Book Smugglers are celebrating "Steampunk Week" this week, beginning with "Steampunk Week: An Introduction and a Primer."

* Parajunkee's View is hosting a giveaway for Rachel Ward's novel Num8ers.

* Karin's Book Nook is celebrating three years with a blogoversary giveaway of the Mortal Instruments trilogy by Cassandra Clare.


"I know I take my life into my hand... We can die, but the great Cherokee Nation will be saved. They will not be annihilated; they can live. Oh, what is a man worth who will not dare to die for his people? Who is there here that would not perish, if this great nation may be saved?" - Elias Boudinot, 1835

Comments

[peadarog.livejournal.com]

I look forward to hearing bridesicle...

[eldritchhobbit.livejournal.com]

Thanks! I hope you enjoy it. It's really a fantastic story; I actually had to stop a couple of times because I got choked up.

[peadarog.livejournal.com]

What a great story! And you read it perfectly. Kudos to you, misses! And I thought I was a bad man with one Russian mail-order bride and one whose origin I have yet to figure out...

[eldritchhobbit.livejournal.com]

Isn't it a brilliant story? Thanks SO much for your kind words about the narration. I'm so thrilled that you liked my reading.

And I thought I was a bad man with one Russian mail-order bride and one whose origin I have yet to figure out...

Ha! It's hard to out-evil "Talk dirty to me or I'll pull the plug..." *shudders*

[estellye.livejournal.com]

I may have missed the entry, but how did the dinner go last week?

[eldritchhobbit.livejournal.com]

Hey there, gal! *hugs* The dinner with the talk? Thanks for asking: that's actually this Friday. I'm prepping for it now, as a matter of fact!

[estellye.livejournal.com]

Oh! I had it in my head it was last Thursday for some reason and that this must be a different thing. It sounds like a really special presentation. I'm sure it will go great! And thank you, my dear, for all your thoughtful responses!

[eldritchhobbit.livejournal.com]

Actually, the date's been moved (twice!), so for a while it was scheduled for last Thursday! Thanks for your kind words. I've never given this exact talk before, but the subject is very near and dear to my heart, so I'm hoping all goes well. *fingers crossed* Your good thoughts are most appreciated! :)

Can't wait to see you soon!

[sittingduck1313.livejournal.com]

How could you make a post about steampunk and not mention The Steampunk Laptop?

[eldritchhobbit.livejournal.com]

D'Oh! *slaps forehead*

[abbie (from livejournal.com)]

You got choked up? Now I really can't wait to listen to it! I'm not sure why I've been waiting when I can just up and listen to it.

Hope the presentation goes well, as always!

In other news, I was going to tell you that last weekend my parents and I went to a civic chorus concert (it was quite good, btw), and there was a soprano in the choir that LOOKED JUST LIKE YOU. Especially when the lights were dim. It CREEPED ME OUT! In a delighted, yet disappointed sort of way. Um, so do you have a doppelganger in the Dallas metroplex? Are you now, or have you ever been a pod person? Do you sing? Jw.

[eldritchhobbit.livejournal.com]

It's a very powerful story. I really hope you enjoy it!

Thanks for the good wishes for the presentation - they are most appreciated!

My doppleganger? Good grief! That does sound creepy. I do not, to my knowledge, have a double in the Dallas metroplex. I do sing, but I'm an alto. And as for being a pod person... well, that would be telling, wouldn't it? Muahahaha. <-In a cold, emotionless, alien tone, of course.

By the way, your icon is a total hoot.

I hope you're having a great day!

[abbie (from livejournal.com)]

Hm, well...I did enjoy Bridesicle quite a bit. :) It's a really interesting story, and I especially like that it has a happy ending. Your narration was SO spot on!! Seriously. Great job! I was impressed with all the different voices you did and whatnot. When are the Nebula awards announced? Has that already happened yet?

I'm an alto, as well. The lady might've been an alto -- it was hard to tell who was singing which part. But she definitely was you. Creepykins.

Thanks about the icon! Someone posted a bunch of old articles about dating tips with corresponding photos. This one keeps cracking me up, so I figured it was good icon material. I think I sit like that all the time. Whoops. Well, I guess when one is essentially awkward she can't help but sit in awkward positions.

I am, in fact, having a great day. :) I hope YOU are.

[eldritchhobbit.livejournal.com]

I'm so glad you liked the story! I hoped you would. Thanks a million for your kind words about my narration. I really wanted to do it justice, both the eeriness of the premise and the poignancy of the happy ending - and that was a tall order!

Creepykins, indeed.

I have a hard time thinking of you as awkward! Nope, doesn't work. Still, that picture is a hoot.

[abbie (from livejournal.com)]

Also, hearing you read, "I'm gay." MIGHT have made my night. Mwahahahaaa! Just kidding.
But it is nice to hear stories in which being gay actually pays off and the end isn't all "The Well of Lonliness." *shrug* :)


I'm awkward all the time. You must not be paying attention...

[eldritchhobbit.livejournal.com]

Ha! :) I did think it was a very hopeful and sensitive portrayal, so I'm glad you liked it.

By the way, while I was prepping my summer course I came across an older (1985) collection of lesbian science fiction that I hadn't read before; I'm using one of its stories for my class. It's called The Needle on Full by Carolyn Forbes, FYI.

[mrwednesday7.livejournal.com]

Hi Amy, just dropped by to say how much I enjoyed your reading on the latest Starship Sofa. Perfect.

[eldritchhobbit.livejournal.com]

Thank you so much! I'm so happy that you liked it. I appreciate your kind words. That story was a great treat to read.