Hands up. I have been more than a little slack updating this blog over the past few months. Huge apologies. Life has been crazy busy in the best sort of way!
Firstly, I was delighted to accept the role of co-editor and designer of the British Science Fiction Society’s (BSFA) media magazine, Matrix. Working alongside the inimitable Ian Whates as editor, and Del in his role as fellow co-editor and development officer, we put out the last print edition of Matrix in November 2007, and have been hard at work on the online version ever since. Matrix Online goes live on Wednesday, 19th of March 2008. I’m currently working my socks off to finalise the design, write my articles, and lay out all of the content. I await its launch, and subsequent reception, with baited breath.
Alongside my work on Matrix, and the design and development of a new website for the BSFA, I have worked as design consultant for Newcon, a SF convention which will take place at The Fishmarket in Northampton on Saturday October 11th and Sunday October 12th 2008. Guests of honour are Iain M Banks, Storm Constantine, Ken Macleod, and special guest, Paul Cornell. Visit http://www.newcon4.com for further details. Del and I will definitely be in attendance.
On the writing front, I’ve been working on my second novel, and have given it the provisional title of Heteroclite. I’m taking a new approach with Heterclite and plotting the novel in great detail rather than working to an outline. The theory is that this will free me up to concentrate on the quality of my writing rather than the nuances of plot. So far, Heteroclite is shaping up very nicely and along the urban SF lines I’m so keen to stay true to.
Other news? I have two short stories coming out in anthologies in March. Myth-Understandings features some of the UK’s top writing talent, and I’m thrilled to have my dark fantasy story, ’Heart Song’, included. My SF short story, ’The Killing Fields’ will feature in Celebration, an anthology celebrating 50 years of the BSFA. Both anthologies will be launched at Eastercon in March. I also have a Victorian ghost story called ’The Shadow Keeper’ coming out in All Hallows magazine later in the year.
So, the daffodils are coming out, mornings are getting lighter and I’ve started a fiercer new exercise regime – which means it must be spring. Convention season. First off is Eastercon. Orbital takes place between the 21st and 24th of March at the Radisson Edwardian hotel, Heathrow. Guests of honour are Neil Gaiman, Chine Miéville, Tanith Lee and Charles Stross. It sounds like a blast. Then in April, it’s Alt Fiction at Derby, perhaps my favourite convention from the point of view of my work as a writer. Alt Fiction manages to combine workshops with readings, panels, interviews and signings. All in all, a helluva day.
So no let up for the wicked…That said, we have been busy digging a giant swimming pool in our garden, otherwise known as the new patio. Thanks to our residents hounds, I can’t work out if there is more earth inside the house than outside at the moment. On a plus note, we do have three impromptu Celtic burrows on our drive thanks to said swimming pool and several tonne of shovelled earth. I like it. It gives me just another excuse never to set foot in the quagmire which is our garden, and with all of the creepy crawly that entails.
So how exactly did I end up with a five year old daughter who keeps a framed tarantula and a framed scorpion on her bedroom wall? I’ve been assured that they are dead.
xxx