Thought for the Day

"If a story is good enough to sell once, it's good enough to sell twice."

~ Lavie Tidhar, World Fantasy Award-winning author

Guest Author April - Lavie Tidhar

My latest novels are A Man Lies Dreaming, which is out in the UK now in paperback (http://www.amazon.co.uk/Man-Lies-Dreaming-Lavie-Tidhar/dp/144476294X/) and is about Adolf Hitler as a disgraced private eye in 1930s London, and The Violent Century, which just came out in hardcover in the US (http://www.amazon.com/Violent-Century-Novel-Lavie-Tidhar/dp/125006449X/), which is a sort of parallel history of the 20th century with Nietzschean Ubermenschen, a love story and a murder mystery. I also just published the dual anthologies Jews vs Zombies (http://www.amazon.co.uk/Jews-vs-Zombies-Rebecca-Levene-ebook/dp/B00TQT6L9K/) and Jews vs Aliens (http://www.amazon.co.uk/Jews-vs-Aliens-Naomi-Alderman-ebook/dp/B00TQT6L4U/) co-edited with Rebecca Levene, which raise money for charity.

Thought for the Day

"All we have left are irony and sarcasm. And internet memes."

~ Lavie Tidhar, World Fantasy Award-winning author

A Man Lies Dreaming book launch

Last Wednesday I was fortunate enough to be among those invited to attend the launch of Lavie Tidhar's astonishing new novel A Man Lies Dreaming, held at Hatchards of Piccadilly, London's (and by extension the UK's) oldest bookshop.

Lavie was in discussion with Jake Kerridge of the Telegraph and it was a truly fascinating, not to say entertaining, interview. Afterwards Lavie proved that he really is a proper writing by picking up a pen and writing things in people's books. Here's what he wrote in mine:

I'm going to cherish these words when Lavie's a Booker prizewinner

(which is surely only a matter of time).

I was great to catch up with Anne Perry of Hodderscape and Jared Shurin of Jurassic London, not to mention Jonathan Oliver of Solaris/Abaddon/Ravenstone Books. It's at occasions like this that I really appreciate only being a 30 minute Tube ride away from central London.

JG at the MCM Expo (again)

So yesterday I headed over to the MCM Expo at Excel in London's Docklands, not as a contributor (just for once) but as a punter. My kids have been asking for ages what one of these events is like, so this time I took them along with me.

They were amazed - not to say overwhelmed - by all the cosplay characters. My son spent the day pointing out superheroes while my daughter counted Pokemons, specifically Pikachus. Having queued for an hour and a half to get in, with Lavie 'I don't queue' Tidhar, we only had about two hours to actually explore the con itself. Not that we got to see very much of it, since my kids fell in love with Letraset pens and went shopping crazy.

"Please, no pictures... No pictures... Oh go on then."

No tea duellist should be without one.

Miss Emily Ladybird and Major Jack Union (striking his Blue Steel pose).

Steampunk avionics.

At the end of the day I got the chance to catch up with the Steamies, which is always most splendid, and it looks like I'll be taking the family to MCM again, since my daughter is already planning her next two(!) costumes. What have I started....?

The usual steam-powered suspects.

At the end of a long and tiring day... a pair of budding comics creators of the future?

Launching the Adventure Rocketship! at Forbidden Planet

On Thursday evening I attended the launch of Jonathan Wright's new anthology magazine (or is that bookazine?) Adventure Rocketship! at Forbidden Planet in central London.

The first issue, Let's All Go to the Science Fiction Disco, looks at the links between science fiction and music. It includes non-fiction pieces written by the likes of Anne C Perry and Jared Shurin of the Kitschies awards, and short stories by the likes of Lavie Tidhar and Martin Millar.

 (From l-r) Lavie Tidhar, Jonathan Wright and Jon Courtenay Grimwood.

 

 Jon Courtenay Grimwood reads Martin Miller's short story.

The contributors signing for their fans.

After the launch, it was all back to the Phoenix Club to shoot the breeze, catch up on all the gossip and make new friends (hi, Konrad Walewski). I also happened to run into Si Spurrier (who I had not seen in far too long) who introduced me to David Hine and Mark Stafford - the guys behind the new iteration of Victor Hugo's The Man Who Laughs.

So all in all a very pleasant evening, and I'm now looking forward to the next Forbidden Planet launch...

Steampunk Thursday: Lavie Tidhar's Brief History of the Great Pubs of London

Things are a bit busy right now, in the lives of Family Green, so over the next few days I'll be handing over the blog to wiser minds than mine and sending you to read their blogs instead.

Today it's the turn of World Fantasy Award Winner Lavie Tidhar who's giving away one of his stories to read for free!

The British Fantasy Society Christmas Open Night

Was last Friday, and I went along to catch up with the likes of World Fantasy Award Winner Lavie Tidhar, British Fantasy Society Award Winner Sarah Pinborough, Hellraiser Cenobites Barbie Wilde and Nick Vince, FantasyCon stalwarts Paul Kane and Marie O'Regan, and not forgetting writers Benedict J Jones and Sandra Norval.

Sandra Norval, Benedict J Jones and World Fantasy Award Winner Lavie Tidhar. 

All the people in this photo have been published by Mr Dean M Drinkel, dontcha know?

A good night was had by all, new friends were made - Hi, Jason - much gossip was gossiped and a fair bit of booze was imbibed. Some of the less incriminating photographs from the evening can be seen on Facebook here.

Short Story Saturday: Finish something!

I seem to have short stories coming out of my ears at the moment. More and more people keep asking me to write them and I've already got a whole load of projects on my plate.

I'm not complaining, it's just ironic. The reason? At the start of this year Lavie Tidhar told me I should write more short stories. This led to me intending to make that my New Year's resolution - to write twelve short stories in 2012. Then I decided that would be unrealistic, so best make it twelve writing jobs.

Turns out now that I may well end up writing twelve short stories in 2012, and I passed the twelve writing jobs mark months ago. Which brings me to the point of this post...

If you have any aspirations to become published yourself, finish something! It's no good leaving a job half done. What you write might not be ready for publication yet, but if you can't see something through to the end you're never going to be a published writer*. And that's my distilled worldly wisdom for the day.

Which reminds me, with about five projects on the go at once** I'd best get back to work.

Until next time...

* Not 'published author', since all authors are published by the very fact they are called authors. And not 'aspiring writer' either. You write, if you're going to be a writer; you don't aspire to write. I could aspire to be an astronaut - doesn't mean it's gonna happen!

** In other words 'the norm'.

Thought for the Day - Steampunk'd!

"There are two types of people in the world: people who read my books and people who will be first up against the wall when the revolution finally comes."

~ Lavie Tidhar, author of The Bookman Histories

12 for '12 - Progress Report

Okay, so back at the start of the year I set out my 12 New Year's resolutions for 2012. I thought it was timely to let you know how I'm getting on. (Timely? You'll see why in a moment.) So here are my 12 resolutions again, with a status update for each one attached.

1) Read more books

Too early to really comment on this one. It's taken me ages to read a couple of books and then I've whizzed through others the same length. (This may say more about the pressures I've been under than the quality of the writing, although it was Dan Abnett's The Silent Stars Go By and Terry Pratchett's Snuff that I whizzed through.)

2) Buy fewer books

I've managed that. Far fewer visits to bookshops and far fewer packages arriving through the post from Amazon. Now I just need to stick to my guns.

3) Complete 12 projects

Now this is the interesting one. I wanted to complete 12 writing projects this year, whether they be novels, magazine articles or whatever, and on Tuesday I handed in number 12. That's right, I'm not even half way through the year and I've already finished 12 projects (although I've not written any complete novels yet).

For those of you who are interested, those 12 jobs consist of, 5 short stories, 3 children's books (for an up and coming brand), 2 magazine articles, 1 novella, and 1 gamebook app.

The challenge is now going to be if I can complete another 12 jobs before year's end. Already on the slate are 3 short stories, 2 novellas, 3 gamebooks (some of them apps), and various synopses and proposals to be written for various other things.

4) Write another gamebook App

Done. More news on that soon (I hope).

5) Get another Hammer & Bolter commission

Kind of done... I just need to write it now.

6) Get a comics commission

I've made no progress with this one at all.

7) Work up a new YA project

Certain people have shown an interest in me doing this and others have suggested it's something I should try, but again it's not something I've done anymore about just at the moment.

8) Reach 100 followers on this blog

Tick. Done. I'm actually up to 103 now. And keep 'em coming.

9) Try to get an agent

I've not even attempted to do anything about this yet. (Which is kind of connected to number 7).

10, 11 & 12) Use social media less (Facebook, Blogger and Twitter)

Hmm... I'm certainly planning my blogs more in advance, but I still frequent Facebook far too much. (And what is it with Facebook and cats?)

Twitter's an interesting one though. Strangely, I Tweet most often when I'm working. As my friend Lavie Tidhar says, it's just enough of a distraction when you're in the zone, giving you something to dip in and out of when you're slogging away at a chapter. Interestingly, if Lavie's Tweeting you also know he's working.

Lavie Tidhar - clearly not Tweeting

So there you go. That's how things stand at the moment. Three resolutions definitely completed/achieved, and another couple well on the way. Maybe it's time to review the rest.

Until next time... Oh, and enjoy Steampunk Thursday later on today. ;-)

Lavie Tidhar talks Steampunk on SFSignal

Episode 111 of the SF Signal podcast is now available to listen to here.

Lavie Tidhar, author of The Bookman Histories (and regular drinking partner of mine these days), is the guest and he waxes lyrical about steampunk - amongst other things - and I get a mention. Unfortunately during the interview Lavie couldn't remember the name of my Pax Britannia series (which is the second longest-running steampunk series out there, or so my editor tells me) but he does say I'm doing some cool stuff that's a lot of fun.

During the course of the podcast he also said that he wrote The Bookman when nobody was interested in steampunk - except that The Bookman (Lavie's first steampunk novel) was published around the same time as Dark Side (my sixth steampunk novel)!

By the way, whilst I was searching for pictures of Lavie Tidhar on Google Images this came up.

Who knew?

JG in SFX Magazine

In case you hadn't already discovered it for yourself, I'm in the latest issue of SFX Magazine (#219 if you're keeping score - the one with Bilbo Baggins on the front). But just for once it's not a review of one of my books; it is in fact a book review written by me. Of a classic.

That's right, I've had the temerity of reviewing Alice's Adventures in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll. It somehow seemed appropriate, after the book inspired me to write the Pax Britannia novella White Rabbit and, naturally, because of its Victorian connection.

In the same issue, fellow steampunk author* Lavie Tidhar, the 'emerging master' behind The Bookman Histories, gets a double-page spread! (Well one page and a whopping great photo.)

So if you haven't had a copy arrive already through the post, get down to your local newsagent tomorrow and pick one up!

STOP PRESS! STOP PRESS! STOP PRESS! STOP PRESS!

I'm on SFX.co.uk today, or at least my latest Doctor Who story is. Monstrous Missions gets 3 stars out of a possible 5 overall, with the reviewer describing Terrible Lizards as 'action-packed, but bland.' Naturally, I disagree, but then I guess you can't win 'em all.

*He'll love me for calling him that!

How do you put the punk into Steampunk?

That is the very question that I shall be attempting to answer on Friday at the SFX Weekender, ably assisted by a number of other luminaries of the UK Steampunk scene. Joining me on the panel will be:

Ms Raven Dane - author of the Cyrus Darian books, Ms Dane is a more recent convert to the cult of Steampunk. As well as writing Steampunk stories she has also published vampire books and comedy fantasy novels.

Ms Karen Grover - also (well-)known as Lady Elise within Steampunk circles, Ms Grover is a Steampunk enabler and a leading light of the Victorian Steampunk Society. She possesses an expert knowledge of historical costumes, a knowledge that she has lent to countless TV shows including Channel 4's 1066: The Battle For Middle Earth.

Mr Stephen Hunt - is a fantasy, science fiction and thriller/crime author, probably best known as the creator of the Jackelian series of books. 2012 sees the publication of Mr Hunt's sixth book in the series, From the Deep of the Dark.

Mr Robert Rankin - The nearest thing we have in this country to Steampunk royalty. Mr Rankin was writing Steampunk before it gained the mass market mainstream appeal it is teetering on the verge of today. Mr Rankin also does a splendid turn as your compere for Saturday night's SFX Awards.

Ms Sam Stone - Author of the Vampire Gene series, Ms Stone will no doubt be wowing the audience with one of her very fine corsets as well. She is also on a host of other panels and signing for a plethora of publishers over the weekend, so we're very lucky to have her join our Steampunk shenanigans.

Mr Lavie Tidhar - Mr Tidhar is a prolific writer, keeping up a steady stream of highly-regarded novels, novellas and short stories, and has even been described as an “emerging master” by Locus Magazine. He is the author of the Bookman Histories - the third title The Great Game is launching at the Weekender - while his novel Osama is up for not only the coveted Red Tentacle award at the 2011 Kitschies, but has also been shortlisted for the BSFA Award.

Remember, 5.00pm Friday in the Screening Zone.

My signing slot has been moved to 10.00am on the Saturday (crikey!) and I'll also be taking part in the Abaddon/Solaris Fun Hour in the Victoria Bar at 2.00pm on the Friday.

Remember, if you see me, do stop and say hello. Maybe I'll see you there...

Jonathan Green at the SFX Weekender 3

In less than two weeks time 4,000 science-fiction and fantasy fans will descend on Pontin's Prestatyn Sands to meet the likes of Sylvester McCoy, Alex Kingston, Brian Blessed and Eve Myles. And I'll be one of them.

But I'm not only going as a fan, I'm also going as a guest. And if all goes according to plan, I'm going to be hosting the 'How do you put the punk into steampunk?' panel on Friday 3 February at 5.00pm, featuring the likes of Robert Rankin, Stephen Hunt and Lavie Tidhar.

Later the same evening, from 7.00 - 8.00pm to be precise, the Kitschies awards ceremony will be taking place, when the year's most intelligent, progressive and entertaining genre literature - a.k.a. the 2011 Red, Inky, Golden and Black Tentacles - will all be revealed.

Then, on the Saturday morning, at the semi-respectable time of 11.00am, I shall be signing at the Rebellion stand, so if you're coming along, drop by and say "Hi" and thrust copies of your favourite Pax Britannia novels or Fighting Fantasy gamebooks in front of me - or even my newest Doctor Who adventure* - and I'll happily deface them for you with a permanent marker. Now I can't say fairer than that, can I?

Now if I can just shift this cold and sore throat before then...

* Which is just out in time for the Weekender!

Friday the 13th... Unlucky for some

Yes, I know it's not Friday the 13th today, but last Friday (which was the 13th) the shortlists for The Kitschies 2011 were announced*.

Pax Britannia: Anno Frankenstein was put forward for consideration by my publishers but it wasn't to be this time, although fellow steampunk author** Lavie Tidhar did make the shortlist for Best Novel - the coveted Red Tentacle - for Osama: A Novel.

The winners of the Red Tentacle, the Golden Tentacle (for best newcomer) and Inky Tentacle (for best cover artist) will be announced on Friday 3 February at the SFX Weekender***.

However, all is not lost as far as Anno Frankenstein is concerned! Oh no!

You see the Tor.com 2011 Readers’ Choice Awards are now taking votes, until until 11:59 PM Friday, 20 January.

Notice the word 'Readers' in the title? That's right, it means that you the book buying (and presumably reading) public get to choose. Basically it's a popularity contest but one that Anno Frankenstein, with the right backing, might just have a shot at.

So whaddya say? Simply click this link and in the comments section after the blog post about the awards, type the title of the novel (Anno Frankenstein), the author's name (Jonathan Green), and if you want to the name of the publisher (Abaddon Books) as well.

And it's not just Anno Frankenstein that's eligible. In the Best Short Fiction category, I have a couple of stories published by Black Library that were both published last year, the 40K story But Dust in the Wind and the Warhammer tale Sir Dagobert's Last Battle.

So, what are you waiting for? If you vote for me I'll be eternally grateful. ;-)

* Provoking no end of Internet interest such as here, here and on the Guardian website here.

** He'll hate me for saying that.

*** Good luck, Lavie!