Writing is something that looks super easy from the outside, so a LOT of people give it a try. Many of them get to a certain point and realise they need outside help. That is when they approach professionals in the biz and ask, “Would you mind just. . . . looking at my firstContinue reading “Should I work for free?”
Author Archives: Felicity Banks Books
Pregnancy: The monster is not dead
A few weeks ago I had a pregnancy scare. It even sort of made it to the blog – I wrote on a Wednesday that I’d had lots of weird aches and pains, and was walking with a limp. At the same time I was very ill with a stomach bug (or was it somethingContinue reading “Pregnancy: The monster is not dead”
Vampire hunters, villains, and dolls
Lovely links to lovely pictures from Steampunk on facebook. In other news, I got a job that starts today – part time babysitting, and I get to take Louisette with me. Win!
Diverting power to the main grid
I seem to be strangely busy these days*so I’ve decided to cut down on blogging a teensy bit. Those readers who’ve been around for a while (or who noticed that I still blogged while on my honeymoon/in labour/etc) will be stunned at this development, while the rest of you will be left wondering, “And theContinue reading “Diverting power to the main grid”
This-abled: A Steampunk Story
I promised you something seriously excellent, and here it is. It’s a story done in pictures with live models. Here’s just one sample picture from partway through: Go take a look.
Handy International Resource
This site has a LOT of publishers, and is searchable by genre. It’s somewhat skewed towards the USA and UK, but us antipodeans often publish overseas (for the moolah) anyway.
Artemis Fowl and the Time Paradox
Okay, first up, a confession: I’m heartily sick of time travel tales. They’re just silly (as my Mum pointed out, “If we were ever going to invent time travel, we’d know about it”) and there are too many of them. This has three things in its favour: 1. It’s magic (which actually makes it farContinue reading “Artemis Fowl and the Time Paradox”
Half a year!
Can you believe it?!?! Louisette is already six months old. Project 365 (taking a photo every day for a year) is half over. Things continue to change rapidly: she is taking her first crawling steps (legs only), she says, “Mum” when she wants me to come, and she can sit up unsupported quite happily. It’sContinue reading “Half a year!”
And the winner is. . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . not me! D’oh! This isn’t the first time I’ve been this close to publication, and it most likely won’t be the last (although I hope it’ll be the last time I get this close and don’t get published). Text Publishing was kind enough to tell theContinue reading “And the winner is. . . . . . . . .”
Getting “The Call”
I mentioned last week that I’d just received some Rather Good News. Here’s how it happened: The sun didn’t rise – just clouds and rain, rain, rain on yesterday’s washing. The forecast was for more rain tomorrow, and the day after that. A grey day. Louisette was sick, and woke me before dawn. I thoughtContinue reading “Getting “The Call””
The lady speaks
Louisette has said her first word – Mum. She’s also said Dad, and will presumably continue to use them interchangeably for a while until she gets her primary carers sorted out. This is her, dressed as the very hungry caterpillar (it’s on the label and everything) while eating “The Very Hungry Caterpillar”. Talk about productContinue reading “The lady speaks”
Best Tattoo I’ve Ever Seen
Via here I have a very special steampunk surprise planned for next week. It’s a whole story told in gorgeous pictures with live models (who, in addition to being awfully nice to look at, prove that you don’t need the usual complement of limbs to produce extraordinary work).
Don’t be an idiot (warning: some swearing)
The real title here is: Don’t be a shit. If you want to be a professional writer, be polite. No matter what. This article by Chuck Wendig (who has a potty mouth with occasional vivid sexual references – but he sure is worth listening to) is worth reading and obeying. Here’s a bit: Editors andContinue reading “Don’t be an idiot (warning: some swearing)”
Red Dirt Diary 2: Blue About Love
Last week I wrote about my surprise and delight to discover a brilliant new (to me at least) author, Katrina Nannestad. When I really love an author’s first book, I get quite scared to read any more of their work. What if they’re not as good? The rest of this review is at Comfy Chair,Continue reading “Red Dirt Diary 2: Blue About Love”
How to serve vegetables
Fry them. *ahem* I’m not big on vegetables, as a rule – although I like potatoes and avocado. I also like butter, garlic, and cheese. Combine all those things and you get an awesomely unhealthy two-vegetable side dish:
Work it, baby
I mentioned on Monday that I’m suddenly looking for full-time work. I figure that with my recent jump in sanity + a return to medication, I should function really well. I looked at several public service jobs, which reminded me just how unpleasant it is to write applications for a job that is clearly being describedContinue reading “Work it, baby”
Beating Bad Hair: The Hattification
The one genius thing about Winter is the excuse to cover a bad hair day in seconds AND NO-ONE SUSPECTS A THING. It is even better when your house is infested with hair-pulling midgets who (a) can’t reach hair when it’s under a beanie, and (b) can pull/chew on the plaits instead (because babies areContinue reading “Beating Bad Hair: The Hattification”
Ch-ch-ch-changes
So July is interesting so far. Our landlady is selling our flat; I’ve given up losing weight (for now); I’m about to go back on anti-depressants (just to see how functional I can get – possibly very functional indeed); my sister is in town and about to have a second child; and I’m looking forContinue reading “Ch-ch-ch-changes”
Zebras pulling carriages
Let’s face it: The Victorians were just cooler than us. Lots more pics of different zebras pulling different carriages.
Ebooks
Ebooks are a huge deal, it’s true, but in my opinion the appeal of the “Hah! Take THAT, traditional publishing!” story leads to misinformation and exaggeration. Here’s a collection of articles on ebooks. http://accrispin.blogspot.com/2011/01/importance-of-context-part-1.html – ebook reality vs hype AND http://blog.nathanbransford.com/2010/12/will-you-ever-buy-mostly-e-books.html AND http://blog.nathanbransford.com/2009/11/top-10-myths-about-e-books.html AND (which I think is an example of some of the extremely rareContinue reading “Ebooks”