Jo of Mixed Book Bag posted an interview with Pauline Baird Jones (STEAMROLLED). The author shares about the research side of her writing:
Jo: Where did you find all the steampunk terms you used in both stories? Is there a steampunk dictionary or did you make them up?
Pauline: There actually IS a steampunk dictionary, or should I say, there is an app for that.But I got most of my vintage language from researching the Victorian Era. I can state with some confidence that I did MORE research for that little novella than for any full length novel. I even bought Victorian paper dolls in my search for Olivia’s perfect outfit for her meeting with Carey. I was so amazed by what I needed to find out, that I posted the research books and links to the book page on my website. I also commissioned an artist to sketch my transmogrification machine. A graphic of the drawing is available on my website, but it also makes guest appearances in both books’ cover art.
Gini Koch (ALIEN IN THE FAMILY) will be attending Comic-Con this summer, and she blogged about where fans can find her:
Speaking of Comic-Con, all the schedules are up! My panel and signing are on Sunday.
Panel: Sunday, July 24, 12:00 – 1:00 Speculative Fiction: Space Odyssey, Alien Encounters and Future Worlds; Room 25ABC
Autographing in the Comic-Con Autograph Area: Sunday, July 24, 1;30-2:30 Speculative Fiction; AA8 (autograph area under the sails)
At TGE, we may rail against the obstacles faced by women authors of SFR, but that’s a hill of beans compared to the ones faced by their non-US counterparts. Read the sobering account in (Global) Women in SF Round Table. Here’s an excerpt:
Csilla: What struck me most in Joyce’s rant was the bitter truth of world SF being exotic curiosity. As Kate had mentioned, the discussion about women writers and even any discussion about SFF is heavily US/UK-centric, making it seem more important, which is a misconception fed by the fact that even though English language serves as an intermediary when it comes to SFF, only 3% of all books published in the US is a work in translation (I don’t know the percentage for SFF but my guess is it’s even more dismal). There are wonderful gems of SFF literature all over the world, by women and men alike, and the English-speaking world, the great common marketplace of the SF doesn’t even know of, and by lacking an edition in English, other countries remain also ignorant of these (with a few exceptions of course).
Finally, Smart Girls Love SciFi and Paranormal Romance blogs about “Five Monsters I don’t want to meet in a dark alley.”
Joyfully yours,
Heather