Gwenda Bond's Profile

Pack(ag)ing It Up

Let me first start this post by saying I know a little about book packaging, but purely from the outside in--through knowing authors who've done it as work-for-hire and people who worked at packaging houses and as a general "watcher of the industry" and articles that get written about it. None of that makes me an expert. But. The most interesting thing about watching heads explode this morning on twitter over the new announcement that Amazon has reached licensing agreements with Alloy/WBs (with more in the works) to allow writers to sell fanfic set in the Vampire Diaries, Gossip Girl... Continue reading

Posted yesterday at Gwenda Bond

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Let's Get Mythical

I'm over at the SF Signal Mind Meld today talking about the appeal of mythology, gods, and goddesses in fiction, along with fancy types like Tessa Gratton and Jennifer Estep, and my Angry Robot compatriots Chuck Wendig, Adam Christopher, and Mike Underwood, to name a few. Go check it out. Thrilled to be included, as always. *Also, please to excuse my typo. That "definitely literally" was supposed to be "definitely literarily." I was fresh off an edit pass, and thus experiencing deadline brain fritz. Continue reading

Posted yesterday at Gwenda Bond

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Tuesday Hangovers

Whoops, sorry to disappear, but I predict a return to more regular entries starting now. At least until circus edits land. In the meantime, I'm accumulating research material for a new thing and pecking away at a collaborative project with C that has been major fun so far. And soon now The Woken Gods will be dipping its myth-infused toes into the waters of People Reading It Early and so I must. stay. busy. But what easier way to dip my non-mythical toe back into the blog than the sharing of some amassed links and the closing of tabs? There... Continue reading

Posted 2 days ago at Gwenda Bond

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Thursday Hangovers

Jamestown Colony cannibalism story; this has been all over, but you know how I love my early settler drama. The fabulous Annalee Newitz, one of the smartest people around, has a shiny new book out, Scatter, Adapt and Remember: How Humans Will Survive a Mass Extinction. This piece at io9 is a great teaser for it. How entrepreneurs come up with ideas. Ten steps for being a grown-up from Kelly Williams Brown. I need to get better at three. What does science tell us about how we'd use superpowers; good or evil? Loved this interview with Melina Marchetta on heroines:... Continue reading

Posted May 9, 2013 at Gwenda Bond

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Talking It Out

So, yesterday morning, I asked for twitter's help deciding what to blog about, because that's turned out well in the past, and Libba pitched in: @gwenda The uvula. You're welcome. #BlogSuggestions — libba bray (@libbabray) May 6, 2013 Well, why not? I learned many things about uvulas yesterday (fun word to say, and it sounds a little...dirty, doesn't it?)--that some people pierce them, that it's possible to get a bee sting there, that a friend knew someone when she was a kid who had two and could make them dance, that someone had a college instructor who mixed up uvula... Continue reading

Posted May 7, 2013 at Gwenda Bond

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Wednesday Hangovers Of The Coins, Sloth, Etc. Variety

The most exciting thing of today is that my dearie dearest Christopher Rowe has a brand new story, strange and marvelous, up at Tor.com. Go read "Jack of Coins." And then go check out this entry from Red Nose Studio on the behind-the-scenes of the making of that amazing illustration for it (right). But read the story first, because then you can nerd out over all the cool details in the art. Okay? Okay. (I'm told you can also get the story as an e-book single at Amazon, B&N, etc., if that's your pleasure.) Second most exciting thing of the... Continue reading

Posted May 1, 2013 at Gwenda Bond

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Frenetic Typing

Also known as that thing that happens around a deadline, and so I probably will be MIA this week. We had zippo wireless coverage for a chunk of Bat Cave, and were busy much of the time anyway. I'll try to catch up soon, and if you need something important or more timely, then you should feel free to ping me about it. Still, I'm behind on many things and unlikely to dig out fully before next week. Serious Work Underway But lots of work (and play) accomplished at the retreat (revision vanquishment nigh!), and thinking about projects to come,... Continue reading

Posted Apr 22, 2013 at Gwenda Bond

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Five Things Make A Friday Post

1. Heading out this weekend for this year's Bat Cave retreat. It's set up exactly like this: (Image from here.) Except replace the underground stream with a hot tub. There's really nothing more energizing, wonderful, and magical than spending a chunk of time holed up in a scenic locale with a gaggle of writers talking fiction and being silly and sharing war stories and in-jokes and, yeah, I can't wait. Especially because I am still being attacked by rogue deadline and have to rewrite some more words to escape its clutches. But! Nearly finished. 2. A few weeks ago, I... Continue reading

Posted Apr 12, 2013 at Gwenda Bond

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Thanks so much!

Commented Apr 10, 2013 on New Book Deal! The Circus Book Finds A Home! at Gwenda Bond

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Thank you, fabulous lady!

Commented Apr 10, 2013 on New Book Deal! The Circus Book Finds A Home! at Gwenda Bond

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I recommend it highly. Well, semi-highly. (And I have to say it wasn't the REAL flu. Just a garden-variety bug.)

Commented Apr 9, 2013 on New Book Deal! The Circus Book Finds A Home! at Gwenda Bond

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New Book Deal! The Circus Book Finds A Home!

So, I'm delighted to share this news, from today's PW Children's Bookshelf: This is the book I finished the first draft (well, the first draft of the second draft, natch) on New Year's day--fitting, because while there will be plenty of time to detail the combination of swirling things that became Girl on a Wire, I know precisely when the first inkling of it arrived...over New Year's 2011. (When I'm asked where I got this idea, I can say from The Flu and it will be somewhat true.) Anyway, I'm really proud of this book, and I hope you'll all... Continue reading

Posted Apr 9, 2013 at Gwenda Bond

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Upcoming Event: Ladies With Flaming Pens

Or something like that! Just a quick post about an event coming up this weekend. On Saturday, I'll be at the Woodford County Public Library for a panel discussion with fab YA authors Kelly Creagh, Bethany Griffin, Katie McGarry, and Heather Sunseri. Check out the nice graphic the library made for us (click to embiggen) and come out if you can. I can't wait. Now back to pretending a vast ocean of Things To Do does not stand between me and the weekend... Continue reading

Posted Apr 8, 2013 at Gwenda Bond

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Thursday Hangovers

Toby Buckell did a thoughtful post about the GoodReads acquisition by Amazon, which prompted me to create a mailing list to send out the occasional newsletter with news (obvs), extras, giveaways, and chatty stuff like book recs. Sign up here; I'll even wish you a happy birthday, if you like. In the past couple of weeks, I've returned to yoga, by way of some excellent local classes. So I particularly love this Sara Ryan post about the idea of sitting with the discomfort and how that applies to creative work as well. (I love yoga, I do, and am so... Continue reading

Posted Apr 4, 2013 at Gwenda Bond

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Thursday Hangovers

Drowning, swimming, floating, all of the above. Just a few quick links, because I hate to let this place get too dusty even in the middle of Sinus Infection Deadlineville (the lesser known ghost town you pass through on the way to Complete Overloadtown). All will be well. One thing that gives me the happies lately? Pretending we're all going to live on this Greek island together, drinking boiled coffee, socializing, napping, writing, and living forever. The amazing invisible bike helmet. Agent Rachelle Gardner offers some thoughts on making a living as a writer and part two. The always fascinating... Continue reading

Posted Mar 28, 2013 at Gwenda Bond

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Irresistible Procrastination

Today's fun toy. Make your own--because, really, who can resist? Also, yay return of Game of Thrones. Otherwise: Revising, juggling other work, trying not to flail, the usual. Back soon. With things. Promise. Continue reading

Reblogged Mar 26, 2013 at Gwenda Bond

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I think these things are so universal and why the furniture and the wallpaper (and the music) don't necessarily matter that much. Yes, it so does. It was surprisingly affecting to write this and revisit that time. Like getting punched in the emotional face.

Commented Mar 24, 2013 on Haunted at 17: The Open Road & the End of the World at Gwenda Bond

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Thanks!

Commented Mar 24, 2013 on Haunted at 17: The Open Road & the End of the World at Gwenda Bond

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Thanks, darls. Retroactively jealous of the waves. :-)

Commented Mar 21, 2013 on Haunted at 17: The Open Road & the End of the World at Gwenda Bond

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I think there's a universality to all us weirdos' experiences. I loved yours too. I've loved all of these, actually. Such a great series. <3 (Ditto! We should share a room this year! Late night gossip sessions, ahoy. :-)

Commented Mar 21, 2013 on Haunted at 17: The Open Road & the End of the World at Gwenda Bond

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Thanks much!

Commented Mar 21, 2013 on Haunted at 17: The Open Road & the End of the World at Gwenda Bond

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Haunted at 17: The Open Road & the End of the World

Nova Ren Suma’s new novel, 17 & Gone, comes out this week (today, as a matter of fact), and to mark the release of this story about a 17-year-old girl haunted by the missing, she’s asked some authors she knows to join her in answering this question… What haunted YOU at 17? To see all the authors taking part, be sure to visit her blog distraction99.com. (Because I'm trying to meet another deadline, I missed the deadline to get my post over to Nova for this. But here it is, anyway. Loving seeing all these, both there and elsewhere, so... Continue reading

Posted Mar 21, 2013 at Gwenda Bond

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Two Quick Yaylets

1. Thing the First: I believe since it's in the Taryn Fagerness Agency newsletter for March, I can finally announce where that first-ever foreign sale* I mentioned on twitter awhile back was to... ::drumroll:: Blackwood is going to Italy! Where it'll be published by Fabbri Editore. Quite happy-making. Here's hoping there are more foreign adventures in its future. 2. Thing the Second: The 2013 Locus Awards Ballot (aka poll & survey) is now live. Anyone can vote, subscriber or not, and I am delighted to mention that Blackwood is on there in the First Novels category. And also that Christopher... Continue reading

Posted Mar 19, 2013 at Gwenda Bond

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Monday Hangovers

Look, when I'm working lots I take little breaks and snuffle up interesting stuff, which keeps brain overdrive from causing me to scare door-to-door pamphleteers in my bathrobe or yell at guys who let their dogs run loose to attack mine (at least, it keeps me from doing exclusively those things). Since I'm currently working nonstop, there are many links to pass on. And this is after the tumblr frenzy. I can't explain it. Only demonstrate. Herewith: This post just makes me insanely happy: dear friend Chris Barzak on visiting the set of Jamie Marks is Dead, the movie currently... Continue reading

Posted Mar 18, 2013 at Gwenda Bond

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Oh, definitely, agree, that's what I like about the piece. I think this is an evergreen truth, and that the books are as wonderful and powerful as ever and you're absolutely right--he just isn't as close to it, because he doesn't encounter that audience directly anymore (or doesn't seem to). It's insane and a gift to write for those readers, so much agree. I'm sure I hear from a teeny tiny sample compared to you, but it is definitely the coolest of cool things when I do. Seriously. (He loses me a little at the end with the grown-ups bit and the manufactured wisdom stuff, but I forgive him that for the bulk of it.) I do still get wrapped up in books, of course, but it's not quite the same. The more I love something, the more I wish I'd read it at 14. Which proves the point, I suppose.

Commented Mar 16, 2013 on Friday Randomness & Hangovers at Gwenda Bond

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