a brief pause for station identification

[truepenny]

So there are--wow--over a thousand of you, and those are just the ones LiveJournal keeps track of.

This probably means it's time for another Welcome To The Jungle post.

So. Welcome to the (very small, tame) jungle. (Yes, there are four lions in this jungle. Yes, they do spend most of their time asleep, although I think at the moment Catzilla is battling a paper crane.)

I'm a professional writer (novels and short stories, though sadly not many of the latter recently). I rarely post about the specifics of my writing, although I frequently whinge post about the process. If you're looking for discussion of my books, may I suggest you check out the_mirador?

I have a Ph.D. in English literature (hanging in the kitchen, if you want to know). My specialty is sixteenth and seventeenth century English drama. I sometimes post very geekily about same. I also post about (other people's) books, science fiction conventions, cats, and anything else that crosses my mind (this is, in other words, a personal blog), and I'm in the middle of a series of posts about Due South.

I'm currently working on Corambis, the fourth book in The Doctrine of Labyrinths, the series started with Mélusine. It's due March 31st, and I have, right now, a dingo's breakfast of a first draft and 170 ms pages (approximately 40,000 words) of a second draft. Thus, as you may imagine, I'm not going to be posting much until the book is turned in. (From February 22 to March 25, I won't be posting at all, because heresluck is very kindly hosting me for a DIY writer's retreat.) Hopefully, this means normal service will resume in April.

If you want to add this blog to your reading list, don't feel you have to ask. Just go ahead and do it. I am highly unlikely to add anyone reciprocally--which is a reflection of nothing except my own ability or lack thereof to manage my time and energy wisely. I do read every comment that people make, although I don't reply unless I actually have something to say. (Sometimes, this means I don't say thank you as often as I should, and I apologize for that.)

My collaborator/writing partner/best friend is matociquala (Elizabeth Bear), and if you're not reading her blog already, my feeling is that you should be. Although I admit to bias.

So. Anything else you want to know?

(Also, if you'd like to introduce yourself, the comments to this post would be a dandy place to do it. There is, however, absolutely no obligation. Some people like to say hello officially; other people prefer to run silent. Both are equally cool with me.)

Comments

[intertext.livejournal.com]

Okay! I'll take the plunge and introduce myself :) I've been reading your blog for some time, and am now a fan of your books, but I read your blog first! Because I liked your blog voice, I thought I'd try Melusine, and the rest, as they say, is history. I was hooked. I'm a college English prof in Canada - specialties Romanticism, 20thC Metafiction, and, um, intertextuality :)

[mizarchivist]

Hi!
I'd not normally introduce myself, but if I'm invited...
A friend of mine pointed me to your journal yesterday and it caught my fancy.
I'm an archivist and artist and teacher and... (other things) in the Boston area.
Interestingly, I've heard of Elizabeth Bear more from a shared friend than from her work, although I've started reading her books just this season. It's always so lovely to discover new writers. Bonus when you get to live in this current era of reading their more casual prose.
Cheers!

[sistermagpie.livejournal.com]

Since you asked...:-) I've been reading your blog for a while, having become a fan of your books first. I've been really enjoying your posts on Salem. I've read Salem Possessed and will now definitely check out A Delusion of Satan.

[orrin.livejournal.com]

We've already sorta met (in the sense that I posted a review of The Bone Key), but my name is Orrin Grey and I'm a writer of weird and uncanny fiction. I read (and loved) The Bone Key, which is why I'm here, though I've yet to check out any of your other books (though they are On The List).

[scribblemoose]

Hello! I don't think I've introduced myself officially before - I'm shy about intruding on other people's journals. I friended you after falling in love with your books, and my very good friend marith pointed me over here because you say lots of very interesting things about books and being a writer. Also because you're a PhD Survivor and I've got mine recently enough that I'm interested to see people Living After Doctorates (especially those who manage somehow to remain relatively sane and cogent).

One day I'll manage to put together coherent thoughts about why I love your writing so much, but mostly I just want to gasp and point and say Yes!! That's how it should be done! A lot.

If you're interested in me at all, I work in education and I write fanfiction for anime/games and original fantasy/sci-fi. And I'll now proceed to re-lurk. :)

[bishsticks.livejournal.com]

I think I should introduce myself properly this time. My name is Caroline and I'm an obituary writer. (Actually my job title is copy editor, but telling people I write obits for a living is way more fun.) I picked up Mélusine on a recommendation from someone else on LJ, then put it aside when I got it, due to being in the middle of the Great Harry Potter reread at the time. When I finally picked it up again months later, I wished I hadn't waited so long, because it was so good, and I knew I had to get everything you'd written that I could get my hands on.

I run a book "review" site that you've linked to before, exlibris76. Though my pathetic little reviews don't consist much more than "Book good. Me like."

It's been fun reading your LJ, and I'm very much looking forward to Corambis.

^__^

[michaeldthomas.livejournal.com]

Hi, I am an itinerant phrenologist who aids the destitute of Central Europe. I first read your works while in prison in Luxembourg. I unfortunately never finished The Virtu, as I had to use its leaves to create a paper mache mask of the Grand Duke Henri in order to facilitate my escape.

I love your blog, especially the bits about the cats.

[neutronjockey.livejournal.com]

My name is Jeff and I'm alco--- :D wrong forum!

I came by way of Bear (of course, of course!) and decided to stick around for your brains.

Not that I'm a zombie mind you, I just like your smartness.

an "official" hello!

[themadblonde]

Found you when I was searching for synopsis of Dorothy L. Sayers' Lord Peter books. Liked your reviews & am enjoying current posts as well. I don't post much myself, just mainly enjoy keeping up w/ friends here on lj.

Hi!

[karenthology.livejournal.com]

Did I do this the last time? I don't think so -- ?

I'm K, and I'm in newspapers (writing, layout, editorial, photography, the whole shebang). I grew up in New York, but I now live in Florida, and the cognitive dissonance between the two states is enough that it shows up in my really bad short stories all the time. I run an e-zine that publishes fiction tackling religious issues.

I came for the Melusine, and stayed for your commentary. Mildmay is the best. Thanks for writing!

[shveta-thakrar.livejournal.com]

Namaste. :) I came across your story, "Three Letters from the Queen of Elfland," and wanted to learn more. At some point, when I have time and a bit more money, I plan to read your books, too.

About myself: I write Indian-themed fantasy, love to eat food with flavor, and am currently sitting in a chair with my laptop on my lap while watching large flakes of snow fall down from the grey-white sky. Also, I look forward to reading more of your work.

Sneaking out from the shadows of lurkland

[tambyrd.livejournal.com]

Hi! I'm Tam, avid reader of fantasy and rabid fan of your work and E Bear's ... and some others. I'm a tech writer by day, partner of muneraven/mom/warlock/CNF-writer-wannabe by night, a random LJ poster, and generally do whatever else catches my fancy.

Just finished Mirador, and Company of Wolves before that. Wonderful! More! More!

[highfantastical.livejournal.com]

Hi! I'm a second-year undergraduate, currently reading English at Oxford and spending way too much time online, mostly in fandom but increasingly in politics. Came across your journal through someone linking to the DLS posts, which I consumed voraciously, then discovered the Due South, and am now completely hooked on your brand of analysis! (Also took a look at your dissertation when I was studying similar things last term, as a break from all the assigned criticism - I thought it was AWESOME. You rock!)

[heartofdavid.livejournal.com]

Hello. I came across your blog after a random search of interests, can't recall now what I was looking for, lol. I'd already read "Melusine" and "The Virtu" at that time, and read "The Mirador" as soon as my library had it - love the series and will try to be patient waiting for the next installment. I enjoy reading your thoughts about writing, and Due South.

As for me, I'm older than I'd like to be and discovered the joys of writing a few years ago, starting with fan-fiction and have tried a few original short stories - I am hooked, and feel blessed to have found something that now feels like I was born to do - tell stories.

[1trackmind.livejournal.com]

I don't think I ever introduced myself. Frankly, I feel a little awkward on author's LJs because chances are good you'll never know me from Eve and few people like a sycophant. So, having said all of that, hi!

I read the Doctrine of the Labyrinth series Decemberish of last year and fell in love. I think the thing that I like the most about it is that the characters seem very real to me. Mildmay and Felix are both deeply flawed and while it's true that much of their angst could be resolved by simply talking to each other it's absolutely believable that that particular conversation never takes place. One of the other things that makes them seem real is that they do change over time but it's a gradual process with lots of backsliding, for Felix especially.

I'm in the middle of reading The Bone Key, which I'm enjoying so far.

Other than that there's not much to say. I'm on

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I don't think I ever introduced myself. Frankly, I feel a little awkward on author's LJs because chances are good you'll never know me from Eve and few people like a sycophant. So, having said all of that, hi!

I read the Doctrine of the Labyrinth series Decemberish of last year and fell in love. I think the thing that I like the most about it is that the characters seem very real to me. Mildmay and Felix are both deeply flawed and while it's true that much of their angst could be resolved by simply talking to each other it's absolutely believable that that particular conversation never takes place. One of the other things that makes them seem real is that they do change over time but it's a gradual process with lots of backsliding, for Felix especially.

I'm in the middle of reading The Bone Key, which I'm enjoying so far.

Other than that there's not much to say. I'm on <a href="http://www.goodreads.com>good reads</a> and <a href="http://wwww.librarything.com>Librarything</a> with the same user name (though my Librarything account is a little out of date). I also keep a list of books read on LJ, but I've taken myself off google's search so they won't come up that way. I tend to read mostly fantasy, urban fantasy, and science fiction. I go through periods where I read a lot and other periods where I'm into something else. Right now I'm more focused on the xbox 360 I got for Christmas but I'm quite sure I'll cycle back into reading occupying all my free time in the near future.

intro

[hlglne.livejournal.com]

I am helgaleena healingline and I started out as a Star Wars slasher on LJ a bit ago, and added you and matrociquala and coffeem and skzbrust at approximately the same time because I like what I like. Got almost a Phd's worth of south Asian language& lit before i quit to have a family. Now I am senior (read oldest) editor at Aphrodites Apples Press and forthcoming Dark Roast Press. Small potatoes.

[mystickeeper.livejournal.com]

Hi! I saw you on a panel at Geek.Kon, with Jim Frenkel, Joan Vinge, and Patrick Rothfuss, and I thought you were pretty neat. I've also been to Wiscon, so I've been directed to your blog numerous times by people like matociquala and coffeeandink

I like your blog a lot! Are you still living in the same town where you acquired your PhD? Because I'm here too, on my last semester of undergrad (English and Political Science).

I am also a Shakespeare fan, and I enjoy the Hamlet reference of your username.

I have yet to read your novels, but once I graduate, I hope to rectify that situation as soon as possible.

Anyway....hi!

[roadnotes.livejournal.com]

I'm reading your LiveJournal because you make wise comments in the journals of many people I admire, and because Elise likes you. I need to research your short stories -- I'm not much into novels at the moment.

Introductions

[(Anonymous)]

Typically when introductions are in order I leave a calling card in the morning and await the afternoon summons but---Wait a minute, you already know who I am. (It is my privilege and honor to say I was once given a rare and precious gift by our host Mistress Sarah. She gave me permission to call her "friend". It began with a sammitch and a nap, best not to ask.) But in such an adventurous life, I find it likely you will have forgotten and thus I introduce myself again.

I am, and remain, your humble servant M. Keaton--polymath, bard, and C-grade hack. (Hack refers to my genre preferences and writing style. C-grade to my rate of pay.) Further, it shall me my inutterable pleasure to meet both Mistress Sarah and Mistress Bear again in April where we shall discuss, among other things, artificially constructed languages and maps--a topic I look forward to since my fellow participant is one of the very few truly skilled and knowledgeable individuals on this subject which is of vital import to myself. Ah, but I digress.

I came to this journal (weblog sounds so common for such a place as this) because Mistress Sarah asked that I do so. I have remained, faithfully, because I have found it to be a safe and quiet place where I am made welcome and comfortable. It is, in fact, one of only two such journals I visit on a regular basis. (The other is the House of Shetterly and Bull in their various incarnations. I must admit to finding Mistress Bear's log much to hectic and loud for my tastes.) It is no small irony that, while Mistress Sarah and I are at extreme ends of the various political spectrums ("You got girl cooties in my genre!"), I find here a deep shared interest in what truly matters. To whit: story and the love thereof. I will admit to finding her novels heavy (which is not to say they are bad, merely that they are reads meant to be savored and enjoyed slowly lest one founder on their richness as a horse in clover) but if you have not sought out and reveled in her short works, I entreat you, do so at once. They are rare and well-crafted gems, sparkling in excellence and an economy of words at a time when it seems the short form has lost its way. (And I should hasten to point out: Sarah, I mean that. It's not just hollow flattery; they are very, very good!)

The hour is late and I shall retire. Believe that I remain

Yours to Command,
MKeaton

[sasha-feather.livejournal.com]

I'm enjoying reading these introductions-- such interesting people here!-- so I'll say hello as well.

I'm a bacteriologist; I live in Madison. I read a lot and I occasionally write SF/F for fun.

I picked up Melusine about a year ago because Amazon recommended it to me, and of course I was quickly hooked. Then later I saw you at WisCon and Geek.kon! These were my very first conventions and were pretty exciting. I've met a lot of local fannish people since then, and I'm really pleased and grateful to have friends who read the same type of books that I do.

I'm reading A Companion to Wolves right now and loving it.

[rachelsant.livejournal.com]

Wow! What an impressive group of readers you have. It's a bit intimidating to admit that I am just a counter salesperson at a Knoxville plumbing supply house. (Yes that is Knoxville, Tennessee just a few miles down the road from Oak Ridge. We love to go walking at the UT Arboretum there.)

A favorite author of mine, Charlaine Harris praised Melusine in her blog. I borrowed it from the library and was hooked to the extent that I actually bought my own copies of Melusine and The Virtu. Something very out of character for a library addict like myself. Now your reviews have led to an obsession with Due South. I always find the blog entertaining and enlightening. Thanks for sharing your thoughts with us.

[vienna-waits.livejournal.com]

*waves shyly* Someone on my flist linked to your Due South posts. I have devoured them all, admire your shiny brain a great deal, and eagerly await your take on more episodes.

I do read and enjoy SF/F, so I will have to check out your books.

[shoshanaruth.livejournal.com]

Hello! I've just been lurking in the background for a while now . . .

I first saw Melusine on Amazon but only picked it up half on a whim while in the bookstore once and needed -yes, I NEEDED- to buy it.

I try to write, as well, but I can't say as I'm any good yet.

I have been enjoying your blog, and thank you for the welcome. :)

So I'll be a minotaur, too. :)

[mia-mcdavid.livejournal.com]

I live in the Twin Cities, am in my 50s, MA in English Lit from U of C, MM from Northwestern. Career in programming, longtime fan of Sayers & the Inklings, F & SF & mysteries. One wonderful husband, two sons.

Episcopalian, gardener, I do living history based out of 1630s Scottish Highlands. Fiber junkie. Came to you via Mélusine, love your work, must check out Elizabeth Bear.

Thank you.

[elusis.livejournal.com]

Hullo! We have many of the same friends on LJ, and you review BPAL a lot. Hence my reading your journal. I've just bought Melusine and am looking forward to reading it.

My LJ and profile say plenty of things about me that you are welcome to read or not as you please. :)

[vileseagulls.livejournal.com]

Hi! I'm Frances. A friend gave me Melusine and The Virtu for Christmas and I am working my way through The Virtu now. Love your work, wish I was coherent enough to review it. :)

[melpemone.livejournal.com]

Hell, why not? :-)

Hi! I'm Imogene. A friend of mine with excellent taste recommended Mélusine to me a while back, knowing I'd love it - she was right, and I read through to The Mirador in one marathon week. I found out you were on LJ through the same friend and came over to have a look. However, I friended you because I am a Due South devotee, and your Due South posts are pretty much the work of genius - we seem to have a very similar handle on Benton, and your posts are what I'd write if I had the patience and eloquence. So thank you for those posts in particular; they make for fascinating reading.

And, of course, thank you for the Doctrine of Labyrinths! Best of luck with Corambis - you've got another guaranteed reader in me. :-)

[queenbookwench.livejournal.com]

I'm Erin, MFA program survivor, young adult librarian, blocked poet, speculative fiction addict, fanfic writer, lover of your books.

I friended your journal initially because I'm still not quite over the "writers that I like and admire have LJs and they actually talk to you" thing.

I stayed because you write interesting posts, although I'm saving the Due South ones for when I'm actually caught up on watching the episodes.

Hello!

[dsmgoddess.livejournal.com]

Well, since you asked... :o)

I'm a librarian with degrees in English and Library Science. A friend recommended Melusine and I was hooked. I just finished The Mirador last night and I'm now eagerly awaiting the next volume.

I have to say, I put off reading The Mirador for a while because I opened it up and saw that Mehitabel was one of the narrators and found that a little off-putting. I just really enjoyed reading Felix and Mildmay so much--she felt like a bit of an interloper. But when I finally got into it, I enjoyed her so much. Of course, now I'm wondering what the next book will bring.

Anyway, hi!

Welcome

[(Anonymous)]

I'm Aleksandra, I teach Ancient Greek and Latin at the Cracow University (Poland) and I've been an SF/fantasy geek for ages (and critic/reviewer for some 5 years). I also have a couple of fan websites for my favourite writers (like http://mirador.webpark.pl). I came across the Labyrinth series while reading the review of Brandon Sanderson's "Elantris". The reviewer disliked it and suggested another book on imaginary city instead, one by an author unknown to me, named Sarah Monette ;); I gave up on "Elantris" and bought "Melusine", which resulted in me instantly falling in love with it. Thus, dear all, I became addicted. I've been lurking here since then, reading and enjoying.
aleksandra.kleczar@uj.edu.pl

[scottakennedy.livejournal.com]

I'm Scott. I've been an actor in Chicago for roughly 20 years, working various day jobs to pay the rent that have ranged from law journal editing, theatrical marketing, and (currently) cancer research. I'm currently writing a fantasy novel and short stories. I found your blog by following a link from Elizabeth Bear's and look forward to reading some of your work

[tsarinakate1.livejournal.com]

I just thought I would do this, even though I am a little behind the game.

I don't know if you remember me, but this past semester you taught a course at UW-Madison. My roommate took the course, and the last week of classes I came into your office hours and your signed my copy of The Mirador (which was really awesome.) Sorry I was a bit of a dolt. I am horrible with meeting people. Plus I wanted to ask you all these questions, but felt slightly awkward in front of my roommate, being you were her professor.

I came across your books over three years ago, when Melusine was first printed. You were doing a reading here in Madison, and I had to go for my creative writing class. The book sounded fun, but it was only in hardcover and oh so expensive and buying a hardcover book that you are not sure you are going to like is a luxury for a college student. The next summer I found it in paperback and I have been hooked since.

I also wanted to add, that I love all the bits of Latin that you throw into the books. Being a Latin nerd myself, I try and read behind the meanings, though I have no idea if you mean them that way (such as the Troians). So, I have a question for you. Is Felix purposely named after the Latin adjective 'happy?' I am figuring you did, but I find that very interesting, knowing Felix characters.

Gosh, I am just going to stop embarrassing myself. But I cannot wait for Carambis. Now I am going to back to lurk.

[truepenny.livejournal.com]

My use of Greek and Latin is deliberate, but rarely straightforward. The fall of Nera, for instance, is the fall of Troy, only I've reversed the roles, with the Troians as the conquerors instead of the conquered.

Originally, when everything was much more Fantasy Default than it is now, Felix's name was Ikath, which I had decided meant lucky or fortunate in whatever language it came from. This was, of course, intended ironically on my part, although his mother had meant it as a blessing.

Now, none of these things is true any longer, and in fact I didn't give him the name Felix because it meant the same thing as his original made up name. (I named him Felix because--well, because I'm very fussy about names, particularly protagonists' names, and I needed a name I could be happy with seeing over and over and over again. And because Felix had caught my eye in something I was reading. And because it fit him.) If I had, he would have had to be named Eudaimon or Makarios, because Felix, being Latin, comes from Midlander, and Felix was born in Troia. Actually, I'm not sure that Felix is the name he was born with. We know he had it at the Shining Tiger, because Vincent knows him by that name, but it might have been given to him by his Keeper (as Kolkhis modified Mildmay's name), or even by Lorenzo. If his Keeper named him, it was apotropaic because of the unluckiness of red hair in the Lower City.

[rimbaum.livejournal.com]

Introductions might be in order for me, as well! My online penname is Madame Ruby, and I write homoerotic fiction. World-building and character creation/development are addictive hobbies for me, as well. Unfortunately, they're sometimes more addictive than the writing.

An online friend introduced me to Mélusine, and being the fan of fantasy and any kind of fiction involving gay male lead characters, I had to pick it up from the local library. I was hooked by page 10, and have devoured the entire series to-date. Then, when my library brought in The Bone Key and A Companion To Wolves, I nabbed those, too. :) I'm definitely going to check out more of Elizabeth Bear, after reading A Companion To Wolves.

Intros and etc.

[(Anonymous)]

Hello! My name's Melanie, I live in Colorado, and I'm really, really fond of your Melusine series. As I am a sometime scribbler, I find reading your blog to be interesting and informative. I really enjoy your tendency to turn genre conventions on their heads, as well--I've read enough fantasy over the past twenty or so years that said conventions have had plenty of time to turn stale for me. If not unintentionally funny. That happens a lot, too.

If you decide to show up at World Fantasy this year, I will bring along my copy of The Virtu for signing (assuming you don't mind doing that sort of thing). That is my single favorite fantasy novel of all time.

Good luck with the Corambis revisions. I wait with bated breath to read it. I have this theory about Mildmay.... Thanks for the series.