Philippa Ballantine - Author

Award-winning Author of fantasy, science fiction, and steampunk

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My friend Mary Ann

In the next week I will be flying to the States. I do this every year at least once, because of one person- someone that I now consider family.

My friend Mary Ann. She and her family have hosted me every year since 2006- and every year I feel safe, happy and part of their lives. For this wonderful relationship that has been going on since 1999- gosh ten years- I have something to thank.  The internet.

Now the internet is blamed for a lot of things-porn, breaking up families, addiction with gaming… but there is also a lot of good out there too.  Before I got into the world of podcasting there was Mary Ann.

She’s my elder sister, and something about her makes me believe in reincarnation. We talk about being sister’s in the Highlands of Scotland- and I call myself her Little Sister Over the Ocean.  Though we only met in 2006, we had many, many emails written between each other.

Her husband David and her son Justin welcomed me–but not just me. My Mum and Dad actually got to meet them all before me. Mary Ann took my Mum around Washington.

Mary Ann and her family have taken me to Boston. I’ve spent time with her sister’s-now my sister’s in the Berkshires.

And I have never had a sister. I always wanted one as a kid- I just took a long time to find her.

That’s the love and hospitality I feel when I am with her. And that is a precious gift that I keep coming back for. So when people say bad things about the online world I just smile. They don’t know how many wonderful things it has bought me.

So many cool friends…

The great thing about the internets is knowing so many talented folks. It challenges me, makes me work harder to be a creative individual.

So here are three examples of cool, interesting, talented folks that are rolling out new projects.

Gail Carriger‘s Soulless is a book that we need to buy. Seriously. Everyone. It’s the kind of smart, fun book that takes language twists it about and gives you a spank with it. Seriously, listen to the first chapter put together by the just as talented JD Sawyer.

Download

Zodi and her co-consipirator Tim have began a project called 31 days of Ghosts for October. Since writing Geist and working on the sequel Spectre, I have a real fascination with ghost stories- scrub that- I have always had an interest in ghost stories. So I am looking forward to keeping up with all these great stories.

31 Days of Ghosts
31 Days of Ghosts

And finally Tee Morris has put up the 1st 15 minutes of his Speak Geek to Me talk, that he did at Te Papa. I did the camera work, and you can even faintly hear me chuckle. (Ok, anyone that has heard my laugh, knows faint isn’t exactly the description)

Tee’s a great speaker so pop on over and check it out

Now, I better go write something…these guys are making me look bad :p

Why genre is blooming in Aotearoa

This is part of the NZ Speculative Fiction Blogging Week- the other entries are well worth checking out

Let’s face it not all that long ago, in fact in living memory (mine specifically) , the number of kiwi spec fic writers was tiny. I remember being a kid and excited to find out that Hugh Cook was a New Zealander- just like me- but he was the only one I knew of.

Today, it is a different story- the likes of Lynn McConchie, and Russell Kirkpatrick are being joined by a emerging host of new talents. Even in recent history, as witnessed by the need for the Sir Julius Vogel to expand its categories, more and more writers are admitting that dirty little secret–they like to write genre fiction (SHOCK HORROR!). We’re getting our names out there- we’re getting contracted to major publishing houses like Penguin and HarperCollins- in short we are making waves like never before in New Zealand literary history.

So why is this?

The Internet

Yes, I blame the internet! That wonderful collection of steampowered tubes (they are steampowered right?) has made it easier than ever to be a genre writer in this distant and beautiful island. As an emerging author in my teens I could tell you about the buckets of frustration poured over trying to figure out those damn international postage coupons; the ones you had to be precise about if you ever wanted an answer (let along your manuscript) returned. The huge amount of money spent on both them and the heavy tome itself could well buy me a new laptop (but I also want it steampowered, ok?)

Now with a click of the button (alright quite a few repeated clicks) I have an agent in San Francisco and a publisher in New York. I can email them, skype with them- heck even see their faces if I want to. Sure I may still have to travel to do all the fun stuff like writers conventions, signings and book tours (Oh please oh please Ace, a book tour! 😉 but if I wanted to be that traditional closeted writer, I could do that- as long as I had an internet connetion.

Peter Jackson

Yes… Peter Jackson has a part in this I think. Before his Lord of the Rings films if you said to most people, ‘I’m from New Zealand’ you’d get a puzzled look, or at most ‘Isn’t that in Europe/Australia somewhere?’

Pete (as I call him in my head) made our lovely home, not only famous- but also cool. I’ve worked that kiwi accent for my own nefarious purposes at every con and booksigning I can. It has got me dinner, drinks, and sometimes to the front of the line. I am merciless with it–I consider it one of the real advantages we have.

Kiwi fandom

Yep, kiwi fandom has contributed a lot- nurturing young talent, running writers groups and encouraging everyone with the opportunity to win one of those pointy delights known as the Sir Julius Vogel Awards. Without cheerleaders here at home- it can be a very lonely island sometimes.

If I can play the old woman card, about fifteen years ago I tried to join the local writers guild. I left with the distinct impression that because I was a genre writer not a literary writer I was not quite up to snuff. I did join this year and it appears time and tide have turned my way–I am worthy of entry.

We’re not American

I should start by saying I love Americans. They are far different to the portrayal on TV, and I have made some wonderful friendships and worked with some talented Americans. That being said, being a New Zealander makes us…. exotic. Yes, there I said it… exotic. What was once a handicap is now positively to our advantage. Amongst the sea of American writers we stand out- we’re different, interesting, and I imagine publishers think that is a great thing for marketing. (Everyone is thinking marketing these days, let’s face it)

We also bring a different sensibility to speculative fiction, with our different heritage, history and culture. I like to think we have something to say because of that. My character in Books and Braun is a New Zealand field agent- think of her as a kiwi female version of James Bond, with more of a love for explosions. Eliza is a kiwi and unashamed of it.

Come to think of it… so I am.

So enjoy this week of New Zealand speculative fiction blogging- it’s part of the new renaissance. Great things lie ahead- so pick up that pen kiwis!

Pirate Chapbook

I love when authors and podcasters try new things, pushing their stories, and taking the bull by the horns as far as their own carreer goes. Justin Macumber has been doing a lot for his fellow authors with the Dead Robots Society– one of my favourite podcasts for writers.

So when Justin bought out his chapbook I had to pick up a copy- and of course get it signed. You can read the pdf for free, but consider buying a copy (for only $US5 you can’t really go wrong) and supporting a writer and podcaster that has given us so much.

Coach Ian and me

Coach Ian Scott is one of the best interviewers I know, and so it was a pleasure to sit down and talk with him recently. We covered the past, present and hints of my future as a writer.

The amazing thing is, Skype mostly behaved, and this interview conducted on opposite sides of the world sounds like I am calling him from next door. It could be because I have recently upgraded to the new version of Skype- but regardless have a listen and hopefully enjoy.

Listen to the interview

Together, holding hands

I have tech edited two wonderful books on Twitter by Tee Morris, but this is the first time I have helped choose stories for an anthology. I was very pleased to be invited to help chose from among the submissions for

The Kiwi Writers Challenge Collection 2009

Yes that deserves to be in big ole text. Kiwi Writers is a wonderful resource, and full of supportive people doing wonderful things. I was truly impressed with the quality of the writing. And you know… you can read it for free? Yes, free! But if you want to have a copy of this fine anthology, and who wouldn’t, then Kiwi Writers have made it nice and cheap on Lulu. Go have a look. It’s a wonderful thing, and I am very proud to have had a small part in it.