storytelling

Writemeastory (down there in NZ) has posted asking about a review that refers to Hannah's 'final act' of bravery and what exactly is meant by final, and if she should be braced for something awful. The short answer is: don't worry. Hannah survives.

Thus far it looks as though the review gremlins have decided to be nice to Fire Along the Sky, which of course is great news, wonderful news, I'm very happy-- but. It's pretty much always the case that reviewers get something factual wrong. No matter what reviewers say, Nathaniel Bonner is not half Mohawk, nor was he raised by the Mohawk; Hannah's actions in the new book are not final, in any way. There are a dozen other mythologies perpetrated by reviewers, the biggest of which is an early review which stated that ITW was a 'sequel to Last of the Mohicans' -- which it is not, was never meant to be, could not be. I never claimed such a thing, but I've been paying for that reviewer's opinion ever since, because I get all kinds of critical comments based on the idea that it was meant to be such a sequel.

Thus, while I look for reviews and hope for good ones, I'm no longer surprised or even upset by the factual errors, and you shouldn't take anything in a review as gospel.

On other fronts, I'm having trouble opening up comments on older posts (I closed them all while I was away), but I'm still working on it. I'm also pretty jet lagged, but here's good news: my internet connection has stopped being wonky (DNS server was having fits, so I changed it). Bear with me for a short time while I get back up to speed.

Posted by at 5:18 PM | Permalink | Comments (3) | TrackBacks (0)

The new book is out. I have no idea how it's doing as (1) I can't get hold of my agent (2) I can't get hold of my editor (3) my internet access is up the spout. So post if you've got a copy, and let me know where you found it -- I'd appreciate it.

Edited to add: FaS will be published in New Zealand and Australia on September 30.

Posted by at 12:05 PM | Permalink | Comments (9) | TrackBacks (0)

I'm home again, dealing with piles of mail and I'm sure (if our computer network would wake up) piles of email. I dunno. Nothing's ever easy, but I really wasn't ready to deal with a persnickity internet connection first thing, not when there are bills to pay and so forth. And of course the family network administrator is still in England. Not only in England, but out at the pub with his Dad, so I can't get any quick first aid advice from him. But never mind. I'm back, and I'll be posting regularly as soon as I get things sorted. In case anybody is still there, reading.

Posted by at 11:47 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)