First, I have a post up on Writer Unboxed that you may find interesting. Or not. 
I’ve been busy writing, and as you can see in the sidebar, I’m nearly done with my SKIN DIVE draft. I also wrapped up the KILLBOX galleys, so that book’s in the bag now. Hard to believe Jax is rolling toward book four, right? Amazing. At the end of August — shortly after my birthday — that book will put the series at 4/6 (or 2/3) completion. That makes me incredibly proud; that I could start something and finish it. How splendid! It’s rather a milestone, too, I think.
Other than that, I have exciting RAZORLAND goodness percolating behind the scenes. I’m finalizing the agreement for my book trailer with the UK production company, and I’ve been working with the Feiwel audiobook department. As it turns out, they’re doing a special CD sampler with excerpts from the audiobook, which will be included in the galleys. Part of that CD? An interview with yours truly. I did the call today, and wow, I was nervous, but I think I did all right. So many exciting things are coming down the pike this year. Sometimes it’s hard to wrap my head around. For instance, in the next month, I get to see my Cliff Nielsen cover art. I. Can’t. Wait. Interesting (or maybe not?) sidenote, he has done art for Charles de Lint, too, as has my Jax artist, Scott Fischer. This makes me feel like I’m playing Six Degrees of de Lint, who totally friended me on Facebook — without any prompting from me, I might add.
Along with Walter Jon Williams and Simon Green, de Lint holds a special place in my esteem, as he’s wrapped up in my courtship with my husband. Well, not literally. Geez, people. But both Andres and I love books. I logged those recommendations as another woman might gifts of perfume or jewelry; see, we communicate by recommending books to each other, and the themes say private things. The first book Andres ever told me to read was Aristoi by Walter Jon Williams. The next was Imajica by Clive Barker. After that, it was Someplace to Be Flying by de Lint. And then, of course, we discovered Simon Green’s Nightside books together. To this day, shared reading is important to us. When I find an author I love, if I love them enough, I give the book to Andres, and I say, Read this. The subtext is, I want you to love what I love. Maybe it’s goofy of me, but I see each instance as a quiet renewal of vows — that the commonalities that brought us together initially bind us still, so many years later.
I could never have imagined I would end up here… on the cusp of seeing my own words in hardcover. I marvel. Andres, on the other hand, does not. You see, he fell in love with my words first, and then the person behind them. He always knew. He always believed, even when I didn’t. His patience means so much to me now, more than I can say. And so I post a love note for all the world to see on our anniversary, vaguely blog-shaped. Love is not perfection; it is understanding and forgiveness.
Thank you for these marvelous years, my darling. May there be fifteen more and fifteen more again, until you’ve no hair, and I’ve no teeth, and I have forgotten everyone’s eyes but yours. Happy anniversary.
Love, Ann
What a beautiful love letter. 🙂 Happy Anniversary to you and Andres! May you have many more wonderful years together! And congratulations on all the wonderful things happening in the literary world! I’m so excited for you! =)
Aww, that is so sweet! That’s a lovely story.
Congratulations for all your so well deserved writing success. Or should we readers be congratulating ourselves? We all win!
Thank you for sharing your love letter to Andrés with us, Ann (and happy anniversary to both of you! *hugs*)
😀
Congrats to the upcoming releases- I am really happy for you!!!
And Happy Anniversary 😀
Very cool. I’m kind of teary-eyed now.
It’s really great when a couple shares a common interest in that way. Sometime you’ll have to tell us the story of him falling in love with your words first.
Awww! You are both very lucky! Congratulations and may you have many, many more!
Congrats on your milestone and many more 🙂
Happy anniversary to both of you since it takes two to tango.
Boo.
First: Happy anniversary, Ann. Bunny. Love. It’s been the eleven happiest years of my life… and considering what you know of my life, that’s saying quite a bit. But! I digress.
Brevity would do little justice to what you have done for me, with me and to me in the last decade and more. For all that, I can only say thank you; thank you for loving me, being with me and sharing your life with me.
I will yet make the time to properly thank you for it all, but in the meantime all I can hope for is a long enough life together to show you how much you mean to me, a little at a time, day after day.
I love you. Happy Anniversary.
Oh, right. MaryK: the story involves 1,800 miles, two years, Dangermouse and a seedy bar. And an Applebee’s, which was NOT the seedy bar. Ann’ll have to fill in the gaps.
I think I’d rather preserve the mystery. Thank you.
I love it where you say “until you’ve no hair and I’ve no teeth and I’ve forgotten everyone’s eyes but yours”, Ann that is just such a lovely sentiment and Happy Anniversary to you and Andres and many many more to come!!! Thanks for sharing something so special with us also..
jackie b central texas
Dangermouse and a seedy bar. I’d probably preserve the mystery, too. 😀
Woh that is so cute and sweet love story I ever read. I like to say you congratulations for your well writing success. Keeping writing dear. I am very sure that every reader will enjoy to read your story.
Happy (late) Anniversary!
Aww. 🙂 That’s beautifully sweet – thanks for sharing.
And on a side note, Charles de Lint is one of my biggest literary heroes, and the book “MEMORY & DREAM” was one of the most influential books of my teenage years. I compare every short story I read or write to the stories in that book. And I’m awed that Mr. de Lint friended you on facebook! 🙂 That’s equivalent to Batman and Hugh Jackman friending you randomly on facebook… on the same day. 0_o Awesomesauce.
DaydreamerNMy little brohter was thinking about reading this book. I get what you mean when you say you have fun reading it but did not love the book. I feel that way all the time. it is so hard to write reviews when you feel that way. book job on the review. =]DaydreamerN recently posted..