Since the first thing I do with any out-of-town guest is take 'em for cupcakes, I arranged to have Mary meet me at Cups and Cakes Bakery. Yes, I am the devil. She was properly delighted by the palace of sugary delights, and consumed a peanut butter cup (chocolate cake, peanut butter frosting, dipped in chocolate ganache) and a red velvet, while I, being a pretty pink princess, ate a Pretty Pretty Princess (strawberry cake with strawberry frosting). Yum, all the way around.
You can't hang out in a bakery forever, so I asked Mary if she'd like to walk over to Borderlands. She was game for this adventure, and I've walked that route so many times now that I don't really need to pay attention anymore. Gleeful chattering and wandering ensued, culminating in our arrival at the bookstore, where we found Jude, Alan, and—eventually—Jeremy.
Jeremy had a box.
Inside the box was the new Night Shade Press anthology, The Living Dead 2. This is a big, handsome book, with a gorgeous cover, and a great table of contents. Said table of contents includes Kelley Armstrong, Max Brooks, David Wellington...and Mira Grant.
Oh, wait. That's me.
Oxygen is hard.
The story, "Everglades," is set on the U.C. Berkeley campus during the Rising. It's sad and wistful and tragic, and you should totally read it. I mean, you should totally buy this anthology if you like zombies, even a little, because it's gorgeous, but really? My story. In a book. With all these amazing people.
I managed a) not to break Jeremy's fingers snatching the book away, and b) to stay and keep talking for a while, because running cackling into the night would have been rude. We eventually shifted to the cafe, where I hugged Cole, hugged Mary goodbye, and departed for home, taking my book with me.
My book. You cannot have it. Get your own. MINE.
Damn, this was a surprisingly good day.
August 21 2010, 01:41:33 UTC 6 years ago
August 24 2010, 14:56:15 UTC 6 years ago
August 21 2010, 01:46:38 UTC 6 years ago
Since I now believe this is an actual possibility. . . please do not hyperventilate until you die.
That said, congratulations! I would love to pre-order it, but given I have only a debit/fake credit card, and can't guarantee the funds will be there the day it ships....I'll just have to lurk.
In the meanwhile, you might be amused to know that multiple of my friends have now added "oxygen is hard" as an away message for their AIM.
August 24 2010, 14:56:32 UTC 6 years ago
August 21 2010, 01:53:08 UTC 6 years ago
If I had ever managed to get a bit of my writing in an anthology with Stephen King, autographed copies would be very hard to comeby, as I'd have had a stroke and died. Double congrats to you for surviving that shock :D
I would send you the brain-shaped chocolates/candies I am making this weekend, but that might seem, oh, I don't know, really creepy and kind of threatening to find those randomly in your mail, no?
August 21 2010, 01:56:50 UTC 6 years ago
6 years ago
August 21 2010, 01:54:47 UTC 6 years ago
August 24 2010, 14:57:25 UTC 6 years ago
August 21 2010, 01:59:53 UTC 6 years ago
I will see Mary tomorrow!
August 24 2010, 14:57:34 UTC 6 years ago
6 years ago
August 21 2010, 02:07:02 UTC 6 years ago
August 24 2010, 14:57:39 UTC 6 years ago
August 21 2010, 02:10:47 UTC 6 years ago
August 24 2010, 14:57:49 UTC 6 years ago
6 years ago
6 years ago
August 21 2010, 02:32:51 UTC 6 years ago
First time I've ever had vicarious giggles. Thank you for sharing your supremely cool life.
August 24 2010, 14:58:00 UTC 6 years ago
Yum!
August 21 2010, 02:55:18 UTC 6 years ago
I have got to go find the series now in audio!
Re: Yum!
August 24 2010, 14:58:09 UTC 6 years ago
Good taste
August 21 2010, 04:05:59 UTC 6 years ago
Congrats on seeing more evidence that this "writing thing" is working.
Re: Good taste
August 21 2010, 08:04:04 UTC 6 years ago
Re: Good taste
6 years ago
August 21 2010, 08:03:40 UTC 6 years ago
But you forgot the bit where you were explaining to me that the Pretty, Pretty Princess was like eating a My Little Pony and you made one of the bakers expire with laughter behind the counter.
I loved that.
August 24 2010, 14:58:40 UTC 6 years ago
Thanks for hanging out.
August 21 2010, 13:14:35 UTC 6 years ago
I got to meet
August 24 2010, 14:59:14 UTC 6 years ago
Wait, if taking a picture with Bear endears an author to you, and I'm two people, am I doubly endeared?
6 years ago
6 years ago
August 21 2010, 13:36:02 UTC 6 years ago
Why not? Sounds like a good idea to me...
Yay books!
August 24 2010, 14:59:23 UTC 6 years ago
August 21 2010, 14:11:53 UTC 6 years ago
I just finished listening to the Rosemary and Rue CD. Your words and Mary Robinette's voice are a totally winning combination. What's funny is that I now find myself unconsciously adopting Toby's speech pattern and tones of voice.
August 24 2010, 14:59:36 UTC 6 years ago
August 21 2010, 17:22:38 UTC 6 years ago
Miss Manners would be SO proud!!
Congrats!!
August 24 2010, 14:59:46 UTC 6 years ago