Seanan McGuire (seanan_mcguire) wrote,
Seanan McGuire
seanan_mcguire
  • Mood: thoughtful
  • Music: Taylor Swift, "You Belong With Me."

New wallpaper, some thoughts.

Thanks to the graphic magic of Tara O'Shea, there are new wallpapers on the October Daye Wallpaper page, this time allowing you to dress your monitor in the fine, fine image of "In Sea-Salt Tears." You can find the wallpaper here:

http://seananmcguire.com/wallpapers.php#short

I am still, to be honest, a little bit staggered by this story's inclusion in this year's Hugo ballot. Not that I'm not staggered by every single nomination—because I am; for some people I may have become a predictable choice, but for me, this is only the third year that I've been on the ballot at all—but this one is...it's special. It's a purely urban fantasy story, for one thing, and stories in that sub-genre don't often get recognized at this level. And it's about women, just women, two women who loved each other for as long as they were allowed. There's no grand battle or flashy challenge.

There's just women.

People talk about "writing what you know," and the parts of this story that are what I know are the parts with kitchens and farmer's markets and Italian dinners and love. So much love. Love that seems like it could change the world forever, even when you know that it can never really change anything but you.

I got urban fantasy on the Hugo ballot.

I'm a little proud of that.
Tags: awards and stuff, contemplation, good things, tara, toby daye
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  • 38 comments

spectralbovine

June 20 2013, 18:43:22 UTC 4 years ago

I'm a little proud of you.

(A lot proud of you.)

seanan_mcguire

July 28 2013, 19:47:13 UTC 3 years ago

Thank you.

herefox

June 20 2013, 19:05:46 UTC 4 years ago

Deservedly so. It's a beautiful story.

seanan_mcguire

July 28 2013, 19:47:20 UTC 3 years ago

Thank you.

la_marquise_de_

June 20 2013, 19:26:34 UTC 4 years ago

It's a fine achievement.

seanan_mcguire

July 28 2013, 19:47:27 UTC 3 years ago

I am still staggered.

mac_arthur_park

June 20 2013, 19:29:41 UTC 4 years ago

You have every right to be proud of yourself. Go, you!

seanan_mcguire

July 28 2013, 19:47:34 UTC 3 years ago

Thank you!

mathnerd

June 20 2013, 19:33:56 UTC 4 years ago

I'm proud of you beyond words.

And to be honest? It's my favourite story so far in the Toby-verse. It made me cry.

seanan_mcguire

July 28 2013, 19:47:44 UTC 3 years ago

Oh, wow.

Thank you for that.

1trackmind

June 20 2013, 19:35:27 UTC 4 years ago

Congratulations!

seanan_mcguire

July 28 2013, 19:47:51 UTC 3 years ago

Thanks!

reedrover

June 20 2013, 19:39:11 UTC 4 years ago

We-your-fans are very proud of you, and of the power of your fandom to get you on the ballot. As you said a while ago (or maybe it was Jim Hines), it is a popularity contest. I think it's fabulous that an urban fantasy, self-published for free, with female main characters, is popular. That's a heck of a story!

FWIW - When I finished reading the story (and stopped sniffling), I noticed that I had your version of "Still Catch the Tide" in my head... and now just those two lines from the chorus are irrevocably linked to my thoughts of this story. I think it's neat, even if the song doesn't match the story overall.
I never thought that I could hold you forever;
Always knew deep down that you'd have to go home...

geekhyena

June 21 2013, 01:09:47 UTC 4 years ago

Same - that song was running through my head the whole time I read it, and I'm also excited it got on the ballot because it is so hard to find non-hetero representation in fiction sometimes, even/especially in fantasy/sf, so I am doubly excited. This story always brings me to tears when I read it, and I love that it does that. It is beautiful and poignant and it makes the characters have a new layer of depth and just thinking about it leaves me drowning in FEELS. I really hope it wins.

seanan_mcguire

3 years ago

  • New comment

kassrachel

June 20 2013, 19:55:04 UTC 4 years ago

I loved In Sea-Salt Tears. I mean: I pretty roundly adore all of the Toby Daye stories, and I am a big fan of the Luidaeg in general. So that story was pretty much like catnip for me. ♥ I'm so glad it's being recognized.

seanan_mcguire

July 28 2013, 19:48:23 UTC 3 years ago

I'm just stunned.

Deleted comment

seanan_mcguire

July 28 2013, 19:48:33 UTC 3 years ago

Glee.

And terror.

And glee.

slantiness

June 20 2013, 22:30:56 UTC 4 years ago

When I read this I felt confused and then I realized that it's because I had forgotten this short story existed--I don't think I read it yet! Can you tell me where I can read it? I love the Luidaeg and love and tears.

spectralbovine

June 20 2013, 23:05:38 UTC 4 years ago

It's on the Toby shorts page.

slantiness

4 years ago

  • New comment

seanan_mcguire

3 years ago

  • New comment

taylweaver

June 20 2013, 22:50:47 UTC 4 years ago

It's part of what motivated me to buy the supporting membership (well, that and all of the other stories you have on there). I'm very much looking forward to reading it. As I read through the packet, I'm saving your stuff for last, because I know it will be good.

seanan_mcguire

July 28 2013, 19:49:04 UTC 3 years ago

Aw.

Thank you.

vincentursus

June 20 2013, 23:03:27 UTC 4 years ago

*applauds*

seanan_mcguire

July 28 2013, 19:49:11 UTC 3 years ago

<3

erinwrites

June 21 2013, 00:46:45 UTC 4 years ago

I kind of just want to post THIS on all the comments so far. <3

seanan_mcguire

July 28 2013, 19:49:22 UTC 3 years ago

Awwwww.

Best Erin is best.

yellowblackhaze

June 21 2013, 01:48:48 UTC 4 years ago

You absolutely should be proud. It's a fine piece of writing and it belongs on the ballot, regardless of genre.

seanan_mcguire

July 28 2013, 19:49:31 UTC 3 years ago

Thank you.

anne_d

June 21 2013, 01:57:26 UTC 4 years ago

It's a fine story. The issues are all understandable and in some ways, very human and very real.

You should be proud. I'm being proud for you right now.

seanan_mcguire

July 28 2013, 19:49:41 UTC 3 years ago

Thank you.

acelightning

June 21 2013, 05:52:44 UTC 4 years ago

You and the Luidaeg both deserve Hugos.

seanan_mcguire

July 28 2013, 19:49:51 UTC 3 years ago

Here's hoping.

acelightning

3 years ago

  • New comment

vettecat

June 21 2013, 17:06:16 UTC 4 years ago Edited:  June 21 2013, 17:06:33 UTC

It's a good story. What it's about is incidental.

seanan_mcguire

July 28 2013, 20:04:10 UTC 3 years ago

Thank you.