Date: June 13, 2013
Time: Book fair 6:00-9:00 pm, group signing 7:00-8:00 pm
Place: Powell’s Books at Cedar Hills Crossing in Beaverton, Oregon

Authors in attendance will include David D. Levine, Phyllis Irene Radford, Devon Monk, Barb and J. C. Hendee, Shannon Page, Mark Ferrari, J. A. Pitts, M. K. Hobson, Diana Pharaoh Francis, and Tina Connolly.

Ten percent of the proceeds for each book sold during the book fair will go to the Clayton Memorial Medical Fund, which helps professional science fiction, fantasy, horror, and mystery writers living in the Pacific Northwest states of Oregon, Washington, Idaho, and Alaska deal with the financial burden of medical expenses.

Please see http://www.powells.com/events/5348/ for more information and updates.

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I’m also very pleased to announce that “The Tale of the Golden Eagle” will be appearing on the Escape Pod podcast in June. If all goes well, this will be the same recording (read by me) that will be in the Space Magic audiobook, which will be available for sale by the time the podcast airs. Very excited by this development.

Lowball, the next Wild Cards book, is finally complete and turned in and will likely be released in Summer 2014. This book introduces my character The Cartoonist in a story titled “Cry Wolf.”

Finally, if you’re in the Portland or Seattle area, don’t forget about the SFWA Pacific Northwest Reading Series, featuring Mary Robinette Kowal, Tina Connolly, and Nisi Shawl: today (Tuesday April 23) at the Wilde Rover in Kirkland, WA and tomorrow (Wednesday April 24) at the Kennedy School in Portland, OR.

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It started, as so many things do, with The Amazing Race. It was when we saw yet another pair of racers fail to cope with a stick shift, I think, that we said “haven’t these people seen the show before? Didn’t they know they should expect to have to drive a stick shift?” Which led to some thinking about what other things a potential Amazing Race contestant should know to expect from having seen previous seasons of the show. This list included: ride a bicycle; dive and/or swim; climb and/or rappel on something very high; and lead, ride, and/or milk an exotic animal. These seemed things that, if applied for and we were to be selected for the Race, we would want to do before setting off.

Later, it occurred to us that we didn’t need to wait for the Race. We could do these fun things on our own hook. Some of them are impossible without the Race’s resources, of course, but others are available to anyone with time, money, and motivation. The first time we did this was when we ziplined in Texas, and the most recent time was today, when we took a llama trek in Smith Rock State Park near Redmond, Oregon.

This trek was a surprise birthday present from me to Kate. The birthday was in March, the surprise was at the party a week beforehand (I made all the arrangements in advance, then sprang it on her at the party), and the actual trek was in April when the weather would be more likely to cooperate. We had nearly perfect weather, as it turned out; sunny with temperatures in the sixties.

We started out at a Home Depoot parking lot in Redmond, where Sherry our guide met us and introduced us to “the boys:” Al (the eldest and calmest, dark brown), Link (also experienced, black and white), and Bug (the youngest and a bit skittish, black and white and recently shorn). All were gelded males, and a calmer, cleaner, and more dependable group of pack animals you could scarcely hope to find. From there we drove in convoy to the park, where we saddled ‘em up, loaded ‘em up, and rode ‘em out.

Well, we didn’t actually ride ‘em. Llamas’ backs are not made for riding, but they make fabulous pack animals, and each carried two panniers full of our stuff, which had to be as exactly balanced as possible (“when your llama is saddled and loaded to the guide’s satisfaction, you will receive your next clue”). Each pannier was different, all custom fitted to the individual llama, and as this was the first expedition of the season it took Sherry a while to remember how the straps and buckles worked on each one. By the time we actually hit the trail the parking lot, which had been nearly empty when we arrived, was half-full. (When we left it was jammed, with cars lined up on the road for a half-mile leading up to the park. Smith Rock is very popular with rock climbers and it was a lovely sunny Saturday.)

We were given the option of just hiking, with Sherry leading the llamas in a string, or leading a llama ourselves. Naturally we led our llamas, that being part of the point of the expedition. Kate started out with Al, the oldest and most docile, while Sherry took the skittish Bug (this being his shakedown cruise), leaving me with the reasonably placid Link. But Kate had some difficulty dissuading Al from stopping to browse every five feet, so we tried swapping. This worked well, and Al and I stuck together for the rest of the day. He did have a strong tendency to snack on any tasty grasses or junipers that caught his big brown eye, but a little bit of patience followed by a firm but gentle tug on the lead sufficed to get him moving again. (I might not have been so patient if there had been a million-dollar prize on the line.)

After hiking down into the canyon (and could a horse climb steps, I ask you?) we walked at a leisurely pace through trees and scrub, with amazing views of the river and spectacular rock formations. I’ve been a big fan of rock formations ever since my expedition to “Mars” in 2010, which is why I selected Smith Rock for this trek, and these did not disappoint. The rocks were also festooned with climbers, and provided habitat for ducks, geese, redtail hawks, lizards, and even a bald eagle, many of which (including the eagle) we got quite close looks at.

The llamas hauled all of our stuff uncomplainingly all day for nothing more than a handful of feed; they never even drank any water. (We were assured that they had eaten a large breakfast and would certainly drink up when they got back to the barn.) Well, I say “uncomplainingly,” but toward the end of the hike Al and Link both made the low Wookie-like groan that indicates mild discomfort (a happy llama is a quiet llama), but Al never stopped eating so he can’t have been too upset or uncomfortable. I think they might be a bit out of shape, this being their first trek of the season.

The llamas were approximately our height (“it’s a sheep with a stalk!”), and generally followed quite closely behind us, even occasionally stepping on our heels. This meant that there was often a llama face, with fuzzy ears and large soulful eyes, huffing down our necks or right next to our faces as we walked. Fortunately, they did not have bad breath; in fact, they had no odor at all. Nor did they spit, kick, or engage in any of those other bad llama habits, except that Al sometimes put his ears back when Bug got in his face — llamas have their pecking order and do like their space.

We found ourselves a bit of a tourist attraction ourselves, with just about every passing hiker wanting a photo and/or to pet the “alpacas.” I don’t know why, but nearly everyone thought they were alpacas rather than llamas. It was kind of cool even so.

At lunch time we stopped and set up camp, which is where the llamas really paid off: table, chairs, and a full three-course spread of tasty vittles came out of those panniers, and we ate a delicious and leisurely lunch with a delightful view of rocks, river, and grazing llamas. Then we re-packed the bags, turned around, and headed back to our B&B, with a stop for the traditional huckleberry ice cream at the park entrance. A most excellent day.

Left to right: Bug, Link, Sherry, Al.

Spectacular scenery.

Llama toes. Yes, they really look like that.

Al fully kitted out with his panniers.

Sherry fits Link with his backpack.

Llama breath!

Three llamas, no waiting.

On the trail!

“Snoopy Rock.”

At the base of one of many intriguing rock formations.

Rock climbers, far above and across the river.

Pausing to admire the view.

Sherry with Link Bug and Al.

Stopping at the day use area (also serves as a helipad in case of emergency).

Hi there!

Bouldering.

Rest stop.

Pointing out an eagle’s nest.

This reminds me of a book cover. (I am not going to write this book.)

Another spectacular rock formation.

A lovely lunch spread.

Lizard!

Kitting out Al for the trip home.

If you aren’t the lead llama, the view never changes.

Last view of the river!

Our trek was organized by Halligan Ranch Llama Adventures, whom I would absolutely recommend for all your Central Oregon llama-related needs. We stayed at the Hillside Inn B&B in Bend, which was as nice as you might like, spacious, clean, and modern, with bold colors and plenty of amenities as well as a delightful home-cooked breakfast. We also had excellent dinners at Kebaba and 900 Wall.

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On Tuesday, in the Seattle area, award-winning writer Mary Robinette Kowal (Without a Summer) will be accompanied by Portland writer Tina Connolly (Ironskin) and Seattle writer Nisi Shawl (Filter House). The University Bookstore will be on hand again selling books and all the authors will be available to sign.

When: Tuesday, April 23, 2013, 7:00 PM – 8:30 PM
Where: Wilde Rover Irish Pub and Restaurant, 111 Central Way, Kirkland, WA 98033

On Wednesday, the same three readers will be appearing in Portland. Wrigley-Cross Books will be selling books and all the authors will be available to sign.

When: Wednesday, April 24, 2013, 7:00 PM – 8:30 PM
Where: McMenamins Kennedy School, 5736 N.E. 33rd Ave. Portland, OR 97211

Both events are free and open to the public. I hope you can join us! It should be a lot of fun.

See http://www.sfwa.org/for-readers/sfwa-northwest-reading-series/ for more information and to RSVP (not required, but encouraged).

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Although I’ve read my own work in public many times, and recorded podcasts before, this is my first time in a professional recording studio, working with an experienced engineer. It’s been a very interesting process. Apparently I have a tendency to read much too fast, and to “pop” my P’s and B’s, so I get corrected once every couple of paragraphs — and occasionally several times per sentence — and have to back up and re-do a lot. I’ve learned to turn my head slightly to the side before a “plosive” sound to prevent it from hitting the microphone too hard. The engineer has also helped me keep my character voices consistent and get my Mexican accent right (it keeps coming out more like Russian).

It’s hard work — harder on the brain than the voice — and after several hours of it I begin to feel as though I am nothing but a conduit, turning the words on the page into sound. But I trust that my own knowledge of the story and the engineer’s experience will keep the performance top-notch. We’ve done four of the 15 stories so far, so there are at least three more recording sessions to go.

The studio I am working with is Oregon Translation, a Portland company that performs language translations. They have recently branched out into voice-over work and installed a small recording studio, and are now looking to get into the business of recording audiobooks. To this end they are offering to produce a few audiobooks for local authors and publishers at a substantial discount, in exchange for the right to use the completed audiobook as a portfolio piece. If you’d like to contact them yourself, let me know and I’ll put you in touch. They have a stable of professional narrators as well as the studio and engineer.

I’m acting as my own narrator here, so all I’m paying for is studio and post-production time, but even at a very steep discount it’s still hundreds of dollars. On the other hand, when we’re through I’ll have a professionally produced audiobook that I can sell through acx.com and keep all the proceeds. I don’t know if I will ever sell enough audiobooks to recoup the investment, but even if I don’t, this is a learning experience and PR opportunity for me (I will be able to use these recordings of my stories for publicity for years to come).

I’m also beginning to offer myself as a reader for podcasts. One nice thing about this gig is that they had a few squares of acoustic foam left over after they finished the studio, which they graciously let me have for free (this stuff is surprisingly expensive, and hard to get in small quantities). I will use these to set up a small recording box for improved sound when I record at home.

This is an exciting new adventure for me! I’ll let you know as soon as the audiobook is available.

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Also, my story “Wavefronts of History and Memory” is in the June 2013 Analog, on sale now, and I have just received my author copies of the new UK edition of the first Wild Cards volume.

ETA: Forgot to mention that “Wavefronts of History and Memory” has already been reviewed by Lois Tilton (“Readers might suspect the story to culminate with a shocking historical revelation. But Levine is more subtle. As the revelation hovers silently in readers’ minds, he employs its ghostly presence to reflect a more personal revelation about self-knowledge”), and I got a fan letter on the story from Bud Sparhawk!

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I’ll be on the following program items:

Friday 10:00 AM, Cascade 8: When Things Go Wrong In Space.
Apollo 13 was not the first time things went wrong in spaceflight, it won’t be the last. How do scientists and engineers anticipate problems and train to solve them? Furthermore, can the same ideas be used for more mundane, down to Earth problems?
David D. Levine (M), Dan Dubrick, David Shoemaker

Friday 3:00 PM, Cascade 7: Best New Technologies for the Start-up Mad Scientist
Saving the world is good, but taking over the world is even better! What field should the up-and-coming mad scientist get into on their path to unlimited power or enough money to get some really cool toys?
David D. Levine (M), Chris Nilsson, David Nasset, Sr., Dr. Ricky

Friday 4:00 PM, Cascade 2: Grimm and Once Upon a Time
Fairy tales are definitely in style and definitely grown up.
David D. Levine (M), Chelsea M. Campbell, Dan Murphy, Lola Colleen, Janet Borkowski

Saturday 4:00 PM, Cascade 3&4: Can Social Media SAVE THE WORLD?
The phrase “Social Media revolution” didn’t originally mean “overthrow your government via Twitter”, but what can you do? Social media can be used to bring together a flash crowd for political action, but can it help build good, or just discomfort bad? Can social media help make the world a better place by doing something more than providing an infinite supply of cute cat pictures?
David D. Levine (M), Bob Kruger, Fish, Jonny Nero Action Hero, Andri Snaer Magnason

Saturday 5:00 PM, Cascade 1: David D. Levine reads “Letter to the Editor”
You think you know who Dr. Talon is. “Mad Scientist.” “Criminal Genius.” But in this Letter to the Editor, Dr. Talon reveals his true motivations. Rated G
David D. Levine

Sunday 10:00 AM, Cascade 6: Fantasy Houses with SF Furniture in Them
If there’s magic in it, the book is fantasy, right? But what if the magical power is on tap like water and you pay a monthly bill to the city magic utility, as in Walter John Williams’ Metropolitan? What if magic is described, studied, and practiced in the language of physics and software, as in Charles Stross’ The Atrocity Archives? Is this a new genre, a hybrid genre, or still just fantasy? And where does Steampunk fit in?
Clinton J. Boomer (M), David D. Levine, Rhiannon Held

I’ll also be conducting a writers’ workshop session, showing up at the bar and various parties, and just generally hanging out. Hope to see you there!

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http://www.fictorians.com/2013/03/20/the-wonder-of-fantasy/

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