Oct12019

Soulless’s Birthday, Stories From A Book’s Misspent Youth

Soulless is having its birthday today, Gentle Reader!

Thought I might share a few of my most fun, and most silly stories revolving around the launch of my very first book, some decade or more ago now! I know, right?

Shortly after Soulless came out, through no fault of mine, World Fantasy Convention came to town.

And I said to my darling friends, I said…

“Darling friends. You know that wedding you had at my mother’s place? You know those baby showers and wedding showers you made me attend? You know those parties I hosted over the years? The time has come,” said I, “to talk of recompense. The chips… I am casting them.”

And so my friends, who are darlings, became many things: caterers, cooks, flower arrangers, interior decorators, event coordinators, brewmasters, bartenders, tea mistresses, servants, cleaning staff and all the steampunk personas one must to throw a very impressive BASH.

And together we threw a rather memorable party. There may even be a few reading this blog who remember it still, and read my book because of it.

Here are some stories from that time…

The Shortbread Fiancee

A dear friend made shortbread for Soulless’s coming out party. A fellow author was so enamored of her shortbread (and rather drunk) he immediately proposed marriage. He went on to become rather famous, but amongst my friends he will be forever known as “The Shortbread Fiancée.”

The Armenian Lovers

My original bio said I had a haram of Armenian lovers (and I did at the time) but the gentleman manning the bar was not one of them. (There was character themed cocktails and bathtub gin, just FYI.)

Still, my editor, who is a tiny terrifying human but generally looks about 12, came to the party. I had special cheese platters prepared just for her. She loves cheese. She went to get a drink and then returned to report excitedly that she had been “carded by one of the Armenian lovers!”

Kitty (Ivy’s companion), Ivy & Tunstell.

Ivy Hisselpenny in the Flesh

I had actor friends playing the parts of my characters at the launch. My dearest Miss Kalandar represented Ivy. (She is also the inspiration for many of Ivy’s best lines, among other things.)

Next to her is Paul as Tunstell, who IS Tunstell, only I didn’t realize it when I was writing that character. Fortunately, I have the kind of friends who, when I accidentally put them into my novels, will find their tightest loudest pants and show up at a launch party portraying that character.

Soulless Alex Award Scarf Gail Carriger Parasol Protectorate

Ah, the beginnings!

You can read more about this event and book launch teas here:

SOULLESS BOOK LAUNCH PARTY!

And you can read the full menu here:

How to Throw a Book Launch Tea Party

Meanwhile in honor of Soulless’s 10th Birthday I am giving away 10 of the Soulless green cameo hardcover books to Chirrup members. These are out of print, there are no more for sale from the publisher. It matches Fan Service.

Chirrup Soulless free from Gail Carriger

You need to have joined the Chirrup (and gone through the verification process) BEFORE midnight this Saturday October 5th, 2019.

This is the last of my stock of this book. I will never do this giveaway again.

Yours getting rid of books!

Miss Gail

OUT NOW!

Reticence: The forth and final Custard Protocol Book!

Reticence

USA & Canada: Amazon print & digital & audiobook | Kobo | B & N | Apple | Audible | Other

UK digitalprint | Kobo | Apple UK coming soon I hope

Amazon Overseas DE | FR | AU

Kobo Overseas DE | FR | AU

Sky’s Scribblings says:

“A thoroughly delightful read that was even better than expected, and I expected to be thoroughly delighted! Percy was adorkable, Arsenic gave Sophronia a run for her money as my favorite Parasolverse female, and the surprise third POV was such fun.”

GAIL’S DAILY DOSE

Your Moment of Parasol . . .

Parasol Protectorate Box Set Free Download

Your Infusion of Cute . . .

Candy UK

Candy Loot from the UK

Your Tisane of Smart . . .

Being a Library Power User

Your Writerly Tinctures . . .  

Author Prayer: 

Autocorrect please stay thy hand,

type this clean, at my command,

And if readers should an error see,

I pray they will blame you, not me. 

~ Adapted from the scribe’s prayer to Titivillus (daemon of typos) recited by Ian Chillag on The Allusionist podcast

Book News:

15 Shifter Romance Books to Read Under the Full Moon (Soulless on this list)

Quote of the Day:

Soulless Sledgehammer Quote

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