Tagged PRUDENCE

Custard Protocol Extras ~ Fun Research Tidbits for Prudence (Special Extras)

While I was writing Prudence, I collected some fun and key images for significant scenes.

Here are a few that I thought you might enjoy, Gentle Reader.

via Saladin Ahmed on Twitter (@saladinahmed)

Now you can look out for them as you read… and some quotes, because I’m honored by the warm reception this book has received.

Victorian Snuff Box, Lacquer With Mother – Of – Pearl , Circa 1880

RakshaDemon_Yakshagana

Vampire Book Club says of Prudence:

“I’m beyond in love with the world Carriger has created and her imagination never ceases to amaze me. It’s exciting and colorful, filled with ingenious inventions and glorious attention to detail, especially concerning Victorian fashion and etiquette.”

Seated Parvati Hindu goddess of all goddesses; wife of Shiva (via commons)

OverDrive Blog says of Prudence:

“Rest assured, readers new to this universe will easily enjoy this novel as a standalone read. … But true satisfaction lies with those of us who have already read the earlier novels and are longing for updates on some of our favorite characters, who pop up with gratifying frequency throughout the novel in minor roles.”

Fresh Fiction says of Prudence:

“Prudence is the first in the new Custard Protocol series, which promises as much mayhem and manners as Carriger’s first two series.”

Want more behind the scenes sneak peeks? Join the Chirrup

GAIL’S DAILY DOSE

Your Moment of Parasol . . .

Woman with a Parasol, Facing Right ~ Claude Monet via lonequixote tumblr

Your Infusion of Cute . . .
The Steampunk Horn-A-Phone

Your Tisane of Smart . . .
Dinner in Mysore in 1867

Your Writerly Tinctures . . .
How to Approach Authors in the Wild

Off Again & Prudence Book Tour in Retrospect (Custard Protocol)

So my dear Gentle Reader, I have returned from my Prudence book launch tour! (And I am immediately heading off to New Zealand.)

Thank you all for coming out to see me on tour. I loved meeting you and I do apologize if my energy levels were low. I am also sorry I couldn’t go visit the tea shops and things you recommended in each city. The tour was 6 cities in 6 days, and it doesn’t allow me much residual play time. Also, because they want to fit all the stops in during the first week of sales, I hope that you can see why I didn’t have time to go everywhere or to fly very long distances.

An early pause for tea with friends in San Diego

I’m not complaining, because very few authors get the privilege of touring at all anymore, but I won’t pretend it was easy, either. I got about 5 hours of sleep each night and it was pretty much: wake early, fly, land, hotel, change, event, return to hotel, sleep (repeat x6) with eating squeezed in between. There were times I forgot to drink tea. ME!

Mysterious Galaxy Crowd

So many of you came out to see me that I am very honored. I had from 75-130 people at the various events which is really fantastic and I can’t tell you how grateful I am. People came in rain, awful traffic, on weeknights, with sleeping babies (who stayed sleeping, hooray for the soporific effect of my voice), in costume, with gifts… It really made me feel loved.

At Mysterious Galaxy in San Diego

There were familiar faces (with new acquisitions) and there were new faces who came attached to familiar handles from Twitter, Facebook, and Tumblr.

There was the requisite amount of fantastically unnaturally colored hair and fabulous vintage dresses, not to mention steampunk attire.

Kathryn Dressler with Gail Carriger and Corrie Metz Moore via FB

I’ve posted a bunch of pictures to Flikr and there are tons popping up on Twitter and Facebook as well.

Finally meeting the infamous @RuffledParasols from Twitter

San Deigo (Mysterious Galaxy) and Portland (Powell’s) were, of course, familiar to me. It was a delight to see so many friends in the audience from previous visits. The questions at both venues came fast and furious and very smart.

Tattered Cover

I was a little nervous about my Denver event as I had never been to the Tattered Cover before. But despite gloomy weather and abysmal traffic the Mile High City was game. It turns out that I have also amassed a large number of author friends in the area, not to mention the fact that my agent is there, so it was also a opportunity to renew acquaintances. Good place to be an author… Denver.

with Lora Reiher via FB

I was also a bit scared about Dallas as, again, I have never done an author event there before. I was in town for FenCon as GOH several years ago, however, and the volunteers and organizers came out in force to support me. So sweet! I love you guys. And despite some technical difficulties, the house was packed and the B&N peeps seemed, if anything, a little startled by this. Heh heh.

The Dallas Crowd

I got there early and hammed it up a bit, which was rather fun. I also went and took a picture with my end cap since I was at a B&N and ridiculously proud of how well this dress matched the cover of Prudence. More on that over on Retro Rack.

Me and my end cap

Then I was on to Houston and familiar stomping grounds. As always, Murder by the Book welcomed me with open arms. I signed a lot of pre-orders for them: they are particularly good at that part of relating to their customers.

From John Alexander Husisian via FB

Finally a good picture of me at Murder. I’ve been there several times before and never seem to get a good photo. As you can see, my publisher, Orbit, sent out a fantastic selection of swag to give away. There were fans, bookmarks, posters, buttons, and more. A few places even had balloons (although I forgot to take a photo, curses). Orbit, incidentally, is entirely responsible for this tour. Thank you Orbit!

From Jessie Clapp via Twitter @Jessieclapp

I landed back in the Bay Area on Sunday morning and after a brutal drive battling an unexpected marathon, made it home in time to cuddle the squiggly (but excited) cat and the less squiggly (but still excited) AB, change, and hop back into the car for Borderlands.

This was a first for me: signing a bicep! THE AVATAR (@mmusclechan) on Twitter apparently listens to my audiobooks while she works out. Isn’t that cool?

Borderlands was actually a little tearful (good tears) as this was to have been their last event ever, but instead it was the dawn of a new era. I brought with me some exclusive ARCs from my collection to hand out to the Borderlands Sponsors that were in the audience. The place was packed with friends and family and cheerful banter. I do love my city and it was great to be home.

On that note, I’m leaving today for New Zealand. I do have a few blog posts have scheduled to drop while I’m away, we shall see how technical I can be. No problem with Twitter, FB, or Tumblr. There should be no interruption in your Gail service there. This main blog, however, is a little more complicated.

I will see a few of you down in New Zealand at Reconnaissance and then I will be (gasp) off grid for almost three weeks. I think I will survive, and I know you will, Gentle Reader.

Happy Spring!

{Gail’s monthly read along for April is The Eyre Affair by Jasper Fforde}

GAIL’S DAILY DOSE

Your Moment of Parasol . . .

via yarn-over tumblr

Crochet Parasol charts

Your Infusion of Cute . . .

My agent and my end cap.

Your Tisane of Smart . . .
Snow Removal From the Streets of New York 1888

Your Writerly Tinctures . . .
Writers ~ Take a Hike . . . If You Know What’s Good for You

Book News:
Champagne, Custard and Comedy: A Conversation with Gail Carriger on Relentless Reading (And Writing About It!)

Quote of the Day:
On cats:

“Signor stood up in Bea’s lap, stretched his portly self six ways, and hopped down to the floor with a bump that was the shame of supposedly graceful and elegant cats everywhere. He thudded over to Marshal Reeves and began investigating his boots and hat with a pink, twitching nose. I was left with the strange thought that everybody in that room just then was wearing a mask for the purpose of not upsetting one another.”

~ Karen Memory by Elizabeth Bear

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Prudence Extras 1890s India Research (Behind the Magic of Custard Protocol)

Gentle Reader, is some insight into the research behind Prudence’s first fateful adventure.

While I was writing this first installment in the Custard Protocol series, I did a lot of research and jotted down a number of things about India in 1895 that didn’t make it into the book.

I also collected some fun inspirational images. I thought you would enjoy a glimpse into what wasn’t used…

Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple 1880s
Srirangam, Tiruchirappalli, Tamil Nadu, India.

Photograph of the gopurams of the Ranganatha temple at Srirangam, taken by an unknown photographer in the 1880s, from an album of 62 views of India and Ceylon. The Ranganatha temple is a Vaishnava complex situated on the artificial island of Srirangam in the Cauvery River near Tiruchirapalli.
(via Blog on vishnu temples)

Alternate Meets History Notes

After the mutiny of 1858 the East India Company’s rule in India was replaced by the Crown.
In my world the SAD treaty is enacted at this time. Rue will come up against this treaty in her journey, so I will not explain further here.
The crown set up a Viceroy and a Secretary of State for India with an advisory council of 15 people. 50% of whom lived in India for 10+ years, 8 nominated by the Crown, 7 by the Company.

“Crisis in Baghdad”
featuring the newest technology – a camel mounted gatling gun
supported in the latest in airpower.
(From Harper Weekly 1882)

Troop transport in 1902 from Southampton to Bombay took 21 days. Floating was a much easier way to get there, but couldn’t be used to transport vast numbers of troops and equipment.

Sikh soldiers of 29th Indian Infantry Brigade 1915 via British Paintings tumblr

Bombay is the oldest of the Presidencies. It became part of the UK in a dowry when Catherine of Braganza married Charles II.
Bombay had an excellent natural harbor, but was not well placed for trade with China.
The hinterland was (and mostly remained) dominated by fierce Marathas. Very warlike. Some Maratha women still wear saris caught up between their legs to reflect the days when they fought alongside the menfolk. Excellent horsewomen: sword and matchlock.
Steam liner travel in 1840 opened Bombay up as a port via the Suez and railway made it accessible to the rest of India.
1859 one solder writes: “Bombay is the worse station in India, nothing to do here save die.” (There was a major military hospital at Deolali.)
By 1880 Bombay is a communication hub.

Raja Wazir Singh of Faridkot 1900

I had intended to have Primrose have a flirtation with one of the locals. Much to Rue and Percy’s very imperialistic shock and horror. Unfortunately, it didn’t work for this plot line. Here is a section I clipped to inspire Prim’s adoration (from a letter home by a young Victorian lady abroad regarding the tempting masculinity around her).

“… grand-looking men, generally tall and brawny, with high cheek-bones and gold rings in their ears. They are more of a walnut than a mahogany brown and many of them are not much darker that a dark Englishman; they are the most masculine looking creatures I have ever seen and, oddly enough, their earrings and the straight petticoat they wear reaching their ankles makes them look more masculine still, as they accentuate their bold faces and their stride. For looks they beat any race of men I have ever seen, especially when they are clean shaved. I really must stop this rigmarole now…”

~ rapturous letter from Violet Jacob, a Scotswoman married to an Irish officer in the 20th Hussars, writing from Mhow 1895 impressed with the Punjabi soldiers, as quoted by Holmes.

At the end of the 19th century the Indian silver rupee went into a gold exchange standard at a fixed rate of 1 rupee to one shilling and fourpence in British currency, or 15 rupees to 1 pound sterling.
Here are some of my spreadsheet notes on cost comparisons then and now. This is the kind of thing I do for fun. I wanted to see how expensive it might be to live in India in the style of an upper class Victorian family, with all the ridiculous grandeur that entailed.

I kind of got obsessed with the money conversion issue and spent too much time trying to calculate it out to better understand what was going on. I never used any of this in the book, but I learned a great deal.

British_Indian_Empire_1909_Imperial_Gazetteer_of_India

Skulduggery in Bengal – Assistant Superintendent of Dehra Dun in the North Western Provinces, and his dishonest conduct – recommendation of his dismissal from the Bengal Civil Service, 1876
The Old Foodie goes to India from some recipes involving coconut.
My favorite is the Calcutta, Receipt for Curry. “A teaspoonful of turmeric, a tablespoonful of coriander-seed, a tablespoonful of poppy-seed, half a teaspoonful of ginger, a quarter of a teaspoonful of red chilli, half a teaspoonful of cumin-seed, all well pounded; mix the powder with three ounces of butter, and fry it with two sliced onions for ten minutes. Cut up a young fowl; put it into the pan, and simmer for a quarter of an hour; add the milk of one cocoa-nut and a salt-spoonful of salt, stir well, and simmer a quarter of an hour longer; stir in the juice of half a lime or a lemon, and serve, with plain boiled rice in a separate dish.” ~ Cre-Fydd’s family fare (London, 1864)

I think that too much more and I would be giving things away about the book. But I am hoping these bits and bobs were enjoyable.

Want more behind the scenes sneak peeks? Join the Chirrup

GAIL’S DAILY DOSE

Your Moment of Parasol . . .

Romy Schneider as Sissi in Ludwig via fawnvelveteen tumblr

Your Infusion of Cute . . .

Lilliput My Sunbeam

Your Tisane of Smart . . .
Chair that can transform into multiple configurations to maximize comfort

Your Writerly Tinctures . . .
The 12 Most Quotable Lines of Pride and Prejudice

Quote of the Day:

“I watched in wonderment as all stone and a half of Signor thumped into the Marshal’s lap and tea-cozied up, purring even louder.”

~ Karen Memory by Elizabeth Bear

Prudence Hits Stores & I’m Off on Tour!

Prudence, the first in the Custard Protocol series, hits stores in the US and UK! I know, Gentle Reader, I’m excited too. It seems to have been a very long time coming.

Here are your buy-my-book links, because, you know it’s my livelihood.

Prudence on Amazon

Prudence on Barnes & Noble (signed)

Prudence on Apple

Prudence on Indybound

Prudence is the first in my new spin off from the Alexia Tarabotti Parasol Protectorate books. This first Custard Protocol story takes place some 20 odd years in the future. In it Rue and her crazy crew visit steampunk India in 1895.

ON BEHALF OF QUEEN, COUNTRY…AND THE PERFECT POT OF TEA

When Prudence Alessandra Maccon Akeldama (Rue to her friends) is given an unexpected dirigible, she does what any sensible female would under similar circumstances — names it the Spotted Custard and floats to India in pursuit of the perfect cup of tea.

But India has more than just tea on offer. Rue stumbles upon a plot involving local dissidents, a kidnapped brigadier’s wife, and some awfully familiar Scottish werewolves. Faced with a dire crisis and an embarrassing lack of bloomers, what else is a young lady of good breeding to do but turn metanatural and find out everyone’s secrets, even thousand-year-old fuzzy ones?

TOUR DETAILS

Hope to see you at one of my stops!

San Diego, CA Mar. 17, 7:30 ~ 9:00 PM Mysterious Galaxy (5943 Balboa Avenue, Suite #100, 92111) 858.268.4747
Beaverton, OR Mar. 18, 7:00 ~ 9:00 PM Powell’s Books (3415 Southwest Cedar Hills Boulevard, 97005) 800.878.7323
Denver, CO Mar. 19, 7:00 ~ 9:00 PM Tattered Cover (2526 East Colfax Avenue, 80206) 800.833.9327
Dallas, TX Mar. 20 7:00 ~ 9:00 PM Barnes & Noble (Lincoln Park 7700 West Northwest Hwy. #300, Lincoln Park, 75225)
Houston, TX Mar. 21, 4:30 ~ 6:00 PM Murder By The Book (2342 Bissonnet Street, 77005) 888.424.2842
San Francisco, CA Mar. 22, 3:00 ~ 5:00 PM Borderlands (866 Valencia Street, 94110) 888.893.4008

Can’t make it? Most of the bookstores Gail visits are happy to take orders for signed books to ship or pick up. It’s always worth calling to ask.

{Gail’s monthly read along for March is Valor’s Choice by Tanya Huff.}

GAIL’S DAILY DOSE

Your Moment of Parasol . . .

1900 19th century (metmuseum.org)

Your Infusion of Cute . . .

My new stencil, I love it!

Your Tisane of Smart . . .
What’s a traveling chariot?

Your Writerly Tinctures . . .
10 Things to Love About Being a Writer

Book News:
Stuff and Nonsense says of Prudence: “Be prepared to read Prudence in one sitting!”
(Please note Prudence is ADULT not YA.)

Quote of the Day:

“If you want to tell people the truth, make them laugh, otherwise they’ll kill you.”

~ Oscar Wilde

Like Gail on Facebook & Twitter. Or you can join her mailing list.

6 Questions About Prudence and the Custard Protocol Series ~ Answered

A few common questions, Gentle Reader, that I am asked about the Custard Protocol series.

1. Is this series Adult or YA?

These books are more like the Parasol Protectorate series: written with an adult audience in mind. Now, that doesn’t mean younger readers won’t like them, just that the protagonist is 20, the language can be elaborate, the book is longer than mose YA, and the series gets a little racy in content.

2. Do I need to have read the Parasol Protectorate Books or the Finishing School Books to understand what is going on?

Absolutely not. Each one of my series stands on its own. I always put in cookies and presents for those who have faithfully read all my books, but nothing that would damage a new reader’s enjoyment of the story.

Want someone else’s opinion?

LibraryReads: Lisa Sprague, Enfield Public Library (Enfield, CT) Says of Prudence,

“Yay! I was hoping we’d be seeing Prudence in her own series. Baby P (Rue to you) is all grown up and absolutely delightful. First time readers will think it’s a wonderful book on its own merits. However, it becomes spectacular when we get to revisit some of the beloved characters from the Parasol Protectorate!”

(LibraryReads is the “top ten books published this month that librarians across the country love.” It launched in September 2013 and is used widely in the library community.)

Ladybird

3. What has been your favorite thing so far about writing Rue?

Nothing, she’s a managing stubborn chipper bossy little madam!

Actually, I love her enthusiasm. Prudence has a tenancy to dash in and try to fix things without considering the consequences ahead of time. She does it out of pure love of the game, rather than anything else, so it’s hard to get mad at her for that. She does try so hard.

4. What does the fashion look like?

1895. Chosen partly because of the insane looks sleeves. Here is a sample:

feuille-d-automne-tumnblr Mode féminine. Paris, Jardin du Luxembourg (Vème arr.), vers 1895.

Don’t you just love those sleeves?!

5. Are Rue’s parents and/or Lord A in the book?

Naturally. Or should I say, supernaturally?

1895 En Wagon, by Gui de la Bretoniére, Exposition d’Art Photographique

Bonus Question: How do you produce the “g” in Carriger?

It is hard as in GIR.

{Gail’s monthly read along for March 2015 is Valor’s Choice by Tanya Huff.}

GAIL’S DAILY DOSE

Your Moment of Parasol . . .

1890 Parasol Case http-_art.famsf.org_au-petit-st-thomas_parasol-case-19815320a-b

Your Infusion of Cute . . .

Bathing ensemble, 1872. via shewhoworshipscarlin ‘tumblr

Your Tisane of Smart . . .
“On the fiction of Amelia Edwards” by Katherine S. Macquoid

Your Writerly Tinctures . . .
Just Say No… The Hero’s Journey

Book News:

Flurry of Ponderings ‏@missiet I want my own Bumbersnoot so bad! #thefinishingschool series

Quote of the Day:

“My eyes sought into hers like there was a horizon inside her.”

~ Karen Memory by Elizabeth Bear

Like Gail? Join the Chirrup.

Anglicization – In Which We Revisit the Ladybird Problem (Occasional FAQ)

My dear Gentle Reader,

This is not a topic I get asked about much anymore but just in case I’m hit with a number of the Very Curious after reading a Parasolverse book, I am going to address a delicate subject here and now…

Anglicization

or should I say?

Anglicisation

Right, so you may or may not be aware of the fact that British and American English languages are different ~ I mean not only spoken, but written as well.

(Yes, that’s sarasam.)

All my books are written how I write (surprise surprise) which is a kind of pigeon British American pseudo-Victorian codswallop.

It’s not too Victorian because that’s hard to read and a pain to write perfectly. Besides, I write steampunk, it’s confusing enough already without loading it down with an overabundance of poncey vocabulary.

(OK, but I don’t have too much, I hope?)

My first book, Soulless, sold to Orbit in the USA years before it sold to the UK.

Despite its European origins, Orbit US is an American publishing house. They applied house rules to my codswallop and made everything American: spelling, vocabulary, semantics, etc…

So ladybird is ladybug in these books.

*Coccinella Franco Moschino, 1995 The Metropolitan Museum of Art

I know Coccinellidae are neither bird nor bug (they are beetle), but I’m with the Americans on this one, ladybug is closer.

Also, if I put ladybird into a book for an American audience they (mostly) have no idea what I’m talking about, and are confused. Even those who do know, would be briefly thrown out of the reader’s immersion experience to remember and I work hard to avoid that as an author.

Miss Gail doesn’t like confused readers.

Because we started with American English, the rest of the Parasol Protectorate series followed in the same style (ebooks, omnibus, etc.)

By the time England purchased the series to release in the UK (three other territories got there first, mind you, including the French) they were playing catch up and wanted to produce the books as quickly as possible. (Ever wondered why the first 2 appeared in the UK in Mass Market? Yeah, someone sneaked over the US editions and sold them with stickers over the $ price. To this day my UK publisher is confused as to why they had an uptick in sales on the 3rd book. Why? Because it was really the first one they put out before readers could get the book elsewhere. Globalization is very confusing to publishers.)

Right, so where was I?

All 5 Parasol Protectorate books are American language no mater what English language territory or edition!

(US/Canada/UK/Australia/New Zealand/eBook/omnibus/Mass Market/Trade)

See 2011…

The outraged emails they cometh from the UK readership.

Miss Gail, why is it ladybug and not ladybird?
Miss Gail, theater is spelled theatre.
Miss Gail, you seem to have misplaced your “u” and changed all your “s” to “z.”

Etc…

In an effort to prevent this from happening again, said Miss Gail negotiates terms into her Finishing School contract.

Given that there is more time (these books are produced once a year, as opposed to once every 6 months) could we anglicize? Theoretically, the UK house should have time to “translate.”

All is peace and harmony.

All 4 Finishing School books are American Language for US/Canada and associated territories, and then Anglicized for UK/Australia/New Zealand and associated territories.

So there are, in fact, two different versions* of the Finishing School books. The American ones, and the UK ones which are anglicized.

Hooray hooray!

Miss Gail tries this tactic again with the Custard Protocol series.

Confusion results.

Prudence is sent to a UK editor for the copy edit pass, sent back to Gail already anglicized, and then sent to print in that state for both markets. Which means the US is getting basically, the UK version.

Except…

Miss Gail freaks out about the ladybird problem.

There is a lot of that word in this book.

Stressed about confusing her readers (see above) Miss Gail panics and demands that at least some words be changed back to US language for the sake of clarity.

Result?

The Custard Protocol books should mainly be UK in style, with some exceptions for specific words in the US versus UK editions.

For Miss Gail feels ladybird is one step too too far.

So for the US release of Prudence, it should all be ladybug and in the UK ladybird.

But I’m not making any promises.

Confusion, thy name is publishing.

Prudence FAIL Addendum:

People found many spelling and formatting errors is in Prudence.

Some of these may be the result of the above process of going through the UK copy editor. Some of the spelling mistakes may be because they are actually UK spelling.

The first we worked hard to fix in subsequent editions. The second we did not.

{Gail’s monthly read along for March 2015 is Valor’s Choice by Tanya Huff.}

* versions = substantial text content change; as opposed to editions = different cover, print run, etc but text is essentially unchanged

Want more insider information? Join the Chirrup.

GAIL’S DAILY DOSE

Your Moment of Parasol . . .

1896-1903 The Victoria & Albert Museum

Your Infusion of Cute . . .

ladybug-earrings-$8.50

Your Tisane of Smart . . .
Top Ten Tips and Tricks for Terrific Tea

Your Writerly Tinctures . . .
3 Tips on How Not to Stink at Writing

Special Announcement ~ Imprudence Cover Art Reveal

I know, Prudence hasn’t even hit stores yet but I am still delighted to give you all a sneak peek at the cover for the second in the series, Imprudence!

The inevitable questions…

When is Imprudence due to release?
I have no idea, likely 2016 sometime.

How many books in the Custard Protocol series?
I don’t know. My contract is for these two only. As with most things, more books will likely depend on how the first ones sell.

Does Prudence have a cliff hanger that leads to Imprudence?
Nope. But these two will tie together and exist as a pair. I think. I’ve only just started writing Imprudence. I have a pretty clear outline but… things change.

Where is Rue going in the second book?
Look at the background, my child. You have one guess.

Will Rue be cleaning up her mother’s mess?
Aren’t we all?

{What is Gail’s Book Group reading for February? Karen Memory by Elizabeth Bear}

GAIL’S DAILY DOSE

Your Moment of Parasol . . .

1894 Parasol via fashionplatesandephemera tumblr

Your Infusion of Cute . . .

1895 Tea Gown Liberty & Co., 1895 The Los Angeles County Museum of Art

Rue has a bit of thing for tea gowns.

Your Tisane of Smart . . .
The Leeds Gas Strike Of 1890

Your Writerly Tinctures . . .
Writing Characters Whose Loyalty is Uncertain

Book News:

Alexia Cosplay from alicelaughingalonewithtea tumblr

Quote of the Day:

iwasonthebleachers-tumblr

Like Gail on Facebook & Twitter. Or you can join her mailing list.

Gail Carriger’s Cincinnati Appearance Cancelled, Prudence Arrives!

I am sorry to report, Gentle Reader, that I have had to pull out of the International Steampunk Symposium (formerly the Steampunk Empire Symposium) Apr. 24 ~ 26 in Cincinnati, OH.

I know some of you were really looking forward to seeing me there and that this is a big disappointment. I want to stress that this is nothing to do with the convention or the organizers. They have been a pleasure to work with and very nice. I think the event is likely to be stellar.

It’s likely my name and image will continue to appear on press and around the internet connected to this event. I assure you I will NOT be in attendance.

I don’t pull out of events lightly, so please respect that I have personal (mostly unpleasant) reasons for having had to do this. I hope some day to make it up to those of you in the Cincinnati area, and the convention itself.

In other news, I received my contract copies of both UK and USA Prudence. So I guess it is really going to happen.

The US copies are a small size hardback, the UK copies are the traditional trade size paperback (I think it’s called B4).

{What is Gail’s Book Group reading for February? Karen Memory by Elizabeth Bear}

GAIL’S DAILY DOSE

Your Moment of Parasol . . .

1893 parasol via fashionplatesandephemera tumblr

Your Infusion of Cute . . .

Lilliput in her chair with an orchid

Your Tisane of Smart . . .
How to Sit in an 1860s Hoop Skirt video

Your Writerly Tinctures . . .
Guest Blog by Elizabeth Bear at the Qwillery

Book News:
Over on Barnes & Noble I pick 10 lesser known books I think people should read.

Quote of the Day:

Like Gail on Facebook & Twitter. Or you can join her mailing list.

Signed Copies of Prudence (Finishing School)

NO LONGER ON OFFER

Miss Gail, how do I get your new book signed?

Gentle Reader, if you call to pre-order Prudence at any of my INDY book tour stops (before I get there) I can sign one for you. I am even willing to personalize it. In fact, I will do this for any of my books that the store has in stock. However, some of the stores do not permit this. It’s not my policy, it is theirs.

I’ve done personalized signings before for Murder by the Book (Houston), Borderlands (San Francisco) and Mysterious Galaxy (San Diego) so I know they do it. Powells (Portland) does not. I don’t know about Tattered Cover (Denver). Barnes & Noble? Ah, read on…

500 pages signed for B&N heading back to the distributor

Ostensibly, signed editions are available through Barnes & Noble. Buy at your own risk. I signed them because I said I that would before the last debacle. And I keep my word… even if they do not. But I’m not cleaning up their mess this time if it all goes south again. However, they will ship international (I don’t know if the Indy’s on my tour will).

GAIL’S DAILY DOSE

Your Moment of Parasol . . .

1838 Petit Courrier des Dames Date- Friday, June 1, 1838 Item ID- v. 19, plate 106

Your Infusion of Cute . . .

www.contemporist.com_2015_02_05_cones-unfolded-seats-by-jule-waibel_

Your Tisane of Smart . . .

Your Writerly Tinctures . . .

The Emotional Milestones of Writing A Novel- A Handy Guide! via terribleminds- chuck wendig

Book News:

fan art via tumblr belovedjuuzou

Quote of the Day:

freeyourmind-online tumblr

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Prudence Tour Details ~ Will I Be Near You?

So, Gentle Reader, I have confirmed the details of my tour for Prudence, the first Custard Protocol book coming out this March. Here is where I will be and I really hope to see you there.

It is going to be a rough tour; 6 cities in 6 days. So I am afraid I won’t have any time for anything else but the appearances. It’s also bracketed between two other events, the Tuscon Festival of Books, and my trip to New Zealand for their National Science Fiction and Fantasy Convention. Combine that with a deadline and I am really pushing it for the first half of the year. Wish me luck?

As a result I am going to try to take it easy for the second half of the year.

Prudence Launch Events

San Diego, CA Mar. 17, 7:30 ~ 9:00 PM Mysterious Galaxy (5943 Balboa Avenue, Suite #100, 92111)
Beaverton, OR Mar. 18, 2015 7:00 ~ 9:00 PM Powell’s Books (3415 Southwest Cedar Hills Boulevard, 97005)
Denver, CO Mar. 19, 2014 7:00 ~ 9:00 PM Tattered Cover (2526 East Colfax Avenue, 80206)
Dallas, TX Mar. 20 7:00 ~ 9:00 PM Barnes & Noble (Lincoln Park 7700 West Northwest Hwy. #300, Lincoln Park, 75225)
Houston, TX Mar. 21, 2015 4:30 ~ 6:00 PM Murder By The Book (2342 Bissonnet Street, 77005)
San Francisco, CA Mar. 22, 2015 3:00 ~ 5:00 PM Borderlands (866 Valencia Street, 94110)

Find out more about my 2015 events here, or by subscribing to the monthly Newsletter.

{What is Gail’s Book Group reading for January? Kat, Incorrigible by Stephanie Burgis}

GAIL’S DAILY DOSE

Your Moment of Parasol . . .

1914 Dress 1914-1918 The Metropolitan Museum of Art

Your Infusion of Cute . . .

Octopus training at the Dickens Fair.

Your Tisane of Smart . . .
Career Spotlight: What I Do as a Librarian

Your Writerly Tinctures . . .
Writers and Money

Book News:

jeneelestrange tumblr I told you this was going to drive me to actually draw and upload things.
*draws pentagram on the floor* Finishing School Fandom, I summon thee! Arise!

Quote of the Day:
“The story of barbecue is the story of America: Settlers arrive on great unspoiled continent, discover wondrous riches, set them on fire and eat them.”
~ Vince Staten

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Amazon & Hachette find Prudence at Last (The Custard Protocol)

Amazon and Hachette have resolved their dispute. I am no longer in #Amazonjail. This means my books should, once again, be available to ship via Prime and up for pre-order. We will be running the test with Prudence, I suppose. And then Manners & Mutiny in a year (not yet up for pre-order, I haven’t even seen any cover art).

“He had the look of one who had drunk the cup of life, and found a beetle at the bottom.”
~ P. G. Wodehouse

Speaking of Prudence, yes indeed, Orbit is producing ARCs for this book. The book itself will be out in hard cover but the ARC is trade size paperback.

They are available through the usual press channels. I have no idea if they plan to do a net galley as well. I will certainly let you know as soon as I have further information. Aside from offering a few ARCs to the Chirrup subscribers or on my website via contests (likely to happen in January) I can’t send you one myself. It must come via my publisher.

So far as I know, plans are to drop the print edition, audiobook, and the ebook at the same time in the US & UK, March 17. I don’t know who my reader will be on the audiobook.

“The Gamma paused. ‘You have a crazed werewolf in your wine cellar?’
‘You can think of a better place to stash him?’
‘What about the wine?'”
~ from Heartless, just because

I’m collecting questions for the pre Prudence release FAQs so if you have anything to ask me about this book that you would like answered here on the blog feel free to comment or calling card them my way.

{What is Gail’s Book Group reading for December? Daughter of the Empire by Raymond E. Feist and Janny Wurts}

GAIL’S DAILY DOSE

Your Moment of Parasol . . .

1892 Day Dress 1892-1894 The Victoria & Albert Museum

Your Infusion of Cute . . .
An octopus teapot.

Your Tisane of Smart . . .

Decoding Diplomacy

Your Writerly Tinctures . . .

How to craft a love scene

Book News:
Cherry Blossoms & Maple Syrup says of Waistcoats & Weaponry, “Gail Carriger’s writing continues to delight in this installment, and for those who are huge Parasol Protectorate fans, this book has so many references it’s pretty fabulous. I admit, reading this book on the bus ride home and giggling in public — yeah, that happened pretty often.”

Quote of the Day:

“There is no love sincerer than the love of food.”

~ George Bernard Shaw

Follow Gail on Facebook & Twitter. Or you can join her mailing list.

Ketchup ~ While I Was Drinking Prudence ARC

While I was away on tour several exciting things happened which you, Gentle Reader, may wish to know about.

1. Orbit sent out some ARCs for Prudence. I know it feels like I just got done with one new book baby, but there is another on the horizon. You see? It’s not too long a wait. I’m birthing a litter. Amazon officially notified peeps that it is available for pre-order. Rumor is that the audiobook will drop at the same time, no reader chosen as yet.

The ARC, more info on the inner fly.

2. I received the prize part of Etiquette & Espionage wining a French award for best translated young adult novel. It’s a copy of the French book inside a beautiful handmade leather cover.

Everyone say ooooooo.

3. I took some video in the hotel room in DC on how I make tea on the road. Tea on the Go with Gail Carriger [on youtube]. Here is a close up of my water boil coil in action…

AKA The Instant Immersion Heater Portable Beverage Warmer for $8.25

4. Speaking of video: my editor, Deirdre, and the always fab Victoria (@VictoriaLBYR) talk about my Finishing School series in front of the camera.

5. I’m getting some queries about why my books aren’t available for Sony e-readers. Very little is likely to be anymore, I’m afraid, since Sony has discontinued the line. Calibre is your friend.

6. Amazon and Hachette settled their dispute… more on that in a future blog.

On another note, here’s the current state of… da da da dum…

The Missing 500

B&N has apologized for what happened (the specifics are a mystery, and seem likely to remain so ~ computer glitch is the current best guess ~ I still blame Flywaymen). They are going to send an e-mail this week (?) to “customers who were told there were no books now saying that they do have signed copies available.” The e-mail will have a dedicated link to the signed copy and customers will have to re-order. They have the 500 copies frozen and segregated in their warehouse, ready to ship out. I have little faith at this juncture that anything will actually happen, but this is an honest recounting of what I’ve be told.

Although, since they did actually shipped a few (confirmed via Facebook) I hope they did a re-count the now-less-than-500 so this doesn’t happen again. (I have emailed my publisher with this concern.) Also, they will likely futz with the price.

Oh, my darlings, I am so worn out over this whole fiasco. Tea. More tea.

The next batch of bookplates arrived from Little Brown. This Monday I hope to sign and send them off. So get your requests in ASAP if you still want one.

{What is Gail’s Book Group reading for December? Daughter of the Empire by Raymond E. Feist and Janny Wurts}

GAIL’S DAILY DOSE

Your Moment of Parasol . . .