Sirens Newsletter - Volume 3, Issue 9 (July 2011)
This is the official newsletter for Sirens, a conference dedicated to women in fantasy literature. The newsletter is published once a month to the Sirens forums, mailing list, LiveJournal, and Facebook. Certain other updates are posted on the conference’s Twitter. Between regular editions, the Sirens LiveJournal also hosts special updates, in-depth information posts, and helpful hints for traveling, registering, and getting involved with programming. This newsletter is part of the Sirens website and is not presented under a cut on LiveJournal. Once a month, you’ll have a longer post on your LiveJournal friends list. For alternatives to this longer post, please click here.
Sirens
Volume 3 - Issue 9
July 2011
Books and Breakfast
We're pleased to continue our Books and Breakfast discussions again this year, featuring intriguing, influential, controversial, and genre-blurring books of monster literature. At 8:00 a.m. on Friday, October 7, and Saturday, October 8, you're welcome to join us for informal discussions of the books listed below. You'll need to bring your own breakfast (and the hotel will be pleased to make you a latte in the Marketplace).
Friday
Bleeding Violet by Dia Reeves
In the Forests of Serre by Patricia McKillip
Midnight Robber by Nalo Hopkinson
Nightshade by Andrea Cremer
Pretty Monsters by Kelly Link
Saturday
Chime by Franny Billingsley
Dark Goddess by Sarwat Chadda
The Historian by Elizabeth Kostova
Racing the Dark by Alaya Dawn Johnson
Zoo City by Lauren Beukes
Programming
Most of the accepted papers, presentations, panels, workshops, roundtable discussions, and afternoon classes for 2011 can now be viewed on our accepted programming page. (For a handful more, we're waiting on confirmation that a presenter has registered, or for the presenter's information to be formatted and published by the programming team; neither of these processes is automated.)
What a fantastic set of presentations! Our congratulations again to accepted presenters; we're looking forward to discussing their thoughts and analyses. The next step for us is putting together a schedule grid--and, of course, coming to terms with the fact that we can’t attend all of the presentations at the same time! Presenters should keep an eye on their e-mail toward the end of July or beginning of August for information about their slots on the complete schedule.
Vail Cascade Resort and Spa
Why not take care of your hotel reservation now, so you don't have to worry about it later? You can get contact information or make your reservation online via our hotel page. (Tip: The Vail Cascade's reservation system will quote you an incorrect resort fee initially, and discount it later in the process; if it isn't adjusted when you've completed your reservation, please let us know at help (at) sirensconference.org.) Room rates for 2011 are $129/night for 1-2 people ($154/night for 3-4). In case you have time to stay a day or two extra, that rate is good from October 3 until October 11.
All reservations must be made no later than September 15, 2011, and on that date, you must confirm your reservation by paying for one night of your stay. (If you use a credit card to make your reservation, the Vail Cascade will automatically charge your card at that time.) You may not cancel your reservation after September 15 without a penalty.
Need a roommate or three to help reduce your costs? Check out the hotel section of the Sirens forums, where at least one other person is looking for a roommate (or three).
Travel Tips
Your Sirens registration includes registration-day afternoon tea at the Sirens information desk, a dessert reception, two lunches, and a breakfast. For those meals that are not included, there are several options at the Vail Cascade, including a quick-service coffee and fast meals shop, the hotel's light selections and appetizers in the bar, and a fine dining restaurant. A leisurely walk or short shuttle ride away, restaurants in Lionshead and Vail Village offer everything from fine dining to a simple scoop of gelato; Blue Moose Pizza is a Sirens-tested-and-approved less expensive option, especially for a group. There’s a small grocery store in Lionshead, but for a wider variety of food, there is a Safeway about a mile away on the other side of the freeway. It’s walkable, but probably faster, easier, and safer (as you have to transit multiple freeway off-ramps in the form of roundabouts) to have the concierge get you a taxi. Of course, you can bring food with you from home, and we’ll also continue our volunteer snack program (work a shift, receive sports drink mix and a snack, like an energy bar or fruit) this year.
You're Excited About...
There are some sequels coming out in July! Supernaturally, the sequel to Paranormalcy, by Kiersten White... --smilie117
...and Wolfsbane by Andrea Cremer, out July 26. --Anonymous #1
House of bookshelves! House of bookshelves! - Amy
I'm excited to hear about the debut novel by Janine Spendlove, War of the Seasons, book one: The Human. http://janinespendlove.livejournal.com/ I'm going to download the digital copy, I'll let everyone know how it is!! --generalmanda
"It doesn’t have to be the way it is. That is what fantasy says." Ursula K. Le Guin musing about fantasy at Book View Cafe --Anonymous #2
Have neat fantasy-related news to share? E-mail it to hallie (at) sirensconference.org, and it will be passed on for inclusion in a future newsletter.
Sirens Review Squad
This month, in lieu of reviews, we're going to highlight some books by 2011 guest of honor Laini Taylor. (For books by Nnedi Okorafor, visit the June 2011 newsletter; we'll highlight Justine Larbalestier next month.)
* * *
Blackbringer
Silksinger
Laini Taylor
Originally published by G.P Putnam's Sons; reprinted by Firebird and Putnam Juvenile, 2007-2009
Blackbringer and Silksinger are both part of the Dreamdark series, and feature Magpie, a fairy and granddaughter of the West Wind. It's her job to track down and stop demons, and she's good at her work, but this time, if she doesn't succeed, it will be--literally--the end of the world. In Blackbringer, Magpie will have to make her way through the world of the dead to ensure life can go on. In the second book of the series, Silksinger--well, if we told you, that would spoil the ending of the first book. Darkly whimsical and full of beautiful language, the books have been marketed toward younger readers (crossing into middle grade), but can be scary at times. These, and Laini Taylor's other books, feature art by her husband, Jim DiBartolo.
* * *
Lips Touch: Three Times
Laini Taylor
Scholastic, 2009
Lips Touch: Three Times is a collection of three stories, each exploring the horror and beauty of supernatural romances. The first, "Goblin Fruit" (a title that should put you in mind of Christina Rossetti's "Goblin Market"), follows Kizzy's obsession with love as "anywhere but here," of love that represents both fitting in and getting out. The second, "Spicy Little Curses Such as These," set in colonial India, weaves a tale of a girl who is cursed to never speak as the price of other lives saved, but who may not be able to stay silent. The third and longest, "Hatchling," is Esme's tale: when she wakes up to find that one of her brown eyes has turned blue, she'll have to unravel a scary tale to explain just who she is. Each one of the stories includes material that could be considered disturbing, and the dark sides of the romantic relationships (as well as other relationships) are key. All of the stories are lush with beautiful, memorable language.
* * *
Daughter of Smoke and Bone
Laini Taylor
Little, Brown Books for Young Readers, October 2011 (cover not final)
Laini Taylor's upcoming Daughter of Smoke and Bone...well, we don't want to spoil you for it. Instead, here are just a few details of the book that will be out this fall. A girl with blue hair whose name is Karou, who draws amazing beings in her notebook, who wishes her way through the day, partly for convenience, partly to protect her family from discovery. By day, she's an art student, and also, upon summons, courier of human teeth. She feels like something is not quite right, and that, despite her odd family's devotion, that she belongs somewhere else. When she meets Akiva, a strange, powerful man who seems otherworldly, she finds out that things are more dangerous than she could have imagined, and a war between chimaera and seraphim may be her undoing. The question is: who are the monsters and who are the saviors? A flexible approach to time makes the mystery unwind in compelling fashion.
* * *
For more about Laini Taylor and her writing, please visit her website and blog. Visit the Sirens reading list for links to more books by Sirens guests of honor, as well as other fantasy books by and about women.
* * *
---
Have questions? Please ask them here or write to (help @ sirensconference.org).
Sirens
Volume 3 - Issue 9
July 2011
Books and Breakfast
We're pleased to continue our Books and Breakfast discussions again this year, featuring intriguing, influential, controversial, and genre-blurring books of monster literature. At 8:00 a.m. on Friday, October 7, and Saturday, October 8, you're welcome to join us for informal discussions of the books listed below. You'll need to bring your own breakfast (and the hotel will be pleased to make you a latte in the Marketplace).
Friday
Bleeding Violet by Dia Reeves
In the Forests of Serre by Patricia McKillip
Midnight Robber by Nalo Hopkinson
Nightshade by Andrea Cremer
Pretty Monsters by Kelly Link
Saturday
Chime by Franny Billingsley
Dark Goddess by Sarwat Chadda
The Historian by Elizabeth Kostova
Racing the Dark by Alaya Dawn Johnson
Zoo City by Lauren Beukes
Programming
Most of the accepted papers, presentations, panels, workshops, roundtable discussions, and afternoon classes for 2011 can now be viewed on our accepted programming page. (For a handful more, we're waiting on confirmation that a presenter has registered, or for the presenter's information to be formatted and published by the programming team; neither of these processes is automated.)
What a fantastic set of presentations! Our congratulations again to accepted presenters; we're looking forward to discussing their thoughts and analyses. The next step for us is putting together a schedule grid--and, of course, coming to terms with the fact that we can’t attend all of the presentations at the same time! Presenters should keep an eye on their e-mail toward the end of July or beginning of August for information about their slots on the complete schedule.
Vail Cascade Resort and Spa
Why not take care of your hotel reservation now, so you don't have to worry about it later? You can get contact information or make your reservation online via our hotel page. (Tip: The Vail Cascade's reservation system will quote you an incorrect resort fee initially, and discount it later in the process; if it isn't adjusted when you've completed your reservation, please let us know at help (at) sirensconference.org.) Room rates for 2011 are $129/night for 1-2 people ($154/night for 3-4). In case you have time to stay a day or two extra, that rate is good from October 3 until October 11.
All reservations must be made no later than September 15, 2011, and on that date, you must confirm your reservation by paying for one night of your stay. (If you use a credit card to make your reservation, the Vail Cascade will automatically charge your card at that time.) You may not cancel your reservation after September 15 without a penalty.
Need a roommate or three to help reduce your costs? Check out the hotel section of the Sirens forums, where at least one other person is looking for a roommate (or three).
Travel Tips
Your Sirens registration includes registration-day afternoon tea at the Sirens information desk, a dessert reception, two lunches, and a breakfast. For those meals that are not included, there are several options at the Vail Cascade, including a quick-service coffee and fast meals shop, the hotel's light selections and appetizers in the bar, and a fine dining restaurant. A leisurely walk or short shuttle ride away, restaurants in Lionshead and Vail Village offer everything from fine dining to a simple scoop of gelato; Blue Moose Pizza is a Sirens-tested-and-approved less expensive option, especially for a group. There’s a small grocery store in Lionshead, but for a wider variety of food, there is a Safeway about a mile away on the other side of the freeway. It’s walkable, but probably faster, easier, and safer (as you have to transit multiple freeway off-ramps in the form of roundabouts) to have the concierge get you a taxi. Of course, you can bring food with you from home, and we’ll also continue our volunteer snack program (work a shift, receive sports drink mix and a snack, like an energy bar or fruit) this year.
You're Excited About...
There are some sequels coming out in July! Supernaturally, the sequel to Paranormalcy, by Kiersten White... --smilie117
...and Wolfsbane by Andrea Cremer, out July 26. --Anonymous #1
House of bookshelves! House of bookshelves! - Amy
I'm excited to hear about the debut novel by Janine Spendlove, War of the Seasons, book one: The Human. http://janinespendlove.livejournal.com/ I'm going to download the digital copy, I'll let everyone know how it is!! --generalmanda
"It doesn’t have to be the way it is. That is what fantasy says." Ursula K. Le Guin musing about fantasy at Book View Cafe --Anonymous #2
Have neat fantasy-related news to share? E-mail it to hallie (at) sirensconference.org, and it will be passed on for inclusion in a future newsletter.
Sirens Review Squad
This month, in lieu of reviews, we're going to highlight some books by 2011 guest of honor Laini Taylor. (For books by Nnedi Okorafor, visit the June 2011 newsletter; we'll highlight Justine Larbalestier next month.)
* * *
Blackbringer
Silksinger
Laini Taylor
Originally published by G.P Putnam's Sons; reprinted by Firebird and Putnam Juvenile, 2007-2009
Blackbringer and Silksinger are both part of the Dreamdark series, and feature Magpie, a fairy and granddaughter of the West Wind. It's her job to track down and stop demons, and she's good at her work, but this time, if she doesn't succeed, it will be--literally--the end of the world. In Blackbringer, Magpie will have to make her way through the world of the dead to ensure life can go on. In the second book of the series, Silksinger--well, if we told you, that would spoil the ending of the first book. Darkly whimsical and full of beautiful language, the books have been marketed toward younger readers (crossing into middle grade), but can be scary at times. These, and Laini Taylor's other books, feature art by her husband, Jim DiBartolo.
* * *
Lips Touch: Three Times
Laini Taylor
Scholastic, 2009
Lips Touch: Three Times is a collection of three stories, each exploring the horror and beauty of supernatural romances. The first, "Goblin Fruit" (a title that should put you in mind of Christina Rossetti's "Goblin Market"), follows Kizzy's obsession with love as "anywhere but here," of love that represents both fitting in and getting out. The second, "Spicy Little Curses Such as These," set in colonial India, weaves a tale of a girl who is cursed to never speak as the price of other lives saved, but who may not be able to stay silent. The third and longest, "Hatchling," is Esme's tale: when she wakes up to find that one of her brown eyes has turned blue, she'll have to unravel a scary tale to explain just who she is. Each one of the stories includes material that could be considered disturbing, and the dark sides of the romantic relationships (as well as other relationships) are key. All of the stories are lush with beautiful, memorable language.
Click to view* * *
Daughter of Smoke and Bone
Laini Taylor
Little, Brown Books for Young Readers, October 2011 (cover not final)
Laini Taylor's upcoming Daughter of Smoke and Bone...well, we don't want to spoil you for it. Instead, here are just a few details of the book that will be out this fall. A girl with blue hair whose name is Karou, who draws amazing beings in her notebook, who wishes her way through the day, partly for convenience, partly to protect her family from discovery. By day, she's an art student, and also, upon summons, courier of human teeth. She feels like something is not quite right, and that, despite her odd family's devotion, that she belongs somewhere else. When she meets Akiva, a strange, powerful man who seems otherworldly, she finds out that things are more dangerous than she could have imagined, and a war between chimaera and seraphim may be her undoing. The question is: who are the monsters and who are the saviors? A flexible approach to time makes the mystery unwind in compelling fashion.
* * *
For more about Laini Taylor and her writing, please visit her website and blog. Visit the Sirens reading list for links to more books by Sirens guests of honor, as well as other fantasy books by and about women.
* * *
---
Have questions? Please ask them here or write to (help @ sirensconference.org).