Free virtual book event tonight! Plus more news for Wearing The Lion
I felt like y’all deserved some joy in this month, so I’m knocking again. Starting tonight, I’ll be doing a series of events, both virtual and in-person, about my books and storytelling in general. I’ll be working with some of my favorite fellow authors as well as indie booksellers. One way or another, I want to put more light into our days.
But let me start off by thanking all the voters for made Someone You Can Build A Nest In a two-time award winner! It has now won the Locus Award for Best First Novel. This is a special award which I’m told you can only win once unless you violate cloning ethics. I was shaken up by the news. I can’t thank y’all enough for the love you’ve shown my monster.
Also, for a limited time Audible has the audiobook of Someone You Can Build A Nest In for just seven bucks!
Now, I actually have a slew of updates. Let me great right to them!
July 1st, 6:00 PM: Free VIRTUAL author talk and Q&A hosted by Huxley & Hiro Books
Yes, that’s literally tonight! At 6:00 PM US Eastern time, everyone is welcome to join me for a special author visit—to your phones and computers. Much as I love doing in-person visits, virtual events let me be accessible to more people in more places. I’ll be discussing both Wearing The Lion and Someone You Can Build A Nest In with everyone in attendance.
The event is totally free. It’s hosted by the indie book store Huxley & Hiro Books in Delaware. You can get more information and sign up to let them know you’re coming at this link.
July 7th, 8:00 PM: Watch Party for Disney’s Hercules on Bluesky
I’ve read Sophocles, and Euripides, and Aristophanes. I’ve watched Kirk Morris, Arnold Schwarzenegger, and Kevin Sorbo. But somehow I have never seen the version that the most readers are familiar with: Disney’s Hercules.
On July 7th, I’m going to change that. Over on Bluesky, I’ll be live-posting my first viewing using the hashtag #DisneyHerc.
And you’re invited to join me! All you have to do is start your movie at 8:00 PM US Eastern Time and post your thoughts using the same hashtag.
I’m excited, if only to see why all my friends turn into cackling jackals every time I mention that we’re doing this.
July 17-19th: Readercon 34 in Burlington, Massachusetts
This is an update now that I have my final Readercon schedule. I wanted to share all the programming you can find me on.
Thursday, 9:00 PM: How I Wrote Someone You Can Build A Nest In
John Wiswell, author of the multiple award-winning SOMEONE YOU CAN BUILD A NEST IN, discusses how he wrote his debut novel, including his approach to character construction, plot construction, pacing, and voice. Risks of attendance include jokes, but probably not being devoured and scavenged for parts.
Friday, 5:00 PM: Cozy Horror Fiction: Putting The Comfort In Discomfort
Panelists: Caitlin Rozakis (m), John Wiswell, Sarah Pinsker, Tracy Majka, Will Ludwigsen
At Readercon 33, we discussed the proliferation of cozy SFF—but what of cozy horror? What qualifies horror as cozy, and what purpose does such fiction serve that was not being met by more traditional horror writing? Is there something about our current cultural moment that has made a space for cozy horror where none previously existed?
Friday, 7:00 PM: Making The Monster
Panelists: Emmett Nahil (m), Erin Roberts, Ian Muneshwar, John Wiswell, Marisca Pichette
What makes a good fictional monster? What separates the characterization of monster-as-antagonist from that of monster-as-misunderstood-beast? We'll talk about some of the most creative examples in horror and other fiction, and the functions they serve in the stories where they appear.
Saturday, 12 Noon: Autograph Session with John Wiswell
An hour of autographs and high-fives with John Wiswell, author of SOMEONE YOU CAN BUILD A NEST IN and WEARING THE LION.
Saturday, 2:00 PM: Optimism in Horror
Panelists: Gillian Daniels (m), John Wiswell, F. Brett Cox, Joey Zone, Kit Mayquist
Conventional wisdom would presume that horror and optimism rarely if ever blend, but does this prove true in practice? Don't many major works of horror have happy—or, well, happy-ish—endings? Is survival enough of an uplifting conclusion, or does a happy ending require the triumph of the protagonist? Even when evil appears set to return for the sequel? What role does optimism play in underscoring but not undermining the unease that horror supplies?
Saturday, 3:00 PM: Kaffeeklatsch with John Wiswell
A small round table with guest John Wiswell. Seating is limited. Sign-ups are at the Registration desk.
July 20th, 4:00 PM: In conversation with Elizabeth Bear at Pandemonium Books
But there’s one more thing! If you’re in the Boston area that weekend, you can also see me on that Sunday at the wonderful Pandemonium Books in Cambridge. Bear and I released our new novels on the same day in June. Her The Folded Sky is a twin for Wearing The Lion. So we want to celebrate our books with the best company imaginable: you.
We’ll be in conversation about themes mythic and science fictional, and will do a Q&A with the audience and a signing right afterwards. A great way to end a weekend!
So, will I see you on the road? Or perhaps online?