As snow fell in the Kansas City area last night (yes…snow. In May. I don’t want to talk about it), Mary and I had the privilege of spending the evening with one of our favorite friends who came into our lives through the wonder of ye ol’ interwebs: author Colleen Gleason. Colleen is one of several authors who together have formed The Indie Voice. The Romantic Times Booklovers Convention is in Kansas City this week and The Indie Voice authors hosted a cocktails and appetizers get-together at Pierpont’s restaurant in historic Union Station, and Mary and I had the honor of being able to attend as Colleen Gleason’s guests.
Thank you Colleen!
We had a wonderful time!
As you can see, I received an ARC of Colleen Gleason’s upcoming debut YA steampunk novel, The Clockwork Scarab. I have been excited about this book ever since Colleen first mentioned it last year. Rather than fight over who gets to read it first, Mary and I are going to take it with us on our anniversary trip in a week and read it aloud to each other (you will have to wait until closer to the September release though to know what we thought about it). Colleen described the genesis of the cover image and how cool the actual hardcover dust-jacket will be, so rest assured we will be purchasing a hardcover during release week.
The venue last night was very cool, the appetizers were amazing, the moscato (wine) was delicious and those were just the afterthoughts–it was the company that made the evening a special, memorable one.
In addition to spending quality time with Colleen, we met and talked to another Indie Voice author, Theresa Ragan, who flew in from sunny California to experience Kansas City’s unexpected return to winter. After twenty years of writing and trying to get published, Theresa started self-publishing and has had great success. Joy Daniels and Maria Stefanopoulos shared our table and we had a great time chatting with them throughout the evening. Joy writes fantasy and romance and is at work on a science fiction romance novel. We had a great time talking about fantasy and science fiction authors we have read. Maria is a teacher in Beverly Hills who is working to grow her business, Ingenious Travel, into her full-time occupation. Maria has combined her love of sports, reading and travel into a business that specializes in arranging custom tours. Looking at the snow outside right now I’m wishing I had scheduled a book blogger cruise to somewhere warm and sunny. We also met a local Kansas City author, Nicole McLaughlin, who is working to break into the Young Adult market. Nicole was very nice and we wish her all the best.
The event was top-notch and we were so glad we had the opportunity to attend. Fellow book lovers will understand when I say that there is nothing quite as wonderful as getting together with other passionate readers–and these authors are passionate readers–and talking about the books (and television shows and movies) that we love.
Thanks again to Colleen Gleason and The Indie Voice!
Have a wonderful, and warm, weekend everyone.
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Public Service Announcement: My Short Fiction Friday review of the latest issue of Clarkesworld magazine goes live over at SF Signal at noon CST today! Check it out.
Hello Carl
This is a lovely piece and I’m really looking forward to reading your review of the Clockwork Scarab. I love steampunk and haven’t read any for a while although I’m currently reading Agatha H and the Airship City which is really good.
Snow? My gran used to say ‘ne’er cast a clout till May is out’ – so I guess there’s something to be said for all these old sayings.
Lynn 😀
P.S. – sorry if you get two comments from me – my PC was playing up and I think I deleted the first!
I am looking forward to checking out the book. I have heard good things about the Agatha books and will await your review.
The weather here leaves a lot to be desired. So cold and miserable today. Your gran knew her stuff!
We had a great time visiting with everyone! Thanks, Colleen, for the invite and the sneak preview of your new YA book, The Clockwork Scarab.
It was nice to share the experience with you, sweetie.
well it sounds like you two had a grand old time!! :o) This is good! lol. I know you will enjoy Colleens new book so that’s a given lol
reading books on a anniversary trip eh? ok.. if you say so *grin*
I have no idea what you are referring to, Deslily! *looks away sheepishly*
Despite *ahem* we do devote a lot of time to reading on our trips.
Have a great anniversary trip.
I will keep an eye out for this book. I have not tried any steampunk fiction yet, but my husband has an interest in it.
We will, thanks Tracy. This book has Holmes and Stoker elements to it so I am really looking forward to that.
Yay! I just love Colleen. How cool you and Mary got to spend such a lovely evening with her. I can’t wait to read that book.
She is the best! And we had so much fun.
Carl – it was so much fun to meet and Mary and you hang out at the Indie Voice party! I love your blog and I’m looking forward to picking your virtual brain for new sci fi & fantasy reads.
So great to meet you and chat last night, Joy. Hope you are enjoying another lovely day in Kansas City, :p
I’m game to talk sci fi and fantasy at any time.
I’m so glad Mary and you had a great time. I really wish Keri would have been able to attend as well. In any event I look forward to your this September of Colleen’s new book.
Me too, both on glad we had a great time and wish you guys could have been there.
What an awesome evening!!! Colleen’s one of the amazing authors that I never would’ve known had it not been for book blogging and I’m so very glad to have gotten to know her and her work. I can’t WAIT for this book! I hope you and Mary have a fantastic time during y’alls anniversary trip!!! I know you always do 🙂 And y’all arent the only ones with freaky weather..it’s 40 degrees down here in New Orleans! In May!!!! WTF?!
It was Chris, I feel really privileged to have been able to be a part of it. I’m in the same boat as you, it is book blogging that hooked us up.
We will certainly do our best to relax and enjoy every minute of our vacation, thanks Chris.
Wow, I didn’t realize you guys were suffering from wacky weather down south. It is so crazy at this point that it is laughable. I’m glad we didn’t plant our garden earlier this past week like we were originally planning.
Oh! You got to meet Colleen. Yay!
I’m looking forward to hearing what you think of her new book. I can’t wait to read it.
It was great. We actually got to meet her a few years back at a signing in St. Louis and had dinner with her afterwards. It was so nice to see her again. Just a couple of days until we go on our vacation and will be reading Colleen’s book!
I DID pop over here! (And this is not the first time since that evening! 🙂 ) I really enjoyed visiting with you and Mary about books, blogging, and of course the horrendous weather that day! Thanks so much for mentioning me, I’ll be sure to let you know if some happy news comes my way. Oh…and last name is McLaughlin. Can’t wait to hear your thoughts on Colleen’s book! I just adore her.
Cool! I updated the post with your full name and a link to your site. It was a pleasure to meet you and we do hope before long that we get that happy news from you!