This weekend is Polaris 25, the big sci-fi and fantasy con that for me is an annual event. Good times will be had, money will be spent, and hopefully lots of books will be sold. I will make a brief appearance tonight, then I'll get real busy tomorrow with four discussion panels. I have a panel on Doctor Who bright and early Saturday morning at 10, followed by a writing panel on creating memorable characters at noon. At 2 I have a panel on medieval fantasy and modern/urban fantasy, and at 5 I finally get to do a panel about writing for the Young Adult market!
On Sunday I have two panels: at 2 I will discuss fictional depictions of the afterlife, and at five I'll do a panel on Reboot, one of my favourite animated shows.
That's all my official stuff. I'm hoping I'll also be able to do some Geek-offs and maybe have a drink or several with friends. It will be a packed weekend, but it will be fun. It always is!
Friday, July 15, 2011
Friday, June 24, 2011
And Another Cupid War Review... from Kirkus!
The Cupid War is reviewed in the July 1 issue of Kirkus Reviews [5,000].
THE CUPID WAR
Author: Carter, Timothy
Review Date: July 1, 2011
Publisher: Flux
Pages: 240
Price ( Paperback ): $9.95
Publication Date: August 1, 2011
ISBN ( Paperback ): 978-0-7387-2614-4
Category: Fiction
Life was bad enough for Canadian teen Ricky Fallon; who knew death came with pink spandex?
Fallon actually planned to off himself. He was on the Pape Street Bridge ready to jump because his girl dumped him, his dad was a prick and his “best friend” Susan was the most clingy, depressing person on the planet. He changed his mind…and slipped. Fallon wakes to find Bud, a Soul Reaper, ready to take him to—his new job. Souls with Karma to work out become Cupids, genital-free, Love-eating spirits who exist to increase the supply of Love in the world by getting the living to couple-up. Fallon’s new boss Louis is a huge jerk. Bad enough that he’s got to suffer that (and the heart-emblazoned spandex), but, with little training, Fallon also has to avoid Suicides, the dangerous, misery-eating antitheses of Cupids. When he finds Susan has attached herself to a new unfortunate, Fallon suspects there’s something more than meets the eye to that downer-girl. Can he save her new target (and maybe the world)? Carter’s newest is a darkly humorous, fantastical frolic. Fallon’s snark is tempered by his conflicted feelings about his runaway mother. Other characters aren’t as well-rounded, but the unique afterlife and a surprisingly spiritual twist will keep pages turning.
Fans of funky unconventional fantasy will lap it up and roar for more. (Humorous fantasy. 12 & up)
Three reviews in, and I'm still smokin'! I'm a very happy author, yes indeed!
THE CUPID WAR
Author: Carter, Timothy
Review Date: July 1, 2011
Publisher: Flux
Pages: 240
Price ( Paperback ): $9.95
Publication Date: August 1, 2011
ISBN ( Paperback ): 978-0-7387-2614-4
Category: Fiction
Life was bad enough for Canadian teen Ricky Fallon; who knew death came with pink spandex?
Fallon actually planned to off himself. He was on the Pape Street Bridge ready to jump because his girl dumped him, his dad was a prick and his “best friend” Susan was the most clingy, depressing person on the planet. He changed his mind…and slipped. Fallon wakes to find Bud, a Soul Reaper, ready to take him to—his new job. Souls with Karma to work out become Cupids, genital-free, Love-eating spirits who exist to increase the supply of Love in the world by getting the living to couple-up. Fallon’s new boss Louis is a huge jerk. Bad enough that he’s got to suffer that (and the heart-emblazoned spandex), but, with little training, Fallon also has to avoid Suicides, the dangerous, misery-eating antitheses of Cupids. When he finds Susan has attached herself to a new unfortunate, Fallon suspects there’s something more than meets the eye to that downer-girl. Can he save her new target (and maybe the world)? Carter’s newest is a darkly humorous, fantastical frolic. Fallon’s snark is tempered by his conflicted feelings about his runaway mother. Other characters aren’t as well-rounded, but the unique afterlife and a surprisingly spiritual twist will keep pages turning.
Fans of funky unconventional fantasy will lap it up and roar for more. (Humorous fantasy. 12 & up)
Three reviews in, and I'm still smokin'! I'm a very happy author, yes indeed!
Tuesday, June 14, 2011
First Cupid War Reviews!
Hello, everyone! I've been ignoring the blogosphere again in favour of Facebook, and don't even ask me about Twitter. I need at least one clone of me to keep up with all this stuff.
But I'm here now, and happy to share with you the first review of The Cupid War, as posted in CM Magazine and written by Ann Ketcheson.
The Cupid War has also been reviewed in the June 2011 issue of VOYA by Heidi Uphoff. The full review is posted below:
Carter, Timothy. The Cupid War. Flux/Llewellyn, 2011. 240p. $9.95. Trade pb. 978-0-7387-26144.
Ricky Fallon decided at the last second that he did not want to end his life after all, but he slipped and fell from the bridge anyway. In the afterlife, Fallon discovers that he must repay a karmic debt for ending his life early by donning a pink bodysuit and helping people fall in love. That is right—Fallon becomes a Cupid. Little is cute about his situation, however, as Fallon learns that the Cupids are at war with the Suicides, dark beings that cause depression in their human victims. The story gets complicated when Fallon learns that the lecherous girl, Susan Sides, who drove him to his suicide attempt, may be a human/Suicide hybrid. Fallon meets other Cupids along the way and even falls in love with a psychic teenager whose friend is Susan’s next target.
Carter has created a whimsical story focusing on the serious subjects of suicide and depression. Unlike his previous work, Evil? (Flux/Llewellyn, 2009), The Cupid War leaves readers wondering what message, if any, Carter is attempting to convey. Carter also misses giving depth to the story by not developing potential sub-plots such as the early death of Fallon’s mother. Despite these minor flaws, young adults who enjoy light-hearted, easy-to-understand stories with happy endings will be drawn to this book.
Not quite as positive as the CM one, but it could have been worse. I'd like to point out that while Susan Sides displays many leech-like traits, she is in no way lecherous.
Two early reviews, and the book isn't for another month and a half! Huzzah, and words to that effect.
But I'm here now, and happy to share with you the first review of The Cupid War, as posted in CM Magazine and written by Ann Ketcheson.
The Cupid War has also been reviewed in the June 2011 issue of VOYA by Heidi Uphoff. The full review is posted below:
Carter, Timothy. The Cupid War. Flux/Llewellyn, 2011. 240p. $9.95. Trade pb. 978-0-7387-26144.
Ricky Fallon decided at the last second that he did not want to end his life after all, but he slipped and fell from the bridge anyway. In the afterlife, Fallon discovers that he must repay a karmic debt for ending his life early by donning a pink bodysuit and helping people fall in love. That is right—Fallon becomes a Cupid. Little is cute about his situation, however, as Fallon learns that the Cupids are at war with the Suicides, dark beings that cause depression in their human victims. The story gets complicated when Fallon learns that the lecherous girl, Susan Sides, who drove him to his suicide attempt, may be a human/Suicide hybrid. Fallon meets other Cupids along the way and even falls in love with a psychic teenager whose friend is Susan’s next target.
Carter has created a whimsical story focusing on the serious subjects of suicide and depression. Unlike his previous work, Evil? (Flux/Llewellyn, 2009), The Cupid War leaves readers wondering what message, if any, Carter is attempting to convey. Carter also misses giving depth to the story by not developing potential sub-plots such as the early death of Fallon’s mother. Despite these minor flaws, young adults who enjoy light-hearted, easy-to-understand stories with happy endings will be drawn to this book.
Not quite as positive as the CM one, but it could have been worse. I'd like to point out that while Susan Sides displays many leech-like traits, she is in no way lecherous.
Two early reviews, and the book isn't for another month and a half! Huzzah, and words to that effect.
Wednesday, May 4, 2011
Sunday, May 1, 2011
Closets, on Sale! For $2.99!
My ebook for children, Closets, will be on sale today on the SynergEbooks website for only $2.99. Wow, what a bargain! I'm tempted to go get one myself.
So what are all of you waiting for? Rush off to SynergEbooks to buy a riveting tale of two boys who fight back against the monsters who come from their closets. Go on. Make an author happy.
Pretty-pleeeeezzze?
Tuesday, April 12, 2011
Ad Astra Done for Another Year
But I'm already paid up for 2012, so rest assured I'll be back!
As always, I had a terrific amount of fun. I made new friends, met many old ones, and talked to other professionals in the field. In reference to the latter, I received some good advice and came away from the convention feeling better about my writing career than I have in ages.
My panel personality still needs work. I'm not as good as others at breaking into conversations, and when I do I fear I'm coming off as a bit of a goof. This might be my anxiety talking, but I can't help but wonder what people are thinking of me. What I really want, then, is to be more relaxed when I'm on panel. And it wouldn't hurt to be better prepared. Something to keep in mind for Anime North and Polaris.
As usual, I promoted the living heck out of myself. I handed out fliers and sold many books: 3 copies of Section K, and 8 copies of Evil? and Epoch. My friend Mike Bryant, author of Shaolin Rock Star, shared the table with me and did a nice bit of business himself. Sadly he became quite ill and had to stay home on the Sunday, so please join me in wishing him better health.
I'm always a little sad at the end of these conventions. They are such an important part of my life, and I only have so much time to spend with everybody. There are more conventions coming, and I'm already preparing for them.
As always, I had a terrific amount of fun. I made new friends, met many old ones, and talked to other professionals in the field. In reference to the latter, I received some good advice and came away from the convention feeling better about my writing career than I have in ages.
My panel personality still needs work. I'm not as good as others at breaking into conversations, and when I do I fear I'm coming off as a bit of a goof. This might be my anxiety talking, but I can't help but wonder what people are thinking of me. What I really want, then, is to be more relaxed when I'm on panel. And it wouldn't hurt to be better prepared. Something to keep in mind for Anime North and Polaris.
As usual, I promoted the living heck out of myself. I handed out fliers and sold many books: 3 copies of Section K, and 8 copies of Evil? and Epoch. My friend Mike Bryant, author of Shaolin Rock Star, shared the table with me and did a nice bit of business himself. Sadly he became quite ill and had to stay home on the Sunday, so please join me in wishing him better health.
I'm always a little sad at the end of these conventions. They are such an important part of my life, and I only have so much time to spend with everybody. There are more conventions coming, and I'm already preparing for them.
Thursday, March 31, 2011
Ad Astra Coming Up!
Toronto's annual science fiction convention is coming! I will once again be there to sell and promote myself and my stuff, and good times are assured.
For one thing, I will be sharing a table with my good friend Mike Bryant. He's a multi-talented man who writes very funny stories when he's not busy being lead guitar for his rock band, Nanochrist. He and I have collaborated on some interesting projects in the past, so hanging out with him for the con will be fun.
Also, this year I was asked by Ad Astra's programming people to come as a professional panelist! For me, that is quite an honour. So far I am signed up for four panels - I'm hoping to do a few more, if possible.
Between now and then, I have some flyers to make. I still need to get the word out about my books, especially since The Cupid War comes out in August!
For one thing, I will be sharing a table with my good friend Mike Bryant. He's a multi-talented man who writes very funny stories when he's not busy being lead guitar for his rock band, Nanochrist. He and I have collaborated on some interesting projects in the past, so hanging out with him for the con will be fun.
Also, this year I was asked by Ad Astra's programming people to come as a professional panelist! For me, that is quite an honour. So far I am signed up for four panels - I'm hoping to do a few more, if possible.
Between now and then, I have some flyers to make. I still need to get the word out about my books, especially since The Cupid War comes out in August!
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