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R.J. Anderson
rj_anderson
20 February 2012 @ 01:40 pm
Amazing Things  
There has been a lot of bad news in my life lately (not for me personally, but for people I love and am close to -- serious health problems, impending operations, the sudden death of my uncle), so it was lovely to open my e-mail the other day and find out some really fantastic news for a change:

Ultraviolet has been nominated for the 2012 Andre Norton Award!

This is the YA division of the Nebula Awards, which are legendary in the SF&F genre, so even being considered for the award is a pretty big deal, let alone actually making the shortlist. I am thrilled and honoured.

Here's the full list of nominees as posted on the official SFWA site:
I have actually not yet read any of the other books on the list, but I've heard amazing things about all of them. I think I'm going to make it my business to read all the other nominated titles before the awards ceremony.

***

For my fellow writers in the quasi-local area, I have more good news -- I'm going to be presenting a workshop on revision in Waterloo, ON at the end of March: 


Storywell Seminar - Revision: The Magic Key to Successful Writing with R.J. Anderson, Sat. Mar 31 from 2-4 pm, Waterloo Button Factory, $20 per person or $30 for two people, contact susan@storywell.ca for more info



    So if you need a pep talk before launching into your own revisions or would appreciate some general tips on how to go about it, this may be the seminar for you! Or just come and say hi and hang out with me and some other writers. Whatever. :)

    ***

    And finally, a vid that has nothing to do with writing but I've been posting it everywhere since I discovered it last night, just because it is so INCREDIBLY CLEVER. And also broke my heart a little.

    From the author's introduction at her journal: 

    In the beginning, there was Sherlock Holmes. And Holmes brought forth the brilliant doctor House, embodied by the lovely Hugh Laurie. Who prior to that in Fortysomething played a slightly less brilliant doctor, Paul Slippery, who begat three sons, the eldest of whom was played by the equally-lovely-if-somewhat-peculiarly-named Benedict Cumberbatch. Who of course grew up to play Sherlock. ... And then my head exploded.

    All I can say is, watch. Enjoy. Marvel at the parallels. Surely some of them had to be intentional?!

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    ( 40 comments — Leave a comment )
    izhilzha[info]izhilzha on February 20th, 2012 07:11 pm (UTC)
    I am so excited for you! Ultraviolet is very deserving--I read it on my honeymoon, and found it a little more absorbing than I was expecting. Double thumbs up!
    R.J. Anderson: Books - Writing[info]rj_anderson on February 20th, 2012 07:32 pm (UTC)
    Wow, you took it on your honeymoon even! I'm honoured. :D Thanks!
    izhilzha[info]izhilzha on February 20th, 2012 10:17 pm (UTC)
    It made a good--though slightly odd--beach book. Very different from the Terry Prachett novels my boy brought along. :)
    Virgers! How are we doing with those explosives?[info]tree_and_leaf on February 20th, 2012 07:32 pm (UTC)
    Sorry about all the difficult stuff, but that is fantastic news, I'm so pleased for you!
    R.J. Anderson: Arrow - Rhosmari[info]rj_anderson on February 20th, 2012 10:15 pm (UTC)
    Thanks! :)
    Why aren't there dolphins on Only Connect?[info]davidbrider on February 20th, 2012 07:57 pm (UTC)
    Sorry to hear about the bad news, but as you say, that award nomination is exciting - good luck! When is the winner announced?

    Must confess, I've still not read Ultraviolet yet, but if it's anywhere near as good as the Faery books, it's a deserved nomination. I keep meaning to do so some sort of review of the Faery books on my LJ (the general thrust of which will be go and buy these books! You won't regret it!). One day...

    When's the next one due out? It's soon, isn't it?
    R.J. Anderson: Swift - Ivy[info]rj_anderson on February 20th, 2012 08:07 pm (UTC)
    Winners will be announced at the Nebula Awards Banquet on May 19th.

    And SWIFT is coming out 1 March, so not long at all now! Thanks for your enthusiasm about the faery books -- that's great to hear.
    Why aren't there dolphins on Only Connect?[info]davidbrider on February 20th, 2012 08:13 pm (UTC)
    That's just a couple of days after I get paid, so I know what I'll be spending some of my money on!
    Why aren't there dolphins on Only Connect?[info]davidbrider on March 16th, 2012 02:54 pm (UTC)
    Have just started reading Ultraviolet, and am hooked already (about 40 pages in). I suspect I'll have it finished before the end of the weekend at this rate - I'm genuinely intrigued by this set-up and want to know what's going on...
    R.J. Anderson: Ultraviolet - UK Cover[info]rj_anderson on March 16th, 2012 04:32 pm (UTC)
    I'm happy to hear that, David! Hope you enjoy the rest of the book as well!
    robinellen[info]robinellen on February 20th, 2012 08:15 pm (UTC)
    Oh, that is good news :) I've only read yours and CHIME -- and I enjoyed yours more (hehe).
    R.J. Anderson: a-ha - Take on Me[info]rj_anderson on February 20th, 2012 10:16 pm (UTC)
    Well, I've heard lots of good things about CHIME so I'm looking forward to reading it... along with all the others, which I've just ordered. MOAR BOOKS FOR ME!

    And thank you. :)
    Rose Green[info]olmue on February 20th, 2012 08:25 pm (UTC)
    I'm so sorry about all the bad news--it can be hard when people you love suffer and you can't do much to change it for them.

    Congrats on the nomination, though!! You already know how much I love that book. :) Very well deserved!

    Good luck with the revision workshop, too--wish I lived in Canada and could come!
    R.J. Anderson: Author Portrait[info]rj_anderson on February 20th, 2012 10:16 pm (UTC)
    I would love to meet you someday! You never know...

    Thanks for the congrats and kind sympathies. Both are appreciated.
    the inexorable falcon of doom[info]rhinemouse on February 20th, 2012 08:27 pm (UTC)
    De-lurking to say congratulations! I saw the news about Ultraviolet this morning and was so excited--I love that book!

    Also, as long as I'm behaving like a fangirl: is there any chance you'll ever do a story about Rob & Linden's romance? Because I soooo want to read that.
    R.J. Anderson: Nature - Owl[info]rj_anderson on February 20th, 2012 10:17 pm (UTC)
    I would like to write a Rob and Linden story someday, yes. I just have to find the time and energy to do it... I'm very glad to know at least one person will be interested. :)

    And thanks for the kind words about ULTRAVIOLET!
    the inexorable falcon of doom[info]rhinemouse on February 21st, 2012 03:50 am (UTC)
    Rob/Linden is pretty much my OTP!!!!!1! for the entire series, so... yeah. :-)
    Incognita: victory[info]nuranar on February 20th, 2012 09:21 pm (UTC)
    Wow, congratulations on the nomination! That is incredibly wonderful news!
    R.J. Anderson: Book Book Book[info]rj_anderson on February 20th, 2012 10:18 pm (UTC)
    Thank you -- yes, it is! :)
    Sherwood Smith[info]sartorias on February 20th, 2012 11:28 pm (UTC)
    Congratulations, and well deserved! (I loved that book SO MUCH!)
    R.J. Anderson: Kate Beaton - TESLA!!![info]rj_anderson on February 21st, 2012 12:12 am (UTC)
    I am thrilled beyond measure that you did! Thank YOU! :)
    mary_j_59[info]mary_j_59 on February 20th, 2012 11:39 pm (UTC)
    I am sorry about your uncle, and the rest of the bad news - but congratulations! I think it's well deserved.

    (I haven't read any of the other books, either, but have my eye on Daughter of Smoke and Bone. Tried and failed to read Chime, which struck me as well-written, but not enjoyable.)

    R.J. Anderson[info]rj_anderson on February 21st, 2012 09:03 pm (UTC)
    Thanks for the condolences and well wishes!
    bittervillager[info]bittervillager on February 20th, 2012 11:53 pm (UTC)
    Many congratulations, Rebecca. And that video is a little spooky.
    R.J. Anderson: Sherlock - Shock Blanket[info]rj_anderson on February 21st, 2012 09:04 pm (UTC)
    Isn't it, though? IT MAKES SO MUCH SENSE.
    Maureen[info]elvenjaneite on February 21st, 2012 12:20 am (UTC)
    Congratulations again! And that video is both cool and a little eerie.
    D. M. Domini[info]dmdomini on February 21st, 2012 12:56 am (UTC)
    You don't know me, but I am honestly very VERY happy for you.

    I actually first encountered your writing in 2001 or so, in the fanfic world. I was 18 or so and a huge HP fan. Maud's story was (and still is) fantastic. And then a few years later, I discovered you were going pro and you'd sold your first books. And that's been awesome to "watch" from afar.

    I know that getting this nomination is really a huge, HUGE deal. To see a writer I'd encountered before they sold their original novels get this nomination is just...extremely cool. Every year I see bunches of names I know I'll never get around to reading (so many books, so little time), but this year, I saw YOURS even before you announced it here (I follow a bunch of SF&F blogs), and I jumped around happily thinking, "Woot! R. J. Anderson! I know her stuff! She's awesome!" because you've totally earned it.
    R.J. Anderson: HP - Severus Snape[info]rj_anderson on February 21st, 2012 01:00 am (UTC)
    Actually, I do know you, after a fashion -- I remember your username and your feedback on some of my fanfics, so I'm delighted to hear from you again. Thanks so much for dropping by and saying such kind things!
    writerjenn[info]writerjenn on February 21st, 2012 01:19 am (UTC)
    Congratulations on the nomination!
    R.J. Anderson[info]rj_anderson on February 21st, 2012 09:04 pm (UTC)
    Thank you!
    E Wein[info]eegatland on February 21st, 2012 01:31 pm (UTC)
    that is so extremely cool and also an amazing slate of nominees. I envy you the awards party which will be So. Much. Fun! judging by the other authors who will be there!
    R.J. Anderson: 101 Dalmatians - Roger Composing[info]rj_anderson on February 21st, 2012 09:04 pm (UTC)
    Well, I am not entirely certain that I will be able to go, but I sure hope I can! Thank you!
    Leah Miller[info]Leah Miller on February 21st, 2012 04:44 pm (UTC)
    Commence the Happy Dance!!
    Woohoo! You totally deserve this nomination! Ultraviolet was one of my favorites last year and one of the best books I'd read in a looong time. And what great company to be in :) I'll be watching to see who wins.
    R.J. Anderson[info]rj_anderson on February 21st, 2012 09:05 pm (UTC)
    Re: Commence the Happy Dance!!
    Thanks so much for the kind words, Leah -- your enthusiasm is much appreciated!
    Moya: rozica[info]moia on February 21st, 2012 08:45 pm (UTC)
    Sorry to hear about the bad news.

    Congratulations on your nomination! I'm really happy for you. :)
    I feel odd now that I never read Ultraviolet, while I read all the others you have published (the fairy stories, much loved).
    R.J. Anderson[info]rj_anderson on February 21st, 2012 09:06 pm (UTC)
    Oh, don't feel odd! It often takes me a while to get around to reading All The Things, even by authors I really like. But if you do read it I hope you will enjoy it, even though it is quite different from the faery books...

    And thank you!
    Shveta, bursting with stars ॐ: Whoo-hoo[info]shveta_thakrar on February 22nd, 2012 08:56 pm (UTC)
    This news made me so happy when I saw it, Rebecca. Hooray!!!
    R.J. Anderson[info]rj_anderson on February 22nd, 2012 10:26 pm (UTC)
    Thank you so much, Shveta!
    sunsethill[info]sunsethill on March 17th, 2012 08:02 pm (UTC)
    Sorry to be coming so late to the comment party, but I'm not checking LJ as frequently anymore. Congratulations on a well-deserved nomination. I would love to hear what you think of the other nominees, as my middle daughter especially loves Science Fiction and has trouble finding books that really suit her. She loved Ultraviolet, and Timothy Zahn is all-time favorite author. She appreciates the world-view contained in yours and Zahn's books, and it's hard to find in Science Fiction. I know you'll let us know how the awards go.
    R.J. Anderson: Aztec Camera - Knife[info]rj_anderson on March 23rd, 2012 08:58 pm (UTC)
    Thanks! I'm happy to hear your daughter loved ULTRAVIOLET.

    I've read all but one of the other Norton nominees now, and enjoyed all of them. I don't expect the last book is likely to be an exception. It's a good ballot.
    ( 40 comments — Leave a comment )