Archive for the 'Day Job!' Category

Updates, Updates, and More Updates

Well hello, everybody! Life here at Casa Peeler has been all about ORIENTATION. I had new faculty orientation last week, and this week we had regular orientation. As with all orientations, I’m feeling very disoriented at the moment. Lots of new people, new procedures, new ideas…but it’s all good! Everything will settle in soon.

And speaking of settling, my new apartment is getting there. I’ve got lots of new furniture. Here’s some random pics:

Yay! Eventually, when I can afford them, I’ll buy dining room chairs. Then I’ll be domestic as a plate!

In book news, Eye is coming along nicely. There’s something about me and work: the more I have to do, the more I do do. I’m so anxious about the deadline for Eye that I’m sort of obsessive about working on it. I’m also having a huge amount of fun writing it, and I find that it becomes its own stress relief. I get anxious, I write, and then I feel 100% better about myself and the world. Funny, that!

TR and Tracking have also both come out in the UK, and I’ve got some extra copies of the British TR. I’ll definitely be doing a contest in a few weeks, once things settle down, to give some away. They look stunning! Slightly larger than the ones in the US, with covers that are Sharon’s original art with a sort of Frank Milleresque wash to the color scheme. Love them!

And speaking of contests, for those people to whom I owe prize packs, THEY HAVE BEEN UNEARTHED! Now I just have to make time to go to the post office. ;-) That WILL happen in the next week, come hell or high water. If it doesn’t you can send your people after me. I’ll deserve it.

In very, very exciting news, the lovely Psynde has created a line of jewelry inspired by Jane! I absolutely adore this stuff, and I get to vet all the pieces, so you guys have to check it out! Jane doesn’t wear a lot of jewelry in the books, but if she did, this would be it, for sure. I love this stuff!

Finally, for the next two weeks, things will be pretty quiet over at Dr. Peeler’s Emporium, because I’m squaring off with Jaye Wells at BABEL CLASH. Hopefully no chairs will be involved, although I’m perfectly willing to cut a bitch if that Wells woman gets out of hand.

So see you over at Babel Clash! Until then, I’ll keep the Emporium warm for our return.

Published on August 17, 2010 in Contests, Day Job!, Eye of the Tempest and Guest Blogs. 12 Comments Tags: .

Book Deal and Day Job Announcements!

I am so excited to announce all sorts of good stuff!

First of all, there’s going to be MORE JANE TRUE! Orbit has bought Jane True, Books 4, 5, and 6. Don’t ask me what they’re going to be called, because I am totally stuck. “Tempest” related names seemed like SUCH a good idea . . . till I ran the fuck out of ideas. Number six might wind up “Tempest Bledsoe.” Just a warning.

But, names aside, there’s going to be MORE JANE! Which makes me so unbelievably happy, not least because I can continue working with everyone at Orbit. They’ve been SO great, and I feel so very honored and humbled by their faith in me.

So that’s some huge news, and very exciting. But equally huge and exciting is that I am on the move, again!

I’ve adored my time at LSUS. My colleagues and students couldn’t have been more amazing. But my life has changed so much with the publication of the books, and it’s more than a little scary working for Louisiana higher ed when there’s a budget crisis. So I am thrilled to announce that I’m moving to teach as an assistant professor in Seton Hill’s MFA program for Writing Popular Fiction. Yes, you read that correctly . . . it’s an MFA specifically for popular, publishable fiction. Here’s the blurb from our website:

http://www.setonhill.edu/index.cfm

The Master of Fine Arts in Writing Popular Fiction at Seton Hill is one of the only programs in the country that teaches writers to create – and market – the fiction that sells. Upon graduation from Seton Hill’s program, you will have completed a full-length market-ready novel, earned a Master of Fine Arts degree from a leading liberal arts University, and become part of a supportive network of published authors.

Seton Hill University’s unique Master of Fine Arts in Writing Popular Fiction teaches students to write marketable novels in popular genres like mystery, romance, science fiction, horror, and fantasy. Additional specialties include literature for children and adolescents, and cross-genre blends like romantic suspense or young adult mysteries. Knowing that graduate students have many obligations, Seton Hill has designed a flexible, intensive-residency format that allows you to earn a Master of Fine Arts degree while working full-time or caring for a family. One-on-one mentoring by established writers enables students to develop a writing project in a genre of their choice. Online contact with other participants ensures that students become part of a writing community and that they receive varied commentary on their work-in-progress. Week long residencies, twice each year, inform and enliven the writing experience, bringing students together on Seton Hill’s campus to learn the basics and complexities of popular fiction. Lectures and workshops by guest writers of regional and national fame (and editors, agents and publishers) add extra impact to the residency experience.

How cool is that? This semester, I’ll be mentoring students who are writing Urban Fantasy, and teaching at least one online course. I’ll also get an iPad, which I will name Bessie.

So I’m moving to Pittsburgh, people! Seton Hill is in Greensburg, but I’m a city gal by nature. The idea of walking to get a coffee THRILLS me. And in Pittsburgh, I’ll be closer to my family and friends in Chicago, my friends on the East Coast, and an airport from which I can go wherever I please (not just DFW).

That said, I am very sad to leave Shreveport and my friends, colleagues, and students here in Louisiana. I’ve loved my time here and y’all couldn’t have been more welcoming and generous. Thank you so much for a beautiful run, and I will miss you all very, very much. Look me up if you’re in Pennsylvania. :-)

Published on May 17, 2010 in Coming Soon!, Day Job!, My Travels, Nicole Peeler, Urban Fantasy and Writing Process. 75 Comments Tags: , , , .

Where in the World is Nicole Peeler?

Nicole has, once again, been thrown into her Grading Oubliette. She will be back next week, covered in paper cuts and red ink and muttering softly to herself. So just like normal, really.

If you’d like to send her care packages, mail them c/o LSUS’s Grading Oubliette. We’ll poke it through the bars of her cage:

San Juan Capistrano Jail Cell

I think I caught the drifting strains of, “I’ll bastardize your predicates,” sung to the theme song of Young Guns, just a little while ago. Which means it’s time for Nicole’s rainwater and day old bread. We’ll let her enjoy it in peace.

Published on March 7, 2010 in Day Job! and Nicole Peeler. 3 Comments