Tag Archive for 'Seton Hill'

Travels and Pimpage

All rightie folks, it’s that time of year: Dr. Peeler is on the move. When summer hits I’m like Flash Gordon . . . only chubbier. And a girl.

I am writing this post from Elburn, Illinois, at my parent’s house. But tomorrow I am flying to London. I’m super excited to be back in the UK; I’ve missed it terribly. I will also be reunited with Dr. Ruth, with whom I travelled around the US last summer. There will, undoubtedly, be many a blog post highlighting food; spa treatments; and prisoney, tattoed men. The three things I like best in life.

So look forward to that! When I return, I’ll be going to Maine with my mom; my former high school English teacher, Mrs. Bunch; and my very good friend, Loren, on what I like to think of as a cross-generational Girls Gone Wild trip. We’ll be staying in Bar Harbor and Eastport, the latter of which is one of the settings for Tempest Rising. I’ll be sure to visit the Old Sow and take lots of pictures.

When I come back from Maine,  I do laundry then turn around a day later to fly to Pittsburgh. There, I will look for a place to live, after which I will drive out to Greensburg for Seton Hill’s June MFA residency. I won’t be teaching any modules, yet, but I’ll be introduced and I’ll also get to meet the people I’ll be mentoring, which I’m very excited about.

I will also get Bessie, my new iPad. So. Excited.

So that’s my June! I will eventually return to Shreveport, where I will definitely Do Some Stuff for Tracking. A signing. Or something. I’m working on it, now.

In the meantime, however, you’ve got some sweet stuff to distract you. Not least of all . . . some new League releases!

First off is Michelle Rowen’s Demon Princess: Reign Check. How cute is this cover?

Love the shiny!

Second up is a book I am VERY excited about. I am a total fangirl of Stacia’s, which means I love it when she publishes new books. I also love it when she grabs my boobs, something she does quite often. But that’s classified as an Official League Secret, so I will say no more. The book Stacia’s got out today is the first book in what looks to be an AMAZING, challenging series that will expand the boundaries of UF as a genre. It’s Unholy Ghosts, people, and you need to go buy it:

That’s your pimpage for the day, peeps. I’ll be seeing you soon . . . and soon I’ll have another extract from Tracking the Tempest! Because my own release date is coming up shortly. Agh! That’s all I have to say on the matter. :-)

Published on May 25, 2010 in My Travels, Pimpage! and Tracking the Tempest. 14 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. 76 Comments Tags: , , , .