She talks to wolves...

Yesterday, the Special Froud Edition went live at Green Man Review.

It's a fantastic edition, beautifully laid out and composed. Mia Nutick interviewed Brian, Wendy (and Toby!) Froud: the resulting transcriptions are enchanting. We even have a guest interview by Terri Windling that's not to be missed.

On top of that, you'll find links to all the materials by the Frouds we've reviewed over the years-- including some exciting new ones, like World of Faerie and The Art of Wendy Froud.

Check it out! And write in to let us know what you think of the issue.

The auction for my necklace, "And Then She Flew" based on K. Tempest Bradford's "Black Feather," is closing tomorrow (as in Wednesday)! If you're interested, get your bids in now!

Elise's fantastic piece, "Willow Pattern," based on the Jon Singer story of the same name, is also closing tomorrow!

And while you guys are checking out the Interstitial Art Foundation's auctions, be sure to check out the "Timothy" set by Sarah Evans and the "Post Hoc" piece by Leslie What (based on her story by the same name). These pieces have yet to receive any love!

Finally, make sure you appraise Rachel Pollack's piece, "Burning Beard" (based on her story of the same name) and Mia Nutick's latest poetry-pendant based on yuki_onna's "A Dirge for Prester John."

The IAF has enough donated jewelry to keep their auctions going for nearly a month!

However, your time is running out on a few lovely pieces:

Mia's "Like a Cat" is finishing up on the auction block today: you have less than two hours left to bid!


"Like a Cat" by Mia Nutick
based on "Timothy" by Colin Greenland

Click on the pendant above to visit the auction.


The same goes for these "Rainbird" earrings by Kris McDermott.



My own necklace only has a few days left: that auction will be closing on Wednesday, May 14th. Won't you please consider bidding, if you've a mind, or show this to friends who might find my jewelry lovely?


"And Then She Flew" by Deborah J. Brannon
based on "Black Feather" by K. Tempest Bradford

Click on the necklace above to visit the auction.

Thank you!





Pssst! Great news! The results of the Chimera Fancies pendant contest will be posted today! Be looking out for it!

INTERFICTIONS Jewelry Auction Begins Today!

. . . So head on over to IAFAuctions.com to see our first two wonderful pieces based on stories from the first Interstitial Arts anthology, bid on these collectible one-of-a-kind pieces, and support the IAF.

*****

April 30, 2008 marked the one year anniversary of the Interfictions anthology release. This groundbreaking anthology showcasing nineteen writers from four countries gave a glimpse into what interstitial fiction might look like (without drawing any clear borders).

To celebrate the anniversary, the Interstitial Arts Foundation (IAF) invited jewelry makers to further blur the borders by creating pieces based on the stories in Interfictions, which will be auctioned off to benefit IAF beginning May 5th.

Interstitial artists and admirers of Interfictions have come forward with some truly stunning pieces based on Interfictions stories by Matthew Cheney, Catherynne M. Valente, Jon Singer, Veronica Schanoes, and Colin Greenland. Participants include artists Elise Matthesen, JoSelle Vanderhooft, Mia Nutick, Kris McDermott, and many more.

And, most remarkably, some of the authors themselves have created unique pieces based on their own work! Keep an eye on IAFAuctions.com to see wearable interpretations of their own work by Interfictions authors Leslie What, Rachel Pollack, and K. Tempest Bradford.

Our auction launches on May 5 with complex and elegant pieces from Sarah Evans and JoSelle Vanderhooft, based on the stories "A Map of the Everywhere" and "A Dirge for Prester John".

New pieces will go up every two days and auctions will last for 4-7 days. Bid early and often--bids start as low as $10! All proceeds will go to supporting Interstitial Arts projects, including the second Interfictions volume, Interfictions 2, to be published in Fall 2009.

And please help support Interfictions and the IAF by spreading the word about the auction.

To see the pieces currently available, please visit IAFAuctions.com. Subscribe to our RSS feed to be notified when new pieces go live.

FAQ
How long will the auction last?
For about three weeks, or until we run out of jewelry.

Can I still contribute a piece inspired by Interfictions before the auction closes?
Yes, if you contact us by May 10th.

Who should I contact with questions about the auction?
Write to: IAFBead @ gmail . com

I've been meaning to share this with you: it's a list of the classes I'm potentially offering for the summer term at my high school. Which classes actually make will depend on student interest. I know the class descriptions aren't very detailed, but they were only meant to be quick blurbs to attract parent interest.

List of Potential Classes
Summer 2008

ENGLISH
Literature Through Comic Books – While studying the comic book medium, students will learn literary devices and writing skills. They will also discover how today's graphic novels aren't simply “funny books” but are, in fact, accomplishing serious feats of literature.
Young Adult Literature – Students will learn literary devices and writing skills while studying one of the most exciting genres in publishing today. Their studies will focus on classic and contemporary fiction and nonfiction directed at young adults.
Grammar – Students will learn the basic rules of the English language and be introduced to beginner writing skills.
Creative Writing – Students will learn about a variety of creative writing endeavors: genre writing (fiction, nonfiction, fantasy, mystery, etc.), poetry, plays, memoirs, etc. They will have a chance to practice these skills in a safe and supportive atmosphere. No previous writing skills necessary!
Fairy Tales & Folklore – Students will learn about a variety of fairy tale motifs as well as specific stories from around the world. They will discover how fairy tales were shaped by culture and also influenced culture, and how they are still relevant today.

SOCIAL STUDIES
Cultural Studies: Summer Traditions – Students will learn about a variety of cultural customs focused on summer from all around the globe, from the 4th of July in America to the Tanabata Matsuri (Star Festival) in Japan. Students will also help make these traditions come to life!
Psychology – Students will learn the basics of modern psychological study as well as the history of the discipline.

SCIENCE
Astronomy – The students will see stars! Literally. They will learn the basics of the study of our galaxy and beyond, including planets, stars, suns, black holes, etc.
Meteorology – Rain, rain, go away- come back another day! Students will learn why this little chant doesn't work in this class covering our planet's atmosphere and weather patterns.
Anatomy & Physiology – Students will learn the basics of the composition of the human body, including the structure of the skeleton, musculature, etc.

ELECTIVES
Film Studies – Students will learn about the history of film and watch some of the finest films in existence. They will also learn how to write about film.

TUTORING
The following classes DO NOT count for credits toward graduation. However, if there is enough of a demand in the student body, they may be held during regular school hours. If not, this may be an after-school class and, as such, eligible for a one-on-one arrangement.
ACT Preparation: English – Using an approved study guide, the student(s) and teacher will prepare for the English and Reading portions of the ACT. If there is enough demand, this course will also cover the optional Writing section of the ACT.
Writing & Composition – This course is specifically designed to improve a student's essay-writing skills. Therefore, basic skills in grammar will be a prerequisite. The teacher will assign a number of essays and work with the student to complete them, going through several drafts and correction sessions until an excellent final draft is reached.
ACT Preparation: Science – Using an approved study guide, the student(s) and teacher will prepare for the Science portion of the ACT.

Hey, Chimera Fancies Pendant Contest contestants-- remember the lovely pendant you're trying to win?

Well, the deadline for your creative entries is approaching! We must have your submission in, via e-mail, by midnight EST on May 5th, 2008! That's Monday, guys.

Remember: Your entry should be a poem, song, or flash fiction. The poetry and songs should be no more than 40 lines in length. The flash fiction should not be a word over 500 words! Make sure you save your files as .doc or .txt and include your real name and your Livejournal name in the e-mail with your entry attached.

We have 40 contestants in this first competition so, while we hope to announce the winner by the originally announced May 12th deadline, we may need a few extra days.

We look forward to seeing what you have come up with! Good luck!

This PSA brought to you by your friendly neighborhood judges: copperwise (wicked fairy apologist), cadhla (pretty little dead girl), and fireriven (jack of all trades).

For International Pixel-Stained Technopeasant Day, I am offering up a short piece of fiction that was published in Huntingdon College's The Prelude in 2001 (and was given away for free then, too). I wanted to create something new for this day, but it didn't get done and I'm actually drugged up due to a migraine right now. So I hope you'll forgive the digital reprint.

To Live
by Deborah J. Brannon

He lay upon the woodland floor, body bathed by the morning dew. The fingers of dawn caressed his body, strengthening as the moments went by, until they touched his eyes, picked them out of the shadow of night: a glitter of darkness, already open to this new morn.

His body remembered what task lay before him, though his mind lingered yet in the dream mist. He rolled to his feet, shaggy, fair hair brushing his shoulders; his step as he picked his way to a nearby stream was light as a wary doe's. His kind had learned to be quiet, in order to evade enemies, seek food. And the ribs now rising in sharp relief assured that no misstep would today cost him his quarry.

The man knelt beside the rushing water, delved his cupped palms into the stream to bring water to his parted lips. As he slaked his thirst, his eyes roamed the landscape about him, alert as any woodland creature.

He counted six magpies singing their raucous song and very nearly smiled. He was lucky not to have any needlessly small and shiny thing of value with which to tempt the little ones. He turned away, startled a hare he had not noted before, harvested some berries from a near-withering plant. They were bitter, but food, and made his last few strips of dried venison easier to swallow cold. He would need all his strength for what he must accomplish today.

Survival.

He'd ranged from his home-- more than a full day's stride-- seeking and following this small herd of deer. Once he'd picked up their trail, matched them stride for stride, he'd done as the world commanded: prepared himself for the hunt and asked to be wise and thankful.

He purified himself, dedicated his spirit to Cernunnos of the Wood, and slept cradled in the Mother's embrace-- the bole of an elderly oak for his pillow and leaves for his blanket. The God had kept the warrior safe while the Goddess sent him her blessing in dreams.

The doe he must kill, there, no young fawns at her side. But why did he run so low to the loamy smelling earth, feel the death of his prey flow between his teeth? Warm, the life. He lived.

He shook his head, pulling the gut from his pouch and set to stringing his yew wood bow. Though nearly as tall as him, he bent it easily, deftly completing his task.

He moved downstream to seek the shadow of the deer.

* * *

The young human caught up with the herd midday and summarily circled wide around them to find the worn trail though the forest that showed their kind preferred to pass there.

He'd hardly settled in his preferred position, off the trail and partially hidden, when the deer arrived much sooner than anticipated; the young warrior realized he'd not been the first to find them.

His heart's sudden pounding, the buck's sudden urgent passage with his brood not far behind disoriented the man, made him hesitate with his arrows, his bow.

Only the lame doe lagged behind, the one without fawns; only she felt the teeth of the wolf that closely followed, lone and hungered as the human that watched.

The dream shocked through him.

Another of the doe's legs went out from under her, ripped by the predator's teeth. Her eyes rolled, front legs flashed forward in the full desperation of this dance with death. He trained his arrow upon the wolf, breathing harsh as the fanged creature easily evaded her thrashing hooves and fastened to her throat, tearing it out as he jumped away.

Survival.

The wolf heaved every breath the twin to the man's. His fangs trailed red (he tasted the blood), pulled back from his teeth as he nearly took a step toward his conquered prey; yet he stopped, raised his eyes to meet those of the still hunter.

We are one. Brothers, you and I. She gave herself to us. The circle of life, death to feed life. We are one.

The powerful gray body leapt for the hunter, but had hardly left the ground when an arrow slammed well-intended into his chest.

The wolf collapsed amid a howling scream.

One.

He ate the heart and the eyes. Raw, with blood streaking across his face. He took the claws and the skin to make a cloak. The rest he left to the forest, to feed the cycle that would eventually consume him.

Fáilbhe, a newborn wolf, carried his deer home.





This story is archived at my website here.

Last Year's International Pixel-Stained Technopeasant Day offerings:
And My Sky Full of Stars (creative non-fictiony fiction)
Elegy for a Fallen Angel (poem)

You can find more free poetry at My Works on my website and elsewhere in this journal.

I hope you enjoy!

Well. If only I could afford to fly into Minneapolis from June 20-22 for the Fourth Street Fantasy Convention! Not only would I have the chance to meet the brilliant likes of matociquala, elisem, mrissa, and pegkerr (etc.)*, but Dream Haven is in the locale. Those things together would make the expense of such a trip well worth it!

Also, if I were pre-registered, I'd have a chance to order the chapbook elisem is selling, composed of those word-woven pieces inspired by her jewelry. It contains stories by Elizabeth Bear, Sarah Monette, Jane Yolen... need I go on? Need I mention it has an introduction by Louis McMaster Bujold? Shall I mention there are only going to be 300 copies and I'll be sad if I don't get my hands on one?

Well, consider all of those points mentioned, underlined, and 300 copies scrawled around with a few red-ink circles.

Alas, with an impending move, I can't afford to be there! Nor can I currently afford the chapbook, but I'll see what I can do about that later this summer when we see if Elise has any left to sell. That means you'll have to attend in my stead, dear readers!

Do make sure you attend elisem's party: and honor your inner magpie!

* I don't actually know if mrissa or pegkerr are attending the Con, but they are in the area and I'd meet them if I could!

Have you ever thought of Cinderella as a translucent, clockwork princess? Or as a girl misshapen, not physically beautiful under layers of ash, but used and spent and broken as only the least cared-for objects can be? Have you imagined the moon to be a scientific and exacting goddess, the only truth in a sky full of ghost-fires and hope-inspiring lies?

I can't say I had either. And, when I heard that Catherynne M. Valente was writing a steampunk version of Cinderella for the inaugural installment of her Omikuji Project, I was somewhat skeptical. Intrigued, too, and I wanted to see if would work.

Inarguably, it did.

Before I could even finish reading the short story, I found myself reaching out to the author:

"You write true fairy tales."

It was all I could say. A simple statement, unadorned, yet reflective as a deep-bottomed pool. True fairy tales, in my experience, are those tales that pierce me deep, stir something hungry inside me, and (at times) prick tears to my eyes. They get under my skin, turn a key in my heart, and unlock something both beautiful and monstrous: the Wood.

I was not able to afford the paper edition of this gorgeous short, "The Glass Gear." I received the e-mail PDF, complete with a digital collage Catherynne made to accompany her writing. I have heard, via the Omikuji Project community (at omikuji_project), how beautiful the physical manifestation of this story was: printed on fine paper, a folded secret, sealed with a waxen seal, a soft kiss direct from author to reader.

One lucky person even received a necklace entitled "Not the Stars, But the Moon," beaded by Catherynne and inspired by "The Glass Gear" (or, rather, pulled from the same well), as the winner of the "sacred lottery." Since that's what omikuji actually are, a sacred scroll secured from a Shinto shrine in hopes of good fortune, Catherynne has promised to send one random subscriber a small and unique gift each month.

In short, Catherynne here created a beautiful and unique experience.

She is doing this again. And again. Each month, for the forseeable future, she will be sending out these small stories to her not-so-modest collection of subscribers. She's using the funds to supplement her household income between novels, but she's also using the project as a way to say thank you to all those readers who've supported her throughout her still-young career.

Unless given permission by the community, Catherynne won't be allowing these stories to be published elsewhere. Luckily for you, you can still read "The Glass Gear" if you want to: just subscribe to her project, and elect to download it as a $2 PDF. (This is her set price for back-issues.)

You'll be glad you did. And, if your heart is pierced as mine was, consider tipping your writer. She'll be here for a lifetime if we treat her well.

The Omikuji Project.

Review archived at my website here.