Fast-action October for debut urban fantasy author (that’s me)

Fantasy author Louise Cusack presents me with flowers to celebrate the launch of The Blood She BetrayedIn a week’s time, I’ll finally be able to hold my novel, The Blood She Betrayed, in my hands, as I arrive in Brisbane for the start of its official round of book launches and author signings.

Its rather surreal. One spends years working on a story that is special to them, years waiting for publishers to get back to them and, as if the fabric of the universe has been ripped open, there’s this last minute bolt to the finish line as your Publisher formats pages, makes last minute changes and you spend hours reading proofs, and not even getting to see the final proof, before your baby is sent to press. And then you’re getting flowers and congratulatory emails/phone calls from friends – like my beloved fantasy author Louise Cusack (above).

This month, I’m sDean J Andersonharing my book launch journey with WriteFest buddy Dean J Anderson, whose adult urban fantasy novel, Unnaturals, will be officially launched at the same time as mine, along with Melbourne identity Jane Clifton’s crime novel, Flush, at GenreCon at the State Library of Queensland on Saturday, October 12.

In the lead-up to the official launch, Dean and I will also attend special Dark Creature book-signings and author events in Brisbane. Locations include Mary Ryan’s Milton (our major night event) and Dymocks at both the Carindale and Chermside Shopping Centres, all on Thursday, October 10.

I’ll return to Bundaberg in time for my local book launch at the Bundaberg Regional Library at 6.15pm on Wednesday, October 16. If you’d like to come along, please join me. Tickets are free but you must RSVP by telephoning the library on 4130 4140.

Cher’s Calendar of Events for October (so far):

Thurs, Oct 10: 10am: Dark Creatures Book Signing Event at Dymocks Carindale, Carindale Shopping Centre, Brisbane. I’ll be joining forces with urban fantasy author Dean J Anderson for all Dark Creatures events at Carindale, Chermside and Milton.

Thurs, Oct 10: 2pm: Dark Creatures Book Signing Event at Dymocks Chermside, Chermside Shopping Centre, Brisbane.

Thurs, Oct 10: 6.15pm: Dark Creatures Author Event, Mary Ryan’s Milton, Brisbane, 6.15pm for a 6.30pm start. Tickets are $5/person to cover drinks and nibblies (but your children are free). Come along, chat with epic people and get your book personally signed. For bookings, please telephone Mary Ryan’s Milton on 3510 5000.

Sat, Oct 12: GenreCon, Brisbane. The Blood She Betrayed paperback will be officially launched at GenreCon at the State Library of Queensland, Brisbane, at lunchtime. Please email me via cheryse(at)quietdawn(dot)org if you’d like to join me for this special celebration.

Wed, Oct 16: Bundaberg launch of The Blood She Betrayed, Bundaberg Regional Library, 49 Woondooma Street, from 6.15pm until 8pm. Please telephone the Bundaberg Library on 4130 4140 to confirm your spot. This event is free but you will not be allowed in unless you book a ticket.

Sat, Oct 19: Presenting five children’s workshops at the Carinbundi Children’s Crush Day, CQUniversity, Bundaberg. Tickets can be booked online.

Sat, Oct 26: Book-signing at Mary Ryan’s Hervey Bay, 10am until noon. Come in, have a coffee and a chat and get your book personally signed. The Blood She Betrayed makes a terrific and personal Christmas present for teenagers and 20-somethings.

Cheryse goes under the darklight

I’m caught in the darklight at Darksiders Downunder today. Darklight On… is a regular column that I host on this website but the brilliant and imaginative Eleni Konstantine is hosting my Q&A… since it’s a bit hard to host oneself!

If you’d like to know what drew me to the spec fic genre or what themes are important to me, pop on over to Darklight On.