Shadowjournal: Mike Cobley's Blog

Hiya hiya hiya - yes, the regulation 3 months has passed by and I am now honourbound to make an entry on my blog, just to keep you in the Shadowframe.

Well - Eastercon was quite a blast, got to meet up with a whole buncha writer buddies, to wag the chin with assorted high heid yins o' the biz, and just generally hang out and bandy bon mots about willynilly! My panels turned out interesting and/or damn fine, and I actually got to sign a book or two as well. Next years Eastercon is at the Adelphi hotel in Liverpool, which I harbour doubts about since last time I was there I didn`t have a particularly wonderful time - but then I was still a callow short story writer without a book deal. Next year the entire convention might fall to its knees in amazement at my senses-croggling mastery of prose!!!!!....yeah, and monkeys might fly out of my earhole!

Other news - there was this thing called the World Cup, during which we had the privilege of watching squads of millionaires kick a ball about a park (heh heh, just joshing!), and England didn`t win it, which I was a bit sad about but only a bit. There are many other matters in the world about which I get animated, angry and upset. And Big Brother aint one of them (just don`t get me started on THAT piece of contrived trivia).

And...found myself with a coupla nominations for this year`s British Fantasy Awards, namely Shadowmasque in `Novel` category, and The Intrigue of the Battered Box in the `Short Story` category. The BFS held an awards showcase in London near Temple, a week or two ago and I betook myself yonder to bring enlightenment, joy and freebies to the attending throng. I was there with an old friend, Dave Wingrove, author of the very wonderful Chung Kuo books, and a good time was had by all. Then we tried to get back to Islington, only to find out that the Victoria line was shut by the time we got to our connection - ah me, wot a laff! After a decent yomp we hopped a bus, got to Islington and had another miniyomp to get back to Dave`s gaff. Oh yeah, always a pleasure never a chore!

And Shadowmasque is due for publication in its mass market paperback incarnation on 7th August, and will doubtless be appearing on shelves at various book emporia up and down our mighty nation. In the week leading up, I will be engaged in a personal publicity exercise dedicated to ensuring that news of this impending event reaches certain segments of my core audience (see, I`ve been boning up on the old bookselling lingo, ye ken. I never met an EPOS that I didn`t like...)

And after that....there will be no more (at least in the UK market, as I`m pursuing options overseas). Mind you, I do have some embryonic ideas that could carry the Shadowkings saga forward, but I reckon I need a break. I am working on another project, which is at an advanced state of potential and news will be forthcoming as and when.

Finally, I feel it is only my duty to draw your attention to the plight of the Lebanese people in the current conflict with Israel. The Lebanese have suffered terribly for decades from war and strife, and now just when it seemed that they were moving forward Israel has decided to kick all they`ve built to pieces. Yes, Israel has the right to defend itself and its citizens, but when someone without a navy or an air force has a go at you, and you respond with full artillery barrages, naval blockades and 2000+ air sorties, that is not proportionate to the actual threat. Unless of course you believe that only your people matter and only your worldview is valid, then anyone who opposes you (or is just unfortunate enough to get in the way) doesn`t matter. When you reach that stage of thinking, no one is safe, sadly.

posted by Michael # 6:46 PM