Long post is long

But it has pics! Let’s jump in.

First, the news. The Pyramid Waltz is a finalist in the 2013 Goldie Awards now as well as the 2012 Foreword Book of the Year Awards! (I think it’s awesome the way they use different years. ^_^)

I’m over the freakin’ moon, y’all. And that’s not all.

One, two, squee!

Got my contributor copies of For Want of a Fiend! If you’d like an ebook, the BSB website in the link there is the best place to shop. You won’t have to wait until mid-May to get it. You can has on May 1st! And if you’re lucky enough to be a member of the Dallas Jewel LesFic Book Club, you might have it even sooner. ^_^ I’ll be there Tuesday, April 16th!

Here’s the ad:

April 16 – Tuesday- Jewel Lesbian Fiction Book Club – Author Barbara Ann Wright will join us in person at book club to discuss “The Pyramid Waltz”.
Princess Katya is a lay-about and a romancer, or is she? Are her nights spent as the court suspects or is she trying to find those that plot against the kingdom? Will Starbride obey her mother and find a suitor or will she succumb to the charms of Katya? Come to book club and let’s find out.

We meet at Ilume at 4123 Cedar Springs from 7:00 to 9:00 pm. Parking is available on the street, but watch for the No Parking signs.

I hope you can make it!

Promised AggieCon pics!

Giving a talk alongside Erin Ewer

Digging in my bag beside (from left) David Liss and Ernest Cline.

Cracking up on another panel.

I will tell you the names of the people in the last panel as soon as I can find my program. I don’t want to misspell anyone…

So, lots of panels, lots of laughs. I was in one more, but it was too packed for pics. I enjoy cracking people up.

And here’s some pics from last weekend’s LoneStar LesFic!

Mah book on display

They sold out of my book… ^_______________^ Also, someone nabbed that bookmark that’s in front of the book! This was the first con where someone asked to take a pic with me. *swoon*

Cracking up at dinner with VK Powell, Julie Cannon, Yvonne Heidt, and the back of Melissa Brayden

Reading with Carsen Taite, Robin Summers, and Shelley Thrasher

Having a fun dinner with Carsen Taite and Ali Vali

Yes, I know all those names. *whispers* They beat us if we don’t.

Not true.

So, lots of panels, lots of laughs, books sold and signed, and ZOMG, I’m so thankful for my life. *happy sigh*

Are any of you going to come see me at all?

Palm Springs!

Yeah, I know. I’ve been back for a week, but I had to put the finishing touches on For Want of a Fiend. We want it to come out on time, after all.

So Palm Springs is very gorgeous, as you might have guessed. And even though it’s in the desert, it didn’t get that hot while I was there.

The palms from the name

Mountains mountains everywhere

For some reason, I thought the event was going to be indoors, though, so I brought all the wrong clothes. If I had anyone taking pics of me, I’d be the one in slacks. (The primary reason I didn’t have anyone taking pics of me, btw.)

Here’s a shot from inside Casitas Laquita, where most of the festival was held:

See? Shorts and tank tops. Sigh.

It was one of the only times I’ve had to use a microphone to speak. Even then, I think I could have made myself heard without it. I’m loud, y’all.

The panels were wonderful. I made a lot of jokes, but because of the microphone, had to depend on people telling me later whether the jokes landed or not. With the mic, I couldn’t hear anything but my own voice. I heard some very interesting excerpts, too, books that went right to the top of my reading list.

We did a wonderful skit where I got to play Princess Katya and wear this paper bag mask. I hope it shows up online somewhere.

I’m keeping it forever and ever

And here’s the back

If ever it shows up, you’ll get a link. The artwork was by the fabulous Lisa Girolami.

I got to sign a few books, too, including this one that I spied waiting on someone’s lap:

Best of all, while waiting at another panel from the audience, a lady asked the organizer when MY next book was coming out. The organizer said, “Why don’t you ask her? She’s right behind you.” ^__^ I got a kick out of her surprise, even though my mouth was full of doughnut at the time. We spoke later and I got to meet her daughter and hear how much they liked The Pyramid Waltz. Sigh. A feather could have carried me away.

All of Palm Springs is very open, even the airport. The gates and security area are covered, but the concourse and hallways are open to the sky.

It looks like some street, but that’s inside the airport

Your way to the gates is all outside.

I’m guessing it doesn’t rain there so often that ducking into cover is much of a problem. It is the desert, after all. All the open air makes it a great place for blooming plants and for fauna to sneak into the gate areas, especially in the Sonny Bono concourse.

A little shelter from any rain, but not much.

My new bestie

All the sunshine and greenery made the employees of the Palm Springs airport the absolute friendliest airport employees I have ever met. They were kind and courteous and seemed to really enjoy their jobs. They weren’t suspicious or angry, didn’t seem overworked or snappish, like some airport employees I’ve encountered. And their good attitudes brightened the day of the passengers. I had no idea how quickly my irritation at the long lines and security would lighten just by being treated with friendliness from the employees. Unlike in many airports I’ve been in, these people weren’t afraid to smile.

And that’s my love letter to the Palm Springs airport.

All in all, it was a wonderful trip, except the part where I came home with a cold. I’m getting better, though, never fear, ready to get back to work on the third Pyramid novel and also a super secret short story, which you’ll be hearing more about shortly. Stay tuned to find out where you can find me next! Hint: It’s Aggiecon. Okay, that’s more than a hint.

Just a reminder…

About Palm Springs!

You’ll be seeing me talk about other worlds, romance, and do a readings from The Pyramid Waltz and For Want of a Fiend. I might even give away some spoilers…

Like who this guy is ^_^

It’s gonna be a wild time.

PALM SPRINGS!!!!

So do come out and say hello. Seriously, do. I hate eating alone.

That’s probably me that brought that giant cheese.

Warm Bodies, Palm Springs (yes, again!) and a bit of randomness

Went to see Warm Bodies with the Ross today. It’s the perfect romantic movie for weirdos like us. Zombie meets girl but in the cutest, most humorous way possible. I highly recommend it, but if someone could tell me the reason why the military left the city, I’d appreciate it. That part had me a little lost, though I thought the rest was pretty perfect.

In just a week, I will be in Palm Springs for the Bold Strokes Books festival. Please come and see me for signings, readings, and panels on Other Worlds, the Art of Romance (which I’ll be moderating) and an author roundtable. I’ll go ahead and sweeten the pot by promising that the romance panel will probably degenerate into talking about porn. That’s the direction I’ll be steering it, anyway.

Now for the randomness:

Guaranteed drinks when Lady Gaga takes us out to eat.

A tough little plant I saw while out walking. It laughs at your man-made, mamby-pamby, roady-woadyness.

Apparently, Pinhead from Hellraiser has his own line of banana-nut muffins.

That’s it for now. Come and see me in Palm Springs or I’ll cry like the only My Little Pony without friends. *sniff*

Who else is hella busy right now?

Palm Springs so far

Everyone getting excited about the Bold Strokes Books Festival in Palm Springs, Thursday, February 28, to Sunday, March 3, 2013 at Casitas Laquita and the Palm Springs Public library!

There are many great authors going, but it’s my blog, so I’m gonna tell you where you can find me.

On Friday, March 1st:

At 12:30 to 1:45, I’ll be on a panel called Other Worlds where we’ll probably be talking about creating fantasy or sci-fi settings

From 1:45 to 3:00, I’ll be moderating a panel called The Art of Romance. It’s my first time as a moderator, so I pretty sure we’ll be talking about writing romance. Well, the authors will be talking, and I’ll be making pithy comments.

From 6:00 to 7:30, I’ll be participating in an author roundtable where I’ll read and answer questions about my book!

I’ll also be doing signings and mingling and if I’m lucky, eating food. I wouldn’t mind company at any of these things, so if you show up to Palm Springs, please come say hello. I hate mingling by myself.

Is anyone reading this actually planning to be there? If not, what the hell do you have that’s so pressing you can’t go to Palm Springs in February/March?!?!?!

Where in the world am I?

Well, right now I’m on a couch, but I’m not here today to talk to you about that couch.

I’m here to give you a heads up about where I’ll be so far in 2013!

March 22-24, 2013 Aggiecon 44
Hilton College Station & Conference Center
801 University Drive East, College Station, Texas, 77840-2116

April 5-6 Lone Star LesFic Festival
Crystal Auditorium at Nature’s Treasures
4103 North IH-35 Austin, Texas 78722

August 2-4 Space City Con
Houston Marriott Westchase
2900 Briarpark Dr. · Houston, Texas 77042

I might also be in Palm Springs in late Feb/early March, and I might be at freaking World Con in August/September. I’ll keep you posted.

Anyone else’s year filling up already?

Book launch party and Women’s Week

Home again, home again, and I’ve had a busy few weeks!

First off, book launch party was a huge success!

My mom and I. Why yes, that is a lot of sequins.

Had a great turn out of incredibly sparkly, masked people. I wore a sequined evening gown, a sparkly mask, sparkly jewelry, and if you look really closely, glitter in my hair. I’m not going to put people’s names on all these pictures because A) I can’t remember the names of lots of the dates/spouses (sorry!) and B) If I told you everyone’s names, it wouldn’t help you recognize them. I’ll only point out a few people because I talk about them a lot.

She kept eluding my mom’s camera. ^_^

Like here’s a covert shot of the wily and elusive, Angela Brown, one of my bestest blog buddies. I really apprecaited you making the drive, Angela, even if you did manage to hide from my camera! My mom snapped a shot of you behind me while I was pimping my book.

These I do know. Janet Mallard, Erin Kennemer, Yours Truly, Sarah Warburton, and Trakena Prevost

And here’s my writing group from Houston, whom I thank in my acknowledgments and whose tiny feet I worship. Without them, I would have no book.

Don’t worry if you don’t see your pic here. Most of these will be going up on my facebook page as well. I’d like to thank everyone who came to my party and everyone who wished me well. The food was wonderful, the company was outstanding, and I sold out of books in the first fifteen minutes!

And after this wonderful event, I ran off to Provincetown for my first ever reading/signing for people I don’t know!

So so studious

Here’s VK Powell reading and me looking on studiously while Anne Laughlin moderates us. Listen to authors only in moderation.

Yes, the hand gestures help me read, what of it?

And then it was my turn to read, and I was very very nervous. I kind of raced through this one because it was COLD AS HELL in the library in Provincetown. I think someone turned on the air conditioner accidentally. Or WAS it an accident? To my left is Nora Olsen, whose dystopian
YA sounded particularly interesting.

Yes, it’s my real hair. It’s genetic.

I had another panel, but there are no pics of that. It was in a lot warmer environment, and there were more people. We all had a hilariously good time talking about body parts and power tools. And then there was the signing. *Sigh* I’m spoiled forever. I need signings for the rest of my life. That’s Jennifer Lavoie to my left, Ali Vali standing over my shoulder and Shelley Thrasher seated to my right. If you ever need a creative idea on how to kill someone, just read Ali’s books. ^_^

Spoiled, spoiled forever! What’s been happening to you while I was gone? All good, I hope.

PS, Also, I did a vlog while in Ptown!

IWW: Characters of color

When I was writing The Pyramid Waltz, I didn’t want to fall into a trap where my characters of color are concerned. (Try saying that five times fast.)

We’re not here to empower you.

I didn’t want Starbride to be the wise brown person only there to enlighten her paler counterparts. I wanted her to be her own person, with her own quirks and faults and strengths. Many of my lovely beta readers have told me that she’s very human. I take that as high praise since I was hoping to stay far away from stereotypes.

I think some of blond Barbies might be darker than these two, tho. Seriously, Mattel, what’s up with that?

Anyway! I got lots of birthday Barbies, so guess what? Now Evil Barbie and Good Barbie can have allies! Can you say, epic fight scenes?

I think a black hole of awesome just opened up

Two kens, glamorous evil side, sensible shoes good side, and one panda. Who will win?!?!?

One thing never changes, though. This:

Welcome to the bondage club, half-naked Ken.

Still equals this:

Welcome to the bondage club, plastic swiss cheese.

Some things never change. The Barbies of color are just glad they’re not A) The ones in the ropes B) The mythical spiritual healers or C) The plucky/macho soldiers who never make it through the film.

We love you, Michelle Rodriguez.

p.s. Is anyone else doing extreme writing this summer? I’m in both Camp Nanowrimo and the Clarion West Write-a-thon. Who’s with me!?!?! C’mon. Being insane is fuuuun. ^_^

Happy Wednesday, everyone. Thank goodness it’s June.

*snort* I’m 35. Suuure.

Quickie part a million

Just a quick post to tell you I’m still here. I’m working on another IWW (I Write Women) post for Friday with more battlin’ Barbies.

In the meantime, I’ve heard from my troll again. Letty said, “Methinks Barbra has bo idea what she is talking about.”

Where do I begin? With who uses methinks? With the misspelling of not only my name (which is in the banner) but the word no? Seriously, Letty, I’m losin respect for ya here.

OMG, aren’t we all busy right now with one thing or another? I haven’t met one person who doesn’t feel run off her feet. And how many people think we’re absolutely going to die this summer because it’s so mild right now? Maybe we’ll freeze, instead.

You’re not so busy you can’t leave me a line or two of comments, right? Tell me what you’ve got going on.

My first troll and I’m voted the worst :)

We’re celebrating twice today in Barbara-land, friends! I’ve got my very first troll. It’s not a proper troll, though, as those seem to be anonymous people determined to get a rise out of you for no particular reason.

I think I know this troll, though it wants to be anonymous. (It left me a very fake name.) In aid of that anonymity, we’ll call her Letitia, Letty for short.

Letty left me a comment on my blog after being booted from her writing group. Somehow, she decided I should be the receiver of her ire. Quoth Letty:

“Just a note. The wrting group was not impressed by you or your critiques. One of them was voted by another goup as the worst they had ever seen.”

Ow, ouch. After being voted out of her group, Letty tells me they voted me the worst first. Noooo! Now I’m wondering how often this happens. Does the grocery store vote me the worst shopper? Did my waitress the other night vote me the worst diner? I’m wracked with concern!

Letty’s comment was left on a post several months old in response to one of my posts about prologues. I didn’t approve her comment, so Letty left me another:

“you’re a writer who censors?”

She clearly wasn’t happy I didn’t approve her comment. I’m happy to have a discussion with anyone. If I say, “I don’t like prologues,” and someone else likes them, they can leave me a comment, and I’m more than happy to discuss prologues with them all day long. There is no way I’m approving attacks, though, from this troll or any other. There’s no reason to put up with that shit on my blog. If Letty wants to badmouth me, she can do it on her own blog.

I admit, I’m poking the bear a bit here. I have no idea if Letty will ever see this or if I’ll be setting off another tempest in a teacup by posting this. I just wanted to get this out there, to see how people feel about this sort of behavior and see how they respond or deal with it. I could have just ignored Letty. In fact, in the beginning, I planned to. Then I realized, why shouldn’t I call attention to this childish behavior and make fun of it?

Leave me a note and tell me what you think. If you don’t, I might just vote you the worst commenter. Unless you vote me the worst blogger! Nooooooooo!