AletheaKontis.com

Yes, Sweetheart, I AM your biggest fan (don’t tell Dad!)

When you were little and they told us you were a gifted child we were so worried that we would somehow let you down as parents. It’s hard enough knowing what to do with a normal child but a gifted one?? What they didn’t tell us was that we need not worry. You would eventually learn to deal with life in your own special way. You would see the good in all things and make magic out of mayhem. Your mind would be able to create fantasy worlds full of love that you would put down on paper and share with the world.

Every time I read your blog or one of your stories I’m amazed at your talent. I am thrilled at your love of life and how you make every moment count for something. You have become a beautiful woman both inside and out. You have much to share with the world and you have found your medium, the written word.

I AM very proud of you. I am proud to say, “THAT’S MY DAUGHTER, PRINCESS ALETHEA!”

We were with you at the Nebulas. We found the live feed on the internet and were not surprised to find you front and center of the camera where you have always been most comfortable. Dad could not remain quiet but had to send you a text. We wanted you to know that we were with you. We will always be with you.

Much love, forever and ever until the end of time,
MOM

Dear Mom–

I’m writing this one for you, since you’re the most avid reader of my blog…and the real reason I’ve kept it going all these years. I’m sitting here in the hotel room in San Jose with Mary Robinette, waiting for my curlers to set before I put on the big fancy white awards ballgown (thank you for helping me fix the sleeves). You should see the dress Mary’s wearing. It’s FABULOUS.

I’m nervous…are you kidding? Of course I’m nervous! My odds of winning this thing aren’t good at all–not because I didn’t write an amazing book, but because there are an unprecedented TWELVE nominees in this category. I’ve prepared myself for the worst…and the best, just in case. You know me. I work best with a plan.

But this weekend has been incredibly wonderful. All the other attending Norton nominees and I have become great friends. Sarah, Eugene and Leah are awesome — you would like them a lot. I’ve also had a few of those amazing moments when those big names off the bookshelves in the library have come to life and spoken to me as a peer. Even after all this time, that’s still a little surreal. (Yesterday, Terry Bisson told Gregory Benford “That girl knows her stuff.” GRIN.)

It’s still a fairy tale land where I live, this place where the people I have admired all my life have suddenly become my peers. And I’m allowed to wear butterflies in my hair and leave glitter wherever I go and everyone likes me for being ME, and not someone else they really wish I was.

Once upon a time, you told me to write a fairy tale. And I did. And I kept writing them until Princess Casey turned into a girl named Sunday Woodcutter and had an adventure of her own. A chapter of that adventure will end–on or off stage–at a banquet tonight on the other side of the country (*waves east*), but nothing is over. Beginnings were made here this weekend. We made them. And we will celebrate them and leave a trail of glitter when we leave.

I hope you’re proud of me, Mom. I wish you were here…but I know you’re thinking about me. You and Dad are in my heart. And I promise to go back to work on Chapter Four of BELOVED the minute I get home.

It’s 4:30 now, and I suppose should dry my eyes, take my hair out of these curlers, and begin liberally sprinkling glitter all over the bathroom.
I love you!!
xox
Lee

Tomorrow night is the SFWA Nebula Awards ceremony where the Andre Norton Award will be announced. Only half of the nominees are able to be present (six out of twelve is a pretty good turnout), but it’s definitely going to be a night for me…in particular…to remember.

For now, I have one last day of being the shiny, almost-got-it nominee…and I’m living it up in style.

I’m also talking about this experience–and my personal relationship to the Andre Norton Award on the USA Today’s Happy Ever After site today.

http://www.usatoday.com/story/happyeverafter/2013/05/16/alethea-kontis-enchanted-andre-norton/2175009/

I encourage you all to check it out (if you haven’t already)…and keep your fingers crossed for me for tomorrow night!

xox
Princess Alethea, from San Jose

For those up here in lovely New Hampshire at MISTI-Con:

FRIDAY
3:45pm — Literary Reading (Gunstock)

SATURDAY
10:00am — Meet The Authors (Gunstock)
4:00pm — So You Wanna Be a Writer (Gunstock)

SUNDAY
3:00pm — The State of Young Adult Fiction (Gunstock)
4:00pm — Author Signing (Tent)
7:00pm — Masquerade

Enchanted will be available for sale in paperback after every event, as well as at the Main Author Signing. I have only a few copies of AlphaOops and The Wonderland Alphabet with me — those are only available while supplies last.

Now, Zoraida and I are off to practice some magical arts by the lake…and see if we can’t summon a mermaid or two…

…at least, that FEELS like how many HERO cover reveals I’ve had to date. But this one is For Real and For True…and already up via publisher feed at Amazon UK. (But don’t ask me why the UK seems to have a December release date — I don’t know that answer yet.)

One again, Art Director Christine Kettner has hit it out of the park.

But my favorite part might possibly be the tagline.

Come one, come all!
(ESPECIALLY MY YAS KIDS!)

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10:15-10:25am   Sofie Couch
10:25-10:35am   Robert Sanábria
10:35-10:45am   Bette McNicholas
10:45-10:55am   Pamela Kinney
11:00-11:10am
11:10-11:20am   Lane Stone
11:20-11:30am   Kelly Philbrick
11:30-11:40am   Mark Katz
11:45-11:55am   Lisa Schaefer
11:55am-12:05pm K. Victoria Chase
12:05-12:15pm   Sue Vijh
12:15-12:25pm   Bud Orr
12:30-12:40pm   Deborah Parker
12:40-12:50pm   Sharon Burtner
12:50-1:00pm    Richard Lowry
1:00-1:10pm     Sandra Kovacs Stein
1:15-1:25pm     James Hackley
1:25-1:35pm     Phyllis Langton
1:35-1:45pm     Matt Iden
1:45-1:55pm     Leonard Greenberg…and then if you’re a children’s author (LIKE ME), your reading is in the Children’s Story Room:

11:45am-12:00pm Jennifer Chambers *
12:00-12:15pm Suzanne Walls *
12:15-12:30pm Clara Bowman-Jahn *
12:30-12:45pm Onjeinika Brooks *
12:45-1:00pm Alethea Kontis *
1:00-1:15pm Val Muller
1:15-1:30pm Fran Orr
1:30-1:45pm Bobbi Carducci
1:45-2:00pm Sharon Solomon

The star by my name means that I will be reading during my scheduled author time, so the lovely Fairy GodBoyfriend will be in attendance to help me set up & take down & watch the table while I’m away.

I am technically supposed to take down my table the minute I’m finished my reading, but if people want books signed, I WILL STAY TO SIGN BOOKS. We’ll figure something out.

I will have lots of free swag, copies of all my books, and art prints from THE WONDERLAND ALPHABET. I accept cash and credit cards. I will be dressed in full princess regalia and am happy to take pictures with anyone and everyone.

Looking forward to a great time!

You want a copy of HERO *waaaaay* before October?
GO GET IT. AND HELP A GOOD CAUSE.

Day 7 Item #4: Author Alethea Kontis

About HERO:  Rough-and-tumble Saturday Woodcutter thinks she’s the only one of her sisters without any magic—until the day she accidentally conjures an ocean in the backyard. With her sword in tow, Saturday sets sail on a pirate ship, only to find herself kidnapped and whisked off to the top of the world. Is Saturday powerful enough to kill the mountain witch who holds her captive and save the world from sure destruction? And, as she wonders grumpily, “Did romance have to be part of the adventure?” As in Enchanted, readers will revel in the fragments of fairy tales that embellish this action-packed story of adventure and, yes, romance.

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About Write Stuff for Boston

Together as 1, we are BOSTON STRONG.

Find out more about Write Stuff for Boston HERE.

Okay, first…can I just say…now that I’ve written the title to this blog post, I really want to go write the short story that goes along with it. *sigh*

What the title ACTUALLY references is my guest spot on Justin Macumber’s Dead Robots’ Society podcast.

I had a GREAT time talking to Justin and Paul and Terry last night — that’s right, LAST NIGHT. Apparently, when Justin said, “I’ll get this edited and on the site right away,” what he meant was, “within the hour.”

So I don’t even really have time to waste talking up this really fun live interview (in which I talk about my birth as a writer, my fairy tale of getting published, and my hatred for being called “ALTHEA”). Let’s just skip all the hype and go straight to the main event, shall we?

CLICK HERE TO LISTEN.

Warning: I talk a lot in this one. Again. I know…the podcast interview is with ME, and the whole point is for ME to talk, and it’s better that I’m a guest who talks than one who doesn’t…but I still feel like a HUGE blabbermouth every time I finish one of these things. I promise, I will make a concerted effort in the future to let me host get a word in edgewise. Thankfully, I think Justin still loves me.

Also, check out Justin’s fabulous new book, A Minor Magic, here!

Yes, boys and girls, it’s a brand new month — that time when Princess Alethea is swimming with the Waterworld Mermaids.

Today in the lagoon I’m discussing Jude Deveraux, fairy tales, and things that happen in life that are, literally, stranger than fiction.

Have you ever said to someone, “Man, you can’t write this stuff.” Well…I happen to subscribe to that theory.

Come on over and share your experiences!

And Happy May Day to you all! xox

Inspired by the previous trailer and not to be outdone, Lady Hannah has contributed an ENCHANTED book trailer of her own for your viewing pleasure!

I love all the music and the images used here. So wonderful…it’s like a trailer for the whole series!

Thank you, Lady Hannah! xox