Nina Allan’s Desert Island book is Iris Murdoch’s The Book and the Brotherhood. “There is something exalted about her work, a sense of heightened reality that shines a light on ordinary objects and occurrences and reveals their hidden magic – and madness.”
Award-winning author Nina Allan had fifty published short stories to her name before she wrote her first novel, The Race. This debut novel was shortlisted for the Arthur C Clarke Award. Her novella Spin won the BSFA Award for short fiction, and the French translation of The Silver Wind won the Grand Prix de L’imaginaire.
I’m delighted that Nina joins me today in a conversation about the writing process, touchstone influences and our writing quests!
Here goes—
ANNE: Recently I read Stephen King’s On Writing and although he gives great advice throughout, I was curious about one of his comments on the subject of theme. He feels that the theme of a novel is something that emerges in the first draft or after the first draft, and can then be enhanced in subsequent reworking. But for me the theme, or concept, comes first, before I start outlining and plotting a piece of fiction. How do you view the importance of theme? Does it vary from one writing project to another? Read more
https://annecharnock.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/Nina.jpg618575annehttp://annecharnock.wpengine.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/AC-name-banner2.jpganne2016-03-15 10:32:562016-03-15 10:32:56A Conversation With Speculative Fiction Author Nina Allan
It’s been a while since I posted here because I’ve been in the writing cave, scribbling away at the next novel. Here’s a quick catch-up.
The very talented author Tricia Sullivan used the launch of her latest novel, Occupy Me, as an opportunity to promote four new science fiction writers, including yours truly. So generous! I ‘m totally delighted that Tricia interviewed me as part of the research for her recent article in The Independent. The interview appears in full on the Gollancz blog. Great questions! Tricia also interviewed Emma Newman, Karen Lord and Stephanie Saulter. Read more
https://annecharnock.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/independent.jpg24483264annehttp://annecharnock.wpengine.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/AC-name-banner2.jpganne2016-03-08 11:58:482016-03-08 13:09:38Update: The Independent, Historical Novel Society and more
I’m delighted to see that my second novel Sleeping Embers of an Ordinary Mind is included in two categories of the British Science Fiction Awards long lists: Novel and Art. What fabulous company I’m in!
If you are a member of BSFA you might keep my novel in mind when you complete your ballot form.
If you’re not a member of BSFA you’ll still find some great reading recommendations on the long lists. Take a look.
Recent review
Over the holiday season, I was thrilled to read author Nina Allan’s review of Sleeping Embers of an Ordinary Mind on her excellent blog The Spider’s House. In her article “Two for the road—best of British,” Nina assesses both my book and Matthew de Abaitua’s novel If Then.
I’ll be adding Matthew’s book to my reading pile!
Here’s a brief excerpt from Nina Allan’s commentary on Sleeping Embers of an Ordinary Mind:
… this quiet, lovely and exquisitely crafted novel is itself a masterclass in composition … As in her debut novel A Calculated Life, the clarity and refined elegance of Charnock’s prose is a significant achievement.
It’s that time of year! And I’m delighted to let you know that The Guardian has included my recently released novel, Sleeping Embers of an Ordinary Mind, in “The Best Science Fiction and Fantasy of 2015.”
Critic Adam Roberts begins his annual round-up: “As per that ancient Chinese curse, SF and fantasy have been living through interesting times.” What follows is a balanced summary of this year’s debate about the future of the genre.
If you’re looking for some good reading for the holiday season take a look at Adam Roberts’ reading highlights of the past 12 months.
Again, there’s plenty of books to choose from in io9’s recommended new releases.
Happy reading!
https://annecharnock.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/Screen-Shot-2015-12-03-at-19.35.12.png272272annehttp://annecharnock.wpengine.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/AC-name-banner2.jpganne2015-12-08 15:11:102015-12-08 15:11:10Sleeping Embers of an Ordinary Mind makes The Guardian’s Best SF of 2015
It’s been a hectic week with the full release of Sleeping Embers of an Ordinary Mind, and I know some of you have followed events in my little book bubble via Twitter and Facebook. Thanks so much for chiming in with comments and replies—very exciting to get feedback!
I thought I’d summarize the media coverage so far. I’ve been busy writing original copy for several websites, which I’ve really enjoyed doing. So, here goes:
BUSTLE
This is a big surprise: I’m totally chuffed that Sleeping Embers of an Ordinary Mind is reviewed by Bustle, and included in Melissa Ragsdale’s 13 of December 2015’s Best Books to Go With Your Holiday Cheer. This is a US website with, I believe, 10 million monthly visitors. Crikey O’Reilly! According to the website, Bustle is written “for and by women who are moving forward as fast as you are.” Melissa has compiled a lovely list of books, some in translation, and I’m adding them all to my reading pile. Read more
https://annecharnock.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/Screen-Shot-2015-12-01-at-22.22.07.png459596annehttp://annecharnock.wpengine.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/AC-name-banner2.jpganne2015-12-03 12:32:252015-12-03 12:32:54Launch Week! Bustle Best Books Review and Guest Posts
While camping on Anglesey in north Wales this summer I received an enthusiastic email from my publisher suggesting a narrator, Heather Wilds, for the audiobook for my second novel. The email included a link to a voicereel. So, I sat outside the campsite bar—close enough for good WiFi reception, but far enough away to hear the voicereel over the bar’s 1970s music selection. After listening to just five minutes of clips, I emailed my response: “Fantastic. Heather Wilds is perfect for this book!” Read more
https://annecharnock.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/Heather-Wilds-b.jpg412494annehttp://annecharnock.wpengine.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/AC-name-banner2.jpganne2015-11-30 17:10:342015-11-30 17:12:01Heather Wilds on Narrating Sleeping Embers of an Ordinary Mind
It’s one week to the official release day for Sleeping Embers of an Ordinary Mind, and I’d like to thank Tor.com for inviting me to talk about novels with fictitious works of art at the heart of their plots. This is part of Tor.com’s popular ‘5 Novels About’ series. Take a look at my book selection here!
Despite all the distractions of my book release, I’ve taken part in November’s National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo). I’ve written an article on Medium: NaNoWriMo: Why I Don’t Count Words, in which I lament our transition from the analogue world of manual typewriters to the digital world of laptops and precise word counts. Read more
https://annecharnock.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/Screen-Shot-2015-11-25-at-12.00.51.png95132annehttp://annecharnock.wpengine.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/AC-name-banner2.jpganne2015-11-25 13:10:312015-11-26 11:42:58UPDATE: Novels with Fictional Art — Why I Don’t Count Words — Speculiction Review
This is a brilliant start for Sleeping Embers of an Ordinary Mind. I’m stunned!
You can read the eBook edition of my novel one month before the official release date. Starting today and continuing through November, Kindle First offers one of six upcoming new releases at a reduced price to all readers, and Free to members of Amazon Prime.
https://annecharnock.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/SE-Final-sm.jpg990660annehttp://annecharnock.wpengine.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/AC-name-banner2.jpganne2015-11-01 12:06:192015-11-01 15:58:23Kindle First! Read My Novel A Month Before Official Release
What a year this is turning out to be! I’m dizzy. Back in April, I delivered the manuscript for my second novel, Sleeping Embers Of An Ordinary Mind (imminent release date, 1 December) and this month I’ve signed a contract for my third novel with 47North. The title is Dreams Before The Start Of Time and the publication date is scheduled for early 2017. That sounds a long way off. But, believe me, it isn’t!
The premise for this novel has been in my thoughts for some time. I initially approached it as a novella project, but I’ve decided the ideas need more breathing space. So, a novel it will be! And, I’m looking forward to developing this manuscript with the guidance of my excellent editor, Jason Kirk.
https://annecharnock.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/Screen-Shot-2015-07-31-at-19.40.13.png195257annehttp://annecharnock.wpengine.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/AC-name-banner2.jpganne2015-10-27 17:10:542015-10-29 21:39:4447North Deal For Dreams Before The Start Of Time
One of the great pleasures of a real print book, for me, is seeing how the cover designer has carried some element of the front cover art to the book’s spine and back cover. So I’m delighted to reveal the full cover art for the paperback edition of Sleeping Embers Of An Ordinary Mind.
https://annecharnock.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/Charnock-SleepingEmbersofanOrdinaryMind-19814-CV-FL.jpg25503580annehttp://annecharnock.wpengine.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/AC-name-banner2.jpganne2015-10-14 15:41:572015-10-14 15:41:57Sleeping Embers Of An Ordinary Mind — Paperback Reveal
A Conversation With Speculative Fiction Author Nina Allan
/in Interviews, Writing FictionNina Allan’s Desert Island book is Iris Murdoch’s The Book and the Brotherhood. “There is something exalted about her work, a sense of heightened reality that shines a light on ordinary objects and occurrences and reveals their hidden magic – and madness.”
Award-winning author Nina Allan had fifty published short stories to her name before she wrote her first novel, The Race. This debut novel was shortlisted for the Arthur C Clarke Award. Her novella Spin won the BSFA Award for short fiction, and the French translation of The Silver Wind won the Grand Prix de L’imaginaire.
I’m delighted that Nina joins me today in a conversation about the writing process, touchstone influences and our writing quests!
Here goes—
ANNE: Recently I read Stephen King’s On Writing and although he gives great advice throughout, I was curious about one of his comments on the subject of theme. He feels that the theme of a novel is something that emerges in the first draft or after the first draft, and can then be enhanced in subsequent reworking. But for me the theme, or concept, comes first, before I start outlining and plotting a piece of fiction. How do you view the importance of theme? Does it vary from one writing project to another? Read more
Update: The Independent, Historical Novel Society and more
/in InterviewsIt’s been a while since I posted here because I’ve been in the writing cave, scribbling away at the next novel. Here’s a quick catch-up.
The very talented author Tricia Sullivan used the launch of her latest novel, Occupy Me, as an opportunity to promote four new science fiction writers, including yours truly. So generous! I ‘m totally delighted that Tricia interviewed me as part of the research for her recent article in The Independent. The interview appears in full on the Gollancz blog. Great questions! Tricia also interviewed Emma Newman, Karen Lord and Stephanie Saulter. Read more
BSFA Announces 2016 Awards Long Lists
/in 47North, Lists, Science FictionHappy New Year, everyone!
I’m delighted to see that my second novel Sleeping Embers of an Ordinary Mind is included in two categories of the British Science Fiction Awards long lists: Novel and Art. What fabulous company I’m in!
If you are a member of BSFA you might keep my novel in mind when you complete your ballot form.
If you’re not a member of BSFA you’ll still find some great reading recommendations on the long lists. Take a look.
Over the holiday season, I was thrilled to read author Nina Allan’s review of Sleeping Embers of an Ordinary Mind on her excellent blog The Spider’s House. In her article “Two for the road—best of British,” Nina assesses both my book and Matthew de Abaitua’s novel If Then.
I’ll be adding Matthew’s book to my reading pile!
Here’s a brief excerpt from Nina Allan’s commentary on Sleeping Embers of an Ordinary Mind:
Read the full review here.
Sleeping Embers of an Ordinary Mind makes The Guardian’s Best SF of 2015
/in Lists, Writing FictionCritic Adam Roberts begins his annual round-up: “As per that ancient Chinese curse, SF and fantasy have been living through interesting times.” What follows is a balanced summary of this year’s debate about the future of the genre.
If you’re looking for some good reading for the holiday season take a look at Adam Roberts’ reading highlights of the past 12 months.
Elsewhere, I’m also very chuffed that Charlie Jane Anders at io9 has included my novel in “All the Science Fiction and Fantasy Books You Can’t Afford To Miss In December!”
Again, there’s plenty of books to choose from in io9’s recommended new releases.
Happy reading!
Launch Week! Bustle Best Books Review and Guest Posts
/in Guest Posts, Writing FictionIt’s been a hectic week with the full release of Sleeping Embers of an Ordinary Mind, and I know some of you have followed events in my little book bubble via Twitter and Facebook. Thanks so much for chiming in with comments and replies—very exciting to get feedback!
I thought I’d summarize the media coverage so far. I’ve been busy writing original copy for several websites, which I’ve really enjoyed doing. So, here goes:
BUSTLE
This is a big surprise: I’m totally chuffed that Sleeping Embers of an Ordinary Mind is reviewed by Bustle, and included in Melissa Ragsdale’s 13 of December 2015’s Best Books to Go With Your Holiday Cheer. This is a US website with, I believe, 10 million monthly visitors. Crikey O’Reilly! According to the website, Bustle is written “for and by women who are moving forward as fast as you are.” Melissa has compiled a lovely list of books, some in translation, and I’m adding them all to my reading pile. Read more
Heather Wilds on Narrating Sleeping Embers of an Ordinary Mind
/in 47North, AudiobooksWhile camping on Anglesey in north Wales this summer I received an enthusiastic email from my publisher suggesting a narrator, Heather Wilds, for the audiobook for my second novel. The email included a link to a voicereel. So, I sat outside the campsite bar—close enough for good WiFi reception, but far enough away to hear the voicereel over the bar’s 1970s music selection. After listening to just five minutes of clips, I emailed my response: “Fantastic. Heather Wilds is perfect for this book!” Read more
UPDATE: Novels with Fictional Art — Why I Don’t Count Words — Speculiction Review
/in Guest Posts, Writing FictionDespite all the distractions of my book release, I’ve taken part in November’s National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo). I’ve written an article on Medium: NaNoWriMo: Why I Don’t Count Words, in which I lament our transition from the analogue
world of manual typewriters to the digital world of laptops and precise word counts. Read more
Kindle First! Read My Novel A Month Before Official Release
/in 47NorthThis is a brilliant start for Sleeping Embers of an Ordinary Mind. I’m stunned!
Read more
47North Deal For Dreams Before The Start Of Time
/in 47North, Writing FictionWhat a year this is turning out to be! I’m dizzy. Back in April, I delivered the manuscript for my second novel, Sleeping Embers Of An Ordinary Mind (imminent release date, 1 December) and this month I’ve signed a contract for my third novel with 47North. The title is Dreams Before The Start Of Time and the publication date is scheduled for early 2017. That sounds a long way off. But, believe me, it isn’t!
The premise for this novel has been in my thoughts for some time. I initially approached it as a novella project, but I’ve decided the ideas need more breathing space. So, a novel it will be! And, I’m looking forward to developing this manuscript with the guidance of my excellent editor, Jason Kirk.
Read more
Sleeping Embers Of An Ordinary Mind — Paperback Reveal
/in 47NorthOne of the great pleasures of a real print book, for me, is seeing how the cover designer has carried some element of the front cover art to the book’s spine and back cover. So I’m delighted to reveal the full cover art for the paperback edition of Sleeping Embers Of An Ordinary Mind.
Cover design by M.S. Corley.
Read more