Getting ready for Con-version 25

I’m leaving for Con-Version 25, Calgary’s premier science fiction and fantasy convention, tomorrow morning, and I won’t be back until late on the 24th. Con-Version is always a lot of fun, and the Guests of Honor are amazing this year: Terry Books, Tanya Huff, Robert J. Sawyer and Alina Pete. Sweet! : ) I can’t wait to get there! I’m so looking forward to seeing friends, going to panels, and watching the musical they put up every year. Well, I hope there is one this year; I couldn’t find any info about it on the Con’s site. :/ Please, please, please let there be a musical--my fingers are crossed. In any case, expect my next post to contain a detailed account of the Con, and, of course, there will be plenty of pictures too. Now if only I can manage to stuff all I need for this trip into one suitcase, I’ll be happy. Wish me luck.

District 9

I saw District 9 this weekend, and I really enjoyed it. It’s dark, gritty and quite gross and gory at time. It is also filled with apartheid’s references. For instance: the aliens are kept separated from the humans and confined in a sort of shanty town, and are labelled with the derogatory term “prawn”. I wonder if this is due to the fact that the action is set and filmed in South Africa, or simply a coincidence. In any case, it is a brilliant portrait of human nature at its worst, and at the end I found myself rooting for the “prawns” and geeky Wikus.

Giveaway Contest

Over at Graeme's Fantasy Book Review, reviewer Graeme Flory has graciously agreed to host a contest for autographed copies of The King’s Daughters. The contest ends next August 23rd, so hurry up, guys! :D

Enduring Romance Review

Over at Enduring Romance, Kimber An has written a very amusing review of The King’s Daughters.

Here’s a serious excerpt: “Ms. Mallet successfully dragged me this way and that and I didn't figure things out on my own because I was too swept up in it all. As much as I read, I'm rarely surprised by a story. So, when I am surprised by a story, it's a wonderful treat.”

Check out the review. It’s really fun. Here.

Events

Today, author Joylene Butler, Trelle Morrow, and I will be at the Library’s booth in the PGX Heritage Lane from 12:00 to 2:00 p.m. Come chat with us.

Later this evening, there is going to be a Creatives meeting at Books & Co., starting at 7:00. I hope to see everybody there.

Critical Mass Review

Over at Critical Mass, author and reviewer Don D’Ammassa has posted a nice review of The King’s Daughters which he concluded with this, and I quote: “Mallet reminds me a bit of Dave Duncan at times.” I’m quite flattered right now. :D

Writer Wednesday

This Wednesday, I’m going to be the guest writer at Tia Nevitt’s Fantasy Debut for her now regular feature called Writer Wednesday. The topic is going to be “Voice”. So stop by and leave a comment. :)