Hey, everyone!

Well, here we are — the week it all happens! Balticon!

Before I forget, I do want to give you all a little something to enjoy, audio-wise…

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James Langton, you might recall, gave his voice to us for Harper Audio’s kicking production of Phoenix Rising: A Ministry of Peculiar Occurrences Novel. He’s back for The Janus Affair, and we could not be happier about it. Harper Audio gave us this preview for our podcast (you DO know about the steampunk podcast anthology Pip and I do, right?), and after hearing it, Pip and I can’t wait to hear what James comes up with next! We are so stoked to have him bringing Wellington and Eliza to life, and hopefully we will hear him again when Book Three is green-lit for production.

Now, onward to Balticon…

Hard to believe but this Balticon is my tenth — yes, tenth — as a professional author. It was this week in 2002 when MOREVI first arrived from Dragon Moon Press and days later I arrived to Balticon with one box of books and crossed fingers that I would sell half of the stock.

I wound up selling out of books by Sunday.

Now, ten years later, I’m back with Pip by my side and a new book launching. There will be other events I’m part of, but if you want the run-down, here you are:

Friday

Steam-powered: Rage of the New Victorians
5:00 pm in Parlor 1041

From werewolves of property to anti-zombie airship pilots, the Empire has struck back. Meet the writers of this Brave Old World.
Moderator: Georgiana Lee
Speakers: Tee Morris; Doc Coleman; Philippa “Pip” Ballantine

Saturday

Geek Radio Sweekly (LIVE!)
10:00 am in Chesapeake

It is time to come on and get your geek on with some of the geekiest, goofiest, and gregarious people you will ever meet. Long-time friends from the early days of podcasting all the way up through the Ministry MAY-hem contest of 2011, Pip and I have been invited to pile on the Geek Love Fest at Balticon and have some fun talking about what we have been doing geeky of late. Join us and have some fun…and who knows — you might learn something before it’s done. (Oh who am I kidding…)
Moderator: The Flynstress (duh!)
Speakers: A collection of incredibly talented people…and The Bruce.

Autographing: Phillipa (Pip) Ballantine, Val Griswold-Ford and Tee Morris
12:00 pm in Maryland Foyer

The Shrinking Man Project (LIVE!)
3:00 pm in Chesapeake

A live podcast discussing the ins and outs of weight loss hosted  by the Shrinking Man himself. “Inspiration. Finding it, and being
it.” Where do you find inspiration to make change in your life? How does that inspiration motivate you to get out and do, to write, to exercise, to improve your life? How can you be that inspiration for yourself, and for those around you? Join our discussion and share your thoughts on inspiration and its place in your work and your life.
Moderator: Doc Coleman
Speakers: Justin R. Macumber, Starla Huchton, Veronica R. Giguere, Tee Morris

Second Annual Erotica A La Carte: Iron Chef
9:00 pm in Chesapeake

Three authors. One ingredient. Thirty minutes to write five hundred words, and YOU get to watch the thrilling action. Well, not THE action, that’s just in the story. But you get to watch the stories UNFOLD AS THEY ARE WRITTEN! Who will win the title?
Moderator: Pip Ballantine
Speakers: Nobilis Reed; Cynical Woman; Jhada R. Addams

Readings: Philippa Ballantine, Tad Daley and Tee Morris
10:00 pm in Chase

Sunday

The Shared Desk Podcast Live! — A Steampunk Tea and Book Launch of The Janus Affair
Sunday at 4:00 pm in Chesapeake

The Shared Desk Podcast, recorded live with steampunk tea and a special preview of The Janus Affair book trailer, all to launch The Janus Affair: A Ministry of Peculiar Occurrences Novel from Harper Voyager and Constellation Books.
Speakers: Tee Morris; Philippa “Pip” Ballantine

Making The Jump — From Indie House to Corporate Publisher
5:00 pm in Salon B

With the rise of ePublishing, Smashwords, and the independent publishing movement, there is commentary on blogs and in publications that the mainstream publishers are in trouble, and could very well be on the way out. However, some authors who have made a name for themselves in independent venues are making their first steps with houses such as Ace, Tor, and Orbit. Find out a different side of the debate, and why working with larger houses is still a goal for up and coming authors.
Moderator: Tee Morris
Speakers: Brian Koscienski; Philippa “Pip” Ballantine,; Michael Sullivan; Joshua Bilmes

Just What The Frak is Steampunk Anyway?
11:00 pm in Derby

Learn the genere’s quirks and requirements and avoid angry emails from steampunk fans. (Or why BattleStar Galactica is not Steampunk.)
Moderator: Brand Gamblin
Speakers: Tee Morris; Philippa “Pip” Ballantine

This is where I’ll be this weekend, so please don’t be shy. Buy a book, shake my hand, meet some of the people around me; and have a blast with Pip and me as we celebrate the arrival of the next adventure of Wellington Books and Eliza D. Braun.

See you all this weekend!