OK, it's not San Diego, but . . . ,

[ellenkushner]

I've just told Bantam that I will sit in the Spectra booth and sign 100 giveaway copies of TPOTS at the New York ComicCon sometime Feb. 23-25 - I'll let you know details when I've got 'em.

I am excited. I've never been to a ComicCon, and never thought anyone would invite me to one. Quick! Someone draw a "Riverside" comic and make me legit! (Though I see China Mieville will be there, too - he doesn't have comix, does he?)

And while we're on the subject: a Secret IAF Cabal is meeting this month to plan Interstitial stuff for MoCCA. Watch this space!

Comments

[loireag.livejournal.com]

Oh! I will be speaking at the NY-Comic Con this year (on an anime panel) -- I will definitely make sure to come by!

Has anyone ever approached you to create Riverside inspired graphic novels or comics? I've always though it could be quite amazing, if it was done well with the right artist, like, say, Ted Naifeh, though I know he's working with Holly Black right now, so I guess she managed to get him first! James Jean would also be fantastic!

If you've not seen either of their work:
http://www.jamesjean.com
http://www.tednaifeh.com

[contrarywise]

Doesn't Colleen Doran's treatment of "The Red Cloak" and "The Tragedy of King Alexander the Stag" count as "Riverside comix"? :)

[mevennen.livejournal.com]

China actually produced a short story in graphic form - it's in his collection.

[annnimeee.livejournal.com]

Ah, lucky New Yorkers. I'm in San Diego and will be waiting to attend the con whenever a Riverside comics series comes out. Although I do remember being there when RA Salvatore was doing a signing, and I don't think his books were ever made into comics. So clearly, the key is to develop a pencil and paper Riverside table top RPG. That's kind of fun to imagine. You could choose to be a swordsman (+10 fighting ability) or a scholar (+10 caustic bitter wit), etc. A Riverside manga would just be as interesting. I'm thinking of that lovely Japanese cover art of Swordspoint.

But seriously, I have never been to New York CC, but the San Diego CC is not limited to comics-- it's this huge place with panels and exhibits on comics/sci-fi/fantasy/art/film/and pretty much anything that requires imagination. So I''m sure you'll meet plenty of like-minded individuals and not feel out of place at all. Unless you're surrounded by cosplayers/masqueraders posing for a photograph.

[rikibeth.livejournal.com]

I would SO read a Riverside comic. But they have to make sure to draw the clothes right. :)

[ellen-kushner.livejournal.com]

I shouldn't think so: she didn't draw them as comix, just as illustrations to 2 existing short stories.

I should bring some, though, shouldn't I? And maybe start offering them for sale online again...?

[ellen-kushner.livejournal.com]

Oh! Thanks.

[ellen-kushner.livejournal.com]

It will be a pleasure to see you! Be sure and let me know about your panel, and I'll try and make it. If I'm extra-good, maybe someone will even give me a guided tour of anime/manga in the Dealers' Room? I'm so ignrnt.

No, no one has ever approached me about Riverside graphic stuff. But you're right; these guys are fantastic! AGain, maybe I can wander the booths and pick my faves for an imaginary project....

[ellen-kushner.livejournal.com]

That would be very interesting, as I am deliberately not too specific about the clothes in detail. I know how it *feels* to see or wear them . . . but it would be up to the artist to give them form. I know people tend to pick a period and copy it, but to me, like everything else in the books, they're Fusion.

[ellen-kushner.livejournal.com]

You comfort me.

"I'm thinking of that lovely Japanese cover art of Swordspoint"
which you can see, btw, at the bottom of the page here:
http://www.sff.net/people/kushnerSherman/Kushner/swordspoint.html
. . . oh, yeahhh!

We'll actually be in San Diego the last 2 weeks of July, to teach Clarion out there - I hope we'll be able to schedule a public appearance or two, so we can sign books & meet people!

[rikibeth.livejournal.com]

But that's exactly it. Even from the descriptions you DO have, it's obvious (to this costume freak, anyway) that it's not a single period, but Fusion. Those morning gowns have engageantes at the cuffs and a neckline with a broad Pierrot-ruffle, and if they're deshabille and barely decent, then they're surely cut loosely enough that the women who don't sleep in their stays needn't put them on just yet, not until they dress for going out -- which further implies that Diane had spent the night at the Hallidays', or she would have been dressed in a proper day gown, just as Lydia Godwin was when she arrived with Michael in tow. The young men's coats are cut closely to their bodies, possibly a narrow line like the 1760s, but Basil Halliday's wearing a coat with fuller skirts, and I suspect that Richard's coat, even his good new one, is more of a jacket or doublet, because he wouldn't be able to bear the skirts cumbering his legs. Horn wears the young men's style although it no longer suits him.

And the Riverside children in their cut-down castoffs!

And the skirts on the ballgowns... for all that the top half looks eighteenth-century, I'm sure, the lower half is 1840s bell-supported-by-layers-of-crinoline. They don't have panniers or farthingales or cage-crinolines, because those don't crush cooperatively when you're in a clinch in a secluded corner.

And the gloves! They're hugely cuffed sixteenth-century things. I saw it clearly when Michael Godwin picked his out of the shrubbery.

I can see ALL of it. That's the thing.

[annnimeee.livejournal.com]

Yes, that picture. I saw it for the first time on your site, and I think it's so gorgeous.

*crosses fingers on the public appearance* But if you, say, would rather go to the beach (try La Jolla coves), or check out animals (Xoo, Seaworld), it's understandable.

[ellen-kushner.livejournal.com]

No, no; you do not fully understand the depth of my utter whoredom: What? Enjoy a nice day at the beach when I could be in a stuffy air-conditioned fluorescent mall promoting my books? Surely you jest.

Still, maybe there will be time for both, she said wistfully....

[ellen-kushner.livejournal.com]

Omigod - you're right. Pretty much all the way. I guess my powers of description are more subtle than I know, to those who have eyes (or training) to see....!

[annnimeee.livejournal.com]

How about a book signing by the beach? We could get it sponsored by a sunblock company to prevent skin cancer.

Seriously, though, UCSD is VERY close to the beach. I'm sure you'll have plenty of opportunities to check it out.

[ellen-kushner.livejournal.com]

You comfort me. Teaching Clarion usually means never seeing the light of day unmediated by 4 walls - but maybe I can read student mss. on the beach...!

[loireag.livejournal.com]

I meant to reply to this a while back, but just to say, if you're still looking for a guide to manga and anime, I'd be happy to oblige. :) Please don't feel obligated, though -- I understand you might be all scheduled up by now!

I'm speaking from about 11am-3pm on Friday, but otherwise I'm totally free. :)

cheers,
Robin B.