Work Like a Dog

 This is national Work Like a Dog Day. It says so right here: http://www.holidayinsights.com/moreholidays/August/worklikeadog.htm

You may have noticed a notation that this should not be confused with Work-A-Holic Day, which was July 5th.

So are we all working like dogs today? Maybe you are, but for me--heck no! It’s way too hot! (Be glad you’re not in Iran where the estimated heat index was 165 this week.)

Me? I’m enjoying the sunshine that is outside my window. I’m also enjoying the AC inside my house. If the heat index were 165 here, or even 100 (it’s 97 right now), I don’t believe I would be able to write this, let alone the novel I’m working on.

I very much enjoyed writing DEATH IN THE TIME OF ICE while we lived in hot, hot Texas. They were in a cold place, needing to flee from an approaching glacier. The wind blowing off the impending ice was frigid. However, in this novel, they actually are fleeing and they’re headed south. It’s getting hotter and hotter. I can no longer look up from my keyboard shivering when it’s in the 90s. I’m simpatico with them now.

Why would anyone put this day in the middle of the Dog Days of Summer?

HARDCOVER EDITION!

DEATH IN THE TIME OF ICE is being published in hardcover by Untreed Reads. I’m so excited about this! It’s a one-time thing, limited edition of 250 copies, and all copies will be signed by me. The order period is through August, unless the 250 sell out before then.

This book was nominated for an Agatha Award for best historical novel.

They will ship in September, or earlier if they sell out before August 31st.  

You ARE allowed to order multiple copies if you think these would make good gifts (in case you’re thinking ahead to the holidays). Shoot me an email if you want multiple copies and I’ll let the publisher know. I think the page lets you order just one.

I’m VERY excited that my publisher is doing this! Oh, I already said that. It’s true, doubly true, I guess. Here’s the link: 

http://bit.do/signedDITTOI

Another Branch in My Road

 No, I haven’t been traveling. That isn’t why I haven’t posted in forever. I’ve been busy working on the sequel to DEATH IN THE TIME OF ICE.

Just to tease you, I’ll tell you I’ve also spent a lot of time in research: giant ground sloths, Denisovans, Homo floresiensis, Ice Age jaguars, and mugwort, to name some of my subjects. 

This week there was an exciting development! (Aside from someone getting murdered and Hamapa tribe having a hard time on their trek, and Enga Dancing Flower having her own troubles, that is.)

The contract with Untreed Reads was completed—signed and counter-signed! Publication date is June of 2016. I’m thrilled to have this official, although it’s been an unofficial agreement for some time.

Now I’ll need to give them ideas for the cover. Any suggestions?

restoration picture from Wikipedia

Hasty Post

I neglected my blog last week--too much to do!

I'll tell you some of it. SMOKE is now in production as an audiobook, as is DEATH IN THE TIME OF ICE. FAT CAT AT LARGE is available for preorder. (ICE is available in paperback, too!) Lots of short story action that you'll hear about eventually.

We had a wonderful family visit including a trip to Cades Cove in the Smokies. Also a not-so-wonderful flat tire on the way back.

But I'll warn you that I might skip my post next week, too. I'm doing this on on Sunday because I'm having my poor rotator cuff repaired Monday, St. Patrick's Day. Yes, I'm missing out on green beer this year.

In 2010, it was the left shoulder. This time it's the right one. So now they should be all good from here on out. Below is a preview. Imagine me with a few more years mileage and the sling on the other shoulder and you'll get the picture.

My Third Agatha Nom!

I’m beyond thrilled to announce that DEATH IN THE TIME OF ICE has been nominated for an Agatha Award for Best Historical Novel of 2013!!! Thanks so much to my faithful readers for making this happen.

The announcement by Malice Domestic is here.

This vindication is especially sweet because I had a very difficult time getting this book published at all. Agent after agent told me they loved the book, some even said they liked what I had done with Neanderthals better than what Jane Auel had done. BUT, each and every one said they had no idea how to sell it.

I had worked VERY hard on this book and it was breaking my heart that, maybe, it would never find a publisher. I could always self-publish, of course, but that would doom it to relative obscurity.

Then, one night I was lamenting its fate on Facebook and Jay Hartman of Untreed Reads contacted me saying he’d like to see it. They had already published a few of my short stories, so he knew my writing. I had worked my way through every possible agent, but hadn’t started on small presses yet. Untreed accepted it!

Then, the unbelievable happened. It won a nomination, my third for the Agathas. (My first was for Best Short Story and my second was Best First Novel, so three different categories.)

I’m not even sure this IS historical since it takes place before there was history. Prehistory is what it really is, but this category is just fine with me!

Again, if you’re reading this and you had a hand in this nomination, thanks from the bottom of my heart--I love you!

I love my publisher, too! Here is some of what my publisher is doing for me:

http://www.untreedreads.com/untreed-reads-author-kaye-george-earns-agatha-nomination/4764/

How cool is that?

Some research notes for my prehistory novel

At one point, I thought I might include Endnotes in DEATH IN THE TIME OF ICE. I think they would have gotten in the way of the story, though, since it's fiction. I DID do a ton of research, though, and would like to let you in on a little of it, if you're interested.

Please click on the tab above that says Neanderthal. It says that because the title is too long for the tab. There's a lot to be said for short titles! Below the cover will be the notes. They're rather long and include the texts or websites I took the material from. If you decide to look at them, I hope you get something out of it!

A nice review for my first Neanderthal mystery

DEATH IN THE TIME OF ICE doesn't have many reviews so far, but the ones it has are a boost to me as a writer. Here's an excerpt from this one:

"Death in the Time of Ice is a gripping mystery, and it’s the best example of prehistoric fiction I’ve ever read. I highly recommend it to anyone who loves either genre."

Could I ask for more? Definitely not!

I hadn't heard of this site before this review appeared, but they're very organized and on top of things, posting the review on Amazon as well. They've even given me a nifty little widget, below. I'll see if I can post it elsewhere, too.

If you're curious about a Neanderthal mystery, I'd love for you to check it out at the publisher's site (all e-formats available there), or the other places, Kindle, Nook, and others.

Another new book!

Every book I write is dear to me in some way. They’re my children and I love them all. DEATH IN THE TIME OF ICE is no exception. I’ve just learned that it will be released in June, but don’t have an exact date yet.

If you haven’t seen the cover on Facebook yet, here it is! It’s also on my Neanderthal page at the tab above. 

If you’re wondering what this book is about, I’ll first give you the teaser: Enga Dancing Flower knows her tribe is in trouble. The dark seasons are becoming longer and the mammoth herds are fleeing south. When the tribal leader is found stabbed to death, the new leader thinks Enga did it. Expulsion and certain death looms. Enga must find the murderer to save her tribe -- and herself.

The book opens in the fall (which, of course, is not what Enga’s tribe calls it). The cold season approaches and the leader, Hama, a wise old woman, beseeches Dakadaga, the Spirit of Mother Sky, to give the tribe her blessing. The wind blows cold and stirs sparks from the fire. Hungry bellies growl audibly. Something must change, and these are a people who do not change rapidly or without great cause. Their way of life has continued, mostly unchanged, for 200,000 years.

Here’s a bit about the background and a tiny smidgen of my research: http://kayegeorge.com/research.html

I’m so excited about the birth of this book! I hope it’s not too awfully long before I get the sequel done!