AISFP 301 – Mary Robinette Kowal (part 1)

In part one of a two-part interview, Brent and Kristi talk with Hugo Award-winning author Mary Robinette Kowal about her efforts to facilitate conversation about fandom with a Hugo supporting membership drive and her interests in the Caribbean, specifically a recent Steampunk Cruise where she often is a guest (interview begins at about 11:30). For part two, which will be episode 302, we will discuss her her final book, OF NOBLE FAMILY, in the Glamourist Histories:

The final book of the acclaimed Glamourist Histories is the magical adventure that might result if Jane Austen walked on the grimmer side of the Regency

Jane and Vincent have finally gotten some much-needed rest after their adventures in Italy when Vincent receives word that his estranged father has passed away on one of his properties in the West Indies. His brother, who manages the estate, is overwhelmed, and no one else in his family can go. Grudgingly, out of filial duty the couple decide to go.

The sea voyage is long and Jane spends enough time unable to perform glamour that towards the end of the trip she discovers that she is with child. They are overjoyed, but when they finally arrive at the estate to complete what they expect to be routine legal tasks, they realize that nearly everything they came expecting to find had been a lie. Also, the entire estate is in disarray, with horrifying conditions and tensions with the local slave population so high that they are close to revolt.

Jane and Vincent’s sense of peril is screaming out for them to flee, but Vincent cannot stand to leave an estate connected with his family in such a condition. They have survived many grand and terrifying adventures in their time, but this one will test their skills and wits more than any they have ever encountered before, this time with a new life hanging in the balance.

This episode is brought to you by Scavenger: Evolution by Timothy C. Ward. A compilation of Scavenger 1-3 (Red Sands, Blue Dawn and Twin Suns). In the future, sand divers search the depths for the lost city of Danvar and the truth behind their bleak existence. Divemaster Rush hasn’t dove since he lost his infant. A job offer turns from an escape to a trap and the lure of a hardened heart to survive like anyone else would. One dive leads to another. Farther and farther from the surface, death and evolution change his world. He’ll have to change too or watch his wife rise without him. Inspired by Hugh Howey’s world of Sand. Written and sold with his permission. Scavenger: Evolution takes the landscape of Dune and throws in the pacing and thrills of Alien.

Available at all major online retailers in ebook and print, including signed copies direct from the author at SpikePub.com.

Make sure to follow Tim on Facebook, Twitter and Goodreads.

In our Mary Robinette Kowal (part 1) interview

Before the interview, Brent discusses:

• John Scalzi’s 13-book, $3.4 million deal with Tor and an interview with John on the Washington Post, plus tempering author expectations via Jeremiah Tolbert, who runs Clockpunk Studios.
• The passing of Tanith Lee.
• Mary’s fund-raising efforts to help friends and members of fandom Nora and Bob who are recovering from a horrific car accident. (Our Timothy C. Ward was relatively fortunate after a harrowing accident with a tractor trailer. Send him your thoughts as he and his wife recover and deal with the aftermath.)

During the interview, Brent and Kristi chat with Mary about:

• Her trip on and photos from a recent Steampunk Cruise in which she was a guest.
• The Hugo Awards membership drive she conducted to start a conversation about SFF fandom and what it means to her.
• Diversity in speculative fiction, her views on “Puppygate” and how you always can help via Con or Bust.

You can find Mary on her website, Twitter, Facebook and Pinterest.

Podcast: Download (Duration: 45:12 — 41.8MB)