Breath of Earth on the Locus List!
Huh. Breath of Earth made the 2016 Recommended Reading List at Locus in the Fantasy category. How about that?!
This is the time of year when initial nominations are due soon for some major genre awards. The Nebula deadline is February 15th. I do hope folks keep Breath of Earth in mind. It’s available for sale at all the usual places and is also found in many libraries worldwide.
I’m also asking readers to consider my story “The Souls of Horses” from Clockwork Phoenix 5–which also made the Locus list under anthologies! Ellen Datlow recommended my story on Twitter and it was also called out in a starred Publishers Weekly review of the anthology. The story can be read for free in its entirety online. If you’re a SFWA member, the PDF is available for download in the forums; look in the 2016 short stories section. Actually, take a look in the novel section, too. You might find some pleasant surprises.
#SFWAPro
Read More
2016 Works for Award Consideration
It’s awards season! I have two works I am promoting this time around. Foremost is my novel Breath of Earth. It’s available for sale at all the usual places and is also found in many libraries worldwide.
I’m also asking readers to consider my story “The Souls of Horses” from Clockwork Phoenix 5. Ellen Datlow recommended this story on Twitter and it was also called out in a starred Publishers Weekly review of the anthology. The story can be read for free in its entirety online. If you’re a SFWA member, the PDF is available for download in the forums; look in the 2016 short stories section.
Thank you!
#SFWAPro
Read MoreBREATH OF EARTH: Bestseller on Nook!
This was a glorious surprise this week: Barnes & Noble says Breath of Earth is a fantasy/scifi bestseller on Nook! Look at the company it’s keeping!
It’s the first time I have had the term “bestseller” attached to any of my works. I’m chuffed!
#SFWAPro
Read MoreEnter to win a copy of Breath of Earth!
I’m in a perpetual state of homesickness for Central California, so it makes me especially happy that Kings River Life Magazine back home has read and reviewed my novels. That continues with Breath of Earth–a book set in 1906 California, with a few mentions of the San Joaquin Valley.
KRL not only gave my book a warm review, but they are also sponsoring a giveaway. Head over there and leave a comment or enter by email. You have until September 10th!
#SFWAPro
Read More
Important Post at The Mary Sue
Breath of Earth has been out for over a week and it seems people have actually acquired the book and LIKE IT. It makes me especially happy that readers are vocal in the adoration of Fenris–he often gets more mentions than my main character, Ingrid!
On the subject of Fenris, I have an article online at The Mary Sue: Writing Fenris: Why We Need More Trans Heroes in Genre Fiction. I’m humbled and honored to speak out on this subject because I do come from a position of ignorance. I read, I write, I learn.
#SFWAPro
Read MoreBreath of Earth excerpt, links, and interviews
Release week. It is always crazy, but this week has been especially so with WorldCon, travel woes getting home, a migraine, and family visit. I’ve been preparing for this for months (thank goodness!) and now that work is suddenly visible in the form of guest blogs and interviews all over the place.
Excerpt:
– A bit of banter between Ingrid and Cy is featured at USA Today’s Happily Ever After.
Reviews that made me squeal:
– NPR.org reviewed Breath of Earth, saying: “Cato’s exhaustive research of the time and place gives the book texture and grit, and she hasn’t whitewashed what was a very problematic chapter of America’s history… It may take place in an alternate universe over a hundred years ago, but it deals with the issues of xenophobia, racism, sexism and anti-immigrant hatred set against a backdrop of perpetual war, a situation that feels familiar today. Rather than taking a soapbox stand, Breath of Earth makes its points as a witty, charming adventure yarn — one that’s only as escapist as you want to be.”
– The B&N Scifi & Fantasy Blog: “While the set-pieces are often spectacular and fantastic, the world- building is the real show-stopping effort. This is not just a dirigible ride for the fun of it (though it is fun), but a journey with meaning and purpose.”
Nice mentions:
– Included in The Verge’s list of best science fiction and fantasy books coming out in August.
– Highlighted by among B&N Bookseller’s Picks: The Best Science Fiction & Fantasy Books of August 2016.
– Included on Goodread’s 7 Great Books Hitting Shelves Today.
Interviews:
– Beth Cato faced her fears to level up with third novel, ‘Breath of Earth’ in the Arizona Republic; interview with Michael Senft
– Lock Up Your Batmans: Interview with Beth Cato at Smashed Picket Fences
– MyLifeMyBooksMyEscape interview on Breath of Earth
– Tuesdays with Lexie: Beth Cato
– A Breath of Earth by Beth Cato: interview with Ingrid Carmichael
– Beth Cato talks changing history and more in ‘Breath of Earth’ with Hypable
– Breath of Earth author Beth Cato talks historic San Fran earthquakes and … foxes? with Sara Dobie Bauer
Guest blogs:
– John Scalzi’s Big Idea: Breath of Earth
– My Favorite Bit: Breath of Earth, with Mary Robinette Kowal
– Kitsune and the Game of Kitsune-Ken for T. Frohock’s Folklore Thursday
– 5 Things Beth Cato Learned By Her Third Book at Dan Koboldt’s site
– Unlikely Influences: What Beth Cato Learned About Magic by Living Through Earthquakes
– Rewriting the 1906 San Francisco Earthquake at Alternate History Weekly Update
– Geomancy in Breath of Earth at Mighty Thor JRS’s SFF Blog
– Researching the Great San Francisco Earthquake of 1906
– Book Bites with Fran Wilde – Shokupan (Milk Loaf Bread) from Beth Cato
– Katherine Harbour’s The Awesomeness of… series with: The Awesomeness of Home
– Cookies and a Book: Earl Grey Shortbread and Breath of Earth with Beth Cato
#SFWAPro
Read More
