Today we are delighted to host Kristen Blount here on Supernatural Underground with a guest post on her involvement with the Sirens convention in the USA and the production and publication of the newly released Queens & Courtesans anthology.
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Of Sirens --- & The "Queens & Courtesans" Anthology
Despite
reading almost exclusively in the speculative fiction genre, I am not
much of a con-goer. In 2009, though, a favorite author (Sherwood Smith) mentioned that she was going to be a Guest of Honor at the brand-new Sirens Conference – along with Tamora Pierce and Kristin Cashore. Yummm.
Being
a responsible, part-time employed, full-time mom, I decided that I
couldn't really afford a weekend in Colorado (being 2/3 across the
country from home).
I received one of my best Christmas gifts ever that year… registration to Sirens!
The conference describes itself as being, “dedicated
to the diverse, remarkable women of fantasy literature: readers,
authors, scholars, librarians, educators, publishing professionals, and
characters.” Still, I
did not really know what to expect and so was delighted to have a
relaxing weekend in a mountain resort devoted to women in fantasy
literature.
The conference fostered conversations via roundtables, panel
discussions, presented academic papers, and keynote presentations. It
wasn't overly busy, with plenty of time built in for side conversations,
walks, shopping at the book store, a visit to the spa, and impromptu
meals with other attendees. I now look forward to seeing my “Sirens
friends” every other year or so.
I
don't know how to emphasize how different and lovely I found the
experience of sharing a love of fantasy with other women (and the few
men who joined us). It has been a revelation to meet all these other
people who love girls with swords, the monstrous feminine, and even a
little romance. These are just three of the themes that Sirens has
considered – along with faerie, retold tales, and hauntings.
Finding new authors is always a bit of a struggle for me, since I am a shameless re-reader. This year, I discovered Renée Ahdieh's magical retelling of Shaharazad (The Wrath And The Dawn; The Rose And The Dagger) and Laurie Marks' Elemental Logic series.
I now can't wait to meet to the authors! Kiini Ibura Salaam's short story collection, Ancient, Ancient,
is waiting for me to have a few more brain cells to devote to it. For
some reason, short stories seem to demand more from me as a reader.
Speaking
of short stories, something new and completely apropos arose among a
group of Sirens attendees. We decided to produce an anthology! One of
the writerly types talked on Facebook about having had a set of
characters in her brain – a queen and a courtesan – who just would not
leave her alone. This became a writing prompt, which quickly led to the
proposed anthology to benefit our shared love of the Sirens Conference.
I happily signed on as a beta reader and editor. What a terrific experience it has been! Queens & Courtesans: A Sirens Benefit Anthology, edited by Jessica Corra, showed me a wide range of ways powerful women could interact.
In
one of the stories I was lucky enough to proofread, all the characters
are female: the ex-military space navigator/pilot, the nuns, and a bevy
of school girls, one of whom is queen presumptive. Almost unbelievable,
murderous plot twists aside, these women with different skills, agendas,
and needs come together in frightening circumstances to work for a
common good.
In
another story I met a prince's lover, who was chosen by his mother
because she's blind. This story is strictly told from the blind girl's
point of view, and it brings a richness of other sensory details with
it. Every story in this anthology gave me something to mull over in the
days, or weeks, after reading.
If you have the opportunity, please consider purchasing a copy of Queens & Courtesans (available
via Amazon and for most e-readers). It promotes the voices and concerns
of women within the speculative fiction field. And mostly, it
contributes to continuing the Sirens Conference.
If
you have the opportunity, I also encourage you to consider joining us
some year for a weekend of reading, talking about reading, and writing.
~ by Kristen Blount
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Queens and Courtesans is published today. To find out more, click on:.
books2read.com/QueensCourtesans
http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/31936162-queens-courtesans
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