Steeles Island, a mostly-private peninsula out near Carlton Beach (on the eastern shore of the Derwent River), turned out to have all these things in spades. It was a lucky find, as it turned out to have so many benefits we hadn’t even hoped for.

This particular ROR (wRiters on the Road/Rise/Riesling) had a family theme to it. We’d only included family members once before, when little Raeli was too young for me to bear leaving her behind for a whole four days, and so she and my honey came along to a North West Coast Tasmanian ROR, staying nights with us at the Hawley Beach house we rented, and disappearing during the days to visit relatives. This time around, we planned to do something similar only with Jem along – and then Margo and Rowena decided to bring family members too!

The house was so decadently large that we were able to critique separately from the non-writers in our party, and had the benefit of getting to know each other’s families as well as the non-stop industry talk that characterises these retreats.

We tried the experiment of using an iPad and Skype to include a long-distance member, with our virtual Maxine sitting in on a couple of sessions, as well as getting to have one of her own. It worked a lot better than we suspected it would, and while you wouldn’t want to do it every time or for every session (the great value in these retreats is getting to hang out in person) it was certainly better than having no Maxine at all! Those who weren’t experienced with Skype found it quite distracting to be talking to a black panel, and we talked at one stage about decorating a boiled egg to represent our Maxine (a random apple core just didn’t have the right aura about it) but we coped valiantly with the technical challenge. A good precedent, I think. We had also meant to record podcasts while we were there, but totally forgot. Sorry!

We were right on the beach, so the girls (and grown ups) tracked sand everywhere, indulged in recreational sweeping (or as Jem put it: the Cleaning Game) and generally had a ball. The tennis courts, mini-golf, swings, kayaks, and especially the pool table were all utilised, and we were greatly entertained by the facilities we could never use to their full extent, like the six fridges, three ovens and gazillion beds – the house is usually used to cater family weddings and conventions, and can comfortably sleep 20, or feed 50. The non-writers also took the chance to go off adventuring, as we were close to historical sites like Port Arthur, and tourist attractions like the berry farm.

And oh, everywhere we looked there was water, sand or greenery. A beautiful place, inspiring and (mostly) secluded. The mud crabs delighted the girls, as did the ocean in their back yard, and I only regret that the changeable Hobart weather only created two perfect swimming days – the one when we arrived and the one when we left, of course! The storm in between was marvellously atmospheric, though, and we only had one day so cold that the mainlanders started to look a bit grim and shivery. And yes, we let them have a wood fire.

The food as ever was epic, Dirk being delighted with the best kitchen we’d ever provided for one of these events – he offered up salmon, salads, baked chicken in damper crust, smashed potatoes, butter chicken, lemon cake with strawberries, pancakes and a truly luscious bread and butter pudding. Also fresh-baked bread, and for one especially memorable breakfast, petit pain au chocolat hot from the oven. The older kids often hung out with him in the kitchen, and he shared cooking tips and techniques with them. Raeli was especially excited to see bread made from scratch! We also ate our way through titanic quantities of fresh dark cherries and sweet greengages.

Being so close to Barilla Bay, we had to “do oysters” one night! We did have permission to raid the local oyster beds, but they were frighteningly large and mostly underwater, so we ended up playing it safe and not risking the wrath of the sea gods. We bought seven dozen and ate our way through them on the night of the official release dates of Margo’s and my books – particularly appropriate for Sea Hearts! Though no seal wives were harmed in the making of our dinner.

It wasn’t all eating and talking – though of course that is a huge part of our ROR weeks! There was work, too, and we critted up a storm, with quite intense working sessions that left us light headed and sleepy by the time evening came around. There is absolutely no price you could put on the benefit we get from having so many dedicated professionals giving feedback on your book-in-progress, and getting a window into their process at the same time. We had books that were fragment first drafts, books which were five minutes away from going to the publisher, and everything in between.

And of course, what is workshopped at ROR stays at ROR. But oh, I wish I could tell you about these fabulous books that are coming!

We talked a lot about worldbuilding as plot, one of my favourite writing techniques, because once it was raised in one session, it became relevant to all the others (of course!). We talked a bit about agents, ebooks and the changing marketplace, too. And, it being our anniversary ROR (we didn’t manage to have one for our ten year mark – this makes it eleven) we ended up looking back on our our careers had changed and developed since the original five of the group came together. Rowena has been archiving the goals we set every ROR, and it’s fascinating to see which of our past predictions came true, and which were heartlessly abandoned. Marianne and Trent (and Maxine, of course) we missed you MOST on that night!

I’m very pleased that I managed to time my book launch to fit with the last day of ROR (it involved some very precise timing and great goodwill on the part of my publisher!) and even more pleased that Margo was able to join me. It’s a rare thing to have so many of MY author people at one of my book launches, and it felt like an appropriately dramatic way to celebrate the end of a trilogy that began, as many of my books do, with a ROR manuscript. [more launch pics here]

It all feels a little flat now it’s over – and we keep thinking of other ways to use that magnificent house! It would be a fabulous site for a Clarion style writing workshop, or boutique professional conference. (Tehani and Terri, take note) The sign of a good ROR is that we start musing nostalgically about coming back to that particular place before we’ve even left… but of course, we never do. There are always new places to explore.

Rowena’s ROR report here, with a bunch of different pictures of different bits of the house and island!

Margo’s report on the ROR blog, talking about Formidable Energies – the very very early stage novel she brought to our workshop!

SERIOUSLY DO NOT READ IF YOU DO NOT WANT TO BE SPOILED FOR REIGN OF BEASTS & THE CREATURE COURT BOOKS

Many bookloving folk in Hobart and from farther afield gathered last night to celebrate the double launch of two much-anticipated Australian fantasy novels: Sea Hearts by Margo Lanagan (Allen & Unwin) and Reign of Beasts: Creature Court Book Three by Tansy Rayner Roberts (HarperVoyager). Sea Hearts was launched by Richard Harland, and Reign of Beasts by Rowena Cory Daniells.

It was lovely to see so many family and friends gathered once again for what has become an annual tradition in recent years – long may it continue! – the launch of one of my books. Even more special was to share this with members of my writing group, who are normally scattered more widely across Australia when an event like this happens.

I began the Creature Court with ROR, who workshopped the first volume through a couple of early drafts, so it felt very appropriate to bring the trilogy to a close with many of them: Rowena Cory Daniells, Margo Lanagan, Dirk Flinthart and Richard Harland, in attendance. Sad of course that we couldn’t be joined by Marianne De Pierres, Trent Jamieson and Maxine McArthur! Their absence was felt.

The Hobart Bookshop put on an excellent launch, as they always do. I was delighted to welcome Tehani, new import to our shores, along with her family, and to finally meet Lian Tanner, another local writer whose path has never entirely crossed mine before.

And, of course, while books and launch speeches and wine are all terribly important things, the MOST important thing is that, yet again, my gorgeous daughters dressed for the occasion, as a lion and tiger respectively. Goodness only knows what I’ll do when I have a seamonster book to launch.

Thanks for coming, everyone who came!

Margo and I were both delighted to see our books hurled into the stratosphere with such panache, and of course those who weren’t able to make the event can assuage their disappointment by picking up copies in good (Australian and New Zealand only for now, sigh) bookshops.

It’s a great cause, and there are a bunch of great book prizes up for grabs for a few lucky donors. I’ve contributed a complete Creature Court trilogy (feels so GOOD to be able to offer that!) and it’s in some very good company.

Speaking of the Creature Court trilogy, Sean the Blogonaut wrote a lovely review of Book 2: The Shattered City: “Action, blood and lust and a little bit of dressmaking. If you enjoy well written action, political intrigue, anime like transformation of characters into monstrous beasts and well written sex scenes give the whole series a go.”

I’ve been enjoying Tor.com’s current theme of military SF – I don’t think of myself of a fan of that particular subgenre, and yet I am familiar with so many of the works they discuss! I guess that means something. I liked this post about Starbuck and gender in Battlestar Galactica. Ahh, Battlestar Galactica. You got it so right, before you got it so wrong…

Speaking of military SF, over at i09 Jen Heddle makes a compelling argument that they should have brought Robotech back already. Hell, yes they should! Want me to write it?

The Amelia Bloomer Project announced their latest top 10 list of feminist appealing books for young readers – and I was delighted to see Beauty Queens on there, one of my favourite feminist novels from 2011.

An insightful look at the world of manga publishing, and how the same issues that are affecting other disposable printed matter like newspapers are seriously harming that industry.

A new book presents a “hip and accessible” Guy’s Guide to Feminism, with a focus on men educating other men about how feminism has basically improved things for them and the world around them.

The Mary Sue spreads the cookie love by looking at what new games are being released in 2012 that look like they’re getting it right as regards gender roles/options – or at least, getting a lot better.

Dowager Countess Violet is awesome in Downton Abbey. Why, yes she is. And Maggie Smith is not bad either.

Cherie Priest got a brilliant belated Christmas gift from her husband – what do you get the writer in your life?

Speaking of writing, Faith Erin Hicks talks about her own experiences earning a living from writing comics – and how exactly that definition of “earning a living” can mean so many things in the creative fields.

In which women aren’t funny, don’t write important books, but come in handy as assassins and thieves.

News

Connie Willis named SFWA Grand Master

Liz Bourke on Strange Horizons & the art of the mean review

Survey shows that men (as well as women) often play characters of the other gender while gaming – in many cases, men are bored with or alienated by the big musclebound male characters, which game designers think they want. Sound familiar?

Hoyden about Town are asking for guest bloggers to crosspost their Australian Women Writers Challenge reviews on Hoyden (ASIF also keen to do so)

More on feminine tosh: a good solid article in the Australian media (shock!) about the women in literature issues of recent months (and, you know, decades).

Have we been following the “Women aren’t funny” stoush that played out in NYT? This interesting development.

DC Comics – cancellations & new titles – Tansy is especially excited by World’s Finest (featuring the Earth 2 Huntress & Power Girl)

Stranger with My Face – Women in Horror film festival in Hobart, Tasmania – 17-19 February

Tansy’s book launch for Reign of Beasts (Creature Court Book Three) on 2 February at Hobart Bookshop, 5:30pm.

What Culture Have we Consumed?

Alex: Ashes to Ashes season 2; Dr Who season 1; Rocannon’s World, Ursula le Guin; The Declaration, Gemma Malley; Grey, Jon Armstrong; The Collected Works of TS Spivet, Reif Larsen. BBC 4 “Cat Women of the Moon” podcast

Tansy: Destination: Nerva (Big Finish, audio), Astonishing X-Men by Joss Whedon, The Name of the Star by Maureen Johnson, DVD Extras Include Murder, by Nev Fountain

Alisa: absorbed in novel submissions; The Big Bang Theory; Swordspoint Audiobook, written and performed by Ellen Kushner

GS Award will be proclaimed… in a short while!

Winner of Alex’s Yarn giveaway: Jo

Tansy: Creature Court trilogy give away!
Email to tell us about one book you read after we talked about it on GS to be eligible

Please send feedback to us at galacticsuburbia@gmail.com, follow us on Twitter at @galacticsuburbs, check out Galactic Suburbia Podcast on Facebook and don’t forget to leave a review on iTunes if you love us!

I’m only sad that I don’t have a hard copy of Book 3 to hand so I can photograph my scarlet flapper-with-sword like I have the other two!

First, we have Isangell the Duchessa, who appears on the cover of Power and Majesty [Creature Court Book One] in a gown with roses sewn all over it.

Then my main protagonist, Velody, who appears on the cover of The Shattered City [Creature Court Book 2] in an antique green dress, stolen from a museum.

In one deviation from the cover, I asked Mum to add some little brown mice to the hem of Velody’s gown.

And before introducing you to the third doll, let me remind you what the cover of Reign of Beasts [Creature Court Book 3] will look like:

And here she is, Livilla in a scarlet flapper dress, with sword. You have to read the book to find out why she’s bothering with edged weapons!

The three cover demoiselles together:

And finally, this is where they will be displayed, alongside my precious Blake’s 7 dolls which I commissioned as a gift to myself back when I sold this trilogy. Full circle, people!

Time: 5:30 PM

Where: Hobart Bookshop, Salamanca Square, Hobart, Tasmania.

What: Reign of Beasts by Tansy Rayner Roberts, third and final book in the award-winning Creature Court trilogy, will be launched by Rowena Cory Daniells.

THERE WILL BE MERRIMENT AND REJOICING!!!

My book launches for this series have been a thing of joy to me, with so many loved ones & devoted readers (mostly loved ones who ARE devoted readers) turning up to share a glass of wine, point out how adorable my children are, and celebrate the making of a trilogy. This is it, guys, the last book. Let’s make it a shindig…

I’m especially delighted that I managed to schedule the launch at the end of next year’s Tasmanian ROR so that some of my mainland writer friends can come too. I’m sneaky like that.

Hope to see you there.

I sent out the first wave of postcards recently and am writing up the last few now, which makes me up to date. So if there are more of you out there who kinda thought you might enter to score a postcard sneak peek of the new books, please do!

Entries are open until 15th December.

Kitty from Perth has a costume idea for Delphine:

Silk-taffeta gown, clinging tightly from the neck then tapering out at the waist. Long train at the back, but comes up short in front. Attached to the dress are chiffon butterflies, overlaying red and blue sheer.

This makes me wish I’d made a butterly dress for Delphine! What a lovely idea. The first fashion book I ever read as a child was my mother’s copy of The Art of Zandra Rhodes, who always called her gorgeous frock creations ‘butterflies’.

Also Clare from Hobart sketched a gorgeous plan for a waistcoat for Priest which I’m sure would be worthy of his sartorial tastes:

She still plans to actually make it which would be amazing. I especially like the flock of birds in the centre. Rest assured, all kinds of Things happen to Priest in Book 3, and she’ll be getting a hint about exactly what they are.

First wave of entries can be seen here.

And tune in next week when I show you what my amazing mother produced, when I told her about this contest…

Oh and for those of you outside Australia wanting to enter, yes, I will send postcards anywhere.  And I meant it when I said everyone’s a winner.   Get entering!

Katharine S in Darwin described a costume for Rhian (because she misses her! Don’t worry, there will be lots of Rhian in Book 3):

A full dress in matte black (not shiny at all) with very slightly puffed sleeves, modest neckline and tight around the bodice
down to the hips, where it flares out, changing eventually to a deep, deep green. Think Phthalo Green but sweeter,
maybe with a bit of Skobeloff mixed in. Sewn into the hem of the dress are many, many peacock feathers (or similar in their world) so the edge of the fabric is hidden completely by ticklish feathery shimmeryness – you can hardly see the fabric through them. On the bodice, under the breast is a single small peacock feather – generally unseen as it’s hidden by the shadow of the curve. The edge of the short puffed sleeves would be an inch of lace with wide cut, to show the skin beneath.

Worn with this dress, generally, would be high boots. Around the neck would be a single ribbon, around the wrist… well, depends on the occasion. In the hair, a headband with a single, long and wide feather attached on top delicately to sit atop perfectly flat non-frizzy shiny hair (oh, we can only dream of having novel-perfect hair…)

[Tansy says: yep, there are definitely peacocks in their world. And I'm not just talking about Ashiol and Poet.  What a gorgeous, thoughtful description!  I loved the detail on the colours especially, as I've never heard of either of those greens before, and I thought I was a green aficionado!]

Alisa K in Perth:

Hello! Naked boys falling from the sky NEED NO COSTUME, though maybe some tassles and a bow on their boyly bits.

[Tansy says: Hmm, I'm going to allow it, if only to show that even a brief entry is worthy of a postcard, and also to get the whole 'naked' option out of the way early. No repeats! Also I like the use of the phrase 'boyly bits.'

And yes, even my friends have to submit to the contest to score a postcard.  Heh.]

Madeline T in Queensland gave me two entries because she couldn’t decide between them, and they go rather nicely together:

They were at once both similar  and strikingly opposite, a study in contradictions.

Warlord at first glance was blatantly barbaric. His feet and chest were bare, but for a band around his left arm and a matching neckpiece made of segments of flat, polished ivory, connected by thin bands of gold. He wore only Zafiran pants, soft and loose, billowing around the strong lines of his legs, easily seen through the fine fabric. They were of the lightest vicose, soft as down feathers to touch, and of a rich cream colour that was stunning against his dusky skin.

Velody at first glance looked the demure demoiselle in an old-fashioned white gown that covered her from chin to ankle. The dress had a high choker-style collar, the edge of the sleeves brushed her knuckles, and the skirts were full. But for all it covered, nothing was hidden. The collar, bodice and sleeves were skin tight and made of the finest silk lace. It looked as though she was painted with moonlight. When she walked the full skirts parted, a cunningly hidden slit down the length of the skirt allowing one long bare leg to be seen. Her long hair was bound up in a net, invisible against her dark hair so that the beads of moonstone and pearl seemed strewn through her hair, a scattering of lustrous miniature stars amongst the glossy strands.

[Tansy says: so much of the personality of my characters comes across in these descriptions! I wish I could send two postcards, but I fear that might be a bad precedent... I don't want to end up hand-writing the whole novel for enthusiastic readers!  I'm still more than happy to receive & post multiple entries, though.  The more the merrier.]

And from Bill R in New York, we have:

I saw the contest on your blog yesterday, and put together a sketch inspired by a drawing from the 1925 comic strip “Flapper Fanny.” The sketch is attached.

This is an outfit for Delphine. It’s made by Velody, of course, trying to represent the nox sky in fashion. The deep blue material is the sky itself, with a series of sequins and beads to represent the stars, while the pink lines on the ribbon echo rays of scratchlight. It’s scandalously cut above the knee to set tongues wagging and to allow freedom of movement, while the bracelets are made of skysilver so Delphine is always ready to be a sentinel.

[Tansy says: my first drawing!  I'm excited - the verbal descriptions are lovely, but there's something about art based on our books which makes an author bounce up and down.  More visual entries, please!  They don't have to come with words, but I do like the explanation here which gives a philosophy behind the clothing choice]

Thanks so much to my first entrants – I’ll be writing your postcards this week!  That’s the first wave – I’ll be putting up another post in the next week or so.  Keep sending in your descriptions/designs of outfits for Creature Court characters, and I’ll keep writing postcards with sneak peeks of Book 3!