Monday, August 22nd, 2011
 The cover is available for the how-to-write paranormal guide that I’ve written a chapter for!
Isn’t it gorgeous?
It looks like there might be a change in title in this volume. It was originally to be called: The Complete Guide to Writing Paranormal: Undead, Cursed and Inhuman. Now, it just looks like it’s going to be called The Complete Guide to Writing Paranormal: Volume 1.
A tentative publication date is slated for September or October (yes, 2011!) by Dragon Moon Press.
Yay!
Until Kim Richards took over the editing for this book, I was seriously doubting that it would ever get published. I’ve had to move it up my bibliography page for the last couple of years, having been first “Forthcoming in 2009,” I believe.
I’ve never had a piece be accepted and then sit so long before publication (though I admit I have another piece out there right now that’s approaching a similar timeline…)
That being said…
Yay! (Yeah, I know I said that already, but I’m too excited to keep it in.)
My chapter is on finding and joining (or starting your own) critique group…but there is tons of nuts and bolts information about how to write anything paranormal. And there were so many contributions by authors, that there are two volumes planned.
Yay!
I’ll let you know when the book is available for sale.
Thursday, May 19th, 2011
 I recently sold my flash fiction piece, “To Bead or Not to Bead” to The Gunpowder Review.
The Gunpowder Review is a literary magazine which publishes the creative work of women writers, artists, and photographers with a Harford County or Maryland connection.
Since I grew up in Harford County (Go Hawks!) I qualify.
“To Bead or Not To Bead” is a pun-y little piece about the Greek Fates — those women who spin, weave and cut the threads of life. You can probably guess what kind of direction the story takes, judging by its title.
 I’ll let you know when it’s available.
In other writerly goodness, I’ve received my paperback copy of Hellebore and Rue.
::: Exciting! :::
I don’t know what magic was used to print the cover of the anthology, but it’s wonderful!
The cover feels like a very soft suede, smooth and — almost — warm to the touch. (And, yes, it’s made of paper.) I like handling it very much.
Hellebore and Rue has received a wonderful review, in which the reviewer mentioned that she’d like to see a sequel or longer work with my characters (which totally makes my day).
How cool is it that a reader wants to know more after the story is over?
Food for thought…
Thursday, February 10th, 2011
I had planned for 2011 to be a quiet year as far as being involved was concerned. I want to write more, finish more and submit more than I was able to do last year due to the blog tour, and teaching, and conventions.
And so far, so good. I’ve gotten much more writing done this year (so far) than I had in the same time frame last year.
But, suddenly, there’s a lot going on. Which is good, I realize, so I’ve decided to roll with it.
Here’s the news:
I’ve been interviewed for the Fascinating Authors web site…. link to interview here… and there’s an accompanying radio interview, too. That hasn’t been posted yet, but I’ll mention a link when I have it. (The radio interview was A LOT of fun!)
And I’ve gotten an invitation to Syndcon – a gaming convention in Rockville, MD, (in April) and I’ve accepted. I’m tentatively scheduled to teach a writing workshop with some other writers in the area, as well as appear on some panels.
Any gamers lurking out there who want to learn a bit about writing?
We’re brainstorming some gaming/writing ideas right now. If you’re interested in seeing something in particular, send me a note. I’ll suggest it to the programming staff.
(I hope I’ll get some gaming in, too, during the con. It’s been a while since I’ve taken my bag of dice and characters out for a spin.)
I’ve also been invited back to Darkover. I had a total blast last year, so you can bet I’ll be back. (Darkover happens over Thanksgiving weekend.)
And saving the best for last: Hellebore and Rue is officially out! (I’ll post some buy links as soon as I track them down.)
I’m still in love with that cover. Isn’t it gorgeous?
If you enjoy stories of women wielding magic, you may want to check it out. I’ve written a tale about a swordsmistress who fights a wyvern — with the help of a sorceress.
(You’ll have to let me know what you think if you read it.)
Thursday, September 23rd, 2010
 I’m celebrating.
I have a P.O. Box. It’s new, and I’ve never had one before. It makes me feel kind of “official.”
To celebrate, I’m giving away free bookmarks (and you know this is serious, because I’m willing to suffer through all the SPAM email and comments I’m going to get just for using the word FREE in this post! Three times!)
The bookmark shows the covers of some of the anthologies my work has been published in, and of course, my novella, Blood Soup, at the top. The reverse highlights Blood Soup and The Dragon’s Clause.
Here’s the deal:
Email me your snail mail address (or someone else’s, if you want me to send them there.) That’s it. If you’re feeling generous, send me a Self-Addressed, Stamped Envelope (SASE) – but it’s not required.
I’ll send you two bookmarks – more if you ask, but you’ve got to promise me that you’ll give the extras away to friends.
I love getting mail. To sweeten the pot, I’ll give away a free paperback copy of Blood Soup to the first letter that makes it into the box.
Here’s the address:
Kelly A. Harmon
P.O. Box 1641
Sykesville, MD 21784
Love letters, tokens of esteem and postcards from foreign climes cheerfully accepted.
Monday, September 13th, 2010
Drollerie Press just announced the cover of their upcoming anthology, “Hellebore and Rue.” Isn’t it gorgeous? I love the eye-catching color of the woman’s hair on the stark black, white and gray background.
The anthology is due out in mid-October…and I’ve got a story in it!
(And, look! My name’s on the cover!)
My story, Sky Lit Bargains, is about a woman who is forced to leave her home or face the repeated, escalating sexual advances of her new brother-in-law. Trained for warfare, rather than domesticity, Sigrid crosses the channel to her Uncle Gervais’ keep and makes a bargain with him to kill the wyvern plaguing his lands. Her plans go awry when she’s followed by her best friend (and sorceress) and her brother-in-law’s guards…
I’ll post an excerpt once I get a go-ahead from Drollerie.
Here’s the Table of Contents (TOC):
“Counterbalance” by Ruth Sorrell
“Trouble Arrived” by C.B. Calsing
“Personal Demons” by Jean Marie Ward
“The Windskimmer” by Connie Wilkins
“Sky Lit Bargains” by Kelly A. Harmon
“Gloam” by Quinn Smythwood
“Witches Have Cats” by Juliet Kemp
“D is for Delicious” by Steve Berman
“And Out of the Strong Came Forth Sweetness” by Lisa Nohealani Morton
“Bridges and Lullabies” by Rrain Prior
“Thin Spun” by Sunny Moraine
“A State of Panic” by Rachel Green
Read more about Hellebore and Rue.
Thursday, April 1st, 2010
I’m not joking.
Once again, I’m walking on air!
(This follows very closely on the heels of the 5-star review I received on Amazon for my novella, Blood Soup. I’m very excited.)
 This is the story of a man who violates the terms of a contract, and the “party of the second part” decides to execute the enforcement clause. Only this time, the contract has been in place for hundreds of years, and is between a town and a dragon.
The terms—pay the dragon annual tribute, and he doesn’t destroy the town—are quite simple. Not the sort of agreement you’d want to break, even for a good cause.
A lesser author would have given readers a simple revenge tale, with the moral being, “keep your word.” But Kelly A. Harmon gives her readers much more. Her characters—both human and dragon—are complex and subtle, with nobilities and strengths that might just outweigh their instincts and weaknesses.
Perhaps The Dragon’s Clause should be required reading for all lawyers…and for you!
You can check out the review on Amazon, if you want. While you’re there, check out my Amazon author page.
Note: The Dragon’s Clause was originally published in the Ricasso Press anthology, Black Dragon, White Dragon.
Friday, February 19th, 2010
Catherine Asaro created this awesome flyer for the Library of Congress reading on March 3. Isn’t it beautiful?
(The pic of me is about three haircuts ago…but it’s still a “fairly good” representation. I hate to have my photo taken!)
Hope to see you there!
Sunday, February 7th, 2010
I just heard from my editor for “The Complete Guide to Writing Paranormal” and it looks like the ARCs (Advanced Reading Copies) are complete. That means publication isn’t too far off!
The project had been slated for publication last fall, so I’m tickled to see it finally coming together.
Apparently, there was too much information by authors for a single book, so the one volume has been split it into two:
- The Complete Guide to Writing Paranormal: Spirits, Sprites and Spooks
- The Complete Guide to Writing Paranormal: Undead, Cursed and Inhuman
I have a chapter in the second volume: Undead, Cursed and Inhuman. (I have to admit, I like that title much better than Spirits, Sprites and Spooks. I think it sounds “tougher.” I didn’t get a choice, of course, but I’m pleased.) And, judging from the TOC (table of contents), mine’s the last chapter in the book: “Critique Groups: One Spark to Better Writing.”
I’ll post cover art when I receive it.
Friday, October 16th, 2009
 I’ll be at Capclave tomorrow, reading from Blood Soup.
Capclave is hosted by the Washington, DC Science Fiction Association and promotes short fiction. Their motto is: Where reading is not extinct!
The convention tends to be small and literary, but enjoys participation from big names in the field. This year’s Guest of Honor is Harry Turtledove.
I’ll be reading with other members of Broad Universe, including Jean Marie Ward, Roxanne Bland, Victoria Janssen and Diane Arrelle. We’ll be doing a “Rapid Fire Reading.” Each of us will read for ten minutes or less from out works.
And, we’ll have chocolate.
If you’re in the Washington Area around 1 p.m., please join us. I’d love to meet you.
Tuesday, August 18th, 2009
 Murder, Betrayal, Comeuppance…
That’s the tagline for my novella, Blood Soup, available from Eternal Press on September 7. The “Coming Soon” announcements page has recently been posted. You can see it here.
Blood Soup will also be available in print via Amazon, about three weeks after the electronic version.
Do you tweet? Do you like FREE fiction?
I’ll be running two twitter contests related to the book, both on September 7th:
First: The 25th and 50th person to re-tweet my announcement on the 7th will win an electronic copy of Blood Soup.
Second: Anyone who buys Blood Soup will also have the opportunity to win print versions of Triangulation: Dark Glass and Black Dragon, White Dragon (two anthologies that some of my other work appears in) just by tweeting specific information from Blood Soup. For instance, I’ll tweet: What’s the last word on line 4 of page 22? Give the correct answer and you may win a book. I’ll give away up to five print versions of these books. More details to come closer to the launch date. In the meantime, you may want to follow me on twitter: @kellyaharmon.
Excerpt from Blood Soup:
Theodicar looked down at the mewling infant in his arms, and felt the anger rise up. Even in death his wife defied him, the nurse ensuring her success. Women did not rule. He would not allow it. They had created a male child, and that child would take the throne upon his death. “You can save the boy,” he said to Salvagia.
She slitted her eyes at him, her stare mutinous. Her words were loud and hard in the wake of Pia’s death. “I have the power to save one at the expense of the other, Sire. The girl is stronger. And eldest. She was born to rule.”
Theodicar watched the girl curl up in his arms, her birth fluids staining a brown patch on the dyed-yellow wool of his tunic. She burrowed into the crook of his elbow, trying to achieve the comfort of the womb.
“I will not hear those words again,” he said. “That absurd idea died with my wife. My son will rule.” He reached for the boy, thrusting the girl child back into the nurse’s hands. “There’s no need for a daughter. And no need for anyone to know of her.”
“So be it,” Salvagia said, wrapping the weary girl in a square of wool, covering her face. She reached for her basket.
“Kill her now,” said Theodicar.
Salvagia looked stricken.
“Sire, if we kill her now, she will be of no use to her brother. Once dead, the blood won’t flow, and we need her blood to strengthen his.
“Then drain her now,” he snapped. “I will not have her crying out when we call the witnesses back to cut the boy’s cord.”
She paled, but nodded, and grabbed the necessary implements from her basket. She did the job quickly, tears streaming down her face. To keep it warm, Salvagia set the flask of blood in the ashes at the edge of the hearth. Then she wrapped the tiny body in linen and shoved it deep into her basket.
“Your life is forfeit if you speak a word of this to anyone,” Theodicar said. “Do you understand?” She nodded, pushing the basket out of view.
He sat down in his chair. “Call the witnesses back. We’ll sever the cord in their presence to prove the succession. Wipe those tears,” he said.
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