David D. LevineScience Fiction Author

I’ll be heading to San Jose this week for the World Science Fiction Convention. Here’s where you can find me:

History of Online Fandom
17 Aug 2018, Friday 13:00 – 14:00, room 230
David D. Levine (M), R-Laurraine Tutihasi, Mike Willmoth, Ruhan Zhao
Online interaction is the simple fact of Fannish activity today. It wasn’t always so. Some fans were early adopters of the Internet and its early alternatives. Some had to be dragged in. How did online fan activity get to be the way it is today?

Autographs
17 Aug 2018, Friday 16:00 – 17:00, Autographing
David D. Levine, SB Divya, William Ledbetter, Stephen W. Potts, Mariana Palova, John Kessel, Alasdair Stuart

Tor: Wild Cards Signing
18 Aug 2018, Saturday 10:00 – 14:00 PM, Autographing
George R. R. Martin, Kevin Andrew Murphy, Melinda M. Snodgrass, Mary Anne Mohanraj, Marko Kloos, Caroline Spector, Saladin Ahmed
The long awaited reprint of Wild Cards VIII: One Eyed Jacks is August 28th. But you have an opportunity to get a copy while at Worldcon and to get autographs from many of the authors. This is a special group signing. Copies of the trade paperback will be available from Borderlands Books, in the Dealer’s area. The authors will ONLY be signing Wild Cards books.

Wild Cards: An Ongoing Shared Universe
18 Aug 2018, Saturday 12:00 – 13:00 PM, room 210G
Kevin Andrew Murphy (M), George R. R. Martin, Marko Kloos, Melinda M. Snodgrass, Mary Anne Mohanraj
Who knew when Wild Cards was released in 1987 that it would grow to over 2 dozen books and still be going strong over 30 years later. The latest installments are Texas Hold ‘Em and Knaves Over Queens. The eighth book, One-Eyed Jacks, is being reprinted and released during the convention. Join the creators and authors for this discussion about how it all started, and where it’s going to be going.

Kaffeeklatsch: David D. Levine
19 Aug 2018, Sunday 10:00 – 11:00, room 211B

Surviving The Review: A Guide
19 Aug 2018, Sunday 15:00 – 16:00, room 210C
Charles Payseur, K.M. Szpara, David D. Levine, Carrie Patel, Derek McCaw
Your work is out there, and here come the reviews! What should writers know about reviews and how to handle them? Does the high of validation or the anxiety of public criticism ever go away? Let’s hear from a range of perspectives on how to deal with these feels.

Reading: David D. Levine
20 Aug 2018, Monday 11:00 – 11:30, room 210G

Hope to see you there!

My third novel, Arabella the Traitor of Mars, the conclusion to the trilogy that began with the Andre Norton Award winning Arabella of Mars, comes out next week! The official release date is July 31. You can buy it from Powell's, University Book Store, Barnes & Noble, iBooks, Kobo, Your Local Independent Book Store, or Amazon.

Is there an ebook? An audiobook?

The ebook and audiobook of Arabella the Traitor of Mars should release simultaneously with the hardback, from all the major ebook vendors, without DRM.

You can hear an excerpt of the audiobook here. It's narrated by the brilliant Barrie Kreinik, same as the previous two volumes. I haven't seen a preorder page for the audiobook yet, but it should appear soon. 

The previous volume, Arabella and the Battle of Venus, was recently released in trade paperback and is still available in hardback and all other formats. The hardback of Arabella of Mars is sold out in many places but the mass market paperback is still widely available, as are the ebook and audiobook.

Are you planning a book tour?

Not as such. But I will be appearing at the following events in the next few months:

• July 27-29, 2018: Confluence, Pittsburgh PA
• August 1, 2018: Powell's Books at Cedar Hills Crossing, Beaverton, OR
• August 3, 2018: University Book Store, Seattle WA
• August 16-20, 2018: Worldcon 76, San Jose CA
• August 23, 2018: Read for Pixels Reddit AMA, /r/Fantasy
• Sep 4, 2018: Willamette Writers (in conversation with Wendy Wagner), Portland OR
• Sep 6, 2018: Deep Dish reading series, Chicago IL
• Sep 16, 2018: SF in SF reading series, San Francisco CA
• Sep 30, 2018: Read for Pixels Google Hangout
• Oct 5-7, 2018: Scintillation, Montréal QC
• Oct 13, 2018: Words & Pictures Festival, Vancouver WA
• Oct 31, 2018: Charm City Spec, Baltimore MD
• Nov 1-4, 2018: World Fantasy Convention, Baltimore MD
• Nov 6, 2018: Young Willamette Writers, Portland, OR
• Nov 9-11, 2018: OryCon 40, Portland, OR

And there might be even more! Check my Upcoming Appearances page for updates.

If any of these events is local to you, please come if you can. At the Powell's and University Bookstore readings next week I'll be appearing in costume and singing a new Hamilton-based song!

What's the book about?

From the publisher: Hail the conquering heroes! The tyrant, Napoleon, has been defeated with Arabella and the crew of the Diana leading the final charge. But, victory has come at a tremendous cost. Britain’s savior, Lord Nelson, has not survived the final battle and the good people of the Diana must now return to London as both heroes and pallbearers.

At last husband and wife, Arabella and Captain Singh seem to have earned the attention of great men, ones who have new uses in mind for the Mars Company captain and his young wife. Both Company and Crown have decided that it is time to bring Mars into the folds of Empire, and they think Singh is the perfect man to do it.

Now, Arabella must decide between staying loyal to the man she loves and the country of her father or betraying all that she has known to fight alongside the Martians in a hopeless resistance against the Galaxy’s last remaining superpower.

What can I do to help?

You should buy the book, of course. Buying it on the release date is helpful but not necessary. If you can't buy it, borrow it from the library. If you can't find it at your local library or bookseller, ask them to carry the book. Also, it's extremely helpful if you post a review on Goodreads, Amazon, your own blog, or anywhere else people might see it. It's okay if you don't like the book! Even a negative review can be helpful if you say why you didn't like it. (Reviewer: "I hated this book! It has Martians and airships and girls dressing as boys! Yuck!" Reader: "Cool, that's just what I love!") And please mention the book to your friends online and off. 

Where should I buy the book? Is paper better than ebook?

Wherever and in whatever format you like to buy books. I get the same money wherever you buy it, and I don't care whether you read it on paper or on screen. There are benefits to me if you buy it on Amazon, but personally I'd prefer it if you would support your local independent book store. Or you could get it from Powell's, which is my local independent book store. You can even order a signed edition from Powell's, which I will sign for you at my reading on August 1.

Is this the last book for Arabella and her universe?

It is, for now. I've been working in this universe almost exclusively for almost six years now and I think Arabella has done more than enough damage to her timeline—both of us deserve a rest.

Since finishing Arabella the Traitor of Mars I have written an unrelated novella, a Wild Cards story, and a few other small projects, and I'm noodling on a new, completely unrelated novel which may or may not turn into a series. But right now, as you can see from my rather crowded travel schedule above, I'm spending more time on being an Author than being a writer. I hope to change that balance in the next few months.

Thank you all for your support! I hope to see you somewhere in the next few months, and if not in person there's always social media. 

I will be attending ConFusion in Detroit, Michigan this coming weekend! This is my first ConFusion since E/c² ConFusion (Mass ConFusion) in 1979! I gather the convention has changed a bit since then. Here’s where you can find me at the con:

• 9pm Friday, Isle Royale
  Let’s Talk: Physics
  A lighthearted talk on a hard science topics with smart and funny people. Let’s Talk: Physics will dive deep into the building blocks of the Universe and try not to giggle about Super G-Strings.
• 11am Saturday, Petoskey
  Last Exit Before The Worst Timeline
  Alternate histories that explore what the world would look like if a particular horror had been averted can be a way of resisting the narrative that slavery, genocide, colonialism, sexism, and other social evils are inevitable steps on the road to human progress. What are our favorite alternate histories (and alternate presents) that look at better worlds, and how can we use the format to inspire people to hope–and action–in uncertain times?
• 4pm Saturday, Isle Royale
  Nasa Spinoffs
  Since 1976, NASA has featured an average of 50 technologies each year in the annual publication. Of these 1000 , what has changed lives daily? What can we expect in the future?
• 5pm Saturday, St. Clair
  Autograph Session (5 PM)
  Come meet your favorite authors, artists and musicians and have them sign things! (Please limit your signing requests to 3 items per person.)
• 10am Sunday, Charlevoix
  Missing and Deleted Scenes in the Age of the Internet
  On the advice of artist John Tenniel, Lewis Carroll dropped an entire chapter from Through The Looking Glass. That chapter was almost lost to history until a galley turned up in a Sotheby’s auction. These days, writers have a lot more options for their missing scenes, including sharing them as promotional freebies on their websites or including them in newsletters or crowdfunding platforms. Can scenes that ultimately didn’t strengthen the work still merit sharing with readers? What makes a missing scene a good candidate for sharing with readers vs. consignment to the recycling bin of history?
• 11am Sunday, Isle Royale
  Reading: David D. Levine and Stephanie Morris – NOT IN PRINTED SCHEDULE
• 1pm Sunday, Saugatuck
  To Mars!
  NASA is finally ready to make humanity’s dream of sending people to Mars a reality. What challenges need to be overcome, and what is ready to go!

I see that the cover of Arabella the Traitor of Mars, the third and final book in The Adventures of Arabella Ashby, is out in the wild! (Click to embiggen.) The book will be available on July 31, 2018 and here’s the publisher’s description:

Taking up almost immediately after the great Battle of Venus, Arabella has finally returned home to Mars to settle in to life with her husband, the mysterious Captain Singh.

The Regent of the United Kingdom sets his eyes on solidifying his rule in the colonies and dispatches a fleet to better cement his control over Mars. Now Arabella and Singh must decide where their ultimate loyalties lie, with the Empire or with their home.

I turned in the final copy-edited manuscript of Arabella the Traitor of Mars on Boxing Day. This book brings Arabella’s adventures to a close (she’s done more than enough damage to her timeline!), and my next novel project will be something completely different. It’s been quite an adventure and I’m happy and grateful to Tor for giving Arabella and her story a chance!

My big publication in 2017 was the novel Arabella and the Battle of Venus, sequel to the Andre Norton Award winning Arabella of Mars. I also published short story “Command and Control” in Infinity Wars, edited by Jonathan Strahan, and novelette “Under the Arch” in Mississippi Roll, edited by George R. R. Martin.

Arabella and the Battle of Venus was well received:

• “Set in a well-constructed 19th century world where battles between countries take place on the inhabited planets of Mars and Venus, Levine’s latest is an extraordinary read. The very independent and spirited Arabella is a bold, intelligent heroine who stands out as she drives the story forward. The cleverly crafted plot is believable in its originality, and the colorful, distinctive characters will engage readers. Levine’s storytelling is animated, infused with humor and wit, and with this second installment in his series, he pens an entertaining, adventurous tale that readers will not be able to put down.” — RT Book Reviews, 4.5 stars, Top Pick
• “Charming young Arabella embarks on another entertaining quest in an imaginative setting that combines 19th-century seafaring with pulp-style space adventure. … This interesting piece of speculative fiction draws on venerable imaginings of distant worlds while still feeling fresh and original.” — Publishers Weekly
• “Levine’s sophomore work brings back his plucky heroine and introduces charismatic characters for another engaging steampunk adventure among the stars.” — Library Journal
• “The joy is in the details of the language and inventiveness of incidents that Levine piles upon each other. Levine nearly convinced me that this fantastic world is true history. He introduces many notable new characters, especially Commander Daniel Fox, whose personal recklessness contrasts with his charisma and his ability to command a vessel. … This rich, joyful novel of action, espionage, and fascinating characters is completely its own thing. It’s a series to get lost in. More, please.” emissourian.com
• “Juxtaposing space travel with historical episodes from the Napoleonic Wars, and contrasting polite English society with swashbuckling seafaring exploits, Mr. Levine has written a delightful, sometimes amusing, always exciting steampunk adventure.” — New York Journal of Books

The Arabella trilogy will conclude with Arabella the Traitor of Mars, coming in July 2018.

My second novel, Arabella and the Battle of Venus, sequel to the Andre Norton Award winning Arabella of Mars, comes out this week! The official release date is July 18, but I have seen copies in two bookstores already. You can buy it from Powell’s, University Book Store, Barnes & Noble, iBooks, Kobo, Your Local Independent Book Store, or Amazon.

Is there an ebook? An audiobook?

The ebook of Arabella and the Battle of Venus should release simultaneously with the hardback, from all the major ebook vendors, without DRM. I haven’t seen any sign of the audiobook yet, but for the previous book it followed the hardback release by a few weeks.

Are you planning a book tour?

Yes! Here are the planned stops:

• July 18, 2017: Powell’s Books at Cedar Hills Crossing, Portland, Oregon.
• July 20, 2017: University Book Store, Seattle, Washington.
• July 22, 2017: Borderlands Books, San Francisco, California.

If any of these events is local to you, please come if you can. There will be music, costumes, and giveaways! Come in costume! Tell your friends!

What’s the book about?

From the publisher: The thrilling adventures of Arabella Ashby continue in Arabella and the Battle of Venus, the second book in Hugo-winning author David D. Levine’s swashbuckling sci-fi, alternate history series!

Arabella’s wedding plans to marry Captain Singh of the Honorable Mars Trading Company are interrupted when her fiancé is captured by the French and sent to a prisoner-of-war camp on swampy Venus. Now, Arabella must find passage to an enemy-controlled planet in the middle of a war, bribe or fight her way past vicious guards, and rescue her Captain.

To do this she must enlist the help of the dashing privateer, Daniel Fox of the Touchstone and build her own clockwork navigational automaton in order to get to Venus before the dread French general, Joseph Fouché, the Executioner of Lyon.

Once on Venus, Arabella, Singh, and Fox soon discover that Napoleon has designed a secret weapon, one that could subjugate the entire solar system if they can’t discover a way to stop Fouché, and the entire French army, from completing their emperor’s mandate.

What can I do to help?

You should buy the book, of course. Buying it on the release date is helpful but not necessary. If you can’t buy it, borrow it from the library. If you can’t find it at your local library or bookseller, ask them to carry the book. Also, it’s extremely helpful if you post a review on Goodreads, Amazon, your own blog, or anywhere else people might see it. It’s okay if you don’t like the book! Even a negative review can be helpful if you say why you didn’t like it. (Reviewer: “I hated this book! It has Martians and airships and girls dressing as boys! Yuck!” Reader: “Cool, that’s just what I love!”) And please mention the book to your friends online and off. 

Where should I buy the book? Is paper better than ebook?

Wherever and in whatever format you like to buy books. I get the same money wherever you buy it, and I don’t care whether you read it on paper or on screen. There are benefits to me if you buy it on Amazon, but personally I’d prefer it if you would support your local independent book store. Or you could get it from Powell’s, which is my local independent book store. You can even order a signed edition from Powell’s, which I will sign for you at my reading on July 18.

How is Arabella of Mars doing?

Very well, thank you! It won the Andre Norton Award for Young Adult Science Fiction and Fantasy and was nominated for the Oregon Book Award, Locus Award, and Compton Crook Award. Sales have been quite satisfactory, and the mass market paperback was released on May 30.

Will there be a book 3?

Yes! I just submitted the first draft last week, and it should be out about the same time next year. This third book, which is currently titled Arabella and the Winds of Phobos but might be called Arabella the Traitor of Mars, concludes Arabella’s story, but there are more tales which could be told about other people in other times and places of Arabella’s world.

How are you doing?

As you know, the last year has been an extremely difficult one for me. But I am doing better, and Arabella’s success has been a great comfort. I thank all of you for your support of me and of the book.

I have finally gotten around to updating the Upcoming Appearances page on my website, and boy howdy do I have a lot of them!

With the release of Arabella and the Battle of Venus coming on July 18, I will be doing readings in Portland, Seattle, and San Francisco that week. Come and hear a new song, get new swag, hear a new reading, and see the same old writer in the same old costume!

Immediately after that I will be off to Europe for the Writing Excuses cruise and Worldcon. In November there’s World Fantasy, Wordstock, SFWA readings in Seattle and Portland, and OryCon, and in December there’s Writers with Drinks in San Francisco. It’s going to be a busy year. And that isn’t counting square dances, travel to visit family and friends, and non-public events!

I hope to see you at one or more of the following events. Click the links for more details.

• July 15, 2017: Words and Pictures Festival, Vancouver, Washington.
• July 18, 2017: Powell’s Books at Cedar Hills Crossing, Portland, Oregon.
• July 20, 2017: University Book Store, Seattle, Washington.
• July 22, 2017: Borderlands Books, San Francisco, California.
• July 28 – August 5, 2017: The 2017 Writing Excuses Workshop and Retreat, MSC Fantasia.
• August 9-13, 2017: Worldcon 75, Helsinki, Finland.
• November 2-5, 2017: World Fantasy Convention, San Antonio, Texas.
• November 11, 2017: Wordstock, Portland, Oregon.
• November 14, 2017: SFWA Pacific Northwest Reading Series, Seattle, Washington.
• November 16, 2017: SFWA Pacific Northwest Reading Series, Portland, Oregon.
• November 17-19, 2017: OryCon 39, Portland, Oregon.
• December 9, 2017: Writers with Drinks, San Francisco, California.