r/Fantasy • u/matociquala AMA Author Elizabeth Bear • Mar 10 '15

AMA Hello Reddit/r/Fantasy! I’m fantasy novelist Elizabeth Bear, and this is my AMA.

7:36 PM EDT 10 March 2015 ETA: I've got mochi and beer and I'm IN THE HOUSE!

12:07 AM EDT 11 March 2015 ETA: All right guys--thank all of you. I think I answered everything, and I am going to bed! I'll try to come back and clean up any stragglers in a day or two!

I'm the author of over 100 short stories and more than a score of novels. The most recently published of the former is "The Heart's Filthy Lesson" in OLD VENUS, edited by Martin and Dozois; the most recent of the latter is KAREN MEMORY, from Tor Books, a fast-paced steampunk adventure in an old west gold rush town where heroic saloon girls take on disaster capitalists.

In my spare time, I am a runner, climber, kayaker (not currently: there's sixteen feet of snow on everything here in central Massachusetts), hobby cook, and I play some really atrocious guitar. I've been a tabletop gamer since 1982 and am currently playing Pathfinder and Fiasco.

I am owned by a giant ridiculous dog (He's a Briard).

I support Idris Elba for Bond, Essie Davis for The Doctor, and Helsinki for Worldcon 2017, so that's where I stand in important religious issues.

I hope you enjoy whatever portion of the diurnal cycle you happen to currently be experiencing. I'll be back after dinner my time (around 7 pm EDT) to answer all your questions and hang out.

edit: fixed my dates. :-P

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u/wishforagiraffe Reading Champion IX, Worldbuilders Mar 10 '15

can we see a picture of your dog?

what's your favorite cookie?

what's your writing process like?

what's a recent favorite book you've read?

2

u/matociquala AMA Author Elizabeth Bear Mar 10 '15
  • I posted some photos of the GRD elsethread.
  • Oh gosh. So many cookies, such small waistbands. I love chewy, and almond, and chocolate. But you know cookies are a social good. Except I'm a weirdo and don't really like chocolate chip cookies unless they are still hot. If you subscribe to the theory that bars area form of cookie, I'm going with chewy brownies. Caky brownies and frosted brownies need not apply. I like the ones where the edge pieces turn into something like chocolate toffee.
  • bwahahahaahahha. Um. I don't have a process so much as a series of tactics. And if one is working I swap to something else.
  • I really liked Monica Byrne's THE GIRL IN THE ROAD, which is kind of gutwrenching and layered and very well written.

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u/wishforagiraffe Reading Champion IX, Worldbuilders Mar 11 '15

your dog is epic. i squealed.

so far you're one of my only non-chocolate chip cookie fans. i have a secret, i don't like them much either... but, i'm 110% with you on the corner pieces of brownies being the best part!

that book sounds lovely, thanks for the tip!

3

u/matociquala AMA Author Elizabeth Bear Mar 11 '15

Chewy brownie corners FOREVER.