New wallpaper, some thoughts.

[seanan_mcguire]

Thanks to the graphic magic of Tara O'Shea, there are new wallpapers on the October Daye Wallpaper page, this time allowing you to dress your monitor in the fine, fine image of "In Sea-Salt Tears." You can find the wallpaper here:

http://seananmcguire.com/wallpapers.php#short

I am still, to be honest, a little bit staggered by this story's inclusion in this year's Hugo ballot. Not that I'm not staggered by every single nomination—because I am; for some people I may have become a predictable choice, but for me, this is only the third year that I've been on the ballot at all—but this one is...it's special. It's a purely urban fantasy story, for one thing, and stories in that sub-genre don't often get recognized at this level. And it's about women, just women, two women who loved each other for as long as they were allowed. There's no grand battle or flashy challenge.

There's just women.

People talk about "writing what you know," and the parts of this story that are what I know are the parts with kitchens and farmer's markets and Italian dinners and love. So much love. Love that seems like it could change the world forever, even when you know that it can never really change anything but you.

I got urban fantasy on the Hugo ballot.

I'm a little proud of that.

Comments

[spectralbovine.livejournal.com]

I'm a little proud of you.

(A lot proud of you.)

[seanan-mcguire.livejournal.com]

Thank you.

[herefox.livejournal.com]

Deservedly so. It's a beautiful story.

[seanan-mcguire.livejournal.com]

Thank you.

[http://users.livejournal.com/la_marquise_de_/]

It's a fine achievement.

[seanan-mcguire.livejournal.com]

I am still staggered.

[mac-arthur-park.livejournal.com]

You have every right to be proud of yourself. Go, you!

[seanan-mcguire.livejournal.com]

Thank you!

[mathsnerd]

I'm proud of you beyond words.

And to be honest? It's my favourite story so far in the Toby-verse. It made me cry.

[seanan-mcguire.livejournal.com]

Oh, wow.

Thank you for that.

[1trackmind.livejournal.com]

Congratulations!

[seanan-mcguire.livejournal.com]

Thanks!

[reedrover]

We-your-fans are very proud of you, and of the power of your fandom to get you on the ballot. As you said a while ago (or maybe it was Jim Hines), it is a popularity contest. I think it's fabulous that an urban fantasy, self-published for free, with female main characters, is popular. That's a heck of a story!

FWIW - When I finished reading the story (and stopped sniffling), I noticed that I had your version of "Still Catch the Tide" in my head... and now just those two lines from the chorus are irrevocably linked to my thoughts of this story. I think it's neat, even if the song doesn't match the story overall.
I never thought that I could hold you forever;
Always knew deep down that you'd have to go home...

[geekhyena.livejournal.com]

Same - that song was running through my head the whole time I read it, and I'm also excited it got on the ballot because it is so hard to find non-hetero representation in fiction sometimes, even/especially in fantasy/sf, so I am doubly excited. This story always brings me to tears when I read it, and I love that it does that. It is beautiful and poignant and it makes the characters have a new layer of depth and just thinking about it leaves me drowning in FEELS. I really hope it wins.

[seanan-mcguire.livejournal.com]

Thank you. :)

[kassrachel.livejournal.com]

I loved In Sea-Salt Tears. I mean: I pretty roundly adore all of the Toby Daye stories, and I am a big fan of the Luidaeg in general. So that story was pretty much like catnip for me. ♥ I'm so glad it's being recognized.

[seanan-mcguire.livejournal.com]

I'm just stunned.

[beasting-quest.livejournal.com]

Ohhh, pretty.

I got urban fantasy on the Hugo ballot.

Awesome! *cuddles*

[seanan-mcguire.livejournal.com]

Glee.

And terror.

And glee.

[slantiness.livejournal.com]

When I read this I felt confused and then I realized that it's because I had forgotten this short story existed--I don't think I read it yet! Can you tell me where I can read it? I love the Luidaeg and love and tears.

[spectralbovine.livejournal.com]

It's on the Toby shorts page.

[slantiness.livejournal.com]

Thanks thanks thanks. I have been so out of the book/authors/fandom scene...

[seanan-mcguire.livejournal.com]

I am glad someone answered this in a more timely fashion!

[taylweaver.livejournal.com]

It's part of what motivated me to buy the supporting membership (well, that and all of the other stories you have on there). I'm very much looking forward to reading it. As I read through the packet, I'm saving your stuff for last, because I know it will be good.

[seanan-mcguire.livejournal.com]

Aw.

Thank you.

[vincentursus.livejournal.com]

*applauds*

[seanan-mcguire.livejournal.com]

<3

[erinwrites.livejournal.com]

I kind of just want to post THIS on all the comments so far. <3

[seanan-mcguire.livejournal.com]

Awwwww.

Best Erin is best.

[yellowblackhaze.livejournal.com]

You absolutely should be proud. It's a fine piece of writing and it belongs on the ballot, regardless of genre.

[seanan-mcguire.livejournal.com]

Thank you.

[anne_d]

It's a fine story. The issues are all understandable and in some ways, very human and very real.

You should be proud. I'm being proud for you right now.

[seanan-mcguire.livejournal.com]

Thank you.

[acelightning.livejournal.com]

[seanan-mcguire.livejournal.com]

Here's hoping.

[acelightning.livejournal.com]

[vettecat.livejournal.com]

It's a good story. What it's about is incidental.

[seanan-mcguire.livejournal.com]

Thank you.