I’m excited to report that I’ll be participating in the Lammy Awards Finalists Reading in NYC next week, where I’ll be reading from A Study in Honor. Details here.
Writing, writing, writing…
In case I hadn’t mentioned it before, I have two, possibly three books coming out this year. One is The Hound of Justice, the second entry in my Janet Watson Chronicles. The second is A Jewel Bright Sea, the first in my Mage and Empire series. It’s a good thing for my stress levels that HOUND is done, done, done and through production. The last items for JEWEL just arrived in my inbox: queries from the cover artist and the page proofs, which I need to read and mark up for any mistakes.
Meanwhile, I am writing the second Mage and Empire book as fast as I can. I wrote and tossed at least two versions of the opening chapters, but things are clicking now. Plot, emotional layers, themes of loyalty, and more. I am excited. 🙂
Lammy Awards!
I am utterly stoked to report that A Study in Honor is a finalist in the 31st Lambda Literary Awards. See the full list of finalists here.
Another Giveaway!
Did you miss a chance to win an advance copy of The Hound of Justice? Have no fear, because there’s another giveaway, starting today. You can find all the details over here.
Dr. Janet Watson and covert agent Sara Holmes, introduced in the acclaimed A Study in Honor, continue their dangerous investigation into the new American Civil War with the help of fresh allies, advanced technology, and brilliant deduction in this superb reimagining of Sherlock Holmes.
ICYMI: A Goodreads Giveaway
There are still five four days left in the Goodreads giveaway for The Hound of Justice. See here for details.
February updates…
Edits for A Jewel Bright Sea handed in and formally accepted!
Plot for The Empire’s Edge (pirates#2, formerly titled Morennioù) hashed out with my editor and the first couple chapters completed. I’m very excited about this book, which has been simmering on the backburner for several years.
Synopsis and a rough first chapter for The Sign of Three (notsherlock#3) written. This is my option book for The Janet Watson Chronicles, which means that once I have three polished chapters, those go to my editor, and the anxious waiting begins to see if they like it enough to acquire.
Now to get back to writing…
Hello, 2019!
And hello to my new website. I will be gradually moving over content from the previous site as I learn more about WordPress and how to make it work for me.
Looking forward, looking back…
Last year was filled with amazing. A Study in Honor got all kinds of buzz. I signed with a new agent, who went out and sold my pirate novel plus a sequel. I finished the sequel to ASiH, now titled The Hound of Justice, which I might love even more than the first book. And by finished, I mean written, edited, copyedited, and proofread. Lots of work, but oh so satisfying.
2018 was also the year my husband and I to Japan for vacation. Japan…So many kind people, so much good food, so much history. We loved it so much, we’re going back this year. This was also the year I went on a solo vacation to Heidelberg, where I’d been an exchange student many decades ago. This was a low-key visit—I wandered about the Altstadt, checking out what had changed and what had not, eating all my favorite German food, sitting in the sun at the Marktplatz, drinking good coffee and watching kids play.
So what about my goals for 2019? I have two Must Dos and one Want To Do:
- Finish edits for A Jewel Bright Sea (pirate#1)
- Write a complete draft for The Empire’s Edge (pirate#2)
- Write a synopsis and sample chapters for a possible third book in The Janet Watson Chronicles
And in between, there will be the usual copyedits, and the usual promo for all three books. Because, yes, that’s right, I will have three new books out this year!
Awards Eligibility (2018)
A Study in Honor came out in July 2018 from Harper Voyager. It’s a feminist re-imagining of Watson and Holmes, set in a near future US divided by a second civil war, and I think it’s the best book I’ve written so far. Here’s what others are saying:
“In this intriguing and fresh twist on the Sherlock Holmes mythos, O’Dell brings a heady mix of dystopian sf and strong female protagonists in the first of a new series.” — Library Journal
“O’Dell has crafted an adventure for the 21st century, a raw, wounded time that requires a main character as torn asunder as the environment around her.” — Barnes & Nobles Favorite Sci-Fi Fantasy of 2018
“If you like dystopian future narratives, queer romance, and Sherlock Holmes, you’ll adore A Study in Honor.” — LitHub
“This is a real treat for fans of Conan Doyle and SF mysteries.” — Publishers Weekly
“A Study in Honor turns out to be one of those books I find impossible to put down. I want the sequel immediately.” — Tor.com
So, if you’re nominating or voting for the Hugo, Nebula, BSFA, or other awards, please remember A Study in Honor and consider putting it on your ballot.
Many thanks.
Pony!
As part of our vacation, we made a day trip to Assateague Island. There were lovely beaches and refreshing waves. There were hiking trails. And of course, there were ponies.
