Amber Bird Official

Rockstar, Writer, Sci-Fi Simulacrum

[amberbird]

And After, New Life

Amber Bird · Playlist · 11 songs

In the event Katja and her friends win the day and find their After, what is a new life like? Here's a playlist of theories.

[amberbird]

At my leisure - Amber Bird | Blog

Just poking my head out of my little bunker of work and of fighting despair to think out loud a little. Specifically, I’ve been thinking about how events since about late 2016 have impacted what I create and what I consume for pleasure. And I’ve been alive and watching the world and dealing with depression long enough to know that this isn’t normal for me. I’m not going to list the events that are influencing me; you and I live in the same world and can see the same news items and current events. I’m not trying to say that the world is worse than it’s ever been…Though I’m not trying to not say that. But what I am trying to say is that it’s all changed what I want to read and watch and write. I can no longer bear the grim post-apocalyptic or dystopian stories that I used to love. I am hungry for happy endings and journeys to them that aren’t too rough. I comfort watch and read and listen even more than I used to, leaning into characters who feel enough like me that I have a sense of being even less alone in what hurts. […]

New blog up! It's just a wee bit of thinking aloud about how real life has been impacting what I want in fiction the last handful or years.

[Image ID: A black and white drawing of a cat. Over the cat is the question "Why is the cat screaming?" Beneath the cat is a list. 1. Why wouldn't the cat scream? 2. If you were smart, you'd be doing the same thing.]

[amberbird]

Peaceforger Books: Isa

Amber Bird · Playlist · 8 songs

A little list to listen to and think of Isa, vibrant painter who might secretly be on the leading edge of heresy...at least if Zane is to be believed about her beliefs...

[amberbird]

Unexpected payoffs of peace

I think that the value of doing creative things is often under-realised, and I want everyone—even if not for money or fame and regardless of talent—to have the goodness of doing creative things. So, to inspire you to go do creative things, here is a list in no particular order of 5 unexpected ways writing the Peaceforger books has made my everyday life better.

New blog up! Doing creative things has unexpected payoffs.

[amberbird]

It's #MadLoveMonday! And, since the last book in the trilogy is out, I'm going to name names this time around. Mad love to Jana for always Knowing Stuff that fits my needs when I'm not even sure how to usefully phrase a web search. I've had a totally justified crush on her and her brain (and its sweet, sweet knowledge) for years.

[amberbird]

Peaceforger Books: Divine Community

Amber Bird · Playlist · 13 songs

Sisters and brothers, let us playlist! True faith and pure intentions or fluff and ulterior motives? Only time will tell whether they’re divine or duplicitous. Welcome to Divine Community…

[amberbird]

It's #MadLoveMonday! And, since the last book in the trilogy is out, I'm going to name names this time around. Mad love to Wade. Among his multiple additions to my quality of life is what I learned with him as my gamemaster. My ability to make plans for fictional battles and my understanding of how teams actually work were mainly honed at his games.

[amberbird]

A new year has many thinking about being better. And a new book-in-progress has me thinking about the nature of being and intelligence. How would we fare if we focused more on being our best authentic selves than on avoiding imperfections (or hiding our fallibility from others)?

[amberbird]

Want to be first to know what's coming? Want to hear a quick update on all things Amber every few months? Want to stop letting social media algorithms decide whether you know what I'm up to? Subscribe to my newsletter! (Or use that QR code or use the wee signup box on my web site.)

[amberbird]

It's #MadLoveMonday! And, since the last book in the trilogy is out, I'm going to name names this time around. Mad love to Tom. There are plenty of reasons for that, but pertinent to Peace State is the way he made me feel personally tied to some of the handy tech our heroes used. Love your local STEM maestros!

[amberbird]

Making my peace - Amber Bird | Blog

This year, I wrapped up the Peaceforger trilogy. (It still feels weird to write that…) And I find myself needing to make my peace with the ups and downs of attempting and achieving that. Between June 2015—when I wrote the first real draft of Peace Fire, not just a 20k word “summary”—and October 2021, putting the trilogy into the world involved creating: An uncounted number of drafts. Three books (obviously): Peace Fire, Peace Maker, and Peace State. A Radio Edit version for each of the three books. A book trailer for each book, and a cover reveal trailer each for books 2 and 3. A slew of playlists and moodboards. A smattering of other things (including, but not limited to, bookmarks, blogs, and bookplates). Is this wrap-up causing some Feelings? Definitely. These characters and their stories have been part of my mental landscape since I was 15, so I’m kind of melancholy that this part of that relationship is over. And it just feels unreal and kind of weird and uncomfortable, because there are lots of ways that moving on will change what fills my head and my hours. But I’m also rocking some celebratory feelings and am proud of […]

New blog up! Wherein I talk about my feelings and my future now that I've wrapped up the Peaceforger books.

[amberbird]

Solstice aside, the start of December always feels like WINTER IS HERE, which makes me start planning how to stay warm and cosy, how to find comfort in the cold times. Books and blankets are my go-to tools for that, with maybe more hot cocoa than usual. How do YOU stay warm and/or cosy through the cold and dark? Maybe it's things for physical warmth, or treats you save for or associate with winter, or ways you keep your spirits up, or things you look forward to that you only get with winter... (Though you southern hemisphere folks can talk about staying cool in the summer...I'm globally friendly! Heh!)

[amberbird]

'Tis the season to shamelessly remind you that books make excellent gifts. (Obviously, I'd love you to give mine, but I'm generally pro-gifting books.) Find some links for buying mine on my site, but buy them wherever you buy your books...

[amberbird]

It's #MadLoveMonday! And, since the last book in the trilogy is out, I'm going to name names this time around. Mad love to Ernest. He not only accidentally caused me to write a trilogy instead of multiple books in a shared world, but he gave me the kick in the seat I needed to do the writing at all. Thanks, compañero!

[amberbird]

Fire in November

Amber Bird · Playlist · 16 songs

Whilst not the songs played around the bonfire the first Fire in November (in 2050), Katja and friends thought their new annual celebration deserved a playlist.

[amberbird]

3 November, 1957, Laika became the first animal to orbit Earth. Plucked from the streets, she was a good dog who deserved better than she got.

[amberbird]

Riley Says “Fight!”

Amber Bird · Playlist · 18 songs

It's the last book of the Peaceforger trilogy, so what's the best playlist for Peace State? Well, Riley made an “oldies” playlist to inspire you for the final conflict. Don’t run. Don’t give up. Riley says “Fight!” Plus, of course, there's this moodboard to go with it.