Christian Bieck

Christian Bieck

@chbieck.bsky.social

Writer (fantasy — A Basquet of Cats), editor, musician, tennis coach, gamer, nerd, German living in France. He/him. http://www.bieck.fr

148 followers160 following204 posts

Christian Bieck
@chbieck.bsky.social

In which I talk about the good, the bad, and the difficult lessons learned, 6 months after publication of A Basquet of Cats.

bieck.fr6 Months of BasquetSix months ago today, on April 22nd, Guardbridge Books published my debut novel, A Basquet of Cats. A good time for a few reflections and lessons learned about being a first time novelist. The good, the bad, and the difficult. So here goes! 1. Being a published author is awesome! Despite every caveat below, having your own book in your hands is amazing.
Christian Bieck
@chbieck.bsky.social

I talk about Murakami Haruki's Kafka on the Shore, and whether that's the right book to start with his oevre.

bieck.frBook Review: Kafka on the ShoreAt the end of my review about Murakami Haruki's Norwegian Wood, I asked whether that one was the right Murakami to start with. Answer, after reading Kafka on the Shore: no. And while I don't know whether Kafka on the Shore is the best one to start with, either, I certainly enjoyed it immensely! The story is told in two alternating strands about two very different characters; the first is a teenager who calls himself Kafka Tamura, estranged from his father and abandoned by his mother and sister when he was little.
Christian Bieck
@chbieck.bsky.social

Fruit, wool, and other nice things from the garden.

bieck.frHarvestsSummer is theoretically over, although you wouldn't know it when temperatures are still way too high for the month and we are dearly missing rain. Still, we are past the autumn equinox, the day are getting noticeably shorter, and to me, it kind of feels like fall (if that makes sense). That might also have something to do with the fact that the only trees that still have fruit are the apples, the quinces, and the medlars.
Christian Bieck
@chbieck.bsky.social

I talk about the Shades of Magic trilogy by VE Schwab; it's the first time I rate less than 4 stars for a series.

bieck.frBook Review: Shades of Magic TrilogyI haven't been very active in writing the past few weeks, due to a variety of reasons I won't go into. But now that (too hot) summer is turning into fall, the motivation is coming back; additionally, a few new subscribers have signed up (hi there!), which always provides a boost. 🙂 On the plus side, not writing meant I read a lot, at least by my standards—which gives me material for book reviews!
Christian Bieck
@chbieck.bsky.social

Snippets of A Basquet of Cats, narrated by professional audiobook narrator Josie Midforth. Listen and enjoy (and go buy the book ;-) )

bieck.frHow Basquet Sounds Narrated by a ProShort post today. Last week, I connected with Josie Midforth, a professional audiobook narrator, and she graciously offered to do a sample reading of A Basquet of Cats. So I sent her snippets of the first four chapters, just enough to get a feel for the three PoV characters Gentza, Kitty, and Kerbasi. And boy, do you get a feel for them in her narration.

Christian Bieck reposted

John Scalzi
@scalzi.com

1. Newer writers, just don't fucking use "AI" for anything, ever 2. How odd that being an established writer with a firm "no 'AI'" stance and ample pre-"AI" IP will become a definite competitive advantage over "new, hot, and possibly copyright compromised" deadline.com/2026/07/ai-q...

deadline.comAI Questions Spoil Book & Movie Heat On 'Call Me, I'll Hide The Body' NovelThat screeching sound you heard from international publishers and film rights buyers was an abrupt application of the brakes after a fevered pursuit of the unpublished debut novel.
Christian Bieck
@chbieck.bsky.social

I talk about the Interdependency trilogy, by John Scalzi, and what the stars in my personal rating system mean.

bieck.frBook Review: The Interdependency TrilogyLast year, I mentioned that I had purchased an ebook Humble Bundle of John Scalzi novels a while back. Since I prefer physical books to electronic, I don't use my reader much (a PocketBook Era, which I am quite happy with, not the least because it's not tied to a particular ecosystem), so after reading a bit of the bundle I forgot all about it.
Christian Bieck
@chbieck.bsky.social

The #Smashwords sale is still ongoing. Get A Basquet of Cats 50% off! Medieval #fantasy with magical #cats!

Guardbridge Books@guardbridgebooks.bsky.social

All our books, including the new Basquet of Cats, will be discounted on @Smashwords during their month-long Summer/Winter Sale in July! Be sure to follow me for more updates and links to the promotion for my books and many more! #SWSale2026 #Smashwords www.smashwords.com/profile/view...

Christian Bieck reposted

Christian Bieck
@chbieck.bsky.social

Spend your summer with magical cats!

Guardbridge Books@guardbridgebooks.bsky.social

All our books, including the new Basquet of Cats, will be discounted on @Smashwords during their month-long Summer/Winter Sale in July! Be sure to follow me for more updates and links to the promotion for my books and many more! #SWSale2026 #Smashwords www.smashwords.com/profile/view...

Christian Bieck
@chbieck.bsky.social

Spend your summer with magical cats!

Guardbridge Books@guardbridgebooks.bsky.social

All our books, including the new Basquet of Cats, will be discounted on @Smashwords during their month-long Summer/Winter Sale in July! Be sure to follow me for more updates and links to the promotion for my books and many more! #SWSale2026 #Smashwords www.smashwords.com/profile/view...

Christian Bieck
@chbieck.bsky.social

I talk about Norwegian Wood by Murakami Haruki, and what IMO makes a book a good book.

bieck.frBook Review: Norwegian WoodThe Guardian recently had two lists of the "100 best novels of all time". The first one was curated by professionals (writers, academics, critics etc.), and the second one by readers. I've read 7 of the first list, but 13 of the second, so I obviously agree more with the latter. As usual with these things, the lists say more about the people choosing than about the objective quality of the books.

Christian Bieck reposted

The Drebit's Rain
@sdrebit.bsky.social

Replying to @gabino.bsky.social

Thanks Gabino! My first novel, THOUGHT UP DEMONS, is available through Kindle. Follow middle-aged service worker Sylvia as she takes on a dead serial killer, a psychotic emissary, and a lazy deity who wants to blow it all up. Fun for the whole family! (The Mansons, maybe.) Get it! a.co/0gmgVdRc

a.coAmazon.com

Christian Bieck reposted

M.H.Urban - Horror Author
@mhurban.bsky.social

Replying to @gabino.bsky.social

Hi Gabino, I'm currently reading Unusual Afflictions by @jayneill.com The latest book in The LineFolk of London series has been released! If you like well-written urban fantasy, check it out. This series is a must-read.

Christian Bieck
@chbieck.bsky.social

@maryrobinettekowal.com hosts My Favorite Bit about my novel, A Basquet of Cats, on her blog today, maryrobinettekowal.com/journal/my-f... Thank you! (Also thanks to @sarahsward.bsky.social )

maryrobinettekowal.comMy Favorite Bit: Christian Bieck talks about A BASQUET OF CATSChristian Bieck is joining us today to talk about his novel, A Basquet of Cats. Here’s the publisher’s description: Gentza is a young black cat living a happy life in the Basque lands of medieval F…
Christian Bieck
@chbieck.bsky.social

I explain my favorite bit about A Basquet of Cats. TL&DR: world-builders disease has it's up and down sides :-)

bieck.frMy Favorite Bit about “A Basquet of Cats”It's been almost two months now since the launch of Basquet, and promotion is still ongoing. That means a few book readings (more about that in a future post), but mainly via social media. In fact, I'm spending more time on BookStagram and BookTok than I would ever have imagined possible. And the book still needs reviews... *nudge nudge*
Christian Bieck
@chbieck.bsky.social

Review of books 1-3 of the Kangaroo Chronicles. 5*; I laughed a lot. First book also available in English.

bieck.frBook Review: The Kangaroo ChroniclesI usually don't "do" audio books; not because I think they don't count somehow, but more because I prefer the sensation of a physical book. Plus I find I tend to drift off when listening to something, especially when a phrase or plot point reminds me of my own writing. The exception is when I'm on the road. Going to visit my mom in Germany is a long drive, 1,100 km (about 700 miles), and I find that when driving, the spoken word is better than music to keep me awake.
Christian Bieck
@chbieck.bsky.social

Review of Saving Hell, by Maria Sjöstrand. Fun!

bieck.frBook Review: Saving HellWhen I first looked through Guardbridge Books's selection of titles sometime last year, "Saving Hell" by Maria Sjöstrand caught my eye for several reasons. The cover has a black cat and an apple with a bite out of it, and nothing else, and "supernatural jaunt" as the genre description sounded intriguing, as did the blurb on the detail page. So when I saw it lying on GB's dealer table at…
Christian Bieck
@chbieck.bsky.social

I explain the Big Idea behind A Basquet of Cats, as far as it exists. TL&DR: it's all about cats having magic anyway. ;-)

bieck.frThe Big Idea Behind “A Basquet of Cats”The long wait is over. Yesterday was finally Launch Day for my debut novel! I hope you are all eager to get it, and (more importantly) read it—I know how it is with those TBR piles that get higher and higher... Either way, once you've read it, I'd appreciate a rating on Amazon and/or Goodreads. An honest one, of course. Every rating helps.
Christian Bieck
@chbieck.bsky.social

Today's the day! "A Basquet of Cats" is published and available! Check out my explanation of the Big Idea behind Basquet on John Scalzi's blog Whatever. whatever.scalzi.com/2026/04/21/t... A big thank you to @scalzi.com for the generous hosting, and to @athenascalzi.com for the nice introduction.

whatever.scalzi.comThe Big Idea: Christian BieckJust because something is created with a younger audience in mind, doesn’t mean it can’t be enjoyed by all. After all, whomst among us doesn’t love the idea of magic cats? Author …
Christian Bieck
@chbieck.bsky.social

Back at home after #EasterCon 2026 #Iridescence to summer in SW France. My plug today (no kickback ;-) ): the org @thsofficial.bsky.social. While we were away, a lovely family took care of our home and menagerie. Our animals loved them (and vice versa), and we had total peace of mind while away!

Christian Bieck
@chbieck.bsky.social

At the airport after #EasterCon; will be home tonight. Now for the hard part: promotion. Why is promoting your own book so much harder than those of others? Anyway, I'll start with my website; it needs to be more... cheerful? Definitely more #cat! I'll probably start with listing how cat kids talk!

Christian Bieck reposted

John Wiswell
@wiswell.bsky.social

Authors, please talk about your stuff. People who like to read need to find out about your stuff. You're doing us a favor!

This post is unavailable.
Christian Bieck
@chbieck.bsky.social

It's EasterCon, and my book is out! (Magical #cats!)

bieck.frEasterCon!We are currently at EasterCon, and yesterday was the big day when pre-release copies of A Basquet of Cats became available. They look gorgeous! The launch event was in the evening, together withe Slab Press, who launch their newest dark SF anthology Obsidian. An interesting contrast, the light(er)-hearted YA fantasy, and a collection of less optimistic novelettes and novellas in cold, cold space.
Christian Bieck
@chbieck.bsky.social

Tomorrow (Friday Apr 3), 19:30, at EasterCon 2026 #Iridescence: Pre-release of "A Basquet of Cats". Join us for the party in room Sussex! #fantasy #cats

Guardbridge Books@guardbridgebooks.bsky.social

Presenting the cover of our new book: A BASQUET OF CATS by Christian Bieck Artwork by Brittney Andersen Medieval Fantasy with Magical Cats! For Young Adults and Animal Lovers of All Ages Preview release at Eastercon, pre-orders starting April 4, World-wide release April 22

Christian Bieck
@chbieck.bsky.social

#Magic and #cats! I'm hoping that's a winning combination! (The test readers seemed to think so. :-) )

Guardbridge Books@guardbridgebooks.bsky.social

Presenting the cover of our new book: A BASQUET OF CATS by Christian Bieck Artwork by Brittney Andersen Medieval Fantasy with Magical Cats! For Young Adults and Animal Lovers of All Ages Preview release at Eastercon, pre-orders starting April 4, World-wide release April 22

Christian Bieck reposted

Guardbridge Books
@guardbridgebooks.bsky.social

Presenting the cover of our new book: A BASQUET OF CATS by Christian Bieck Artwork by Brittney Andersen Medieval Fantasy with Magical Cats! For Young Adults and Animal Lovers of All Ages Preview release at Eastercon, pre-orders starting April 4, World-wide release April 22

Christian Bieck
@chbieck.bsky.social

My favorite bit of line art from the upcoming #GraphicNovel "Cat Charm", created by Brittney Andersen and myself. Brittney perfectly captured that moment when a cat tosses something off the table, looks down, and obviously thinks, "Well look at that. Somebody better pick THAT up now..." #cats