Comments on: Ghlaghghee, Being Less Than Cooperative

By: Beth

Beth — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 20:16:13 +0000

Pixelfish@26 Swordspoint et al are by Ellen Kushner. Ellen Datlow is an editor and anthologist, possibly best known as editor of OMNI magazine.

By: hyperpat

hyperpat — Sun, 01 Nov 2009 17:29:59 +0000

On Anthony: His very early books are still very much worth reading; Macroscope, Chthon, Orn, Sos the Rope, etc. His Xanth works are definitely geared more towards the younger set, designed as entertainment, and there’s nothing wrong with that, but they won’t appeal to or have much holding power for most older readers.

Of the other writers in that gallery, Delany is still a must read, though his recent work has trended far away from SF land. It’s still poetry in prose, with his inimitable attention to exactly what happens in a scene (spelled out with exactly the right words) and his very distinct characters.

Ghlaghghee’s opinion of all writers is very apparent in this shot. Regardless of your own hyper-critical opinion of your prowess in photo-taking, it’s shots like these that undermine such a self-assessment.

By: PixelFish

PixelFish — Sat, 31 Oct 2009 22:38:26 +0000

lee s @22: Ellen Datlow has written some YAish fantasy, Swordspoint and Privilege of the Sword, which have gotten some praise. I read only Privilege of the Sword, which I found to be mildly enjoyable and perhaps not my cup of tea personally, but probably just fine for other folks.

By: The Gray Area

The Gray Area — Sat, 31 Oct 2009 17:51:49 +0000

I wonder if you can really be a writer and not be surrounded by books. They seem to inspire, and remind, and just act as silent connections to other places. If all books were digital how would we surround ourselves with these loved things? Maybe predictions that paper books will always be with us is true because we just won’t give up on the 3-D experience.

By: John Scalzi

John Scalzi — Sat, 31 Oct 2009 17:17:46 +0000

Hope:

I knew Kyle was coming. I did pick up the office slightly, since my wife would kill me if I let it be professionally photographed in its usual state of squalor. But the bookstacks are unarranged; they are as they are on a day to day basis.

By: hope

hope — Sat, 31 Oct 2009 16:59:56 +0000

So, John, from your experience, can you tell us how “authentic” these pictures are? Does Cassidy drop by unannounced to catch the authors in their natural state? Or did you spend a week arranging your bookstacks and hiding the candy wrappers?

By: lee s

lee s — Sat, 31 Oct 2009 15:14:40 +0000

I looked at the gallery again. Nothing new to add re authors pictured except to say I’m not sure how much Ellen Datlow writes these days. She’s more known for being an editor.

By: lee s

lee s — Sat, 31 Oct 2009 15:03:12 +0000

@9 : Ben Bova, Fred Pohl, Harry Harrison, Joe Haldeman. Very good reasons why these four are either already Grand Masters, or soon will be. But be aware that each is a very different sort of storyteller. I haven’t read Ben Bova’s more recent “solar system tour” books, so can’t comment on them, but anything earlier is a fair bet for just about anyone who likes science fiction.

Margeret Wies is very good at the semi-SF/semi-Heroic Fantasy sort of thing, if you like that.

Tom Purdom generally writes short works. He hasn’t written anything beyond novella or novellete length in very many years. He generally writes one or two shorter works or so per year. He seems to have been largely forgotten by the general SF fan-base. He is a founding member of SFWA, and is a past Vice President, as I recall.

The other authors in the gallery either I can’t remember who was included beyond those I’ve mentioned or I haven’t read anything by them.

The Joe Haldeman pic is the coolest IMHO, although bookless.

By: Sally Lou Liz

Sally Lou Liz — Sat, 31 Oct 2009 12:06:45 +0000

Great office pics! It is neat to see how and where authors write. Some lovely offices that have me thinking I need a den myself. For me and my books and my cat! I’ve got enough shelves for my books (finally) and still have the odd pile on the floor. Something very comforting about that.

I work in a library, and love books. Love reading, love talking about books, and love my job for those reasons. It always amazes me when people (who usually don’t read) tell me I should be writing books! To me, it is like saying that if you watch a lot of medical shows you could be a surgeon. No schooling required, just tv. Or in my case reading. The chasm between enjoying books, vs writing books, is huge to me!

Hurray for writers!

By: Monkee

Monkee — Sat, 31 Oct 2009 09:14:55 +0000

It may be “expected” to see the stacks of books in authors’ homes, but I still love it! =D

Also, this photo is awesomeness.

And, I agree with #13 PixelFish re: flattery. With some work at it, you could definitely be pro, if this is what your skill is like with it being simply a hobby.