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Just Arrived, 3/1/10

March 1, 2010 By 9 Comments

Another month, and more books. Some of what arrived today:

* Scenting the Dark, by Mary Robinette Kowal (Subterranean Press): Mary’s short-but-awesome story collection, gorgeously put together by SubPress. I’m not going to pretend to be objective about this particular book since a) Mary and I are friends, b) and currently running to be president and vice-president of SFWA, c) and anyway I wrote the intro to this collection. That said, it really is excellent and I want you to read it. It’s out now.

While we’re on the subject of Mary, incidentally, she is the subject of an entire latest edition of Apex magazine, which has four works by her in its pages, including the title story of this very collection. Go check it out.

* Getting In, by Karen Stabiner (Voice/Hyperion): Hey, remember your panic at getting into the right (elite) college? This is that, in book form! Don’t worry, it’s a humorous book. That is, unless you only got into your fallback school. In which case, here’s a hug, man. This one’s out on March 16.

* Mysterius the Unfathomable, by Jeff Parker and Tom Fowler (Wildstorm): A reporter for an alt-weekly paper gets sucked into a weird (i.e., supernatural) situation and ends up the assistant to a belligerent conjurer. This graphic novel will be featured in a Big Idea post later on in the month.

* Eyes Like Leaves, by Charles de Lint (Subterranean Press): This is an interesting one: de Lint wrote this fantasy novel thirty years ago but then apparently set it aside because he wanted to focus on other works, so this marks the novel’s actual publication debut. Clearly something for de Lint fans to add to their collection. Out now.

Filed Under: Just Arrived

Your March Science Fictional Reminderations

March 1, 2010 By 11 Comments

What? March already? Seriously, man, that’s just wacky. Here are some things I wish to remind you of heading forward for the next 31 (or so) days.

1. If you’re a Hugo nominator, congratulations! You now have two weeks to get your nominations in. So, you know, do so. Here’s a bunch of suggestions from Whatever readers on what they think is award-worthy science fiction and fantasy this year. Remember also that I’m offering a Hugo-consideration electronic edition of The God Engines to nominators (remember to follow the request directions).

Also for potential Hugo nominators, I have this note from the Hugo coordinators: “[We] encourage people to contact hugopin@aussiecon4.org.au if they need their Aussiecon 4 or Anticipation Hugo nomination member info or have questions about their eligibility to nominate.” If you do have questions, resolving them sooner rather than later is a good thing; things get hectic there near the end.

2. If you’re a SFWA active member, the Nebula ballot is now open for your voting pleasure — remember that your vote must be received by March 30th, 2010 at 11:59pm PST in order to count. I’ll note that The God Engines is nominated in the Novella category, and Zoe’s Tale is up for the Norton Award.

Remember also to come along for Nebula Weekend, in which dozens of science fiction writers will descend upon Cocoa Beach, Florida to be all science fictional together. Note this does not mean we will all wear shimmering tunics. That would be wrong. So very wrong.

3. A reminder to all and sundry that I will once again be teaching at the Viable Paradise Writer’s Workshop on scenic Martha’s Vineyard this October, and that it is not too late to apply for this year’s workshop. If you ever wanted me to critique your work (not mention having Elizabeth Bear, Patrick and Teresa Nielsen Hayden, Steven Gould, Laura Mixon, Jim Macdonald and Debra Doyle critique your work), this is the place. And hey, a week on Martha’s Vineyard in early October. Very pretty, y’all.

4. While on the subject of writers’ workshops, if you’re a teen, today is the last day to apply for this year’s Alpha workshop, a genuinely excellent place for teen writers to meet other teens and learn from top writers — this year’s author instructors include Holly Black, Timothy Zahn, Tamora Pierce and Mike Arnzen. I met with last year’s teen crew, and came away very impressed. I meant to note this earlier to give all y’all some more lead time, but apparently I suck. Be that as it may: Teens! Hustle and get in your applications. TODAY, by 6pm Eastern. It’ll be worth the effort.

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