Last year, when I was the Guest of Honor at Capricon XXXI, I made the offhand and not especially serious comment that I would come back the next year and DJ their 80s dance for them. To which Sondra De Jong, the convention chair for Capircon XXXII, said “CHALLENGE ACCEPTED” (more or less, I may be paraphrasing).

And thus, I have indeed been roped in to DJ a 80s-themed dance at Capricon XXXII, which takes place February 9 – 12. And this is what I have to say about that:

ZOMG YOU GUYS IT’S GOING TO BE SO AWESUM.

Seriously.

Also: Cory Doctorow’s the Guest of Honor. So there’s that too.

More details about the dance (like, which actual night of the convention) to come. And yes, I’ll probably be doing other stuff at the convention too. But I’m mostly there for the dance, man.

Hey, weren’t you just saying to yourself, “Damn, I wish I could take part in an awesome, intensive six-week workshop in science fiction and fantasy, taught by amazing writers like Jeffrey Ford, Marjorie Liu, Ted Chiang, Walter Jon Williams, Holly Black, and Cassandra Clare, in a fantastic San Diego setting?” I’m pretty sure I heard you saying that. Because I was over here when you said that. Lurking. As I do.

Well, I have excellent news for you, because, in fact, this year Clarion, the amazing six-week science fiction and fantasy workshop, taking place on the campus of University of California, San Diego, is being taught by none other than Jeffrey Ford, Marjorie Liu, Ted Chiang, Walter Jon Williams, Holly Black, and Cassandra Clare. I know! The coincidence, it is astounding.

And in even better news, the application period for this year’s Clarion class is open and runs through March 1st. So now is the time to get your stories together and submit them. Here are the details.

As most of you know, I taught at Clarion last year, and I’m here to tell you that it’s a great experience for developing writers. You get up-close and personal instruction from some of the best writers in the genre,  and get the benefit of both their skills in the craft and their real-world publishing experience. And you spend six weeks with fellow emerging writers, developing a bond and friendships that last for years. Talk to any Clarion grad and they’ll tell you that it is one of their foundational experiences as a writer. This year’s faculty is pretty damn awesome, with more award winners, New York Times bestsellers and cross-media experience than you can shake any number of proverbial sticks at. 

Also: Dude. San Diego. I could eat fish tacos every day, man.

Thus endeth my sales pitch. Except to say: If you want to write good science fiction and fantasy, and a workshop is what you’re looking for, I don’t see you regretting the Clarion experience. Get to it, people.

Irene Gallo, who rules Tor.com with an iron fist (no, no, really, she’s awesome) has let me know that the site has started the 2011 edition of its Reader’s Choice Awards, and they want you to nominate in four categories: Best Novel, Best Short Story, Best Comic and Best Book Cover. Follow the link above for all the details and to nominate your favorite works of the last year.

Need help jogging your memory about what was published last year? Tor.com’s compiled some lists to jog your memory at the link — and of course there was the Award Awareness thread here as well (see, you knew it would come in handy). Also, you know, there are these things too.

Have fun nominating!

This week over at FilmCritic.com I’m answering mail and talking about the fantasy films of the year I’m looking forward to, and what it means that Hollywood is re-releasing some of the 90s’ most popular films to theaters in 3D. You want to know the answers to both of these. You cannot live without knowing the answers to both of these. Seriously, if you don’t go over and read this column right now, I’m pretty sure your lungs will collapse. So go read the column. Your alveoli thank you in advance.