An Interview With Karl Schroeder
Posted on December 4, 2006 Posted by John Scalzi 23 Comments
Over at By The Way, I’m going absolutely crazy with the author interviews this week: I’m posting one a day through Friday, all the better to, you know, give these fabulous author maximum exposure during the holiday “what the Hell am I Going to Get Everyone For a Gift?” season. Clearly, the answer is: You should be getting people these author’s new books. Buy thousands of copies! Spread them all about the land! Like seeds to sprout minds! Go!
Er, anyway. Today’s interview features Karl Schroeder, whose latest book Sun of Suns has planet-sized fullerene balloons and swordfights and pretty much rocks the house in a serious way. Go now to receive his wisdom. Later this week, you’ll groove to the awesomeness of Karen Traviss, Charlie Stross, Sarah Hoyt and Sean Williams. It’s like a dream team lineup of science fiction and fantasy superheroes. They write! They fight crime! They bicker with Stan Lee dialogue! Well, perhaps not. But it would be interesting if they did.
Sorry, I keep getting tangentified. Here’s that link to the Karl Schroeder interview again. Check it out, won’t you?
*cough*Check*cough*
You missed where I spelled “write” incorrectly, Steve.
You missed where I spelled “write” incorrectly, Steve.
Yeah? Well, I’m not the published author (yet). :)
“Sorry I missed the other typo,” he said, then leaned in close and smiled conspiratorially, “but next time, I’ll look closer.”
Only halfway through the interview, very cool. Love the idea of ballons in space, but I don’t know if they’d be practical (micro-meteors/asteroids and all).
Yeah? Well, I’m not the published author (yet). :)
“Sorry I missed the other typo,” he said, then leaned in close and smiled conspiratorially, “but next time, I’ll look closer.”
Only halfway through the interview, very cool. Love the idea of ballons in space, but I don’t know if they’d be practical (micro-meteors/asteroids and all).
Oh, those would just bounce right off!
Oh, those would just bounce right off!
*That* is what NASA didn’t do with the International Space Station. They didn’t make the construction “springy” enough.
*That* is what NASA didn’t do with the International Space Station. They didn’t make the construction “springy” enough.
Is it just me, or does the ship on the cover look like one of the ion cannon frigates from Homeworld?
image
While we are talking of books, a few weeks ago in one of the threads here, people were talking about a series of books about an assassin. Anyone remember who the author was?
If you’re going to name a series after a meteorological phenomenon that makes paragliders and hanggliders retreat to their cars, virga is definitely the best choice.
Todd Stull, would that be Steven Brust, the Vlad Taltos series?
Todd Stull, would that be Steven Brust, the Vlad Taltos series?
Careful with the They fight crime! On the list of SF stories that I really hope are not autobiographical, Stross’ Laundry stories are number one.
Careful with the They fight crime! On the list of SF stories that I really hope are not autobiographical, Stross’ Laundry stories are number one.
Yes indeed Steve. Thanks. Going to start reading it tonight I think.
CooL!
I read Schroeder’s and Doctorow’s Idiot book and found it quite good and honest.
I really like Shcroeder and have enjoyed reading interviews and listening to podcasts of his. Very smart guy.
Now, if only I could read some of his stuff! But I am writing right now (well, when I can) and am in a self-imposed SF moratorium. Sigh…
Then again, it’s why I read Wings too the Kingdom and that was aweseome!
Good interview. I’m definitely going to pick up Sun of Suns for Christmas. I’m not going to give it to anybody, mind you. Just, you know, pick it up and slip is surreptitiously onto my bookshelf.
Good interview. I’m definitely going to pick up Sun of Suns for Christmas. I’m not going to give it to anybody, mind you. Just, you know, pick it up and slip is surreptitiously onto my bookshelf.
Mmm. Search inside function.
Can’t… resist… book… Book… will… eat.. me… Must… buy… book… Reality… will.. fade… Can’t… resist… *drools*
Mmm. Search inside function.
Can’t… resist… book… Book… will… eat.. me… Must… buy… book… Reality… will.. fade… Can’t… resist… *drools*
“Love the idea of ballons in space, but I don’t know if they’d be practical (micro-meteors/ asteroids and all).”
In the context of the story, the skin of Virga is (1) some advanced exotic material and (2) coated on the inside by a thick layer of frozen water, like 20 feet of frost on your windows.