Monthly Archives: October 2007
Catch the Live Show
Posted on October 16, 2007 22 Comments
As it has been noted elsewhere, I’ll go ahead and note it here, too: I have been invited to become an instructor for next year’s Viable Paradise writing workshop, and have accepted the invitation. For those of you who don’t know about VP, it’s a weeklong workshop specializing in science fiction and fantasy, which is […]
The Big Idea: Jeff Carlson
Posted on October 16, 2007 5 Comments
Over at Ficlets we’ve got a new installment of The Big Idea, featuring author Jeff Carlson discussing his book Plague Year, in which, if you talk a stroll below the 10,000 foot line anywhere on the planet, you, like, die. In a really horrible way. Which, you know, sort of limits your real estate options […]
New Look to Universe
Posted on October 16, 2007 17 Comments
Hey, look, I’ve found the artwork for the upcoming revise of my astronomy book, The Rough Guide to the Universe: Nifty. Also I’ve discovered the intended release date: March, 2008. So, uh, I guess I better finish updating it.
From the “What the Hell?” File
Posted on October 16, 2007 28 Comments
Did you know that Barbara Streisand does a version of David Bowie’s “Life on Mars?” From 1974? Why does this hurt my frontal lobes so very much? You know who would do an awesome version of that song? Kate Bush. Someone should make that happen. And then I can use it to rinse out my […]
Possibly My Favorite (Real) Negative Review Ever
Posted on October 15, 2007 46 Comments
It’s for Old Man’s War, off the Amazon UK site: (one star) Mixes the bland with the objectionable Marvel at the author’s universe of sockpuppets and strawmen! Rejoice… sort of… at the least interesting nanotechnology ever! Marvel at the author’s ability to select only the least satisfying cliches to assemble his work from; gasp at […]
Books Received, 10/15/07
Posted on October 15, 2007 18 Comments
I’m going to try to get back in the habit of noting new and upcoming books when they come into me, both to reassure publicists they’re not tumbling down a black hole here, and also to alert you folks when work from people you want to read is on the horizon. Here are a set […]
Lopsided Cat Restablishes Priorities
Posted on October 15, 2007 13 Comments
“Hello, opposable thumb thing person. Where have you been all this last week? California? Reunion? Uh-huh. Uh-huh. Uh-huh. Okay, opposable thumb thing person, you can shut up now. I can’t actually speak your monkey tongue language. Also I don’t care. See? This face? It’s me not caring. So cram it. Now. Shut. Up. You and […]
On the 20th Reunion of the Webb Class of 87
Posted on October 15, 2007 15 Comments
My high school reunion went swimmingly, thanks for asking, and to be completely honest about it I would have deeply surprised if it had not. Unlike an apparently large number of creative and/or geeky folk, I largely enjoyed my high school experience, and I suspect a lot of that had to do with the school […]
Home Again
Posted on October 14, 2007 7 Comments
And completely bushed. Off to sleep like a rock — will update more tomorrow.
Back to School
Posted on October 13, 2007 36 Comments
Can’t play today; attending 20th high school class reunion. Having fun, wish you were here. If, that is, you were a member of the Webb Class of ’87. Which statistically speaking, you probably weren’t. Sorry. Ever go to a class reunion? Did you enjoy yourself? Talk amongst yourselves whilst I’m away.
Al Gore, Nobel Prize Winner
Posted on October 12, 2007 107 Comments
I just get a giggle saying that. Not just because Al Gore actually won the Nobel Peace Prize, but because for the next several days, the sheer amount of spittle that will issue forth from the right side of the aisle about the matter will be enough to liberally moisten any number of drought-stressed regions […]
Old Man’s War Audio Book on Audible.com
Posted on October 11, 2007 21 Comments
Those of you who keep asking me: “When is there going to be an audio version of Old Man’s War available?” can stop asking: It’s now out on Audible.com. This is an unabridged edition, so you’ll have 10 hours of pure listening satisfaction as the story is read to you by William Dufris. Those of […]
I’m Crying a River Here
Posted on October 11, 2007 27 Comments
One of the major purveyors of Russian Viagra spam found murdered. I wish I felt worse about the fact that my first reaction to this bit of news was to say “good.” But, yeah. I don’t. Update: Apparently, a hoax.
It’s the View That’s Different
Posted on October 10, 2007 15 Comments
I’ve noted before that when it comes to hotels, I’m not exactly a snob. I have three requirements for a hotel: I have to feel that I won’t get jumped either inside or outside the hotel, I have to have lots of hot water and decent water pressure for a shower, and I need an […]
Another Travel Day
Posted on October 10, 2007 59 Comments
So while I’m cruising up and down the Golden State, I thought I’d torture you with what I think is the single worst song to come out of the early 80s: Make no mistake. This is what horribly bad sounds like.
Things I’m Learning About Traveling
Posted on October 9, 2007 25 Comments
When I’m traveling, I have about four good hours a day. After those four hours, I increasingly look, act and respond like a zombie. Also, my body seems constitutionally unable to leave the Eastern time zone, which means that here on the west coast I’m pretty much dead in the water at 8pm. I wonder […]
Those Meddling Kids
Posted on October 9, 2007 12 Comments
Hey, look who we met down by the abandoned amusement park: Yes, the abandoned amusement park! You know, the one owned by Old Man Withers? Yeah, that’s the one. Apparently there have been some strange things going on, and some people even say it’s haunted. But these two and those other plucky teenagers have decided […]
The Puzzling World of Eric Berlin
Posted on October 8, 2007 3 Comments
Over at Ficlets, Eric Berlin talks about his debut novel The Puzzling World of Winston Breen, which as its title suggests has lots of puzzles in it — and also a kid named Winston, and possibly a world. But that’s not the point. The point is, Eric loves puzzles, and loves them so much he […]
Going Geffen
Posted on October 7, 2007 20 Comments
Hey, this is cool: The Israeli Society for Science Fiction and Fantasy gives out an annual award for the best original and translated science fiction published in Hebrew, called the Geffen Award. This year, the award for Best Translated Novel went to Old Man’s War, or ????? ???? ????, as it is called in Hebrew. […]
Away From Keyboard
Posted on October 6, 2007 79 Comments
I’m outta here for the rest of the day (it has to do with planes and etc), so while I’m away, something for you to ponder: What are two great tastes that taste great together? If you wish to approach this as an existential question rather than a gustatory one, by all means, so right […]
Whatever Everyone Else is Saying