Monthly Archives: January 2010
Dear Amazon:
Posted on January 31, 2010 86 Comments
Now that you’ve admitted that you’re going to accept Macmillan’s pricing proposal on ebooks, would you mind turning the “Buy Now” button back on for all my Tor books? Pretty please? The longer you wait, the more I’ll have to think you’re just being petulant and foot-stompy about it. Kthxbye, JS P.S.: Come here, have […]
RIP, Kage Baker
Posted on January 31, 2010 23 Comments
Breaking my silence today to note that according to Green Man Review, Kage Baker died early this morning, at home, with family and friends around her. SFWA’s notice of her passing is here. Good writer, good person. I’ll miss her.
In Which I Attempt Math — AND WIN!
Posted on January 31, 2010 16 Comments
Yesterday the site got twice as many visitors as it usually does. That means I can take today off and it will all average out! See you Monday!
On a Personal Note
Posted on January 30, 2010 58 Comments
To the folks who have followed up to ask if I was going to be okay with the whole Amazon/Macmillan blinking contest: Well, you know. I don’t expect the corporate eye-pokery to last beyond the weekend, but if it does, the wife and I have tucked away some pennies here and there and stored up […]
It’s All About Timing
Posted on January 30, 2010 81 Comments
Question in e-mail from someone who wanted to know why I thought Amazon pulled this stunt at this moment. I’m not privy to Jeff Bezos’ brain (otherwise it’d have my footprint in it at the moment), but again presuming that this is indeed Amazon’s doing (it seems clear it is, but I still don’t think […]
A Quick Note On eBook Pricing and Amazon Hijinx
Posted on January 30, 2010 437 Comments
It appears (if this article is correct) that Amazon has pulled Macmillan books from its online stores because it’s unhappy with Macmillan’s desire to up the price of their eBooks from $10 to $15. Macmillan, I’m assuming, wants to raise the price because it will make more money that way; Amazon, I’m also assuming, wants […]
Macmillan Books Gone Missing From Amazon
Posted on January 29, 2010 108 Comments
On Twitter a couple of minutes ago someone expressed annoyance that my books aren’t directly sold by Amazon, which seemed odd, because they were available just yesterday. But I check and sure enough they weren’t there (Amazon has its “available from these sellers”) line up. I checked other Tor authors and it seemed they were […]
Re: That “GOPers Are Nihilists” Comment of Mine
Posted on January 29, 2010 77 Comments
Here’s a cogent criticism of the current GOP: [N]othing could be worse for the GOP than the illusion of success under present circumstances. Worse than learning nothing from the last two elections, the GOP has learned the wrong things… Not recognizing their past errors, the GOP will make them again and again in the future, […]
The Intervention is Not Going Well
Posted on January 29, 2010 50 Comments
Lopsided Cat and Ghlaghghee knew that it would be difficult to talk to Zeus about his addiction to ‘nip. But they never expected Zeus to brazenly pull out the Catnip Sock and “snork up” right in front of them. And as they say on the street, that’s when the shit got real: “Seriously, man, he […]
Modeling Only the Finest in Pun-Based Geek Apparel
Posted on January 29, 2010 33 Comments
When we saw it in the dealer’s room at ConFusion, we knew what we were getting Athena for a souvenir. She was quite pleased. As well she should have been. Normally I despise puns with a passion bordering on unholy, but, hey. For Portal I’m willing to make an exception.
A Musical Question On a Thursday Evening
Posted on January 28, 2010 50 Comments
It is: Can “Stairway to Heaven” ever be rescued from the “overplayed on classic rock radio for two full decades” musical purgatory in which it currently resides? While you’re considering this weighty question: Previously noted on Whatever: This, and also this.
From the Whatever Archives: “Holden Caulfield in Middle Age”
Posted on January 28, 2010 145 Comments
On the occasion of J.D. Salinger’s passing, I find it appropriate to exhume from the Secret Whatever Archives this essay, entitled “Holden Caulfield in Middle Age” (also available in Your Hate Mail Will Be Graded, which you should buy, damn you). Enjoy. July 18, 2001 Holden Caulfield turned 50 this last week, and if the […]
J.D. Salinger Dead
Posted on January 28, 2010 24 Comments
At age 91. Somewhere Holden Caulfield is pretending he doesn’t care. I was not a fan (although that’s not the same as saying I didn’t think he wrote well), but I know some of you were. So my sympathies to you, and here, have a thread to talk about it.
State of the Union 2010
Posted on January 28, 2010 110 Comments
One word: Eh. More words: It was a bit weird; the rhythm was herky-jerky and the audience didn’t seem to know if it wanted to applaud or not in places, and basically the whole thing felt like school play with the main character thrown off his game by no one else knowing their lines. Note […]
The Big Idea: Sara Miles
Posted on January 28, 2010 11 Comments
Where is the story of the world being told? It might be in the place you least expect: far away from news cameras and press releases. Sara Miles finds her work in those margins — she is the founder of the St. Gregory’s Food Pantry in San Francisco — but more than that finds the […]
It Is a Good Day To Die!
Posted on January 28, 2010
Over at AMC this week: The pros and cons of being killed by various science fiction film aliens. You’d think it’s all con (because no matter what, you’re dead), but some deaths are more humiliating than others. Read this list, and then rank the ways to go in the poll. And of course, as always, […]
Meanwhile, On the Home Front, I Have Growing Suspicions My Male Cats Are Totally Gay
Posted on January 27, 2010 71 Comments
It’s because in the last several days I have come across Zeus and Lopsided Cat openly and enthusiastically grooming and gently headbutting each other in open, conspicuous places, followed by a casual glance over to me as if to say “What? You have a problem with two male cats showing their affection for each other […]
Obligatory Quick Assessment of the iPad
Posted on January 27, 2010 87 Comments
Like the size and form factor (the bezel could be shaved down a bit), and can see this or something like it eventually replacing my netbook and allowing me to skip a dedicated e-reader entirely. On the other hand, in the real world outside Steve Jobs’ head, a modern computer should be able to handle […]
iPad Book Availability: No Idea
Posted on January 27, 2010 31 Comments
I’m already being asked if my books will be available on the iPad. As Macmillan (which owns Tor) appears to be part of that book thing Apple’s doing with the iPad, my guess is, uh, probably?, at least as far as my Tor books are concerned. Although of course the random and haphazard nature of […]
Kage Baker
Posted on January 27, 2010 40 Comments
Many of you know that writer Kage Baker has been fighting against cancer in the last several weeks and months. To that end, the Green Man Review has just posted the following note from Kage’s sister: Kage’s doctor has informed us she has reached the end of useful treatment. The cancer has slowed, but not […]
Whatever Everyone Else is Saying