Monthly Archives: February 2010
My Secret (Failed) Media Tie-In Past
Posted on February 21, 2010 48 Comments
A question in e-mail that I’ve been meaning to get to for a while: I know you don’t do media tie-in novels, but have you ever been tempted to? I think a John Scalzi Star Wars novel would be really cool. Heh. I’ve noted before that given how frequently I’ve flayed the Star Wars franchise […]
Interesting Note on Marriage in the United States
Posted on February 21, 2010 61 Comments
There are more states that have laws on the books allowing for same-sex marriage than there are states with laws on the books allowing for “covenant marriages.” Oddly, no overlap between which states have which.
Final God Engine First Editions — Signed! — at Subterranean Press
Posted on February 21, 2010 21 Comments
UPDATE: All signed first editions gone! Additional, unsigned later edition copies are still available for order. Also, thank you. Last week Bill Schafer of Subterranean Press sent to me the final box of the first trade edition of The God Engines, and I signed those suckers and sent them back. And now they’re for sale […]
Taking the Day Off
Posted on February 20, 2010 9 Comments
Although considering it’s almost 3 in the afternoon, I think most of you figured that out by now. But I do want to take a moment and thank everyone who has sent along their congratulations about the Nebula and Norton nods. It’s neat to be able to share that with you all and to get […]
Mustaches of Years Gone By
Posted on February 19, 2010 50 Comments
My father sent along this picture to me, of him and my mother back in their married days, which were also coincidentally his Navy days, which means that in this picture both of them are about 20 years younger than I am at this moment. Which messes with my head, it does. I have no […]
And Now, a Nebula Awards Geek Out Moment
Posted on February 19, 2010 31 Comments
Like, I’m totally friends with loads of the Nebula nominees this year. No, seriously! I know them personally! How cool is that? I know Nebula nominees, people. They let me hang out with them. They tolerate my presence. I’m full of the nerd-squee at the moment for each and every one of them, and plan […]
2009 Nebula Award Nominations
Posted on February 19, 2010 63 Comments
The Science Fiction & Fantasy Writers of America (SFWA) has released the list of nominees for the 2009 Nebula, Bradbury and Norton Awards, and I’m delighted to say The God Engines and Zoe’s Tale are on the list. The official press release is here, but you’ll find the full list below, with additional comments from […]
Tough But Fair
Posted on February 19, 2010 70 Comments
Dude kicked off a flight because he was too smelly. And you know what? If you reek so bad that more than just the people next to you notice, that’s not at all unreasonable. You’re all in a flying tube with recycled air for hours. Other people shouldn’t have to marinate in your feculence. I’ve […]
Nebula Award Nominations to Be Announced Tomorrow
Posted on February 18, 2010 5 Comments
Science fiction fans, try to be somewhere near a computer at 10am Eastern tomorrow, because SFWA will be making its formal announcement of this year’s nominees for the Nebula, Norton and Bradbury Awards. The Nebulas will cover novels and short works, while the Norton covers young adult works and the Bradbury covers dramatic works. And […]
The Big Idea: Alex de Campi
Posted on February 18, 2010 36 Comments
And now for something a little different: The Big Idea focuses primarily on books and their authors, but I think it’s fun to mix things up from time to time and hear from folks trying new ways to tell their stories and get them out to readers. Alex de Campi, along with her collaborator Christine […]
Inglourious Basterds: Is It Science Fiction?
Posted on February 18, 2010
That was the question I was asked on Twitter a couple of weeks ago. I gave a Twitter-sized response at the time, but now I expand on the answer (considerably!) in this week’s AMC column. Go on, you want to know the answer. Also, since I forgot to mention it yesterday, I also participated in […]
Just Arrived, 2/17/10
Posted on February 17, 2010 12 Comments
The UPS dude rolled up at 7:30pm with a stack of packages. What was inside? * I Am Not a Serial Killer, by Dan Wells (Tor): Well, if he’s not a serial killer, what’s that body doing behind the laundromat? Well? I do like the note in the introduction of the book, from Wells, to […]
From the “How Cool is This” Department
Posted on February 17, 2010 35 Comments
A few months ago my French publisher L’Atalante asked me if they could use my short story “After the Coup” for a giveaway chapbook to promote their line (and my books). I said “sure” and then promptly forgot about it until this afternoon, when in my mail were a couple dozen copies of the chapbook, […]
Various & Sundry, 2/17/10
Posted on February 17, 2010 58 Comments
Bits and pieces: * You know, I haven’t been following the Olympics at all, because I don’t much actually care, but I have to say the Norwegian Olympic Curling Team’s pants deserve a medal. For something. * I’m also delighted to discover that (for now, and in Florida) students are still allowed to criticize their […]
The Cake That Refreshes
Posted on February 16, 2010 50 Comments
Why my neighbors are more awesome than yours: Because one of them — Alisha — made me this cake. Which is no ordinary cake. It is, in fact, a Coke Zero cake. Yes, yes. Made with the refreshing zero calorie goodness of Coke Zero! Although the cake itself is not calorie free. That would be […]
Me Stuff, 2/16/10
Posted on February 16, 2010 21 Comments
Some notes: 1. I have now officially caught up with e-mail from the last two weeks, so if you’ve sent me e-mail in the last couple of weeks and was hoping for a response but did not get one, go ahead and resend your e-mail. The exception to this is Big Idea proposals — I’ve […]
Athena Wishes You a Groovy Mardi Gras
Posted on February 16, 2010 31 Comments
“Don’t forget to give up something for Lent!” Athena would also like to thank Whatever reader (and Krewe of Morpheus member) Charles K. Bradley for the Mardi Gras shirt and mask. They have been much admired around these here parts.
Just Arrived, 2/16/10
Posted on February 16, 2010 25 Comments
What came in before the snow walled us in again: * The Lost Fleet: Victorious, by Jack Campbell (Ace): Sent this in ARC form. I do believe this is the final book in the very successful “Lost Fleet” series, so Campbell fans, gird yourself. This one comes out April 27. * Guardian of the Dead, […]
The Big Idea: Alexey Pehov
Posted on February 16, 2010 22 Comments
Here we have a first for The Big Idea: Our first translated essay. Alexey Pehov writes in Russian, and in Russian, he’s done very well, winning awards and racking up sales over the last decade with his Chronicles of Siala series and other novels. Now his debut novel Shadow Prowler, the first of the Chronicles […]
I Hereby Unilaterally Declare February 15th To Be International Grover Appreciation Day
Posted on February 15, 2010 131 Comments
Because he is The Greatest Muppet Ever. Search your heart. You know it to be true. Tell everyone you know that today is International Grover Appreciation Day. Because it is THE BEST HOLIDAY EVER. That is all. Thank you. Update, 11:38 am: Quote from Athena: “Is there an Elmo Day? Because if there is, I’m […]
Whatever Everyone Else is Saying