Monthly Archives: January 2011
Become a Character in My Latest Book: A Contest
Posted on January 12, 2011 776 Comments
So, I’m busily writing away on my newest book, the one that should be out sometime in 2012. And I just wrote a character whose name is currently “Lieutenant Merkel,” for no good reason than because for that second I was thinking about Germany. But I don’t really like the name for the character, so […]
Yeah, No
Posted on January 12, 2011 300 Comments
Follow: At this point it’s certain neither Sarah Palin nor any other politician or pundit is responsible for Jared Lee Loughner shooting Congresswoman Giffords or anyone else that he did. Sarah Palin has a perfect right, both legally and morally, to protest those who are trying to directly tie her, her rhetoric, or the rhetoric […]
Yes, It Will Suck. No, I Don’t Really Care
Posted on January 12, 2011
Over at my FilmCritic.com column this week, someone tries to taunt me into outrage about the fact that this summer there will be yet another Transformers film unleashed upon the world. But the truth is, I can’t really work up more than a token amount of fury about it. Go there to find out why. […]
People We Can All Agree Are Scumbags
Posted on January 12, 2011 110 Comments
Some folks are asking me about my thoughts on the Westboro Baptist Church deciding to picket the funeral of the nine-year-old victim of the Tucson shooting. Very briefly: 1. Fred Phelps and his pals make me wish I were a religious man, so I could enjoy imagining the lot of them spending eternity as a […]
Oh, And —
Posted on January 11, 2011 31 Comments
Old Man’s War currently at #1 on that Tor.com Best SFF Novels of the Decade poll. For today, anyway — I really don’t expect to keep that ranking, considering how many very good SFF novels were published in the last decade. But for today: w00t! Thanks. If you’ve not voted in the poll yet but […]
Chicagoland: SOON I WILL BE IN YOU
Posted on January 11, 2011 25 Comments
A reminder to all and sundry that in less than a month from now I will be Author Guest of Honor at Capricon XXXI, which will take place February 10 – 13, at the Westin Chicago North Shore, Wheeling, Illinois. Whilst there I will be on panels, probably do a reading and/or a Q&A session, […]
The Big Idea: Kelley Eskridge
Posted on January 11, 2011 32 Comments
Being alone: we all experience it at one point or another in our lives. The question is: what do we do with alone? Is it a time for reflection and restoration, or do we wish it to end as soon as possible? Each of us deal with it in our own ways. Author Kelley Eskridge […]
Oh, Look, a Poll
Posted on January 10, 2011 35 Comments
Tor.com is currently running a poll on the best science fiction and fantasy novels of the last ten years, with the top ten at close of polling (on Friday) to be written about in appreciations, etc. You can nominate as many novels as you choose. I’ll note that Old Man’s War is currently number eight, […]
This is Dumb
Posted on January 10, 2011 43 Comments
Did you know that Monday tends to be my business day, professionally? In addition to my “No Internet until quota” policy — hit my quota at 10:30, incidentally, thanks for asking — this is the day I write my Filmcritic.com column, and today I also did work for a consulting client, doing SFWA matters, and […]
Notice: Official John Scalzi Public Facebook Page Now Live
Posted on January 9, 2011 15 Comments
So, I’m rapidly approaching the 5,000 friend limit Facebook imposes on personal accounts, because, apparently, when you say “yes” to nearly every friend request you get, that’s what happens. For those of you who will be locked out in the cold when this happens and/or feel that you otherwise don’t get enough of me on […]
Christopher Trussell
Posted on January 9, 2011 19 Comments
Oh, this makes me sad: via my high school friend Jason VanBorssum, I learn that Christopher Trussell, who was one of my favorite teachers in high school, passed away this last November. Chris taught music while I was at Webb and also directed a number of the plays, most notably the school’s annual musical. He […]
Giffords Shooting Follow-up
Posted on January 9, 2011 359 Comments
Some additional thoughts on the conversation of the weekend. 1. I’m still uncomfortable ascribing a political motivation to alleged shooter Jared Lee Loughner — or more to the point, ascribing a political motivation that maps more than tangentially at best to current, popular political trends. As someone elsewhere notes, a guy who lists Animal Farm, The […]
Congresswoman Giffords Discussion Thread
Posted on January 8, 2011 204 Comments
Folks have asked for a thread to discuss the ongoing situation with Arizona Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords, who was shot today, along with several others, at a meet-and-greet at a Tucson supermarket. Here you go. My thoughts on it at the moment: 1. It’s a terrible thing that’s happened, and I suspect nearly all people are […]
Your Driver is Here
Posted on January 8, 2011 30 Comments
“Where is it you want to go? The veterinarian’s? I’m sorry, I don’t go there. I don’t go anywhere near there, frankly. I’ll take you to Burger King instead. Yes, you can pay me in Whoppers, why do you ask?” She’s actually not bad. Not so good with the parallel parking. But then, who is. […]
The Thought of Stringing Words Together On a Friday Afternoon Fills Me With Inexorable Dread, So Here’s a Picture of a Cat
Posted on January 7, 2011 20 Comments
He looks about as thrilled as I feel at the moment. Therefore, I hereby declare it the weekend. Brain stem shutting down… now.
Today’s Observation at Just Past One AM
Posted on January 7, 2011 10 Comments
Having just finished Thursday’s work a few minutes ago: Damn, 2011 got busy, fast. Don’t get me wrong, it’s nice to be busy. But, damn. I’m going to bed.
And Now, An Excerpt From My Current Work in Progress, Which Will Change Your Life Forever
Posted on January 6, 2011 75 Comments
Here it is: “What the hell is an ice shark?” Enjoy! Because until it’s published, that’s all you get. Oh, and also: Fuzzy Nation on Blastr’s list of 11 sci-fi and fantasy novels they’re looking forward to in 2011. See what the other ten are. I can’t disagree much with this list.
The New Speaker
Posted on January 5, 2011 156 Comments
I was asked how I feel about my Congressional representative John Boehner now being Speaker of the House. The answer is, well, I wouldn’t have voted for him (and didn’t, actually), but enough other people did that he got the job anyway, and, well. That’s democracy for you. On the positive end of things, I […]
The Workspace
Posted on January 5, 2011 31 Comments
People are wondering how The Great Stay Away From the Internet Plan of 2011 is working, and I say, well, jeez, I’ve only been doing it for three days now, give me a break — but that said, it’s doing fine. Good progress is being made on the current work, and I’m being reminded generally […]
Science Fiction Films I’m Looking Forward To
Posted on January 5, 2011
A new year, a new slate of science fiction films to consider — and over at my Filmcritic.com column this year I point out the ten upcoming science fiction films I’m most looking forward to in 2011. Maybe they won’t all be awesome, but at this point we can still live in hope. Check out […]
Whatever Everyone Else is Saying