Monthly Archives: January 2012
Portland! You Have a SFWA Reading TONIGHT! Seattle, TOMORROW!
Posted on January 31, 2012 8 Comments
I interrupt this blog to bring you an importance notice from Hugo-winning author David Levine, of vital importance to those of you in the Pacific Northwest! Take it away, David: “As you may know, the Science Fiction Writers of America have been holding a quarterly reading series at the Kennedy School in Portland. They are […]
The Big Idea: Myke Cole
Posted on January 31, 2012 37 Comments
Magic can do many things. It can raise fire. It can rain down dragons. It can make things move with the power of one man’s mind. But how does it stand up to bureaucracy? What if that bureaucracy is of a military bent? These are some of the things author Myke Cole has thought about. […]
Jonathan Franzen Shakes His Fist at the Clouds, Especially the Virtual Ones
Posted on January 30, 2012 118 Comments
Question, which seems apt considering the previous post today: Any thoughts on Jonathan Franzen’s opinions about eBooks? For those of you who have not seen them, they are here. For those disinclined to link, here’s a quote: Maybe nobody will care about printed books 50 years from now, but I do. When I read a […]
A Small Meditation on Art, Commerce and Impermanence
Posted on January 30, 2012 109 Comments
I’m going to touch on something that I’ve discussed briefly before but which I think is worth reheating into its own post. Here are the best selling books in the US from 1912, which is (for those of you for whom math is not a strong suit) 100 years ago. 1. The Harvester by Gene […]
OMW in Turkish
Posted on January 29, 2012 22 Comments
The Kayip Rithim Web site, which is a Turkish site for science fiction and fantasy, has posted the opening chapter of the Turkish translation of Old Man’s War in advance of the book’s publication in (I think) March. Curious as to how the text looks in Turkish? Of course you are. You can find out […]
Writer, Professional, Good
Posted on January 28, 2012 63 Comments
Here are three questions I was recently asked about writing. I’m going to condense the questions, because when they were asked, they meandered across several paragraphs; they boil down to three sentences, which are: When may you call yourself a writer? When may you call yourself a professional writer? When may you say you are […]
Cory Booker Gets It Right
Posted on January 27, 2012 156 Comments
The Newark mayor the subject of same-sex marriage, specifically in New Jersey, but generally applicable everywhere. When courts decide for same-sex marriage, those who oppose it say it should be the choice of legislatures. When legislatures decide for it, those who oppose it say it should be the choice of the voters. I have no […]
Today’s Interesting Commercial Discovery
Posted on January 27, 2012 104 Comments
I went to go make myself a cheese quesadillia today because cheese+tortilla+1 minute in the microwave = GAAAAHCHEEZYGOODNESS, and I noticed that we have two bags of tortillas in the refrigerator, but one is labeled “Original Wraps,” and the other is “Large Flour Tortillas.” The tortillas inside both are exactly the same — same size, […]
Single Serving Scalzi
Posted on January 27, 2012 30 Comments
Hey there — Subterranean Press has released another on of my short stories for the Kindle and Nook: “Tale of the Wicked,” which originally showed up in the New Space Opera 2 anthology, back in 2009. It’s got spaceships and aliens and battles and computers and explosions, not necessarily in that order, and it’s a […]
I Am Running For SFWA President (Again) (Again)
Posted on January 26, 2012 44 Comments
It’s come round that time when the Election Committee of the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America makes its call for candidates to serve on our board. I have decided to step forward once more (last, last very last time I swear) as a candidate for President, a position to which I was first […]
She’s At It Again
Posted on January 26, 2012 39 Comments
This is not the first time Krissy has been caught hugging babies with her teeth. But can you blame her? They are so tender! You could just eat them up! Just! Note: The baby survived, largely untasted.
Old Man’s War Goes to Italy
Posted on January 26, 2012 25 Comments
Hey, today’s a big day for me in the land of (some of) my ancestors! It’s the day that the Italian version of Old Man’s War hits bookstores. It’s been retitled Morire Per Vivere, which if Google Translate is to be trusted translates out to something like “Dying to Live.” Well, that’s not entirely unrelated […]
Athena Experiences Complete Moral Outrage at the Merest Suggestion of Insincerity
Posted on January 25, 2012 98 Comments
Seems that some people believe that the “Athena Vs. the LP” video was staged. Athena, naturally, responds: There, I think that should settle the question. More seriously: Come on, people. Athena: Not stupid, and as anyone who spends any time here knows, used to dad pulling out the camera and recording her, perchance to post […]
2012 Oscar Noms: Not Great For SF/F
Posted on January 25, 2012
Over at FilmCritic.com, I look at this year’s Academy Award nominations and what they mean for science fiction and fantasy (short answer: not much). But when you have a mediocre year in SF/F films, you shouldn’t expect much in the way of Oscar love. Check it out, and leave any thoughts you have on the […]
The Oscar Prediction Post, 2012
Posted on January 24, 2012 56 Comments
As I do every year when the Academy Award nominations come out, I put on my film critic hat and try to guess which nominees are eventually going to walk away with Oscar gold. This year’s nomination slates are frankly wacky, so I can say without hesitation that I wouldn’t put a huge amount of […]
Redshirts, In ARC Form
Posted on January 24, 2012 42 Comments
I mentioned in my con report that I had received an ARC of Redshirts, my upcoming novel; for those of you who are for some reason skeptical about that (why? why?) here it is on my desk. And before you ask, no, it has not been licked. That was a one-time thing, people. I think […]
Today’s Ass-Covering Statement
Posted on January 23, 2012 10 Comments
I am soooooooo far behind on e-mail at the moment. I swear I’m going to catch up on most of it this afternoon. If you had e-mailed me in the last couple of weeks and were hoping for a response and do not get one by noon tomorrow, please feel free to resend. Thanks.
Warrants? We Don’t Need No Stinkin’… Oh, Wait, We Do
Posted on January 23, 2012 31 Comments
The Supreme Court unanimously says law enforcement needs a warrant for GPS monitoring. I like the part where it’s unanimous. Here’s a pdf of the decision.
Confusion Convention Recap
Posted on January 23, 2012 16 Comments
My Confusion convention weekend started a bit inauspiciously; when Krissy and I arrived at the hotel the con was at, we noticed that I had managed to leave my suitcase behind, meaning that as far as clothing was concerned, I had what I was wearing and that was all. This precipitated a moment of panic […]
Various and Sundry, 1/23/12
Posted on January 23, 2012 245 Comments
While I was away at a science fiction convention, the world stubbornly went on without me. Here’s what I think of some of what happened. * South Carolina GOP Primary: Loved it. Dear Republicans: I think your current reignited fling with Newt Gingrich is fantastic. Definitely make him your nominee. He’s the only candidate […]
Whatever Everyone Else is Saying