Monthly Archives: June 2012
In Today’s Very Important News
Posted on June 30, 2012 8 Comments
I have renewed my membership to the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America. Which is good because, you know, I am president of that organization. And it would be awkward to be in arrears on membership. And I’m not! So there’s that.
On to Louisville
Posted on June 29, 2012 15 Comments
And if memory serves, it will be the first time I am in that fine town. Looking forward to it. Will update later, once I arrive. Keep yourselves fitfully amused until then.
Health Care SCOTUS Ruling Reaction Thread
Posted on June 28, 2012 344 Comments
By now you know that the US Supreme Court has largely upheld “ObamaCare,” on a 5-4 vote. Here is the complete ruling. I am traveling today so I won’t have much to say on follow-up, but my immediate reaction is: Interesting ruling, surprising grounds for upholding the law, the long-term political ramifications are probably even […]
The Rough Guide to the Universe on Google Play
Posted on June 28, 2012 16 Comments
Proof once again that often the author is the very last person to know about these things: the second (and most recently updated) version of The Rough Guide to the Universe, my astronomy book, is out and available on Google Play, although apparently not on either Barnes & Noble or Amazon. I don’t know why […]
The Redshirts Tour Final Dates: Lexington and Louisville
Posted on June 27, 2012 13 Comments
As hard as it is to believe, the long, crazy Redshirts tour is finally coming to a close with two more events, one in Lexington and one in Louisville. After this I go home and have to, you know, start living like a normal human again, including writing books and doing SFWA stuff. I don’t […]
I’ll Be on the Patrick Phillips Show Tonight
Posted on June 27, 2012 11 Comments
The headline says it all (SEO mavens everywhere must be proud). Here’s the Patrick Phillips Show Web site, which will give you all the details, including how to listen to the show. You can even e-mail in some questions you want him to ask me.
Nora Ephron
Posted on June 27, 2012 26 Comments
Every time I see that some jackass out there is positing that women aren’t actually funny, I think about Nora Ephron and I laugh at their stupidity. Nora Ephron was funny, and was funny in multiple media, and was funny in a way that most people can’t be. She wrote great, smart and observant essays, […]
Because I am the Biggest Idiot in the Entire Idiotic History of Idiocy
Posted on June 27, 2012 101 Comments
I have left my MacBook Air at an airport. AGAIN. (sighs) Boy, I tell you, if I did not have a contractual work due, a family and people I love, a moral sense that recoils against self-abnegation and a sense of proportion about the tragedies of this life, I would totally kill myself right now. […]
My Exciting Life of Excitingness
Posted on June 26, 2012 11 Comments
Look! I’m at an airport again! For those interested, my trip to NYC went very well. I came in primarily to be interviewed at the New York Times — no, not for a job (although if they ever need another columnist, all they have to do is let me know) but in the wake of […]
Off to NYC Once More
Posted on June 26, 2012 17 Comments
This time for interviews and business meetings. No public events, sorry. But if you see me walking about randomly, you know, because it’s so easy to spot individuals on New York’s uncrowded streets, be sure to say hello. I may pop in here later today if I get a moment. This may involve me writing […]
Not Bored With Me Yet, Are You?
Posted on June 25, 2012 20 Comments
No? Good. Here are three links for you. 1. The AV Club reviews Redshirts, offers some really big spoilers (so, you know, heads up) but also says this: “Redshirts pushes the limits of parody, then revels in the audacity of creation.” That’s going to the publicists, I’d say. 2. If you like hearing me talk […]
What? I Am In An Airport Again? That’s Unpossible!
Posted on June 25, 2012 9 Comments
The good news is that I am going home. For about sixteen hours! I hardly know what to do with myself. See you all this afternoon.
The Effects of Tour Brain
Posted on June 24, 2012 29 Comments
At the Fourth Street Fantasy convention this weekend, friends and fellow writers have been asking me how I’m doing. My answer is “things are great, but I have tour brain.” To which they nod and offer me sympathetic smiles. They know from tour brain. But maybe the rest of you don’t, so let me explain. […]
Running About Like a Crazed Squirrel Today
Posted on June 23, 2012 14 Comments
Between signings and panels and seeing real live friends. Please amuse yourselves until tomorrow. I thank you in advance for your cooperation.
Paul and Storm Have Made a Funny Video That is Funny For You Nerds
Posted on June 22, 2012 36 Comments
I’m pretty sure it obliquely references this piece of mine, incidentally.
I’m Traveling to Minneapolis Today, So Here’s The Replacements Covering “Cruella De Vil”
Posted on June 22, 2012 15 Comments
This is from the Stay Awake album, which is seriously one of my favorite albums ever.
This Weekend’s Adventures in Minneapolis
Posted on June 21, 2012 18 Comments
A reminder to all and sundry that I will be in the Minneapolis area this weekend, both to participate in the 4th Street Fantasy convention and also to do a signing at Uncle Hugo’s bookstore on Saturday. Here’s how it is going to go down. Saturday 1pm – 2pm: Signing at Uncle Hugo’s. This is […]
How to Build a New York Times Bestseller (or Maybe Not)
Posted on June 21, 2012 74 Comments
A question from the gallery: Now that Redshirts has become a New York Times bestseller, to what do you attribute its success? Anything that could be replicated by the rest of us? To answer the second part first: Maybe. To answer the first part second, there are several factors which I think came into play, […]
The Big Idea: Anne E. Johnson
Posted on June 20, 2012 6 Comments
When confronting the incomprehensible universe, it’s sometimes useful to have something to cart stuff around in. Simple, proletarian wisdom, or something more? Anne E. Johnson argues for “something more,” especially as it relates to her science fiction novel Green Light Delivery. ANNE E. JOHNSON: Sometimes life hands us things we don’t want. Things we don’t […]
And Now, Some One Star Reviews of Redshirts
Posted on June 19, 2012 91 Comments
As part of my continuing mission to remind authors and other creative people that there is nothing they will ever create that will be universally loved, here are some choice comments from one-star reviews of Redshirts, my current, fastest-selling and in many ways most enthusiastically received book: “Sophomoric is the kindest word I can come […]
Whatever Everyone Else is Saying