Monthly Archives: February 2013
Gamma Rabbit T-Shirts Now Available
Posted on February 28, 2013 72 Comments
After I debuted Gamma Rabbit, the icon of friendly tolerance, here on the Web site, many of you asked if t-shirts would be in the offing. The answer: Why, yes! And now here they are, available to you from Sharksplode, which is run by Joel Watson of Hijinks Ensue, the fellow who illustrated our rabbit […]
The Big Idea: Peter Clines
Posted on February 28, 2013 15 Comments
Superheroes are fun, but superheroes, defined as they often are by their powers more than personalities, can also be a little… bland. How to spice up their lives? Peter Clines has a couple of ideas on the matter, some more apocalyptic than others, which he explores in his latest novel, Ex-Heroes. PETER CLINES: When the […]
Lopsided Cat is Ready For His Closeup
Posted on February 28, 2013 54 Comments
As there appears to be some mild disbelief that Lopsided Cat was in yesterday’s picture of all three Scalzi cats, I’ve gone ahead and blown up the portion of the picture he’s in, so you may see more clearly that, indeed, that strange pillowy lump is in fact a cat — a cat with mastery […]
We Have Achieved Total Caturation
Posted on February 27, 2013 50 Comments
Which is to say, here are all three Scalzi cats in my office at one time: Zeus on the chair, Ghlaghghee on the chaise, and Lopsided Cat on the low window table. Collect them all! Also, Daisy the dog was in the room just before the picture was taken, but you only have my word […]
The Big Idea: J.A. Kazimer
Posted on February 27, 2013 15 Comments
Finally, someone — specifically, J.A. Kazimer — points out a fact about fairy tales that everyone knew but was too beguiled by Disney to say out loud. And used that fact to write a book — specifically, Froggy Style. Lean in and hear truth, my friends. J.A. KAZIMER: Envision a friend telling you a story […]
A Nice Thing to Wake Up To
Posted on February 27, 2013 31 Comments
Hey, look at what’s the #1 science fiction work on Amazon at the moment: Clearly, I need to add dogs to everything I write. Update, 1:15pm: Also, at the moment, I have fifteen titles in Amazon’s SF Top 100 (including “The Dog King” at #1). Which, you know, is kinda neat.
It Appears It Is a Good Time To Remind All and Sundry of My Blurbing Policy
Posted on February 26, 2013 40 Comments
And it is thus (scroll down on that page just a little). If you’re an author who wants me to blurb your book — or an editor/publisher/publicist who considering telling an author to ask me to blurb a book — you really really really really really need to read that link. Because, and this is […]
Your 2013 SF/F Award Nomination Awareness Post: Readers and Fans
Posted on February 26, 2013 121 Comments
The nomination period for the Hugo Awards comes to a close in just under two weeks (March 10th, to be precise), and there are other awards out there still to be considered, so more people are beginning to think seriously about what works and people they should nominate as the best in the science fiction […]
The Big Idea: Francis Knight
Posted on February 26, 2013 8 Comments
Not every Big Idea works for a book — but just because a Big Idea fails in that way does mean it can’t inspire other big ideas, some of which might fare better. Francis Knight, author of Fade to Black, explains this concept further. FRANCIS KNIGHT: Fade to Black wasn’t born of one Big Idea, […]
The Human Division, Episode Seven: The Dog King is Now Live
Posted on February 26, 2013 38 Comments
This Tuesday marks the mid-point of The Human Division’s 13-week run, and it also marks the release of one of my favorite episodes in the series, “The Dog King.” Here’s the description: CDF Lieutenant Harry Wilson has one simple task: Watch an ambassador’s dog while the diplomat is conducting sensitive negotiations with an alien race. […]
Charity Solicitations Policy
Posted on February 25, 2013 24 Comments
I’ve been getting a fair number of requests for charity donations recently, in the form of signed books and other considerations, so I’m going to post this now so people can refer to it later: I am a big proponent of charity and charitable giving but I typically restrict my involvement in charitable giving into […]
My Endorsement for SFWA President: Steven Gould
Posted on February 25, 2013 1 Comment
As most of you know by now, I am stepping down as president of the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America at the end of my term, which concludes on June 30. On July 1, the organization will have a new president. Steven Gould has announced that he is running for the position. This […]
The Big Idea: Emma Newman
Posted on February 25, 2013 9 Comments
It’s ironic that authors can write entire books — but sometimes stumble in a short explanation of what’s going on in those books. Emma Newman knows this, particularly in reference to her newest novel, Between Two Thorns. Does she find a way to persevere regardless? Let’s find out, shall we? EMMA NEWMAN: I have a confession […]
Seen in Istanbul
Posted on February 24, 2013 30 Comments
A big ol’ advertisement for the Turkish version of Old Man’s War, plastered on the side of a bookstore. This, as they say, does not suck. Picture by Twitter user Kitabet, who currently resides in that fair city.
A Personal History of Libraries
Posted on February 23, 2013 164 Comments
The first library I ever remember visiting was the library in Red Bluff, California. I was five at the time, and living with my aunt while my mother was recovering from surgery. I remember the children’s area of the library, and in my recollection of the place today, the rows of books went all the […]
To Take You Into the Weekend, Me Singing “Redshirt” With Jonathan Coulton and His Band
Posted on February 22, 2013 41 Comments
And I’m on key at least 60% of the time! If you just want to see the part where I fall on my ass, fast forward to 4:15 and wait a couple of seconds. This was during the JoCo Cruise Crazy 3 trip, incidentally. I had a blast doing this (which I think comes through), […]
The Big Idea: Miriam Forster
Posted on February 22, 2013 5 Comments
Sometimes you start writing with the idea of creating a small, intimate tale — and then the tale decides it has other plans. Such was the case when Miriam Forster started writing City of a Thousand Dolls. What happens when a story grows beyond your expectations? Let’s find out. MIRIAM FORSTER: The original idea for […]
For the Record, I Don’t Do This
Posted on February 22, 2013 32 Comments
Via CC Finlay, how to spend a stupid amount of money to game your way onto a best seller list. Note the books being discussed here are business-related books, which appear to be used by their authors as calling cards to get speaking/consulting gigs, which are their primary bread and butter. So maybe for these […]
Oscar Prediction Update Post
Posted on February 22, 2013 13 Comments
When the Academy Awards were announced, I presented my immediate picks for the awards and noted that I would come back to the choices just before the ceremony if I changed my mind on anything. Well, here we are, just before the awards, and I have a couple emendations. Best Actor: I boldly made my […]
Putting This Here So I Can Find It Later
Posted on February 21, 2013 37 Comments
Just in case I need an emergency laugh or two somewhere down the line. I call it “sail cat,” personally. It’s also how I found it with Google, so there it is. Also, for everyone who is wondering, apparently the cat survived just fine. So laugh without guilt.
Whatever Everyone Else is Saying