Monthly Archives: February 2013

Gamma Rabbit T-Shirts Now Available

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 […]

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The Big Idea: Peter Clines

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 […]

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Lopsided Cat is Ready For His Closeup

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 […]

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We Have Achieved Total Caturation

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 […]

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The Big Idea: J.A. Kazimer

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 […]

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A Nice Thing to Wake Up To

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.

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Your 2013 SF/F Award Nomination Awareness Post: Readers and Fans

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 […]

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The Big Idea: Francis Knight

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, […]

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The Human Division, Episode Seven: The Dog King is Now Live

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. […]

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Charity Solicitations Policy

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 […]

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My Endorsement for SFWA President: Steven Gould

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 […]

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The Big Idea: Emma Newman

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 […]

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A Personal History of Libraries

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 […]

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The Big Idea: Miriam Forster

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 […]

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For the Record, I Don’t Do This

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 […]

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Oscar Prediction Update Post

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 […]

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