Monthly Archives: September 2013
So Long, September
Posted on September 30, 2013 12 Comments
You were a pretty good month, I have to say. Thanks for everything.
Today’s Cryptic Statement
Posted on September 30, 2013 35 Comments
Dear rest of the week: You’re going to have to work hard to match what Monday’s been up to. And it’s not even noon yet. Get on it. Love, JS
The Big Idea: Adam Mansbach
Posted on September 30, 2013 6 Comments
The spaces between things have a name — and they have a hold on author Adam Mansbach. He’s here to explain why and how, and what it means for his newest book, the novel The Dead Run. ADAM MANSBACH: One of the smartest people in the publishing game is a guy named Chris Jackson. He […]
And Now: Gamma Rabbit, the Hand Puppet
Posted on September 29, 2013 32 Comments
Seriously, how adorable is that. Handcrafted by Whatever commenter Stringmonkey. Well done, I say. Well done.
Today’s Question for the Crowd: Your Most Boring Dream
Posted on September 29, 2013 125 Comments
So, last night, I had a dream that I took my car to Discount Tire Centers store to get new tires, and when I were there, in the bland, tan waiting room, I was filling out forms and deciding which tires I wanted on my car. It was, in my remembrance of such things, the […]
And Here’s a Stick Bug Just Hanging Out on the Side of My Garage
Posted on September 29, 2013 21 Comments
You know. Like you do. I don’t know why this thing surprised me when I saw it; I think I just assumed stick bugs didn’t live in Ohio. Surprise! I was wrong.
Running Errands and/or Fighting Crime
Posted on September 28, 2013 32 Comments
You decide which fits your image of me better. Point is, I’m outta here for now. Catch you later.
The Most Important Poll You Will Take On This Site Today
Posted on September 27, 2013 297 Comments
Seriously, this needs your full and undivided attention. Discuss, if you like, in the comments. Also: Mmmmmm. Fish tacos.
The Big Idea: Steven Brust and Skyler White
Posted on September 27, 2013 22 Comments
Disclosure: I liked The Incrementalists, the new novel by Steven Brust and Skyler White, enough to blurb it (specifically, the blurb says “Secret societies, immortality, murder mysteries and Las Vegas all in one book? Shut up and take my money.”); it also received a coveted starred review from Booklist, which said “Call it genius at work.” […]
Why I Don’t Comment on Everything
Posted on September 26, 2013 45 Comments
As most of you know, I comment here not infrequently about social and political issues, and from time to time I even make stands on things, a good recent example of this being my convention harassment policy pledge. As a result, people will often send me (via e-mail and social media) updates on social/political things […]
The Value of Negative Reviews
Posted on September 26, 2013 69 Comments
Over at Metafilter they’re talking about this New Yorker article, in which book critic Lee Siegel explains why he doesn’t want to write negative book reviews anymore (here’s the MF thread). I posted my thoughts on the matter there, but it’s worth posting them here too. Here’s what I said. — I was a professional […]
The Big Idea: Brandon Sanderson
Posted on September 26, 2013 39 Comments
Don’t know if you’ve heard of this Brandon Sanderson kid, but something tells me one day he’s gonna hit the heights. He’s got a new book out called Steelheart, and he’s here today to talk about. And also to talk about being a geek. And how the latter matters to the former. Watch for this […]
Hungarian Cover of Zoe’s Tale
Posted on September 25, 2013 14 Comments
Very much in keeping with the previous covers from this publisher. It looks pretty good, I have to say.
Love Song For Internet Trolls
Posted on September 25, 2013 29 Comments
By the fabulous Doubleclicks, as part of their new “Weekly Song Wednesday” program. The song seems appropriate these days.
The Big Idea: V.E. Schwab
Posted on September 25, 2013 18 Comments
In explaining the Big Idea behind her latest novel Vicious, V.E. Schwab notes that the elements (and even characters) that you think are important when you begin the novel are not always the elements that are important when you finish the novel — the writing of the novel itself reveals what’s interesting about the world […]
Popular Science Kills Online Comments
Posted on September 24, 2013 74 Comments
Because they’ve discovered that trolls and jackasses in comment threads actively work against people taking science seriously. Per this earlier discussion of comments, I think Popular Science is probably doing the right thing. The site doesn’t benefit from hosting dis-and-misinformers, and such folks are becoming more persistent and possibly more organized. Best to punt them […]
New Books and ARCs, 9/24/13
Posted on September 24, 2013 42 Comments
Here are the books and ARCs that arrived at the Scalzi Compound in the last couple of days. See anything here that rings your bell? Tell everyone in the comments!
Hey! Have an Open Promotional Thread!
Posted on September 24, 2013 236 Comments
I’m writing things not on the Internet today, so while I’m doing that, I’m opening up this comment thread for you to tell everyone about what you think is cool and worth checking out, online or off. Could be a Web site, could be new music, could be a book or story or some crafty […]
A Reminder Regarding Off-Topic Comments
Posted on September 23, 2013 33 Comments
Which is: When you have the urge to post a comment that is off-topic to the conversational thread, don’t. Per the comment policy, I will likely delete it or at the very least sigh exasperatedly and be very cross. You don’t want me to be very cross at you. Because then I get like this. […]
Boehner’s Primary Challenger
Posted on September 23, 2013 98 Comments
Many of you know that I live in Speaker of the House John Boehner’s congressional district of OH-8, and that Boehner’s got the seat probably for as long as he wants it — he’s been in it for 22 years, and it’s been held by a Republican since 1939. But it may interest political junkies […]
Whatever Everyone Else is Saying