Monthly Archives: November 2013
Small Commenting Change
Posted on November 11, 2013 35 Comments
I’ve noticed an uptick recently both in general spam, and also spam that’s getting past the automatic filters on the site. A lot of that spam targets posts that are deep in the archives, so I’ve decided to go ahead and close off commenting on older posts. Right now the commenting threshold is set to […]
Veteran’s Day
Posted on November 11, 2013 22 Comments
I like Veteran’s Day as a holiday because it’s about what people do for our country (I like Labor Day pretty much for the same reason). If you’re a veteran, thanks for the service you gave. I appreciate it.
The Creation Museum, Six Years On
Posted on November 10, 2013 112 Comments
Interesting bit of trivia that I was reminded of yesterday: Today is the sixth anniversary of my visit to the Creation Museum, at which I took quite a lot of pictures for a photo essay and also ended up writing up a long think piece on the visit. The think piece is here; the slide […]
Today’s Picture, 11/10/13
Posted on November 10, 2013 18 Comments
At the Oriental Institute, November 2013.
Today’s Picture, 11/9/13
Posted on November 9, 2013 13 Comments
At the Art Institute of Chicago, November 2013.
The Campbell/Hugo Conversion Rate
Posted on November 8, 2013 13 Comments
This afternoon, and for no good reason other than my mind was wandering, I was curious about how many winners of the Campbell Award for Best New Writer then went on to win the Hugo Award for Best Novel (and, more generally, any of the short fiction Hugos). Here’s what I discovered. Since the first […]
Today’s Picture, 11/8/13
Posted on November 8, 2013 23 Comments
Lake Michigan, November 2013. Photo by Athena Scalzi.
“The Tale of the Wicked” in the 21st Century Science Fiction anthology
Posted on November 8, 2013 19 Comments
I would be remiss if I did not note that my story “The Tale of the Wicked” is in the new anthology 21st Century Science Fiction, edited by David G. Hartwell and Patrick Nielsen Hayden, which came out this week and is in available in North American bookstores (and maybe other places in the world; […]
Two November Events: Bradford, OH 11/16, and Highland Heights, KY 11/20
Posted on November 7, 2013 7 Comments
I’ve been lying low recently, writing up Lock In, but I am making two appearances this month: one in my hometown and one just over the border in Kentucky. These are going to be my last two public appearances for 2013, so if you want to see me do my thing this calendar year, this […]
Today’s Picture, 11/7/13
Posted on November 7, 2013 3 Comments
Resident of the Shedd Aquarium, Chicago, November 2013.
The Big Idea: Sean Williams
Posted on November 7, 2013 16 Comments
I’m a fan of Sean Williams, and his new novel Twinmaker (known as Jump in Australia, and the first in a series) is a whole bunch of science fictional fun. But I gotta tell you, I’m hesitant about stepping into a matter transmitter. Maybe in this Big Idea he can convince you otherwise. SEAN WILLIAMS: […]
Your Evening’s Deep Cut From the ’80s
Posted on November 6, 2013 15 Comments
“Only Makes Me Laugh,” from Danny Elfman’s only solo album, So-Lo (which was in point of fact recorded with all the members of Oingo Boingo, so, really, it’s off-label Oingo Boingo). Great song from a now woefully obscure album. Update: Oh, I forgot I can tell a story here. I bought the So-Lo CD in […]
Today’s Picture, 11/6/13
Posted on November 6, 2013 15 Comments
Rockefeller Chapel, University of Chicago, November 2013.
Cover Reveal: Lock In
Posted on November 6, 2013 75 Comments
Hey, look! It’s the cover to my next novel! I really like this cover, which I think captures the feel of the book, a near-future thriller involving a disease that causes people to be “locked in” inside their own bodies (I could tell you more, but… no). The art design is once again by Peter […]
November’s Experiment
Posted on November 5, 2013 31 Comments
It’s crunch time on the novel, and from yesterday until it’s done (please God soon), I’ve decided to pretty much avoid all news from the outside world whenever possible. Two reasons: One, it’s distracting in a basic “oh look something I can read to avoid working” sense, and two, everyone is still screaming at everyone […]
Today’s Photo, 11/5/13
Posted on November 5, 2013 10 Comments
Taken at the Art Institute of Chicago, November 2013.
Vote For Someone Else for the First Round of the Goodreads Choice Awards 2013
Posted on November 5, 2013 31 Comments
So, apparently The Human Division has been selected for the first round of the Goodreads Choice Awards, in the science fiction category. Which is very cool; I’m chuffed the folks at Goodreads are saying the novel is one of the best SF books of the year. Thank you. That said, you know what? At the […]
The Big Idea: Ryk E. Spoor
Posted on November 5, 2013 9 Comments
What is best in life? To have a successful book and to have the publishers and fans clamoring for a sequel. But what’s best in life comes with its own set of (admittedly high-end) problems. This Ryk E. Spoor discovered in the creation of Spheres of Influence, the follow-up to his science fiction hit, Grand […]
Quick Note to the Americans
Posted on November 5, 2013 40 Comments
Today is a day of voting in many states and localities. Remember to vote if you can. I just did — I voted for township trustees, school board members and on tax levies for parks and emergency services. Nothing sexy but all actually important stuff. But then, voting isn’t about the sexy. It’s about having […]
Today’s Photo, 11/4/13
Posted on November 4, 2013 21 Comments
Student sketching at the Art Institute of Chicago, November 2013.
Whatever Everyone Else is Saying