Monthly Archives: June 2014
The 2014 Lock In Tour + How to Get Signed Books (Even If You Can’t Make the Tour)
Posted on June 30, 2014 87 Comments
And here are the places, dates and times: Tuesday, August 26th (7:00 PM) Brazos Bookstore Houston, TX Wednesday, August 27th (7:00 PM) BookPeople Austin, TX Thursday, August 28th (7:30 PM) Quail Ridge Books & Music Raleigh, NC Friday, August 29th (7:00 PM) Flyleaf Books Chapel Hill, NC Saturday, August 30th (4:15 PM) Decatur Book Festival […]
Tinkering With My Desktop Computer
Posted on June 29, 2014 10 Comments
Which very clearly has a failing disk drive. Yes, everything important is backed up, don’t worry. Still annoying. See you all tomorrow.
How I Can Tell I Am a Writer
Posted on June 28, 2014 32 Comments
Because when I look at this picture, what I spend most of my time looking at is whether any of my books are on the shelves. (Picture possibly NSFW, as it features painted nudity) P.S.: I found three.
The Animal I Was Thinking Of Yesterday (and, Who Won the Lock In ARC)
Posted on June 28, 2014 14 Comments
It was the Thylacine, aka the Tasmanian Tiger. They are, alas, extinct (almost certainly, though every once in a while an alleged sighting happens). My daughter didn’t think anyone would get this one, but I was reasonably certain someone would, and I was not wrong: Bryce got it about 14 minutes after I first posted. […]
New Books and ARCs, 6/27/14
Posted on June 27, 2014 48 Comments
Once again, to take you into the weekend, a selection of fine upcoming books and ARCs that have come to the Scalzi Compound. Which ones inspire yearning in your book-loving heart and mind? Share in the comments!
Hey, I Think I Will Give Away an ARC of Lock In
Posted on June 27, 2014 762 Comments
Tor has sent along to me seven ARCs of Lock In. Six of them are already claimed by various people I need to send a copy along to. One of them isn’t. So, I’ll give it away here, now. Here’s how to get it: I’m thinking of an animal right now. Tell me which one […]
Lock In Gets a Starred Review From Kirkus
Posted on June 26, 2014 20 Comments
Hooray! That’s two starred reviews for the book now, including the one from Publishers Weekly. The Kirkus review in full is here, but here’s a nice pull quote: “This SF thriller provides yet more evidence that Scalzi is a master at creating appealing commercial fiction.” Indeed, making commercial fiction is my job. I’m glad Kirkus […]
Various & Sundry, 6/25/14
Posted on June 25, 2014 81 Comments
Because I want to hit several subjects in a very quick fashion: 1. Yay! Warrants for cell phones! I’m not always 100% pleased with the Supreme Court these days, but this decision — unanimous — is spot on. It’s already been noted that requiring a warrant these days means very little when warrants are dispensed […]
Note on July/August Big Idea Slots
Posted on June 25, 2014 1 Comment
The remaining July and most of the August Big Idea slots are being parceled out in the next couple of days, so if you’re an author/publicist wondering if your queries are going out into the vapor, a) no, b) you’ll be caught up very soon. Thanks.
How Not to Talk About Your Money, Very Rich Edition
Posted on June 24, 2014 140 Comments
Hillary Clinton: Likely to be the next president of the United States, I suspect, but in the last several days, apparently clueless about how to talk about her money, of which there is a lot, and for which her ability to get more is pretty much assured until she shuffles off this mortal coil. Complaining […]
I Have Voted for the Hugos
Posted on June 23, 2014 47 Comments
Having caught myself up to my satisfaction with the nominees in all the categories, I went to the Loncon3 site and voted, taking care to place each nominee with the ranking I thought it or they deserved. I look forward to seeing how my own votes match the overall final choices. If you are planning […]
On the 25th Anniversary of Tim Burton’s Batman Movie, a Personal Ranking of All the Batman Films
Posted on June 23, 2014 77 Comments
Because this article on Tor.com reminded me that today is the day. In order from best to so not best: 1. The Dark Knight 2. Batman (1989) 3. The LEGO Movie 4. Batman Begins 5. Batman Forever 6. The Dark Knight Rises 7. Batman Returns 8. Batman: The Movie (1966) 9. Batman and Robin Not […]
What I’m Doing With My Sunday
Posted on June 22, 2014 38 Comments
Prepping my playlist for the 80s dance I’ll be DJing at Detcon1 this July. If you’re going to Detcon1 and don’t show up to the dance, I will be quite put out. This song, for one, will definitely make the playlist. And what are you doing with your Sunday?
Saturday Fiddling
Posted on June 21, 2014 29 Comments
Saturday is traditionally the day here with the lowest number of visits, which means it’s a good day for me to fiddle with the format and design of the blog. I’m probably going to do that today. So if the site suddenly looks vastly different to you, don’t panic. I’m just trying out new things. […]
New Books and ARCs, 6/20/14
Posted on June 20, 2014 43 Comments
What’s hot and fresh in books and ARCs today, here at the Scalzi Compound. Tell me what you want on your own reading list, down in the comments.
Yog’s Law and Self-Publishing
Posted on June 20, 2014 57 Comments
Many years ago, writer Jim Macdonald postulated “Yog’s Law,” a handy rule of thumb for writers about the direction money is meant to flow in publishing: “Money flows toward the writer.” This is handy because it will give the writer pause when she has a publisher (or agent, or editor) who says that in order […]
Angry Robot Closes Strange Chemistry and Exhibit A Imprints
Posted on June 20, 2014 28 Comments
The news is here. If you’re an author with either of these two imprints, I would check your contracts for reversion clauses. Likewise, if I were the folks at Angry Robot, and were putting the books in these imprints into “out of print” status, as it seems likely they are from the announcement, I’d be […]
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