Monthly Archives: April 2015
The Big Idea: Hermione Eyre
Posted on April 30, 2015 11 Comments
For her novel Viper Wine, author Hermione Eyre decided to get naughty. Not in the way you might think, however — her particular brand of naughtiness involves time slips and the Thin White Duke. Here’s Eyre now to explain herself a little bit more. HERMIONE EYRE: I didn’t want to have a Big Idea. I […]
Redshirts as a Social Justice Cabal Hugo Pick
Posted on April 29, 2015 192 Comments
Posting this Twitter rant here for posterity. This is Hugo neepery, but not of the usual sort I’ve been neeping about recently. Multitweet comment coming. Be ready. — John Scalzi (@scalzi) April 29, 2015 1. It's been recently suggested that I should be ashamed for getting the Hugo for Redshirts (by an author who hasn't […]
New Books and ARCs, 4/29/15
Posted on April 29, 2015 41 Comments
It’s been a week of new books and ARCs, and here’s today’s installment (there will be another one tomorrow, too!). What in this stack catches your fancy? Make note of it in the comments!
Drinking Poison and Expecting the Other Person to Die
Posted on April 29, 2015 82 Comments
(Warning: Further Hugo neepery. Avoid if you’re bored with it.) A question in email about a recent post, asking whether when I said, of one of the head Puppies, “So well done him, and I wish him all the best in his career,” if I was saying it with the same tone and meaning that […]
The Class of ’90 (and of ’06)
Posted on April 29, 2015 27 Comments
The New York Times has a very interesting long-form list on what happened to each of the first round picks of the 1990 NFL draft; unsurprisingly the stories are varied. Some have gone on to success in their post-NFL career; some have not; and some are in jail or have died. A lot of the success […]
Today’s New Books and ARCs, 4/28/15
Posted on April 28, 2015 29 Comments
Once again, some high-quality selections in today’s stack of new books and ARCs. Tell me which of these sings a special song to you. Do it in the comments.
For No Reason at All, Here I am Singing “Nowhere Man” by the Beatles
Posted on April 28, 2015 46 Comments
Because why not.
The Big Idea: Lev AC Rosen
Posted on April 28, 2015 5 Comments
“Worldbuilding” isn’t always about building a world — sometimes it’s about taking the world and tearing it down it in one way or another. Lev AC Rosen wanted to use New York City for his novel Depth, but first it needed to be… distressed. Here’s how he went about that. LEV AC ROSEN: I’ve always loved […]
In Which Edmund Schubert Withdraws From the Hugos
Posted on April 27, 2015
Edmund Schubert, editor of Intergalactic Medicine Show, has withdrawn from consideration for the Best Editor Hugo (short form). He posted a letter about it on Alethea Kontis’ site, but technical problems have made it difficult to access. So I am resposting it here for him and for Alethea. What follows here, unedited, is his letter […]
Today’s New Books and ARCs
Posted on April 27, 2015 34 Comments
A little something for everyone in this stack of new books and ARCs. See anything that calls to you? Tell me in the comments!
The Crabapple Tree, Spring 2015
Posted on April 27, 2015 29 Comments
Because it’s pretty, that’s why. You’re welcome!
The Big Idea: Bud Sparhawk
Posted on April 27, 2015 11 Comments
Bud Sparhawk is not only possibly the best treasurer that the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America has ever had (says a guy fortunate enough to have been on the organization’s board with him), he’s also a hell of a writer, as evidenced by his latest novel, Distant Seas, which garnered a coveted starred review from […]
It’s Funny Because It’s True
Posted on April 26, 2015 286 Comments
A comment from elsewhere on the Internet: “Certainly the most puzzling part of the Sad Puppies campaign is the claim that Scalzi’s works are too literary to represent the mainstream of SF. That’s like saying a group of food critics are too snobbish because they ranked Arby’s above McDonalds.” Reader, I LOLed.
Back to Ohio
Posted on April 26, 2015 45 Comments
Traveling today (again!) so I’ll be scarce here. In the meantime, why not read this review of The Android’s Dream by James Nicoll? He’s one of the most observant reviewers of science fiction and fantasy writing now (check his other reviews), and I’m pleased to read his observations of the book. The review, I will note, […]
View From a Hotel Window 4/24/15
Posted on April 24, 2015 19 Comments
It looks very Florida to me. I suspect it’s the palm trees.
On My Way to Gainesville
Posted on April 24, 2015 19 Comments
Hey! I’m back at the airport! Again! Yay? Seriously, at some point there will be a month where I don’t have to do any travel and I won’t know what I will do with myself. That month this year: September. Yes, September is the only month in 2015 where I don’t have travel scheduled. I […]
Big Idea Notice, Re: May and June (and July)
Posted on April 23, 2015
It is: The May Big Idea slots are all filled. If you queried and I did not respond, a) sorry, I tried to respond to everyone, b) I have no more slots for this month. There are still a few June Big Idea slots open. Go ahead and query. You may start querying for July […]
Hugos and Class
Posted on April 23, 2015 392 Comments
(Warning: Hugo neepery ahead. Ignore if you’re bored with the subject.) As I’m musing on class today, I’d like to take a moment to address something I see being attempted by the Puppies, which is to cast the current Hugo contretemps as something akin to a class war, with the scrappy diverse underdogs (the Puppy […]
The Elite Poor
Posted on April 23, 2015 55 Comments
Here’s an interesting story in the Boston Globe about poor students attending Ivy League schools and very often struggling with their new environment, not in the least because they are often the first in their families to attend college at all, and thus have little guidance from family and friends on how to navigate the […]
Reminder: I’m in Gainesville, Florida This Saturday For a Library Event
Posted on April 22, 2015 16 Comments
Yes! I’ll be in Gainesville this Saturday, April 25 at 1pm at the Alachua County Library main branch, for a reading, Q&A and possibly a signing (the event is supposed to run from 1 to 2, but if they let me hang around after, I’ll sign some books). Here are the actual details. I’ll be reading […]
Whatever Everyone Else is Saying