Monthly Archives: May 2015
Hello, I’m Alive, No Really
Posted on May 31, 2015 3 Comments
Just been having a terrific day here at ConCarolinas and in Charlotte, away from the Internets, is all. Yes, that’s right, I have a life outside this blog! Uh, sometimes. Seriously, though, ConCarolinas has been an absolutely terrific convention, and they treated me wonderfully. I can’t begin to tell you what a lovely time I’ve […]
Quick Note to Folks, Re: Sending Me Your Material
Posted on May 30, 2015 29 Comments
So, in the last week I’ve had quite a few people congratulating me on my book deal (thanks!) and then attaching samples of writing work or art work or resumes for various editorial skills, etc, in the hope I might have some use for them, or just because. I appreciate the thought. However: 1. Note […]
Today’s New Books and ARCs, 5/29/15
Posted on May 29, 2015 25 Comments
As we head into the weekend, there’s no better way to start the festivities than a nice ol’ stack of new books and ARCs that have arrived at the Scalzi Compound. There must be something in this stack that intrigues you — if there is, tell me about it in the comments!
Storytelling in Four Tweets, Featuring Kristine Scalzi
Posted on May 29, 2015 37 Comments
Premise, conflict, resolution, denouement — it’s all here, man! This woman is mega hot. I am totally going to hit on her. pic.twitter.com/sMtnCBf4Ox — John Scalzi (@scalzi) May 29, 2015 HOT WOMAN UPDATE: have given her my best line. She is strangely unconvinced. Tells me she is here with her husband. pic.twitter.com/210pSrpwRj — John Scalzi […]
Chicagoland Folks: Nebula Weekend Approaches!
Posted on May 29, 2015 18 Comments
Hey, Chicagoland geeks and nerds and others: Next weekend SFWA is having its fabulous Nebula Weekend in your hometown, and the event is going to be packed with awesome people: Grand masters of science fiction, Nebula Award nominees, science fiction and fantasy writers of renown, and even a few special guests, including Nick Offerman, who […]
The Big Idea: Josh Vogt
Posted on May 29, 2015 6 Comments
In today’s episode of The Big Idea, author Josh Vogt comes clean on his plan to integrate magic into the world in a useful and (usually) unobtrusive way, in his book Enter the Janitor. JOSH VOGT: One issue urban fantasy stories often deal with is: If magic is real in the modern world, how exactly […]
An Interview in the Washington Post
Posted on May 28, 2015 27 Comments
About the deal, and other things. It’s actually pretty lengthy and meaty, which is good, because I am traveling — yet again! — today, this time to North Carolina to ConCarolinas.
The Big Idea: Alma Alexander
Posted on May 27, 2015 17 Comments
An idea can seem silly, wacky or frivilous — which can be great — but there’s always a chance it can bloom into something else… bigger. In Wolf, this was Alma Alexander’s experience. She’s here to tell you how. ALMA ALEXANDER: When the original call came for an anthology featuring “unusual” stories about Were-kind, one […]
View From a Hotel Window, 5/26/15 + Thoughts on the Deal Money
Posted on May 26, 2015 133 Comments
Here I am, back in New York City, where I will be interviewing Cixin Liu tomorrow night and working BEA on Thursday (details here). I kinda love this town, although the view from my hotel window is not exactly classic this time, except in a Rear Window sort of way, I suppose. But who cares! […]
The Big Idea: Greg Keyes
Posted on May 26, 2015 8 Comments
How many worlds must a people travel before they are at peace with themselves? Greg Keyes asked himself this question while writing Footsteps in the Sky, and the answer takes us back to our world, and his studies in graduate school. GREG KEYES: Once, at a book fair in Belgium, I was asked what purpose […]
Memorial Day Sunset
Posted on May 25, 2015 16 Comments
I hope those of you celebrating Memorial Day today took a moment to think on why we note the day. Even in the middle of my own stuff, I did.
About That Deal
Posted on May 25, 2015 260 Comments
I know a lot of you have questions about the book deal I just agreed to, so let me just do that “fake interview” thing I do to answer some of the big ones. Let’s begin, shall we? Wait, what happened? Sorry, I was really high last night. Fair enough. Here’s the story in the […]
So, This is Happening
Posted on May 24, 2015 241 Comments
You really really really want to click this link. Trust me. (And yes, this is the Monday news, a little early.) (And yes, I will write more about it. Probably tomorrow.)
Way to Go, Ireland
Posted on May 23, 2015 72 Comments
It's beginning to look like Ireland will show its true colours in #MarRef today. pic.twitter.com/rfle1YyhA6 — Micheal Mac Suibhne (@MicMacSuibh) May 23, 2015 They’re still doing the counting but everyone knows how it’s going to go: Ireland is going to have marriage equality, and be the first country to have it via popular vote. And to […]
A Brief Note About Me Reviewing the Hugo Nominees
Posted on May 23, 2015 14 Comments
I’ve been asked a few times if I plan to write any reviews of the Hugo nominees this year after I’ve read them. The answer: No, I don’t. One, if you look at my general modus operandi around Hugos, I don’t ever really comment on what I think of the merits of the individual nominees* […]
Today’s New Books and ARCs, 5/22/15
Posted on May 22, 2015 31 Comments
As we go into the weekend, a nice collection of new books and ARCs for you to peruse and to consider for your own collections. What looks interesting to you? You have a whole comment thread in which to opine!
Updates and Reminders and Cryptic Pronouncements, 5/22/15
Posted on May 22, 2015 32 Comments
A few things I wish to put onto your radar, or put back on, as the case may be: 1. A reminder that next week at this time I will be the author guest of honor at ConCarolinas, in beautiful Charlotte, North Carolina, along with other very cool people. Come down and say hello to […]
The Big Idea: Brian Catling
Posted on May 22, 2015 3 Comments
In describing how The Vorrh came out of him, author Brian Catling pretty accurately makes a point about creation that I think many creative people can agree with — before it comes out, there’s so much that has to go on inside. BRIAN CATLING: I have answered more identical questions about The Vorrh than anything else […]
It’s Been Nearly Three Weeks Since a Cat Picture Here and That’s Just Wrong
Posted on May 21, 2015 31 Comments
So, here you go. Enjoy.
The Star Wars Battle Between Good and Evil: The Final Confrontation!
Posted on May 21, 2015 15 Comments
A couple of weeks ago I posted my very first Sundance TV film column, in which put Star Wars characters into brackets (light side of the force vs. dark side) to see who among all the characters would confront each other in the final battle of Star Wars good vs. evil. Well, the brackets are […]
Whatever Everyone Else is Saying