Monthly Archives: June 2015
To Stand or Fall, Episode Four of The End of All Things, is Out Now!
Posted on June 30, 2015 41 Comments
This is the end of The End of All Things — or more accurately, the final novella episode of the book. And just what happens in this one? Here’s the official synopsis: “Back on Earth, the beginning and end of all things. The nations of humanity’s home planet have parted ways with the starfaring Colonial […]
The Big Idea: P.W. Singer and August Cole
Posted on June 30, 2015 22 Comments
What happens when two authors with combined decades of experience working in and chronicling the defense industry attempt to plausibly devise a war scenario only a few years into the future? You might find the book has uncomfortable parallels with the real world. But of course, as P.W. Singer and August Cole might tell you about their […]
This New America
Posted on June 29, 2015 123 Comments
I was in the airport last Friday when the Supreme Court ruling on same-sex marriage came down, and one of the first thoughts I had on that was, “Looks like I picked the right week to go to San Francisco.” And you know what? I was right! The city was, verily, bedecked in rainbow flags […]
The Big Idea: Sam Munson
Posted on June 29, 2015 15 Comments
If I knew nothing else about the book, I would give a thumb up Sam Munson’s novel merely for the title alone: The War Against the Assholes. Fortunately, there’s more to the book than the fabulous title, as Munson explains below. SAM MUNSON: What animates The War Against the Assholes philosophically (its author asked, rhetorically and […]
View From a Hotel Window, 6/26/15: San Francisco
Posted on June 26, 2015 17 Comments
It’s a nice view! Here in town for the American Library Association meeting; I get to hang out with librarians, who are some of my favorite people in the world. Also, rumor is, there might be some celebrating here this weekend. Well, I’m up for that as well. Don’t expect too much here over the […]
Love Wins
Posted on June 26, 2015 90 Comments
I’m traveling at the moment so I can’t add much more to this than: Hooray! Marriage for all! Also: Hey, I’m an ordained minister in the Universal Life Church. I can marry people. I’m just saying. Here’s the Supreme Court decision. Read it and enjoy. I’m going to be in San Francisco this weekend. I […]
I Have a Note From My Brain
Posted on June 25, 2015 42 Comments
It says: “Duuuuuuuuuuuuhhhhhoi.” Which I think means it’s taking the day off? Maybe? Anyway, yeah. Sorry, it seems like my post-vacation daze has gone on a bit longer than expected. Maybe I’ll have something for you tomorrow. Maybe. Anyway, how are you?
Sunset and Daughter (and Daughter’s Boyfriend)
Posted on June 24, 2015 30 Comments
Ah, to be young. And that’s all I have for you today. See you tomorrow.
Can Long Endure, Episode Three of The End of All Things, is Out Now!
Posted on June 23, 2015 32 Comments
It’s Tuesday, and that means another episode of The End of All Things. “Can Long Endure” is now out and available from your favorite eBook retailer. Here’s the official description: “They signed up to defend humans from hostile aliens, but this group of Colonial Union soldiers finds themselves, instead, repeatedly sent to squelch rebellious human […]
The Scalzis Go to London
Posted on June 22, 2015 43 Comments
Krissy and I celebrated our 20th anniversary last week, which we felt gave us ample excuse to go on a vacation. For our vacation spot, we chose London, because we had never been and we had always wished to go. So we did! And it was wonderful: We saw all the touristy things, visited with […]
Amazon Tweaks Its Kindle Unlimited System. It Still Sucks For KDP Select Authors
Posted on June 21, 2015 93 Comments
Now that I’ve returned to the US and have parked myself in front of the computer again, people are asking me what I think of Amazon’s plan to tweak the way its Kindle Unlimited system pays KDP Select authors. In the past, Amazon would designate a certain amount of cash ($3 million this June, according to this […]
Just Putting These Here So They Can Be Part of the Permanent Record
Posted on June 21, 2015 131 Comments
From the day itself: So, we're not pretending the Charleston shooting is something other than racial hatred, right? pic.twitter.com/tCS8C28G6J — John Scalzi (@scalzi) June 18, 2015 If witnesses say the alleged shooter said "I'm here to shoot black people," I would think it's pretty clear why black people were shot. — John Scalzi (@scalzi) June […]
Note to WSFS Members: Killing the Best Novelette Hugo is a Terrible Idea
Posted on June 21, 2015 120 Comments
(Note: Hugo neepery follows. But not the usual Hugo neepery! This is entirely new Hugo neepery! However, if you’re bored with Hugo neepery in general, then avoid this.) Every year at Worldcon, there’s a business meeting where World Science Fiction Society members may, among other things, offer up amendments to the WSFS constitution. A very active […]
Back in the US: A Housekeeping Note
Posted on June 21, 2015 7 Comments
I’m back home after a long, lovely week in London with my bride on the occasion of our 20th anniversary. More on that later. Housekeeping notes: 1. The comment threads, which I had trimmed back to being open only for a couple of days whilst I was away, are now open to their usual two […]
To Be the Anti-Scalzi, and Other Foolishness
Posted on June 18, 2015
From earlier today on Twitter: Apparently, to be "the Anti-Scalzi" means to argue poorly, whine like a child, and make an ass of yourself. This is strangely complimentary. — John Scalzi (@scalzi) June 18, 2015 Also, terribly sad that person decided the smart thing to be was "the Anti-Scalzi," rather than himself. Now that awful […]
The Big Idea: John Ayliff
Posted on June 18, 2015 16 Comments
In Belt Three, author John Ayliff posits the end of the world as we know it. Do the survivors feel fine? Well, it depends on your definition of “fine.” JOHN AYLIFF: Aliens threaten to destroy the Earth in any number of sf books and movies. In most cases, daring space heroes defeat them and all […]
20 Years
Posted on June 17, 2015 134 Comments
Twenty years ago today, Krissy and I were married. We stood up in front of friends and family, said our vows (and they were our vows, as we wrote them), and formally begun our time together, making a life between us. In that twenty years, there has never been a single day where I have not […]
This Hollow Union, Episode Two of The End of All Things, is Out Now!
Posted on June 16, 2015 16 Comments
I’m off doing touristy things in London, but I would be remiss if I did not inform you that Episode 2 of The End of All Things, “This Hollow Union,” is out and available at your favorite ebook retailer. Here’s the official description: “Desperate times call for desperate measures. And for the multi-species Conclave, desperate […]
The Big Idea: Scott Hawkins
Posted on June 16, 2015 11 Comments
Can a library change your personality — and the things you can do? It depends on the person… and the library. Scott Hawkins has a very interesting one in The Library at Mount Char, and if you’re not careful, you may be a different person coming out than when you went in. SCOTT HAWKINS: The […]
On a Travel Schedule, 6/12 – 6/22
Posted on June 12, 2015 17 Comments
Hey there. I’m taking a vacation for a week, which means my presence here will be limited for that timeframe. I’ll be posting a couple of Big Idea pieces and maybe a picture or two or a couple of short entries, but otherwise don’t expect to see too much of me until Monday the 22nd. […]
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