Monthly Archives: July 2015
New Books and ARCs, 7/31/15
Posted on July 31, 2015 32 Comments
The last day of the July, and we have an especially large haul of new books and ARCs for you to admire here. See anything here that begs to be on your own personal bookshelf? Tell me in the comments! And a reminder: If you are in Indianapolis, for GenCon or any other reason, I […]
Born That Way, Or Not
Posted on July 30, 2015 79 Comments
Was pointed today to this interview with developmental psychologist Lisa Diamond, on the subject of sexuality, and additionally, whether it matters whether people who identify as gay or bisexual are “born that way” or not. She takes the position that ultimately it really doesn’t matter: It is time to just take the whole idea of sexuality […]
And Now, Today’s Masterclass on Leaving Passive-Aggressive Notes to One’s Offspring
Posted on July 30, 2015 62 Comments
Look and learn, people. Look and learn.
The Big Idea: Gary Whitta
Posted on July 30, 2015 12 Comments
“Go Big Or Go Home” — it’s an idea, all right, but it is a good idea? Or could a big idea be something on a smaller scale? Gary Whitta asked himself this question with his novel Abomination. What was his answer? It awaits you below. GARY WHITTA: My big idea is actually a very small one. […]
The Upgrade From Hell
Posted on July 29, 2015 84 Comments
Downloading Windows 10 on my laptop. If it doesn't explode, may consider downloading it for my desktop. — John Scalzi (@scalzi) July 29, 2015 Folks, there's a reason I'm testing Win10 on the laptop first. Easy to backup, nothing there I'd miss if lost. Relax, I'm not stupid. — John Scalzi (@scalzi) July 29, 2015 […]
Out In One Week
Posted on July 28, 2015 28 Comments
Look, it’s the paperback version of Lock In, which arrived here at the Scalzi Compound just yesterday. It looks great, feels great, and while I can’t legally promise anything, anecdotal evidence shows that when you hold it, you are three to five percent more attractive to those you wish to appear attractive to (and also, […]
That New York Magazine Cover
Posted on July 27, 2015 123 Comments
So, that’s a hell of a magazine cover. As of this writing the New York magazine site itself is down because of a hacker attack; the hacker in question alleges this has nothing to do with Bill Cosby. Interesting timing nonetheless. Here’s the link to the story package when it goes back up. You should read it. […]
DonaldTrumpDonaldTrumpDonaldTrump
Posted on July 26, 2015 188 Comments
A friend of mine not from the United States said to me the other day, and this is pretty much a direct quote, “Seriously, dude, your country is scaring the shit out of the rest of us with this Donald Trump thing.” To assure him and others, a few points, covered by others to be […]
New Books and ARCs, 7/24/15
Posted on July 24, 2015 27 Comments
As we head into the weekend, a baker’s dozen of new books and ARCs for your delectation. Any of these books make you hungry to read? Share your thoughts in the comments!
Das Syndrom
Posted on July 24, 2015 35 Comments
Just arrived in the mail today: The German-language version of Lock In, entitled Das Syndrom. Why? Because it’s Germany! And my German publishers change the titles of my novels with some frequency. Mind you, it’s not just them; pretty much all my foreign publishers have changed the titles of at least one of my books. […]
Wife and Daughter, 7/23/15
Posted on July 23, 2015 22 Comments
Both pictures taken today. There’s some family resemblance there, I think.
Pre-Orders, Concerts, Tour Notes and Other Announcements
Posted on July 23, 2015 6 Comments
Some various things, involving me, all put in the same post for the sake of organization: * As you can see from the photo above, the hardcover edition of The End of All Things is something that exists in our world. Hooray! If you want it the first day it’s out — or make sure you […]
First Impressions: Asus Chromebook Flip
Posted on July 23, 2015 17 Comments
I have a number of Chromebooks here at the house — some of you might remember I was given a CR-48, the beta version of the Chromebook, by Google back in the day — and I like them quite a bit for what they are, which are cheap and cheerful computer terminals that back up […]
Look What Just Arrived at the Scalzi Compound
Posted on July 22, 2015 14 Comments
It’s the finished hardcover version of The End of All Things! Arrived just a few minutes ago. It looks great. And has that new book smell! And yes, that’s her copy. She always gets the first copy. Always, always and forever.
Agent to the Stars, Ten Years On
Posted on July 22, 2015 66 Comments
Here’s a fun fact: This week marks the 10th anniversary of the print release of Agent to the Stars. It was released in a limited edition hardcover from Subterranean Press, which makes it to date, and likely for the next decade at least, the only novel of mine released first by a publisher other than Tor […]
Blast From the Past: Athena Scalzi, Age Seven, Addresses Scott Westerfeld on the Subject of Pluto
Posted on July 21, 2015 47 Comments
Context: In 2006, Pluto was demoted from being a planet to being a dwarf planet, a move that many, including notable YA author (and personal friend) Scott Westerfeld, thought was a good move, because he and they are terrible people. When my daughter, then age seven, heard that Scott Westerfeld — her friend Scott! Who […]
Governor Kasich’s Chances to Win the 2016 GOP Nomination and Then the Presidency, Estimated By This Citizen of Ohio
Posted on July 21, 2015 49 Comments
He has no chance. For either. None whatsoever. Which, you know, is too bad, at least the “winning the GOP nomination” part (I don’t want him to be president). As far as the current iteration of the GOP goes, he’s not bad — he’s pretty smart, he’s well-experienced both as a current governor and a past […]
The Big Idea: Ted Kosmatka
Posted on July 21, 2015 13 Comments
Hey, you know quantum physics? Ha! It’s a trick question, because no one truly knows quantum physics — at this point we know just enough to know how little we understand about what goes on down at that level. Which, as it happens, makes it fertile ground for fiction, as author Ted Kosmatka found […]
Sunset, With Riding Mower
Posted on July 20, 2015 32 Comments
That’s Krissy out there on the riding mower, incidentally. I don’t mow the lawn because of grass allergies and also lack of competence; Krissy, on the other hand, can whip through the yard like nobody’s business. The riding mower here is actually a loaner, as our actual one is currently in the shop. The shop […]
I Have Nothing of Interest to Say Today, So Instead Here’s a Picture of the Dog in the Yard
Posted on July 20, 2015 22 Comments
I believe we can all agree that this is a fair trade.
Whatever Everyone Else is Saying