Monthly Archives: January 2019
Back at Home
Posted on January 30, 2019 43 Comments
And my in-house editor is ready to go! Also, it’s cold as balls right at the moment: -2, without windchill. Yes, I know other places in the US are colder at the moment. You know what? -2 is cold enough. This isn’t the Freeze Your Gonads Off Olympics. And if it is, I’m happy to […]
The Big Idea: Kevin J. Anderson
Posted on January 29, 2019 3 Comments
It will be no surprise to learn Kevin J. Anderson has written a lot of novels — he’s one of the most prolific authors working today, not only in the genre of science fiction and fantasy, but in all of fiction. But he’s also written quite a lot of short fiction as well. Over the […]
View From a Hotel Window, 1/27/19: West Hollywood
Posted on January 27, 2019 22 Comments
My hotel room overlooks a dog park, how cool is that? As I believe I noted before, I’m here in town for a couple of days to have meetings and schmooze and maybe even see a friend or two, as one would here in the City of the Angels. Should be fun. How was your […]
The Big Idea: James Fell
Posted on January 25, 2019 5 Comments
In today’s Big Idea, James Fell explains the title of The Holy Sh!t Moment, and how it perfectly encapsulates not just the book, but the process of making the book itself. JAMES FELL: I wasn’t keen on the title. The sample chapters and proposal were ready. We just needed a name. “Come up with a […]
View From a Hotel Window, 1/24/19: Chicago
Posted on January 24, 2019 8 Comments
Mmmmm… snowy parking lot. I’m in Chicago for personal reasons (no public appearances, sorry), and then I’ll be off the Los Angeles for meetings (also no public events). My life is interesting. This is it for updating here today, but if you need more of me, I and Leigh Alexander did an AMA over at […]
Today’s Thing I Am Not Okay With
Posted on January 23, 2019 57 Comments
Google’s spellchecker attempting to correct “all right” to “alright.” NOT OKAY WITH THAT, GOOGLE.
New Books and ARCs, 1/22/19
Posted on January 22, 2019 36 Comments
This week I have two — count them, two! — super sized stacks of new books and ARCs for you, and here is the first of them, filled with reading goodness. What here is calling to you through the computer? Tell us in the comments!
First Pass Oscar Predictions, 2019
Posted on January 22, 2019 41 Comments
Most of you know I was a professional film critic waaaay back in the day, and one of my hobbies every year is to look at the Academy Award nomination list when it comes out and guess, based on my experience, which people/films will walk away the awards. My prediction rate: Pretty decent! Usually I […]
The Big Idea: Django Wexler
Posted on January 22, 2019 3 Comments
Every hero has a journey — or so it would seem — but does that have to be the journey we expect them to take? Django Wexler asks that very question in this Big Idea for his new novel Ship of Smoke and Steel. DJANGO WEXLER: There’s a story we like to tell in science […]
“A Model Dog”: A New Short Story, From Me, Over at The Verge
Posted on January 21, 2019 24 Comments
Hey, there! Would you like a short story from me to help you get through your Monday? Of course you would. So here it is: “A Model Dog,” which I wrote for The Verge as part of its “Better Worlds” series of optimistic science fiction. In it, two engineers at a very large tech company […]
My Contribution to the Pile of Lunar Eclipse Photos From Last Night
Posted on January 21, 2019 36 Comments
This one taken around 11:45pm with my Nikon, and for which I did no prep; this is basically me taking a couple dozen shots freehand and picking the least blurry one. This is the one that turned out the best. It’s not too bad, all things considered. And of course it was beautiful in the […]
View From a Hotel Window, 1/18/19: Detroit
Posted on January 18, 2019 10 Comments
Actually the picture is from yesterday, but since the view is essentially unchanged (including the sky), I figure it’s probably fine to post. We’re in Detroit for the annual ConFusion convention, which I have been attending since 2005 and which I consider my “home” convention. It’s a lot of fun and I wouldn’t miss it […]
The Big Idea: David Mack
Posted on January 17, 2019 8 Comments
Author David Mack knows what you expect out of a book series. But with The Iron Codex, he’s making the argument that you should sometimes get something else than what you expect. Let’s read his thoughts on why this is. DAVID MACK: In the publishing industry, there are certain expectations that govern how a new […]
My “Storming the ConFusion” Schedule
Posted on January 16, 2019 5 Comments
I’m going to be at the ConFusion science fiction convention this weekend, and if you’re going to be there (or are considering going, and you should!), here is what I’ll be doing and when: Friday 9pm (Michigan Ballroom): Dance Party. That’s right, I’ll be DJing on Friday with danceable tunes across several decades to get […]
Mary Robinette Kowal is Running for SFWA President and I Endorse Her Candidacy
Posted on January 16, 2019 1 Comment
She announced it last night. Here is her platform, which I encourage you to read if you are a member of the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America (and even if you are not). Some of you may recall that I was SFWA president once, from 2010 to 2013. Mary Robinette was my vice […]
The Big Idea: Brenda W. Clough
Posted on January 15, 2019 2 Comments
In today’s Big Idea, Brenda Clough explore the issues of power, and superpowers, and whether both are more trouble than they are made out to be — and how that affects her new trilogy, of which The River Twice is the first installment. BRENDA W. CLOUGH: I was born in Washington DC and have lived […]
I’m Not Saying Sugar Is Judging You, But
Posted on January 14, 2019 21 Comments
In fact, she is totally judging you. She is in reality the most judgmental of all our cats, the cat voted Mostly Likely Not to Be Angry, Just Disappointed (although in fact she’s got a temper, so don’t cross her). Busy Monday around here. How was yours?
The Cat Catches On Quick
Posted on January 13, 2019 15 Comments
“What? You want me to pose for a photo? Well, I suppose I could –” ” — wait, what?” “Oh, I get it. Smudgeception. Very cute, human.”
Revenue Streams, 2018
Posted on January 13, 2019 39 Comments
Eight years ago I wrote up this piece about my revenue streams, talking about where it is my money comes from. In 2010 I had just made the switch to having the majority of my income be from writing fiction, after two decades of having other sorts of writing be my primary source of income. […]
Yes, There’s a Point to Bad Reviews in 2019
Posted on January 12, 2019 49 Comments
Got a request: Would be interested in @scalzi ’s take on “The Art of the Pan” – given his experience as a pop-culture reviewer https://t.co/s3GhlpzsRv — AJ Hogg (@alanhogg) January 12, 2019 So I read the piece. And here are some thoughts, informed by having been both a professional critic and reviewer, and a professional […]
Whatever Everyone Else is Saying