Monthly Archives: November 2020
I Was Going to Write a Political Piece Today But Then Was Struck By Ennui, So Here’s a Relatively Obscure Men At Work Song Instead
Posted on November 18, 2020 33 Comments
One of their more underrated songs, really, although I suppose at this point in time, all their songs aside from “Down Under” and “Who Can It Be Now” are underrated and relatively obscure. Time catches up with us all. Enjoy anyway. — JS
The Big Idea: James Van Pelt
Posted on November 18, 2020 3 Comments
What would the inside of your head look like if someone went exploring in it? What is behind the closed doors of your mind? In author James Van Pelt’s Big Idea, he invites us to tour the back alleys of his creativity, and tells us of how he tries to fit all that into his […]
This Vacation Blows
Posted on November 17, 2020 60 Comments
Everyone knows the drill by now. You work from home in your sweats, you have a dozen Zoom calls a day, and you avoid the outside world like the plague (because, duh). But of course, there’s our essential workers, too. Those who are out in the world every day, providing much-needed services ,who just have […]
The Big Idea: Essa Hansen
Posted on November 17, 2020 2 Comments
When given a choice between adventure and stability, what would you choose? When staring the unknown in the face, do you choose to explore it, or stay in your comfort zone? Author Essa Hansen asks the tough questions in the Big Idea for her newest novel, Nophek Gloss. ESSA HANSEN: Which would you choose: a […]
The Dispatcher: Murder By Other Means Limited Edition Print/EBook coming in April; Pre-Order Now!
Posted on November 16, 2020 7 Comments
If you’ve been wondering when the print and ebook version of Murder By Other Means, my latest story in the “Dispatcher” series, was going to be available, good news: There’s a date! And it is: April 2021, when my friends at Subterranean Press will be releasing a special signed hardcover limited edition of Murder, along […]
The Big Idea: Nibedita Sen
Posted on November 16, 2020 1 Comment
In today’s Big Idea, editor Nibedita Sen delves deep into the nature of the anthology she’s worked on, Nebula Awards Showcase 54, to examine what it is, what it means, and how to do honor to the concept. NIBEDITA SEN: What’s the purpose of an awards showcase? For that matter, what’s the purpose of awards? […]
The End of Casual Hugging(?)
Posted on November 15, 2020 123 Comments
Over on Twitter today, my pal Sharon Stiteler posted this, with regard to the possible return of hugging after the COVID vaccine is widespread. She is not a fan, as the image of the hiding cat representing non-huggers being dragged out of a corner by huggers shows: It me. #NonHugger pic.twitter.com/TA49EpyKLR — Sharon Stiteler (@birdchick) […]
Small Business Saturday: Pour Vallery Art
Posted on November 14, 2020 11 Comments
Hello, everyone, and welcome to another edition of Small Business Saturday! In case you missed the last two of these, this is where I post about a small business I’ve ordered from that I really like and can highly recommend to y’all. And again, this is NOT where I am sent something for free and […]
New Books and ARCs, 11/13/20
Posted on November 13, 2020 22 Comments
Oh, look, it’s Friday, and we have another stack of very fine new books and ARCs to peruse! Is there anything here that would make your reading list for a crisp autumn weekend? Share in the comments!
Biden 306 + Ohio Election Thoughts
Posted on November 13, 2020 65 Comments
News organizations have finally called the last two uncalled states (see the New York Times graphic above), with Georgia going to Joe Biden and North Carolina going for Trump. With those last two pieces set into the election puzzle, Biden has 306 electoral votes, and Trump 232. You may recall that in 2016, when Trump […]
The Big Idea: Kimberly Unger
Posted on November 13, 2020 2 Comments
Do you worry about making a good first impression? How about a first impression with an alien race? Author Kimberly Unger discusses in her Big Idea just what would happen with these first impressions… if our emissaries weren’t necessarily the ones everyone expects them to be. Read on to hear more, and how it involves […]
Adventures In Baking: Chai Cookies Edition
Posted on November 12, 2020 32 Comments
As I mentioned in my apple cider post last month, it is truly the season for pumpkin spice! However, there is one seasonal flavor that I think is leagues above pumpkin spice, that being chai. Chai is truly a divine drink, especially iced chai lattes! So when I saw one of my favorite food bloggers […]
The Sore Loser, and the Malign Loser
Posted on November 12, 2020 88 Comments
Donald Trump has lost the 2020 presidential election and has absolutely zero chance of winning it now. This is because the election has already been run, and it resulted with Joe Biden winning, with, to date, 77 million votes, 50.8 percent of the voting electorate and 290 electoral votes, with another 16 likely to come […]
Make Like a Tree
Posted on November 11, 2020 8 Comments
There comes a day in the fall when the wind really picks up and all the trees that have been still hanging on to their leaves let them go, and, well, today was that day. Overnight we had a cold front move in with winds and rain, and in the morning all the leaves on […]
The Big Idea: Ginger Smith
Posted on November 11, 2020 1 Comment
What does one do with themselves when their purpose is fulfilled? How do you adjust to a life you weren’t built for? In Ginger Smith’s newest novel, The Rush’s Edge, she explores finding meaning in a world so different from the one you’re accustomed to, and finding brotherhood along the way. GINGER SMITH: Sebastian Junger, has […]
My Adventures in Dark Souls III (So Far)
Posted on November 10, 2020 31 Comments
Okay, so, I just started playing Dark Souls III last week, and let me tell you, that shit is hard. I’ve put in eighteen hours so far, and I feel like I’ve barely accomplished anything. In Dark Souls, it’s not a matter of if you’re going to die, it’s when. And how many times (probably a lot). […]
How To Get Signed & Personalized Books From Me For the Holidays, 2020, PLUS a Very Special Short Term Deal
Posted on November 10, 2020 11 Comments
SHORT VERSION: For a limited time, as part of my annual “signing and personalizing for the holidays” service with my local bookseller Jay & Mary’s Book Center, if you order two books from them, I’ll kick in for a third. Because support local indie bookstores, that’s why. Some conditions apply. Details are below. Please read […]
The Big Idea: Emily C. Skaftun
Posted on November 10, 2020 1 Comment
In today’s Big Idea, author Emily C. Skaftun is thinking about death… for starters. With a book title like Living Forever & Other Terrible Ideas, perhaps this is not entirely surprising. EMILY C. SKAFTUN: Death! There is no bigger idea. The theme that emerged as I was putting together my favorite stories to create my […]
An Unexpected Side Effect
Posted on November 9, 2020 56 Comments
Well, here we are in month nine of our pandemic, and things are worse than ever! So that’s… something. This pandemic has completely changed our sense of normality in our day-to-day lives. Social distancing, avoiding crowds, wearing masks, working from home, it’s all just kind of become normal almost. Not quite normal, but not far […]
Pixel 5 Follow-Up
Posted on November 9, 2020 8 Comments
I’ve had a number of people ping me to ask me if I had any further thoughts on the Pixel 5 since I did my first impressions review a couple weeks back; apparently a lot of folks are in the market for a phone right about now. The answer is, yes, I do, and they […]
Whatever Everyone Else is Saying