Monthly Archives: August 2023
An Update From the Old Church, August 31, 2023
Posted on August 31, 2023 41 Comments
For the longest time it seemed impossible we would actually get to this point, but now we’re actually here: All the major renovations we were making to the church are now complete. The very last thing to have done were the bookshelves in the balcony, which span the walls on both wings; we had a […]
Today I Sneezed For Ten Minutes Straight and It Appears to Have Caused Me Some Minor Brain Damage So Here’s a Picture of Smudge High On Catnip While I Recover
Posted on August 30, 2023 20 Comments
We’ve all been there, Smudge. Maybe not because of catnip, but otherwise, yes. Also, I am fine, honest, I just can’t focus worth a damn. I’m calling the day a wash. Hope yours was all right. — JS
A Night On The Town Featuring Candlelight Concerts and Losanti Steakhouse
Posted on August 29, 2023 20 Comments
You may remember a post of mine from two months ago over the Best of Hans Zimmer Candlelight Concert I went to in Cincinnati. Ever since then, I’ve wanted to go to another Candlelight Concert. Not even a week after seeing the first one, I got myself a ticket to one in August, and patiently […]
20 Years of Science Fiction Conventions
Posted on August 28, 2023 57 Comments
Because I am the sort of nerd who keeps track of these things, I will note that today marks the 20th anniversary of the first time I ever attended a science fiction convention. On August 28, 2003, having sold Old Man’s War to Tor at the beginning of that year, I decided it was time […]
Saturday Music: “She Goes On”
Posted on August 26, 2023 11 Comments
I was down in the basement music studio today, upgrading software, and I figured as long as I was down there I might as well cover a song, this one by Crowded House. It’s a very pretty song, pretty enough to (almost) mask that it is also a fundamentally sad song. I love it and […]
I Was Gonna Post About Trump and His Mug Shot, But Then I Got Busy and Also OMD Came Out With a New Video, So Here Is That Instead
Posted on August 25, 2023 19 Comments
I mean, I will probably talk about Trump again soon! But today has turned out to be a day I need to do things in — I know, so unfair, right? — and also this new OMD single is very OMD, and as someone who grew up with the band, I think of this as […]
My SciFri Interview About The Kaiju Preservation Society
Posted on August 24, 2023 10 Comments
This summer the folks at Science Friday made The Kaiju Preservation Society their book club read, and in addition to talking about the book with each other, they had me come over for an hour-long chat about the book, writing, science and life in general. Here’s the whole interview for your delight. Note the live […]
The Big Idea: A.J. Hartley
Posted on August 24, 2023 3 Comments
Shape-shifting creatures… in small-town North Carolina? There’s a reason they’re there, and as A.J. Hartley explains in this Big Idea for Hideki Smith, Demon Queller, there’s no better place for them to be. A.J. HARTLEY: Japanese folkore and mythology is packed with shape-shifting monsters. Seriously. Everywhere you look there’s something pretending to be something else. […]
Starter Villain in the House
Posted on August 23, 2023 20 Comments
Literally ten minutes ago the UPS truck rolled up with my author hardcover copies of Starter Villain. As is tradition, I gave the first copy to Krissy, and the second copy is mine (the third usually goes to my mother-in-law. The fourth usually goes to the Bradford library). I have to say it looks great […]
The Big Idea: Caye Marsh
Posted on August 22, 2023 2 Comments
Author Caye Marsh was treading in unfamiliar territory when she became a mother, and the feelings that came with it ended up being the seed for her newest novel. Follow along in her Big Idea to see how being a mother assisted in forging the path for Peace In The Sky. CAYE MARSH: Sometime in the […]
Various and Sundry, 8/21/23
Posted on August 21, 2023 21 Comments
I spent the weekend away with friends and then today I did two interviews, one for print and one for radio, and now I’m surfacing to see what’s going on in the world. Want to come along with me? Sure you do! Trump Has to Shell Out $200,000 For Bail in Georgia: Actually, as I […]
A Weekend Jam
Posted on August 18, 2023 2 Comments
Hello, my lovely readers! It’s Friday, and I wish to bestow upon you a song that you can spend all weekend jamming out to. I know I certainly have it on repeat, at least. Here’s Conan Gray’s new single, “Never Ending Song”: Don’t worry, it’s not actually a never ending song, in fact it’s only […]
New Books and ARCs, 8/18/23
Posted on August 18, 2023 12 Comments
Just in time for the weekend, a whole stack of new books and ARCs, perfect for reading outside (if it’s nice), or inside (if air conditioning is desired). What here is calling to you? Share in the comments! — JS
The Big Idea: Joe R. Lansdale
Posted on August 17, 2023 6 Comments
Today’s Big Idea is short… but is it sweet? Joe R. Lansdale’s collection title promises that Things Get Ugly, and maybe, sometimes, that’s the way it should be. JOE LANSDALE: Things Get Ugly has been years in the making, containing my best crime stories from the eighties on. Not every crime story I’ve written is […]
In Which I Am Informed By the Boss It Is Time to Go Back to Work
Posted on August 17, 2023 6 Comments
“Yes, yes, you traveled to Washington and New York for the last week, and you got to see people and have adventures. That’s very nice. But now you’re back, and, what is that? A pile of work you’ve been ignoring while you’ve been on the road? Well, guess what you get to do now, pal?” […]
The Big Idea: M. A. Carrick
Posted on August 16, 2023 2 Comments
Collaboration is key. Whether it’s writing a book together, backing a Kickstarter together, or changing the world together, people need each other to make things the best version they can be. Follow along with authors Alyc and Marie, who joined together as M. A. Carrick to bring you the newest novel in their Rook and […]
Close To Home: Eight Green Lilies
Posted on August 15, 2023 10 Comments
Most of you probably know by now that I’m a bit of a boba tea fanatic. As such, I was excited to hear that a local Bradfordian with a passion for boba was setting up shop right in the middle of my little town. Now, I’m happy to report that Eight Green Lilies has finally […]
The Big Idea: Keith Rosson
Posted on August 15, 2023
Enough is never enough. This statement rings true when it comes to the power hungry bad guys in Keith Rosson’s new novel, Fever House. But what about when that power they crave comes from a severed hand, and they’ll do anything to get it? Read on to see what all the hand, and novel, entails. […]
View From a Hotel Balcony, 8/14/23: Brooklyn
Posted on August 14, 2023 10 Comments
Fun fact: for all the times that I’ve been in New York City, my hotel room has always been in Manhattan, and I’ve strayed into the other boroughs rarely if at all. That changes tonight: For the first time I’m staying in Brooklyn, and I have to say it’s pretty nice so far. I’m here […]
Announcing the Starter Villain Book Tour
Posted on August 14, 2023 37 Comments
We’re about a month out from the release of Starter Villain, what better time to announce the tour for the book! This year’s itinerary has me revisiting some familiar places as well as going to new cities for the first time. I’m really excited to see everyone out on the road this year. Here are […]
Whatever Everyone Else is Saying