Monthly Archives: October 2023
View From a Hotel Window, 10/18/23: Detroit
Posted on October 18, 2023 3 Comments
Taken a little later than my hotel room shots usually are, but then, look, you get a nice crescent moon out of it. So you have that going for you, which is nice. And today was me making an appearance at a bookseller’s convention, so I got to meet a lot of lovely people who […]
The Big Idea: Tobias S. Buckell
Posted on October 18, 2023 3 Comments
The power of books is undeniable. But the power of books is also fragile and constantly in danger. These are facts which inform Tobias S. Buckell’s latest work A Stranger in the Citadel — along with his own love of literature and the physical form it takes. TOBIAS S. BUCKELL: It’ll surprise none of you […]
Sunset, 10/17/23 + Annoying Facebook News
Posted on October 17, 2023 17 Comments
First: Look! A sunset! Isn’t that pretty? Let’s all bask in its orange cloudiliciousness for a moment. Second: Some dude snuck his way into my Facebook account and it was shut down after it became clear it was breached. I’m in the process of recovering the account, but honestly who knows how long that will […]
The Big Idea: E. E. Williams
Posted on October 17, 2023 11 Comments
Who do authors write for? E.E. Williams has no uncertain opinions on this matter, and in this Big Idea for No More Tomorrows, invites you along for an exploration of this topic. E. E. WILLIAMS: WRITING FOR YOURSELF MEANS HAVING ONLY ONE READER. Write for yourself. That was the advice I kept getting from many […]
A Deer Tried To Murder Me Today (Spoiler: I’m Fine)
Posted on October 16, 2023 42 Comments
The attempt was made roughly an hour ago, as the deer stood in my lane at a bend in the road, giving me almost no time to register that it was there, much less do anything about it. Even so, I managed to both swerve away from the thing and still stay on the road, […]
And Now, One Of My Favorite Photos From My NYC Trip
Posted on October 15, 2023 12 Comments
It’s looking thorough the Red Cube by Isamu Noguchi, which is located at 140 Broadway, in downtown Manhattan. There’s a lot going on here, and I’m happy I got it into a picture. New York City was fabulous as ever, but now I’m home and happy to be here. I may sleep all day tomorrow. […]
The Terrifying Visage of the Pac-Man Lights Up the Skyline
Posted on October 14, 2023 17 Comments
I saw my first live drone display and of course it was an advertisement. In this case, for a new Pac-Man game. The advertisement was effective, since everyone at the restaurant I was at had their phones out and were taking pictures of it (including, obviously, me). But it was still existentially disappointing to me. […]
Hello From New York Comic Con
Posted on October 13, 2023 10 Comments
As you can see, it’s a totally normal place with totally normal stuff around. Today for me was a panel and a signing, both of which went well. I’m taking a break in my hotel room before I go off to do crimes, by which I mean probably get something to eat. CRIMINALLY. It’s a […]
View From a Hotel Window, 10/12/23: NYC
Posted on October 12, 2023 7 Comments
It’s a lovely day here in the Big Apple, and I took a long walk in it, from Midtown to Downtown, just because it was Autumn in New York. I recommend it for anyone. New York Comic Con has started and I’ll be at it tomorrow and Saturday, with panels and signings. Please check with […]
The Big Idea: Christina Consolino
Posted on October 12, 2023 1 Comment
Few things in life are harder than watching your parents age. Author Christina Consolino is no stranger to this struggle, and explores the difficult topic of her own parents declining with age in her newest novel, The Weight We Carry. Read on to see what drove Consolino to share this deeply personal story. CHRISTINA CONSOLINO: […]
Ohio: You Can Vote Now
Posted on October 11, 2023 29 Comments
Early voting has begun in Ohio, so if you’re registered to vote in this November’s election, and you already know how you’re going to vote, why wait? I voted today (and was the 63rd person in my whole county to do so) because I still have quite a lot of travel to do between now […]
The Big Idea: Hailey Piper
Posted on October 11, 2023 1 Comment
Sometimes, in the times with the most trial, a single thing can make the difference between despair and survival. In this Big Idea for A Light Most Hateful, author Hailey Piper shares what that one thing might be. HAILEY PIPER: What if, in the moment your life shattered to pieces and left you tumbling like […]
And Now, a Brief Dandelion Break
Posted on October 11, 2023 5 Comments
Whew! I am at home for one whole day before I set off to New York City to participate in New York Comic Con. It’s not a lot of time, but it’s enough time to see family, pet the cats and get a moment to decompress before heading out and doing it all again. Even […]
The Big Idea: Caitlin Starling
Posted on October 10, 2023 2 Comments
Some people prefer the company of “me, myself, and I”. Would that still be true if there were actual copies of yourself you could hang out with? Author Caitlin Starling brings us a new take on doppelgangers in her newest novel, The Last One to Leave the Room. Follow along in her Big Idea as she […]
View From a Hotel Window 10/9/23: Wichita (Finally)
Posted on October 9, 2023 10 Comments
Those of you following my travel here will remember I was meant to be in Wichita roughly three weeks ago as part of my book tour, only to be thwarted by the fact that United Airlines couldn’t manage to keep its planes in good enough condition to fly, so I had to cancel and reschedule. […]
Saturday Music: “True Blue”
Posted on October 7, 2023 7 Comments
Now that I get to be at home for a whole weekend, I am back on my bullshit and covering another song, this one by boygenius, the “supergroup” of three notable solo artists (Julien Baker, Phoebe Bridgers and Lucy Dacus), whose album The Record is probably my favorite of this entire year, with “True Blue” […]
Saturday Gourds and Mums
Posted on October 7, 2023 11 Comments
‘Tis the season! These were arranged by Krissy in our front yard. It’s a nice little autumnal moment. Slow moving day today. I’m seriously considering napping through most of it. — JS
Where Will John Scalzi Be in October?
Posted on October 5, 2023 8 Comments
Lots of places! Here’s a quick run down, so you might have a chance to catch me in one place or another: Tomorrow (10/6): Bexley, Ohio: I’m in conversation with VE Schwab about her NYT Bestselling new book The Fragile Threads of Power. 7 PM! Here’s the link for tickets. Monday (10/9): Wichita, Kansas: United […]
The Big Idea: Delilah S. Dawson
Posted on October 5, 2023 4 Comments
Author Delilah S. Dawson has returned to the blog for a fifth Big Idea. Today she brings us Bloom, her newest romance-horror novel that mixes sweet with… bloody. Read on to see how this book came to be, with a little help from her daughter. DELILAH S. DAWSON: Did you know that you can substitute (properly […]
Starter Villain a New York Times Bestseller (Again)
Posted on October 4, 2023 16 Comments
This time on the Audio Fiction list. This one is a monthly list, which means Starter Villain got onto the chart despite having only eleven days to do it. I think that’s pretty damn cool, actually. So now the book is a New York Times best seller on three separate charts, which is a new […]
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