Dispatches since 2005
The journal
Announcements, new editions, travel, diving, cooking and the working life of a novelist — 3,174 entries, all of them here in full.
September 9, 2014 · 593 words
Scent
So right now I want to go all Andy Rooney on the subject of armpits. I recently went to a drugstore to get myself some stick deodorant. You know, the containers that allow you to stuff aluminum into your armpits, so that people around you won’t faint if you’re stuck in crowded elevator. I like […]
Read entry →September 5, 2014 · 1,166 words
Forcing the Romance
In answers to my recent query about TV I should be watching, friend of the blog Foxessa mentioned the perils that might come with giving the fans what they want. Because what fanatical viewers want may not be the best thing for the series, and I thought I’d rant about that for a while. Usually […]
Read entry →September 4, 2014 · 90 words
Review Via Telescope
Readers of The Rift might remember the appearance at crucial moments of an Astroscan telescope, which featured in a number of different plot elements. I made full use of its unconventional appearance, its general durability, and its more-than-passing resemblance to a trench mortar. I am therefore delighted to note that
Read entry →August 29, 2014 · 182 words
What Should I Be Watching?
So I’m looking for new stuff to watch on TV. I don’t spend a lot of time in front of the set, and I usually watch (1) when I’m running on the elliptical trainer, and (2) just before bedtime. So I’m lookin’ for high quality stuff. I’ve seen The Wire, Dexter, Weeds, the Sopranos, Treme, White […]
Read entry →August 29, 2014 · 91 words
Monday Launch!
The Hardwired serial continues with Episode Two, which is released on Monday. It’s available for preorder at Kobo, Amazon, iBooks, and Smashwords. (As usual, Barnes & Noble is late to the party.) If you preorder, the story will appear as if by magic in your reader bright and early on Labor Day, which is the day that [&
Read entry →August 28, 2014 · 811 words
Tony and Dr. Sun
So I’ve been making the trek up to Santa Fe to view the offerings at the Santa Fe Opera. Which wasn’t all opera, by any means, though Doctor Sun Yat-sen is. This is a new opera, sung in classical Mandarin, modern Mandarin, and Cantonese, by Chinese-born composer Huang Ruo, with libretto by Candace Mui-ngam Chong, co-cr
Read entry →August 24, 2014 · 65 words
Bring the Stars
Friend and Taos Toolbox grad Corie Weaver is running a Kickstarter for a new anthology of science fiction stories for middle-grade readers. Among the contributors is Toolbox lecturer Nancy Kress, who will change the name of the protagonist of her story to one of your choosing, assuming of course that you contribute the
Read entry →August 21, 2014 · 171 words
Episode One
So Hardwired, Episode One is now available at Amazon, Kobo, Smashwords, and iBooks. There’s been a technical problem with Barnes & Noble, but it should be resolved shortly. Yes, I’m serializing a novel that’s already complete and available! Why would I do this, you ask? Before I get into that, let me point out that it’
Read entry →August 19, 2014 · 97 words
Number One! Everywhere! All the Time!
Here you see that Kobo has declared that my story “Wall, Stone, Craft” is #1 in Historical Fiction! You know what else is #1? The Macedonian and Cat Island, both by me. As you see, Implied Spaces is #1 in “Sci Fi” & Fantasy! You know what else is #1 in SF&F? My story “Video Star.” My novella […]
Read entry →August 17, 2014 · 147 words
Slinging
Went to see Louisiana guitar-slinger Sonny Landreth the other day. He played at the zoo band shell, and probably kept the lions and zebras up past their bedtime. One of the annoying things about seeing guitar wizards is that they invariably attract a crowd of guys in front of the stage who just stand there […]
Read entry →