Dispatches since 2005
The journal
Announcements, new editions, travel, diving, cooking and the working life of a novelist — 268 entries, all of them here in full.
February 19, 2010 · 105 words
A Nebula Nomination Could Soon Be Yours!
The Science Fiction Writers of America have released the list of this year’s Nebula nominees. And you know what’s the second thing* I noticed about it? Two of the nominees in the short story category— Will McIntosh and friend-of-the-blog Saladin Ahmed— are graduates of my Taos Toolbox workshop! Amazingly en
Read entry →February 18, 2010 · 255 words
All About the Rocks
I’ve been enjoying the Winter Olympics quite a bit. Where else can you hear people intone sentences like, “Right now, you’re looking at the future of curling!”Despite, or perhaps because of its absurdity, I’ve gradually become fascinated by the sport. It’s cool, it’s got strategy, and for a sport that’s all about contr
Read entry →February 17, 2010 · 160 words
Dead Egyptian Blues
A new series of genetic tests has revealed that poor young King Tut suffered from a raft of genetic disorders, including a cleft palate, club foot, and Kohler’s disease, which was slowly destroying the bones of his left foot. He probably had to walk with canes. He was the poster-boy for why your ambitions shouldn’t [&h
Read entry →February 12, 2010 · 92 words
The Naked Reader
Here I thought I was off to Seattle, but I couldn’t quite pass up informing you of an event on the other coast: the Pinchbottom Burlesque event, “Naked Girls Reading Science Fiction.”The event takes place at “the plush and decadent upstairs lounge at Madame X in Greenwich Village,” and costs $25. Among the readers is [
Read entry →February 12, 2010 · 54 words
Hello, Mt. Ranier!
I’m off to Seattle for the Friday night signing and reading at the University Book Store from 7pm, and Sunday’s workshop at the Richard Hugo House. I don’t know what my internet situation will be, so you may not hear from me for a while. Try not to ruin riot while I’m away.
Read entry →February 9, 2010 · 756 words
Walter Saves the Union
Ever since the Supreme Court’s recent ruling that bribes are a form of protected free speech, I have been pondering its implications. I’ve come to a conclusion or two, chief among them that I should invest in the first Rollerball team I can find. Cuz we’re sure as hell heading for that future, you betcha. […]
Read entry →February 9, 2010 · 282 words
Just In Case
Here’s a potentially useful article titled “How to Fall 35,000 Feet—And Survive.”Because you never known when this kind of information will come in handy.Granted, the odds of surviving a 6-mile plummet are extra­ordinarily slim, but at this point you’ve got nothing to lose by understanding your situation. There are
Read entry →February 6, 2010 · 76 words
I’m Coming to Seattle
I’ll be in Seattle next weekend. Friday night, February 12, I’ll be signing and reading at the University Book Store from 7pm.Sunday, February 14, I’ll be running a workshop at the Richard Hugo House. The workshop runs from 10-5, and is titled Writing Backwards in the Year 2010. It’s all about the plotting! What better
Read entry →February 6, 2010 · 706 words
Mini Reviews Too Late
I’ve seen a bunch of stuff lately. None worthy of lengthy analysis, but some worthy of note. Dirigible (1931). In Dirigible, a very early film by Frank Capra, we watch our brave hero Jack Bradon (Jack Holt) battle for the future of US Navy rigid airships! (Well, we know how that turned out.) Our hero […]
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