Dispatches since 2005
The journal
Announcements, new editions, travel, diving, cooking and the working life of a novelist — 3,179 entries, all of them here in full.
January 9, 2022 · 221 words
Marrying the Sea
In our review of recent and forthcoming books by veterans of Taos Toolbox, the master class for writers of science fiction and fantasy, we’ve seen Toolboxers write novels and edit a collection of stories. Here’s another kind of collection from award-winning author and Toolbox vet Fran Wilde, this of her poetry. In this
Read entry →January 8, 2022 · 244 words
Oops! We’re At It Again
Almost every day I check the New York Times Coronavirus map— which, unlike the rest of the NYT, is not behind a paywall, presumably so that citizens in other parts of the country, or the world, can see how safe it is to venture outside their own homes. (Good on the NYT for making these […]
Read entry →January 1, 2022 · 165 words
Vital Signs Are Good
Taos Toolbox veteran Ralph M. Ambrose has edited Vital: The Future of Healthcare, a new anthology on a timely topic. Our visions of the future – whether dark or hopeful, thrilling or mundane – have always challenged us to examine our world. How can we improve? What challenges will we face? Are we even ready
Read entry →December 29, 2021 · 214 words
Behold!
Here’s another treat from a Taos Toolbox veteran, due to be published in April 2022 by Lethe Press. Christopher M. Cevasco has delved into history to write an ambitious, twisted tale about a Saxon woman called Godgyfu, but better known to us as Lady Godiva. A darkly twisted psychological thriller exploring the legend o
Read entry →December 27, 2021 · 103 words
Another Holiday Goodie
In another festive treat for you, we celebrate the Feast of the Slaughter of the Innocents by marking the ebook of Fleet Elements down to $1.99. The Praxis still seems to be in sale for $1.99— I don’t know when that sale ends, so buy now— and Quillifer is $1.99 through the end of the […]
Read entry →December 27, 2021 · 370 words
Lifetime Lion
So we watched The Lion in Winter, one of our favorite Christmas movies. I’ve seen the movie many times, and I think I startled Kathy by singing along with the theme music. Regis regum rectissimiprope est dies domini,dies irae et vindictae, tenebrarum et nebulaediesque mirabiliumtonitruorum fortium,dies quoque angustiae
Read entry →December 25, 2021 · 89 words
The Sales Never Stop!
The ebook of The Praxis is on sale for $1.99. I don’t know how long the sale will be in effect, so if you want a copy, get it now. And be sure to tell your friends who might benefit by an introduction to the series. Not only is The Praxis on sale, Quillifer is […]
Read entry →December 25, 2021 · 126 words
Primed
The tamales are standing by, and and the roast beast lurks in its cooler. (It was too large to fit into the already overstuffed refrigerator.) The potatoes are already cooked, and the pearl onions stands ready for brown-braising. The cat prowls the corridors, ready to repel invading miniature reindeer. All that said, t
Read entry →December 21, 2021 · 293 words
New Reads (1)
Worldcon was enormous fun, and I was delighted at being able to see my friends face-to-face, or rather mask-to-mask. I enjoyed my panels, especially the one in which we got to lavish praise on Nancy Kress for a full hour. It’s past time to begin my usual end-of-the-year roundup of works by veterans of Taos […]
Read entry →December 14, 2021 · 136 words
I Am At Worldcon
I am at Discon III, in Washington D.C., the long-postponed Worldcon for 2021. We’re all masked and vaccinated and I will find out if it’s possible to have fun under these conditions. In the meantime, I’m on a bunch of programming, so if you’re in the neighborhood, please stop by and say hi. Here’s my […]
Read entry →December 11, 2021 · 139 words
I am Yorkered
About a year ago I got a call from New Yorker writer Chris Byrd, who asked about my connection to the Cyberpunk 2020 RPG and the soon-to-be-released video game Cyberpunk 2077. A lengthy interview followed, along with a series of emails. The article was scheduled for January 2021, then shifted to June. When June came [&
Read entry →December 7, 2021 · 108 words
Wavy
Here’s a photo of Lisbon’s Monument of the Discoveries (Padrão dos Descobrimentos) taken from across the plaza on the landward side, looking out toward the Tagus. Note the way the waves roll across the plaza, like the ocean billows rocking a caravel on its voyage to the unknown. It’s an optical illusion, of course. The
Read entry →