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.
February 12, 2020 · 408 words
Boskone Schedule
This weekend I will be at Boskone 57, which I imagine is the longest-lasting Boston SF convention. And guess what! Unlike some conventions— I’m looking at you, Worldcon— I’m actually on the schedule! So if you want to see me at any point, here’s where to look. Memorable Minor Characters Format: Panel 14 Feb
Read entry →February 10, 2020 · 99 words
Getting Serious About the Toolbox
There are still places available at Taos Toolbox, master class for writers of science fiction and fantasy, taught this year by Nancy Kress and Walter Jon Williams, with George RR Martin and indiepub guru EM Tippetts. Taos Toolbox has a proven record of helping writers develop into full-fledged professionals. If you’re
Read entry →February 9, 2020 · 193 words
Miss Shelley Presents
I’ve had an interest in Mary Shelley and her circle for something like ever, an interest that resulted in my novella “Wall, Stone, Craft.” (Which I recommend to you all.) But I also recommend to you this intriguing Kickstarter project, a graphic novel series called Mary Shelley Presents. Each of the four volumes will f
Read entry →February 7, 2020 · 813 words
Feeding
Some notes on what I’ve been viewing. The Feed, on Amazon, is about a phone-free future in which practically everyone has social media implanted in their heads. Not only are they online all the time, but the Feed records their lives continually on “mundles” (which I’m guessing is a portmanteau of “memory bundles”) so t
Read entry →February 2, 2020 · 945 words
Reviews Too Late: Witcher
This is probably the most gratuitous review ever, because if you gave a damn about Witcher you’ve already seen it and formed your own opinion. Probably a lot of you never got past the first episode, which had by far the worst writing of any episode of the series, and made no attempt to clarify […]
Read entry →January 31, 2020 · 265 words
Your Ears, Forever Feasting
Much though I hope you’ll all go out and buy audio books of Quillifer the Knight, I feel I should remind you that 2019 was a big year for me, audio book-wise. I can personally recommend the audio versions of Metropolitan and City on Fire, both read by the terrific Emily Woo Zeller. She’s absolutely great at bringing [&
Read entry →January 25, 2020 · 60 words
P/r/e/o/r/d/e/r Now!
The audio book of Quillifer the Knight is no longer available for pre-order, because it’s just plain available! It’s narrated by the wonderful Ralph Lister, who narrated the first book in the series. Give yourself a treat, and have a listen. (Also, I note that they’ve got my names in the wrong order. Ignore that. You [
Read entry →January 25, 2020 · 596 words
Reviews Too Late: 1917
I’ve been wanting to see 1917 and various other recent movies, but life has been too hectic to see any entertainment that’s running on a theater’s schedule and not my own. But today was the first day in ages I haven’t been dashing from Pillar A to Post Z, so I decided to celebrate by […]
Read entry →January 13, 2020 · 47 words
Speaking at Length
The latest issue of Clarkesworld magazine features an interview with me, conducted by Arley Sorg. (I seem to come off as a sort of punch-drunk, heavily scarred boxer staggering around the ring saying, “ME WIN? ME WIN?” Which may be close to the truth, I suppose.)
Read entry →January 8, 2020 · 128 words
Consider the Evidence
Over the last month, I’ve posted ten novel-length (or longer) reasons why, if you want to write SF or fantasy, you should apply to this year’s Taos Toolbox workshop. Our veterans are writing and publishing, being nominated for awards, and building their careers. I’ve mentioned ten novels (or series), but these are only
Read entry →January 3, 2020 · 113 words
Gifts for R/e/a/d/e/r/s/ Gamers #10: Slaughter in a Box
Taos Toolbox veteran Eric Kelley has spent a lot of time in the gaming field. In 2019 three of his games saw the light of day, Munchkin Dungeon, Trudvang Legends, and Zombicide. In Munchkin Dungeon, you delve into the dungeon, vanquish the monsters, backstab your buddies, and grab the loot! (Can’t miss with that, now c
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