The journal

March 29, 2020 · 306 words

Now We Are Sick

So. Apparently I started the self-isolation thing a little late, because I am now unwell. It’s a common cold, so far as I can tell, proving that just because everyone’s talking about one virus doesn’t mean the others go on holiday. I started coughing on Wednesday, which raised a modest amount of concern, but I [&hellip

March 23, 2020 · 79 words

Hang On Little Tomato

All things being normal, I’d mosey to a cocktail bar tonight, then walk down the street to the Kimo, the world’s only art-deco pueblo revival theater, to see Pink Martini. But things aren’t normal, I won’t be in any theater anytime soon, and if I drink any cocktails I’ll have to make them myself. But […]

March 22, 2020 · 71 words

The New Profiteers

Something I heard just today. A couple weeks ago, before COVID really hit New Mexico, trucks from Texas appeared in nearly every community and bought up toilet paper from every outlet, including convenience stories like 7-11, then carried them back home. I kind of admire the enterprise of these guys, but I also want to

March 22, 2020 · 57 words

Ten Days to Shake the World

You’ve got ten days left to apply for Taos Toolbox, the master class for writers of science fiction and fantasy, this year with Nancy Kress, George RR Martin, EM Tippetts, and myself. There’s a hard deadline of April 1. Not to be pushy or anything, but you should probably get that manuscript in the mail.

March 21, 2020 · 236 words

In Place

I’m rusticating in place these days. Not because I’m showing symptoms of COVID 19, but because our governor has closed all theaters, gyms, bars, and restaurants (other than take-out). My karate school has closed, and so has my masseuse. I should be in Orlando right now for the International Conference on the Fantastic

March 17, 2020 · 0 words

An Evening’s Sophisticated Entertainment

March 17, 2020 · 85 words

The Green and Purple

Had a very enjoyable St. Urho’s Day, topped off with a supper of Finnish pancakes. The only thing that would have improved the day would have been Finnish gin, but I can’t get Napue in the States. I notice that St. Urho’s Wikipedia page links to a list of “fictional saints.” And the other […]

March 15, 2020 · 35 words

The Big Sleep

So my masseuse broke into a coughing fit with me right there on the table. Well, that’s it then. I’ve got it. I’m doomed. Bury me with a roll of toilet paper in my hand.

March 12, 2020 · 25 words

Pre-orders Away!

Fleet Elements, the next Praxis book, is now available for pre-order! (And the cover they sent me says “Volume 4,” which it isn’t. Oops.)

March 8, 2020 · 103 words

Free Audio

Normally I’d have a contest or something for this, but I’m up to my elbows in tax forms right now and don’t have the mental leisure. I happen to have here some codes for the audiobook of Quillifer the Knight, read by the wonderful Ralph Lister. So the first three people to reply to this post […]

March 5, 2020 · 201 words

Alternate Reality Show

So when the Wild Cards series was relaunched in the early 21st, one of the plot elements involved a reality show called American Hero, in which 28 super-powered individuals competed for a million-dollar prize. The program followed the conventions of the form, with plenty of soap opera and conflict between the participa

February 29, 2020 · 482 words

Is Music Math?

Lately there’s been a blizzard of litigation about violations of song copyright, all based on the melody of pop tunes. I thought the Chiffons had a point when they claimed “My Sweet Lord” infringed “He’s So Fine”— listen to them back to back and I bet you’ll agree— but now there are so many online […