Archive for 2009
Booklife, feedbooks, Jeff Vandermeer
In Writing Journal on December 27, 2009 at 3:06 am
I have let my Boxing Day be consumed by reading. I can’t really think of anything more wonderful. I will try and give a full review of my new Sony Pocket eReader, but I need a little more time to digest the experience. (It is good, but not without issues)
Jeff Vandermeer’s Booklife is, as advertised, filled with strategies and survival tips for 21st Century writers. I can’t think of a writer more qualified to talk on the subject, as Jeff has carved a career out of the quickly evolving landscape of the internet in a way that few writers would be able to emulate. Divided into two halves exploring first Public Booklife (roughly concerned with surviving and thriving in the internet jungle) and Private Booklife (methods for maintaining a creative space in the face of all the pressures to the contrary), with a Gut Check section sandwiched between (a few basic questions you need to confront yourself with if you are going to take on writing as a career). I read Booklife today in a giant gulp, and a sense of absolute recognition. Regardless of where writing takes me in future, I’m at this moment in time one of a generation of writers who are very much engaged with navigating the turbulent but exciting waters of a writing career in the 21st Century. And every page of Booklife brought out a new grunt of recognition as I recognised my own strategies and tactics being reflected back to me.
(I’m still not entirely certain I believe in writing as a career, any more than I believe in street preacher, revolutionary leader or polar explorer as careers. But I’m happy to be persuaded.)
Booklife came as a timely reminder that I need to redefine my own Public and Private Booklife, in particular the balance between the two, in the coming year. As 2009 turns into 2010 I will have been writing ’seriously’ for five years. I measure the point of seriousness from the period I started sending work out, and educating myself about the business of writing. In that time I have made some headway. I have had roughly two stories published a year, plus a few reprints here and there. I’ve been read by Douglas Coupland, won an Arts Council grant, been professionally mentored by Graham Joyce, broadcast on BBC Radio, blogged for The Guardian and been to the Clarion writers workshop and back.
(Where Neil Gaiman told me the audition was over and I needed to show what I could do when I took myself seriously)
I have not: finished the half dozen solid short story ideas that I know I can do and would get published. And I have have not: written a novel. I can offer the excuse that over these five years I have been learning. It is a true excuse. I was technically good enough to finish a novel three years ago, but it would have been a very different novel than I would write today, or a year from now. It’s only in the last year, assimilating what I learned at Clarion, that I feel I have a grip on how to tackle the (technically more demanding) short stories. But really, this is an excuse cloaking a deeper truth.
If you walked up to me on the street (or more likely in a coffee shop) and asked me what I would be doing in five years, I don’t think I would say ‘being a writer’. I take writing very seriously, but the reality of being a writer still seems eternally distant, a destination I will forever be struggling towards but never arriving at. So despite good advice to the contrary, I still don’t, quite, take myself seriously. And, if I’m going to continue, I need to.
A few idle distractions for those of us living the booklife:
Notes on being a grown-up, Year 2.
If you to unwrapped an eReader for Xmas, load up on free content at Feedbooks.
Horizon, Murky Depyhs 6
In The Fiction Front on December 23, 2009 at 1:49 pm
As a special gift this festive period Murky Depths are offering a free download of issue no.6, which just happens to feature my short story Horizon. Murky Depths are quickly establishing as one of the leading British spec.fic publications, added by their cunning combination of comics and short fiction. Go have a read!
You can download Murky Depths 6 here. It’s in Comic Book Reader CBR format and quote big at 25 meg!
UPDATE: You have to Left Click, then Download File…or whatever equivalent your OS supports.
Boring books filling SFF section in Waterstones
In The Fiction Front on December 22, 2009 at 12:12 am
I just took a stride through the SFF section of my local Waterstones. I do this regularly but I don’t tarry as long I used to, there are rarely enough new additions to hold my attention for more than a moment. For many reasons the books I really want to read often aren’t to be found there.
What I did find today were a group of late teen / early twenty something kids hanging around the stacks. Three boys all of the Trenchcoat Brigade (one sporting a very fancy leopard dyed three stripe mohican), and a girl who had obviously read more than a few Lenore comics. IE…standard issue emo-goth-indie-metal-geeks. No surprise finding them looking at the SFF books. The weird, speculative and fantastic has always attracted the kids who make a space for themselves outside the mainstream in one guise or another, the Alt. kids.
(Hence the mission of the upcoming Alt.Fiction festival ((Derby, June 2010)) to stage a literature festival that appeals to all those Alt. people outside the mainstream who love books.)
When I was an Alt. kid, I loved SFF because it was as weird as I was. It was written by nutty Oxbridge academics, or insane Californian hippies, or bearded kaos wizards. I had little if anything in common with these people save our shared passion for the fantastic. Which was really the point. The fantastic took me to places I could never go, through the minds of people I could never be. Those people weren’t writing for me, or even for people like me, they were writing for reasons all their own and I was just tagging along for the ride.
Thinking about the Alt. kids today I wonder if they are getting the same experience from that section of the bookshop as I did. It could well be that I’m turning into a grumpy old man who thinks the kids of today are missing the point. But to be honest, I don’t think so. Today it feels like the Alt. kids are a demographic that the genre is dedicated to attracting, rather than one it accidentally picked up on the way to a more interesting destination. If was an Alt. kid now I don’t think the SFF genre would be all that interesting to me, if only because anything trying that hard to suck up to the twenty something me would have instantly lost my trust.
Whatever the demographic for the fantastic is the last things we should do is cater to it, or we stop being fantastic at all.
ebook, town of the living dead, wellingborough
In Random Strangeness on December 19, 2009 at 7:07 pm
Waiting alone at a dark, midlands train station and typing this post to keep circulation going through my fingers and and because the light from my phone seems to be the only illumination. The battery is running low though and I don’t want to know what happens around here when the lights go off…
…if you don’t hear from me again the assume the people of Wellingborough have done for me. If someone could gather together all of my unfinished stories and give them a posthumous publication that would be great.
Assuming I make it back to civilisation eventualy, I am starting to covet an e-reader. The problem is that none of the current models seem to have established a real foothold and I’m not confident that whatever I buy won’t be defunct by next year. Anyone have any buying advice?
Bill Shakespeare, Mordred
In Writing Journal on December 16, 2009 at 2:12 am
What do you do when you realise that you are the villain of the piece? It’s often said that the worst (or best) villains firmly believe themselves to be the greatest heroes. It’s an absolute truth that nothing empowers us to acts of pure evil better than a complete conviction in our own rightness. Perhaps this is why villains are so much more interesting than heroes, because heroes are just villains who haven’t been caught out yet. Shakespeare understood this. Hamlet, Macbeth, Lear, Shylock. The line between heroism and villainy in Shakespeare is so narrow that with the slightest slip can laeve you standing on the wrong side.
Life, I think, is more like Shakespeare than we care to admit.
(I gave the speech from Hamlet that provides the title of this post for my LAMDA Gold Medal Acting exam some years ago. The best thing about Shakespeare is how little I understood him at sixteen, and how little I understand him at thirty two but in a completely different way)
My personal favourite literary villain is Mordred, of the Arthurian saga. The illegitimate son of Arthur and his half sister Morgause. He is an absolute archetype of villainy – a bastard son driven to the worst of crimes by the terrible pride and arrogance bred in him by his mother. But it would take so little to cast Mordred as a heroic figure, a mothers son fighting against the implicit evil of men as personified by his brutal father. I might write that story one day, if I can bring myself to confront that character for long enough to finish it.
And in other news…
Thrin wants to know what is wrong with literally worshipping pagan gods?
The Alt.Fiction festival gets with the Twitter thing. Go follow them.
Realms of Fantasy, The Guardian
In Writing Journal on December 14, 2009 at 11:11 pm
Sigh. The Hundredth Master of Ninja Assassin is malingering. You know that moment when a living malleable story turns into a dull lump of hard, dried up clay in your hands? Yup, thats where I am.
One of the joys of writing is observing your own development. If Clarion was about cracking my writing open, the almost year and half since has been about reconstructing the pieces to be better, faster, stronger. In the last few years I’ve tried my hand at every style of writing I could think of, and along the way I’ve stumbled into some ideas that would make good novels. But my writing seems to be finding its centre down in the dark depths of the human subconscious – I seem to be most comfortable and confident dealing with the internal state of my characters, and less and less interested in the external conflicts surrounding them. It’s an interesting transition to observe.
A couple of things I’ve been liking today:
The Guardian continue the neverending debate on the new paradigm of digital publishing. The term ’seal of approval’ is thrown up to describe the power of a publisher to define what writing is valued and what is discarded. I like the term, it seems somehow central to the future direction of publishing. The major publishers are still clinging to the ’seal of approval’, just, but it is quickly slipping from their fingers.
I’ve just discovered the new Realms of Fantasy website. Realm’s was the first short fiction magazine I ever read (discovered in a Martins newsagent ion Reading train station when I was 15, back when newsagents sold really good things like RoF and Eagle!)
WIC 2010
In Literature Development on December 10, 2009 at 2:14 pm
A little more information the Writing Industries Conference 2010, including agents and editors available for 1-2-1 meetings. W00t!
***
Writing Industries Conference 2010
Saturday 6th March 2010, Loughborough University
A Literature Network, Writing East Midlands
and Loughborough University project.
http://writingindustries.com
Twitter #wic2010
Book tickets online here.
WIC 2010 – APPLY NOW FOR AGENT AND EDITOR 1-2-1 MEETINGS
The Writing Industries Conference 2010 is now open to applications for 1-2-1 meetings with agents and editors. Writers will have the chance to present their work in fiction, creative non-fiction and spoken word. A limited number of 1-2-1s are available and only ticket holders to WIC 2010 may apply.
1-2-1 meetings are available with:
For guidelines and details on how to apply please see: http://writingindustries.com/1-2-1-guidelines/
WIC 2010 will bring together writers from across the East Midlands and professionals from the writing industries to share knowledge, develop skills and forge new contacts. 200 writers from the region will have the opportunity to hear from and meet with professionals from the writing industries in a variety of settings:
• Agents and editors in one-to-one sessions with selected writers, giving advice and support in their area of expertise.
• Panel discussions exploring specific areas of writing, from breaking into commercial publishing to working in the community.
• Writing industries fair featuring stalls from local publishers, funders and other organisations involved with the writing industries.
• And of course there will be plenty of opportunity to meet and talk with other writers over a coffee.
Details of the full programme will be announced soon.
Book tickets online here.
If you have any questions regarding WIC 2010 or would like further information please contact:
Alyson Stoneman
WIC2010 co-ordinator (part-time)
Email: alysonstoneman@hotmail.com
Mark C Newton
In The Fiction Front on December 9, 2009 at 8:58 am
I’ve been following the unfolding debate about the decline of science fiction over at Mark Charan Newton’s blog, and recently added my own response:
Hmm…I think your insight into the industry is strong Mark, but actually I think you are over complicating the problem facing SF.
I pin it on something much simpler…the Michael Jordan effect.
That is the effect that one or a handful of ’superstar’ figures can have on a cultural activity. Jordan’s superstar status pulled the whole sport into mass popularity. You get the same effect in all kinds of areas. Maybe the best example in fiction is J K Rowling, who pulled the entire YA section from minow to giant in the publishing industry.
The bottom line for SF is that it has been a while since it had a superstar. Gibson and Banks in the 90’s were the last ones to really reach star status, and most of the cyberpunk / space opera stuff on the shelves today is really just riding the wave they created. There have been a lot of authors mentioned in these responses (and many commenting) but I don’t see any who are threatening to go nova and take the genre with them. There are some good writers out there, but none of them seem to have that real star quality.
Fantasy on the other hand has had some real stars in recent years. Neil Gaiman of course. China Mieville. Susanna Clarke and quite a few others. People whose work does something that genuinely excites people, and that excitement then spreads out to the rest of the genre they work in.
One thing that tends to connect those superstar writers is that their work often redefines the genre they emerge from. It’s my feeling that most of the science fiction I’ve read recently has been more concerned with fulfilling genre expectations than redefining them. Maybe that’s why the genre is flagging.
Philip Glass, Prophecies
In Writing Journal on December 9, 2009 at 2:06 am
I am listening to Prophecies by Philip Glass. I find it very beautiful. Especially the break around 8:45. It gives me those special shivers that come from things that are beautiful beyond comprehension.
On my last flight out to California I got a glimpse out of the window as the flight came in over greenland. I remember feeling a little knot of – more than fear – of awe perhaps. Watching endless folds of white ice roll on beneath you for seemingly forever is a stark reminder of how little of even our own planet is hospitable to us. A strip of temperate zone around the belly of the planet that has taken tens of thousands of years to carve out, that we have filled with roads and cities and the rest of the life support systems of human civilisation, and that would collapse back into wilderness without our constant supervision. The human world is a profoundly unstable place: a few patches of solid ground on the cooling surface of a ball of molten rock orbiting a vast nuclear explosion that is in turn part of one great big bang.
Philip Glass wrote Prophecies for the documentary movie Koyanisquatsi, which for anyone who hasn’t seen it is all about the relationship between man and the natural world. Prophecies scores the films final sequence, and Glass captures in music the awesome fragility of human existence. I feel the the same touch of awe listening to it as looking down at those frozen wastes.
Back on planet earth…
Pretty much every major author of literary fiction of recent years is slated in The Guardian’s Worst Books of the Decade. Speculative fiction triumphs from its omission.
The Wind-Up Girl by Paolo Bacigalupi makes TIME magazines Top 10 Books of 2009.
Digital Altzheimers, Unscience Fiction
In The Fiction Front on December 7, 2009 at 12:21 am
The other thing about colds (I’m pretty sure this a bad cold and not flu but that’s purely an assumption. I’ve never really known the difference between the two. So I’m either manfully resisting the the flu germs, or caving into a common garden cold like a wuss) hmmm…where was I? Oh yes, the other thing about colds is that they give me far too much time to indulge bad habits, which today has meant catering to my obsessive compulsive desire to check social networks. Facebook status, blog stats, Twitter feed. Facebook status, blog stats, Twitter feed. Facebook status, blog stats, Twitter feed. And repeat. Endlessly. (I think the excitement I experience when I see the little red light at the bottom of my Facebook is unhealthy. In fact I know it is.) Perhaps this holy trinity of time wastage is what Tim Adams is referring to in his meandering consideration of the effects of digital reading and writing on our powers of concentration. I wish I could say he was wrong, but I’ve already forgotten what he was talking about.
Elsewhere:
An attempt to discuss Cat Valente’s foray into science fiction degrades into a moan about the lack of science in science fiction. Maybe our degrading attention span is really a mercy intended to spare us from SF that takes its science too seriously. (Yes…still grumpy)
Modern rats aren’t ratty enough for Thrin.
Federico Fellini, ray bradbury
In Writing Journal on December 6, 2009 at 2:38 am
Colds do two things to me. They make me bad tempered in a grouchy kind of way. And they make me want to take shelter from all things in a book. Today I hid out in the audiobook of Martian Chronicles by Ray Bradbury (Read very well but not by Bradbury unfortunately. Note to authors: if you can read at all, try and record your own audiobooks. I love hearing the authors voice) Here is a quote from the introduction:
“Don’t tell me what I’m doing, I don’t want to know.”
Bradbury is in turn quoting italian film-maker Frederico Fellini, who refused to watch the daily rushes of his movies. He, like Bradbury, was drawn on by the act of discovering the story as he created it. Call it the muse, or the subconscious, or the imagination. Call it what you will, it’s the thing that makes the creative act possible. Without it even the most technically perfect story is just a dull, lifeless mechanism. Bradbury captures the same concept in a quote I’ve borrowed many times, ‘First you jump off the cliff, then you build the wings.’ (possibly my favourite quote on writing) and in his short essay How to Keep and Feed a Muse (certainly my favourite essay on writing) The Martian Chronicles is the epitomy of this principle in fiction, short stories that hover on the boundary between fiction and poetry, always threatening to swim away like forgotten dreams. I wish more writers today had the nerve to take the creative risks Bradbury was taking in the 50’s and 60’s, and the skill to do it without crashing into the dirt. So many writers seem set on not just building wings, but complete impact survival systems before they even venture to the cliff edge (while others are hurling themselves into the void without even a sense that the ground exists).
Or perhaps I’m just being to pedestrian in my reading. Who are the writers taking the risks and pulling them off at the moment?
In other news…
Mark Charan Newton asks why science fiction is dying? Maybe the answer is that contemporary science fiction has become quite dull and self referential and even passionate readers like me are losing interest in watching the genre chase its own tail? (You see…grouchy)
John Scalzi reveals his short fiction pay rates (after smacking down a noob publisher for paying one fifth of a cent per word)
Teaching, writing school leicester
In My Real Life on December 4, 2009 at 1:11 pm
I’ll be teaching a five week course in Writing Sci-Fi Short Fiction here in Leicester from 12th January. I was recently challenged to come up with reasons to attend this course on Twitter. My answer? By the end of five weeks you will have written, edited and submitted a complete short story. And I keep the sessions short then take everyone to the pub afterwards…:) Come along.
Writing Sci-Fi Short Fiction
Leicester Adult Education Centre, Wellington Street
Tuesday 19.00-21.00, 5 sessions from 12th January
Science fiction, fantasy and horror are among the most popular genres of contemporary fiction, producing best selling novels and influencing films and computer games. But many of the most successful writers learned their craft and broke into the industry by writing short stories. Students will learn how to plan, write and edit a sci-fi short story and gain valuable insight into the process of publication.
Book here
Kindle, The Pub, WIC 2010
In My Real Life on December 3, 2009 at 11:48 pm
Ate the most amazing beef stew (with mustard mash and kale) at The Pub this evening. Their new chef previously cooked for Gordon Ramsay in London, and oh my good god can the lad cook. A well cooked pub meal on a cold December night is one of the most comforting things I can imagine. If you are anywhere near New Walk in Leicester any evening soon then go in and see for yourself.
I’ve been working on the upcoming Writing Industries Conference today, and am happy to say we have already sold out of early bird tickets. I think it’s possible we might sell out of full price tickets before we even announce the programme, so if you are planning to come then get one soon.
Now for two hours work on The Hundredth Master of Ninja Assassin. I want this finished this week. As previously stated you can help me achieve this goal with a well timed nag. Go on, you know you want to.
Elsewhere…
Kat Howard wonders what to read next?
Are Amazon selling 100,000 Kindles a week? Even if they are then the there might be some light at the end of the tunnel for the publishing industry.
Idiotic Government Announcements, The Speculators, Thrin
In Writing Journal on December 2, 2009 at 9:57 pm
I’m live blogging from The Speculators writing group here in Leicester. We are sitting in silence, writing. I’m taking a few minutes away from working on The Hundredth Master of Ninja Assassin. Writing in a group is one of my favourite things. The Speculators meet every Wednesday and write for two hours (with occasional outbursts of giggling and random chatter) and then adjourn to the nearby Babelas continental bar for beer, olives, cheese board and conversation. If you are reading this, live in or around Leicester and would like to come along, let me know.
Thoughts for the day…
Government minister asks “Why shouldn’t sell books?” I’m sure this news will cheer the ailing book retail industry…
Gothic fairy lover Thrin asks “What are gothic tales really about?“
Nag Me!, Robert Holdstock
In The Fiction Front on December 1, 2009 at 8:23 pm
I’ve developed a taste for finishing things. Finishing things has long been my problem. Of Heinlein’s Rules, number 2 is the one I break time and again. There are reasons. I’ve been learning to write, many of my unfinished stories will stay that way because I’ve learned what I needed to learn from them. And now as my writing improves, I’m finding ways of finishing stories that I did not know how to finish before. And I’m getting more disciplined and determined, which is a big part of the battle. I’m on a finishing roll, and I’m going to keep it rollin’.
And you can help. Read the rest of this entry »
Clarkesworld, Stegner
In Writing Journal on December 1, 2009 at 12:32 am
I finished a rewrite of Clocks over the weekend. The result were many corrected misuages of the noble apostrophe and a new title ‘At the heart of the maze i will find’, the lower case i being a deliberate feature to fox autocorrect software. I’m starting to reach a pattern with titles, where the usualy monosylabic working title is replaced with the proper title late in the creative process.
A reason for completing ATHOTMiWF (not the most useful of acronyms I grant you) has been to include it as part of my application for the Stegner Fellowship. I sent the application a few hours ago. At odds of 140 to 1 I will now forget all about it until sllghtly before 1st April.
And the story has also made a late entrance into the Clarkesworld queue before their Xmas hiatus on 1st December. It started at 32nd, and by the end of the day had made it to 15th. At that rate I expect my rejection by midday tommorow.
Gene Wolfe, Sofanaut award
In The Fiction Front on November 26, 2009 at 1:22 am
I finished a new short story this evening. Its one of those stories that isn’t so much written as grown. Its been sitting on my desktop for a year. Every so often I add anything from a few lines to an entire paragraph. I think of this as writing by accrual. The story builds up in the same way sedimentary rock forms. Tonight the the story accrued its final layer. Its at the dense, literary and experimental end of my writing style. I am not sure where I will submit it yet.
Went into Waterstone’s yesterday. They have rearranged the store pre-Xmas. A huge stationery section has been added, there are vampire novels everywhere and the sheer number of tawdry celebrity biographies made me feel queasy. If they are setting out to deter customers who actually read books they are succeeding. It all smacks of desperation.
Assorted fancies…
Thrin the gothic fairy shares my feelings about high street book retailers.
Is Gene Wolfe the James Joyce of science fiction?
I’ve been nominated for a Sofanaut award!
WIC 2010
In Literature Development on November 25, 2009 at 4:45 pm
I’m organising the second Writing Industries Conference (having organised the first one in 2008). A chance to meet agents and editors and get information from the horses mouth about the writing industries. If you are in the East Midlands region or happy to travel a little way, then take advantage of our early bird ticket offer whilst you can. See you there!
Read the rest of this entry »
Citizenship, Clarkesworld
In The Fiction Front on November 23, 2009 at 3:02 am
I spent most of this Sunday evening planning out a talk I’m giving tomorrow on the subject of The Entrepreneurial Writer. Part of this talk could be called ‘How to get ahead in the cut throat egotistical world game of being a writer’, but mostly I am talking about how writers are important to communities, and how the online world is changing how communities work and how writers contribute to them (for the better in my thinking)
So it was timely to run into Clarkesworld magazine’s call for Citizens. You might call this a creative and original way to raise funds, which of course it is. But it is also an acknowledgement of the role that a online magazine like Clarkesworld plays in forming and maintaining a community of people. Like any community, Citizenship comes with both rights and responsibilities, and those who take on the later get more of the former. I could imagine Citizenship becoming the defacto method of generating support for many online communities.
100 Ninja, Curve, Fabrika, Phoenix Square
In Writing Journal on November 21, 2009 at 6:17 pm
Writers do not live in sync with the rest of humanity. Normal people have free time. Writers have time when they should be writing. This weekend I have been trying to combine the two. I’ve been on a tour of the new cultural institutions around my city, including the Fabrika independent arts centre, Phoenix Square cinema and The Curve theatre. I’ve drank a cup of tea at each, met three friends randomly I had not seen for some time, and written about a thousand words on the second draft on The Hundredth Master of Ninja Assassin. Both productive and relaxing…the only down side is that my hands are now shaking from caffeine overdose.
Madmen, Philip K Dick
In Media & Podcasts on November 21, 2009 at 2:37 am
Now work with me here. I know its a leap, but I’m starting to think that the hit television show Madmen is a work of science fiction.
I’ve been geeking out over Madmen season two for the last fortnight. And when I say geeking out, I mean obsessing. Having watched season one three times (friends kept wanting to see it, so I had to rewatch it with them) I decided it was time to move on to the second season. Partly its the soap opera aspect of the show, once you get me hooked on the life stories of a good ensemble of characters, I’m likely to keep coming back for more and more. But Madmen goes a long, long way beyond the simplistic writing of most soap operas, and even exceeds the spate of recent excellent TV series including The Sopranos and The Wire. In an era when the TV series has become our strongest storytelling vehicle, Madmen is telling the best stories of all.
It’s on the thematic level that Madmen really triumphs. Through the lens of the advertising industry, Madmen is able to look at individual facets of our modern, ever more materialist society. Each character in the show is in someway complicit in the construction of the amoral society that they are also a victim of. From the lead male Don Draper who harnesses the pain of losing love to sell products even while his own family is slipping from his grasp, to junior copywriter Betty Olsen who understands every sin she is committing even whilst she is committing them. As a beat poet charcater says to draper in season one, the characters in Madmen ‘are making the lie’, and then they have to live in it.
And its because of its critique of materialist culture that Madmen is creeping over some line in my thinking to qualify as science fiction. Not in the rockets and rayguns way of course. No, Madmen is a much more interesting kind of SF than that. Imagine if Philip K Dick had been given free reign to write a television show, with the provision that it had to be entirely realist and mainstream. And imagine that J G Ballard and Harlan Ellison were asked in to consult. They might have come up with something not dissimilar from Madmen. There is a thread of paranoia and hyper-realism threaded through the show, as though the materialist reality the characters are inhabiting is actually some artificial projection a la The Truman Show or a PKD novel like Ubik. In season 2 the show introduces an overt discussion of god and morality, which culminates in the heavy symbolism of catholicism and the tarot playing out to the backdrop of the Cuban missile crisis, as though some greater power is trying to commune with the characters. Its tempting to think of madmen as the most subversive kind of science fiction, one that works by treating reality itself as the biggest fiction we have ever created.
I’m saving Madmen season 3 for a rainy day, so now what the hell do I watch?
Phoenix Square
In My Real Life on November 19, 2009 at 11:50 pm
Today was the official public opening of Phoenix Square, Leicester’s new independent cinema and digital media centre. As a mobile worker my main demand of any new cultural centre in my city of residence is that it provide a decent place for me to sit and answer emails, and I’m happy to say that Phoenix Square succeeds nicely in this regard (or will do on days when the bar hasn’t been turned into an early 90’s rave). I’m certainly going to love having two well equipped cinema screens showing the kind of movies that don’t make into the multiplex. And the digital art programme seems genuinely interesting, to judge by tasters on offer at launch (except for the 90’s rave DJ’s, who can and must be banned from the building).
If there is a major negative it is that the area around Phoenix Square is truly dismal, but then one aim of the project is to regenerate that quarter of the city, so that is too be expected. Phoenix Square is a tremendous gift to the city, especially after the disappointing failure of the Curve theatre to engage the local community in any meaningful way (lets hope they put that right soon). I will certainly be a frequent visitor.
Pride and Prejudice and Zombies
In Journalism on November 19, 2009 at 12:58 pm
You should never judge a book by its cover, but should you judge a story by its title? If the recent success of Pride and Prejudice and Zombies is anything to go by, then for many readers today the answer is yes. Seth Grahame-Smith’s bestselling mash-up of Jane Austen and George A Romero became one of the most pre-ordered titles this side of The Lost Symbol, based solely on a zeitgeist-surfing title. And if those readers came to the story expecting an obvious joke stretched thin over 316 pages too many, they were not disappointed.
Read more on The Guardian book blog
Clocks, Electric Velocipede, neil gaiman
In Writing Journal on November 19, 2009 at 2:05 am
Today I observed a pattern in my writing. I have been working on a story that goes by the working title of Clocks for some months now. It is one of those stories that emerges by accumulation. Every so often I add another paragraph, or a sentence, or even just a word. It is now 1800 words long, and into that small linguistic space I have condensed three point-of-view characters, at least a dozen scenes (some only a few words long) and enough angst to power a small work of literary fiction. Which gives me a choice. I can leave this dense narrative nugget as it is, or I can treat it like a seed from which, with care and attention, might grow a real story. In the case of Clocks, I think I’ll take the second option. But I have realised that I produce these Story McNuggets quite frequently. I know at least one other writer who seems to work this way, but I’m wondering if there are any more of you out there?
Things that I like…
The Guardian interview Neil Gaiman about the experience of being buried alive under a huge pile of awards.
Electric Velocipede announce recent fiction purchases including me and my two Clarion friends Keffy R. M. Kehrli and Monica Byrne.
NaNoWriMo, Small Beer
In The Fiction Front on November 18, 2009 at 12:21 am
It’s just over mid way through NaNoWriMo and my home city of Leicester are down 1,101,763 words to 1,471,111 against nearby Nottingham. Come on Leicester…just write fish over and over again! I made the sane choice of not doing NaNoWriMo this year, I have another writing target that takes precedent which I will reveal at some point on this blog.
Some things you should know…
iain m banks, neil gaiman
In Book Reviews, The Fiction Front on November 17, 2009 at 12:08 am
Sarah Crown over at The Guardian book blog today asks readers for their top books of the noughties. Unsurprisingly my picks are quite speculative in nature, and there are so many that I eventually gave up trying to list them all. It was also complicated by the fact that many of my favourite books read this decade were not published this decade. So here goes my top 10…the first 9 in no particular order (and not all SF!).
- Perdido Street Station by China Mieville – a book with many great parts and more than a few awful ones, but done with such ambition that it has to be applauded.
- Look to Windward by Iain M Banks – the last of the real Culture novels and for my money Bank’s best, especially if read with Consider Phlebas.
- Pattern Recognition by William Gibson – this book had an incredibly profound effect on me. Probably the only book I’ve read that captured the detached nature of being twenty something in the twenty first century.
- Hey Nostradamus by Douglas Coupland – a read this in a night then had to take a sickie from work because I spent all day crying. Darn you Douglas Coupland.
- Light by M. John Harrison – this is the book I give people who don’t think SF can be literary. Or just when I want to deeply, deeply disturb them.
- Magic for Beginners by Kelly Link – if you don’t like Kelly Link then I question your membership of the human race. So there!
- Shriek by Jeff Vandermeer – I just love this.
- Stories of Your Life and Others by Ted Chiang – if you don’t like Ted Chiang I question your status as a sentient entity of any kind.
- Micah by Laurel K Hamilton – for personal reasons this will always be in my Top 10 Books of All Time.
I’ve probably left many of my favourites out and will have to revise the list tomorrow when I remember them. And my Number 1? Well it probably comes as little surprise that Neil Gaiman snags that spot for American Gods. I’ve read it three times, and listened to the audiobook twice, so what else was it going to be? It also wins in terms of influence. Contemporary fantasy would be a very different genre today without this book.
A couple of slightly interesting links…
The Everything is Nice blog link to my post on bookshops. I appreciate the detail they have gone to in their response, but don’t agree with their points.
Geoff Ryman edits an anthology of real science fiction, using real scientists and everything!
writing school leicester
In My Real Life on November 16, 2009 at 5:10 pm
I will be giving a talk next Monday on the theme of The Entrepreneurial Writer as part of the New Ways With Writing series of talks organised by Writing School Leicester. Come along. The talk is about succesful writers are part of and contribute to many communities. I think it costs a few quid to get in.
*****
The Entrepreneurial Writer – Damien G. Walter
Leicester Adult Education College, Wellington Street
23rd November, 7pm
Building a career as a writer takes energy, determination and an entrepreneurial spirit. Instead of waiting to be recognised by editors and agents, many now famous writers got started by setting up their own projects, from spoken word nights to small press publishers. But what separates the projects that succeed from the thousands of such projects that fail every year? With so many writers competing to be heard, is it the writers who listen who ultimately succeed?
Audible, Karen Armstrong
In Book Reviews on November 15, 2009 at 2:56 pm
Recently I’ve discovered the non-fiction author Karen Armstrong, via her short book A Brief History of Myth. I found the book fascinating and brilliantly well written. Armstrong is currently in the news for her book The Case for God, which has been vying for position in the bestseller lists with Richard Dawkins The God Delusion (read a great article putting both authors head-to-head here) I’m yet to read the Case for God, but this week I am going to read The Bible: A Biography in audiobook version from Audible. This book looks at the complex history of the bible as a book, a subject that as a writer I find fascinating. I’m going to post some notes on the book when I’m finished. If anyone out there would like to read or listen along and join in with some discussion of the book then please do.
drafting and editing, Hand writing, Ninja Story
In The Fiction Front on November 14, 2009 at 2:03 am
I’ve been typing up from the first draft of my ninja story this evening. Moving from first o second draft is my favourite part of the writing process. First draft is exciting, so hence also scary. Its like a new relationship. You have all these great expectations and lots of passion, and sometimes things turn out well, and other times they turn out badly. And one things for certain, nothing ever turns out as you expected it to. Read the rest of this entry »
black library, dan abnett, march charan newton
In The Fiction Front on November 12, 2009 at 12:55 pm
Over at Ecstatic Days, Mark Charan Newton talks to Black Library superstar Dan Abnet about the strengths of fiction franchises, a conversation which should be had more.
Franchise novels are a much derided form of fiction. In some cases, the derision is spot on. Many franchise novels are poorly written, utterly generic and bottom line not very interesting. But then, the same can be said for much fiction of any kind. But it’s all to easy to overlook the genuine creative opportunity that franchise novels can provide their authors. Read the rest of this entry »
catherynne m valente, Jeffrey Ford
In Infinite Book Pile on November 9, 2009 at 11:48 pm
I had a little book shopping spree this evening. Jeffrey Ford’s World Fantasy award winning The Shadow Year and Catherynne M. Valente’s The Orphans Tale – Volume 1. I have read Jeffrey Ford’s short fiction and I’m excited to read him at novel length. Cat Valente has impressed me with her online serial novel, although I’ve followed it only sporadically. This makes up for all the books I resisted buying in San Jose.
Speaking of Cat Valente and her serial novel, the last chapter of The Girl Who Circumnavigated Fairyland has been posted.
Rachel Swirsky impresses with A Memory of Wind on Tor.com. I find the illustration quite beautiful.
aboriginal, DIngo, Garth Nix, Stolen Generations
In Uncategorized on November 9, 2009 at 12:42 pm
Sunday was one of those days when all I could seem to do was lounge on the sofa and read, in that semi-dream state where words mingle with reality. In the morning I took a sojourn among The Sea Kings of Mars thanks to Leigh Brackett. I have had the Fantasy Masterworks volume of her stories for some years, and was two thirds of the way through the titular story when I realised I had read it before. Later that afternoon, having had a nice chat with Garth Nix at World Fantasy, I returned to Sabriel and as with all good books, found a little more than I had the last time I lost myself in its pages.
I’ve been listening to audio and video recordings of Australian aboriginal speakers for the story I am researching. I would love to find a phonetic transcription so I can see the dialect represented on the page. If anyone knows of such a thing, please let me know. I’ve also been reading about the Stolen Generations. I’m wary of touching on a subject like this without any personal connection to it, but the story has taken me there so I think I have to trust it.
Stories in dreams and dream time stories. A strange Sunday.
Paul M Berger, Michael Chabon
In My Real Life on November 8, 2009 at 2:32 am
…and coincidentally my blog passed 40,000 visits just a few days ago. In celebration I’ve decided to return to blogging seriously and post every day even if, as today, I only have my circuitous progress through life to comment on. That and to say that for reasons I can’t quite fathom I get a tremendous amount from keeping this blog, and from connecting with all you odd folk who drop by here now and again.
Today I lounged on the sofa and read Gentlemen of the Road by Michael Chabon, inbetween power-knaps. Its a charming novella, blending pre-medieval historical novel with Fritz Leiber influenced heroic fantasy. I’ve particularly been enjoying the build to the story’s major twist, which I’m 99% certain Chabon knew the reader would see coming a mile off and deftly plays with the fact that he knows we know he knows. Read it yourself to find out what the hell I’m going on about.
The Abbey Park fireworks were actually quite spectacular tonight. When you can feel mini concussion waves from the rockets you know the fireworks are good. We need our old pagan festivals in Britain as the sun falls out of the sky. It could have done with a wicker man, but other than that I enjoyed the night.
Twitter of the Day: “Only Barney has been documented. We know scale and skin texture, but purple doesn’t fossilize.” @pmberger in response to my query on dinosaur colouration.
Jeff Vandermeer, John Klima, World Fantasy Convention
In My Real Life on November 7, 2009 at 3:44 am
I’ve been a bit quiet since World Fantasy. Blame it on recovery from jet-lag and reacquanting myself with my day job, which decided to go and get all creative whilst I was away. But I’ve told it what’s what, and I think it’s learnt its lesson.
World Fantasy was head and shoulders the best convention I have ever attended. EasterCon, FantasyCon and Alt.Fiction all have their strengths, the British fan base are extremely friendly and very passionate, but its always been disappointment for me that for many if not most of the fans speculative fiction as literature is a secondary concern to their real passions for Dr Who, Star Trek, Buffy and other mass media SFF franchises. Not only do I primarily like written SF, I also like SF literary and read much mainstream and literary fiction alongside. So I was incredibly happy to find that audience for WFC were very much in the same ballpark as me. There were no Star Trek or any other kind of costumes (with the exception of a steampunk party on one night). The panels all had genuinely insightful themes and incited real discussion about fantasy fiction (and were well attended). The dealers room was full of treasures, and there were no stands given over to self-published authors. In short, WFC was a precisely the professional convention that it biled itself as, that above all took fantasy fiction seriously. (Small whoop of joy for that please)
The greatest reward of my long journey to the convention was to meet so many other people who take fantasy every bit as seriously as I do. I got to meet for the first time many established professionals in the field who I have talked with online including John Klima, Neil Clarke, Ann and Jeff Vandermeer and John Courtney Grimwood. And many others who I encountered for the very first time. But the most fantastic surprise of the convention was rediscovering my friends from Clarion ‘08 and our counterparts from Clarion ‘09. I found very quickly that Clarion grads seem to share a bond just as strong accross years, and the best moments of the convention were spent in their company.
There were a large number of Clarion graduates at the convention, and also a number of young writers aiming to attend in future. In all there were at least a hundred writers in their 20’s and 30’s (and a little older!) who were extremely passionate and dedicated but yet to really become established. This gave the convention a much younger feel than any British con (Alt Fiction comes closest). There were also many more women at the convention (probably about half the attendance? would be interested i figures if anyone has them) which was a welcome sight. I would love to see this kind of demographic reflected at British conventions, but I have little hope that it will unfortunately.
My moment of the convention? Asking Ted Chiang if he was going to take part in NaNoWriMo this year? Almost fainting in front of Robert Silverburg? Exchanging opinions on how crappy Fosters beer is with Garth Nix? No. The best moment was the look on the till girls face when we filled up a tiny taqueria with twenty or so Clarion kids from ‘08 and ‘09.
I’ve been hit with SAD getting back from WFC and the California sunshine. My resolutions to tackle this are to get up before dawn and get as much daylight as possible, exercise every morning and blog every night to keep my mind sharp. So expect many more blogs. I’ve also made a long planned writing resolution, which I’ll announce in a few days.
A few interesting links:
Jeff Vandermeer accompanies the launch of his Booklife writing guide with a set of online resources for writers. I received an ARC of Booklife, so can recommend it as thoroughly worth any writers time to read.
Parker Peevyhouse incites a little more debate on the question of the death or otherwise of sci-fi, and reminds me that I need to expand on the idea of Post SF.
InOut
In My Real Life on October 29, 2009 at 12:56 am
san francisco, vesuvio
In My Real Life on October 27, 2009 at 8:54 pm
I’m a sucker for the counter culture. A whole city to explore and I’m back at Vesuvio taking in the Beat Chic. They serve a nice Guiness. That’s my excuse.
Every time I take a walk around SF I’m struck by what a quiet city it is. Not silent by any means, but there are long moments of stillness even in the most built up areas. And the place has a smell. An odd spice tang, mixed with the pacific ocean salt air. Somehow the famous City Lights book store seems to condense that smell down to it’s essence, as though a wiley public relations consultant bottled and squirted it around the entrance to confirm the place as a city tourist attraction. Paranoia? Obviously. But in this day and age who knows.
I’m taking a break from taking a break from thinking to write this, so back to it.
Burget, California, David Mitchell
In Book Reviews, My Real Life on October 26, 2009 at 7:10 pm
On my last trip to San Francisco I discovered In’n'Out burgers. If you don’t live in California, In’n'Out might need some explanation. Imagine the greasiest possible burger, accompanied with the worlds most artificial cheese, wrapped in a bun that almost resembles bread and chips that no one believes are even related to a potato. And there you have an In’n'Out burger and fries. It is by every objective standard barely even a foodstuff. And yet, what have I been hungry for every minute of my flight accrosd the Atlantic. Yup…you guessed it.
I’m reading David Mitchell’s first novel Ghostwritten on the flight. I’ve had this novel sitting on my shelf for about a decade, since exchanging it with a friend for a dog eared copy of Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance. No offence to Robert Pirsig but I think I got the better of the deal, even if it has taken ten years to discover.
Ghostwritten is really a short story collection, not a novel, however much the publisher and critics claim otherwise. It reads as though Mitchell wrote a short novella in each of his favourite genres and then jammed them all in one book. There is a definite literary sensibility to the writing. DM is all about the interior life of his characters, and he manages the impressive task of writing nine stories in 1st person which can be read back to back without all the characters collapsing into a mellange of the authors own voice. But the lit technique is matched with the kind of ingenuity, pace and plotting more familiar in good genre fiction. I think what shines through Ghostwritten is that DM loves stories, loves books and fiction and loves writing. You really get the sense that he is playing in the book, introducing voices simply because he can, telling stories just for the joy of telling them. I think thats what makes the writing so compelling.
Stopped reading for a while to look out of the window at the Canada wilderness going past. The world is a big place, much of it is cold and forbidding. I’m glad to be headed to the Bay Area, and can already tase that burger.
Leicester, The Art Oganisation, World Fantasy Convention
In My Real Life on October 24, 2009 at 2:23 pm
I’m sitting in The Art Organisation in Leicester, drinking tea and writing my first real blog post for some time (rather than just linking to things I’m doing elsewhere). The rain is coming down (this is Britain after all) and the troupe of jugglers and hula hooppers who have been performing outside have just run indoors. Things have that rare feeling that sometimes emerges in times of disaster, when people pull together for the common good. Feels appropriate. Read the rest of this entry »
Dance of Joy, Joss Whedon, The Guardian
In Journalism on October 16, 2009 at 5:45 pm
I was nicely surprised to get an email from the eds. at The Guardian this week telling me that my blog post on ‘Are we now Post Sci-Fi?‘ is being reprinted in the The Review, The Guardian’s media supplement this Saturday. Nicely excited in that I did the Dance of Joy, although not for three moons. Go and buy a copy on Saturday from any nearby newsagent (if you are in the UK). And I also mange to put in an appearance on this weeks Guardian book podcast, talking about Eoin Colfer and Hitchhiker’s.
Guardian book blog
In Journalism on October 13, 2009 at 1:05 pm
Sci-fi has made many predictions about the future, but did any of them forecast that in the early years of the 21st century everyone would be watching … sci-fi? Our TV screens are filled with Dr Who, Lost and now FlashForward. Each summer brings more blockbusters in the Lord of the Rings and Star Trek vein, and a flood of superhero franchises. In comics and video games, sci-fi is the norm. It’s not just part of mainstream culture, it is arguably the dominant cultural expression of the early 21st century.
Read more at The Guardian book blog.
Hockley Hustle, Shortfuse, World Fantasy Convention
In My Real Life on October 12, 2009 at 5:33 pm
I’m reading at the lovely Shortfuse event on 20th October. It’s their halloween special so I’m reprising my short story Cthul-You for the occaision.
And I’m taking part with a sci-fi themed panel discussion as part of the Hockley Hustle in Nottingham, alongside Mark Charan Newton.
And after that I will be at the World Fantasy Convention in San Jose. Really, I couldn’t be more excited if you filled me up with sherbet and shook me vigarously.
damiengwalter.com, domain
In About This Blog on October 9, 2009 at 12:54 pm
Well, I’ve finally gone and done it. My very own domain!
damiengwalter.com
Don’t bother clicking, it leads right here. But please do update your bookmarks.
In The Fiction Front on October 1, 2009 at 11:54 am
After much excitement 1st October has arrived and the first annual Support Our ‘Zines Day is underway!
You can get more information on Support Our ‘Zines Day here: http://damiengwalter.wordpress.com/sozd/
So, what can you do to help support our ‘zines? Here are three simple suggestions for ways to support the ‘zines you love to read:
- List the ‘zines you have enjoyed this year, then subscribe / donate to as many as feel you can afford. You can be modest and keep your donations a secret, or you can show off and list your donations on your blog or elsewhere top help encourage others to show their support.
- Send a message to the editor(s) of the ‘zines you like thanking them for their work. Editors make ‘zines happen.
- Publicise your favourite ‘zines on your website, blog and elsewhere.
If you love reading good short fiction and you love good ‘zines, then take a few minutes out of your day and show your support.
Arthur Machen, Weird Fiction
In Journalism on September 29, 2009 at 11:30 am
When first encountered, the publications of Tartarus Press seem almost as numinous as the supernatural tales they contain. The simple elegance of their presentation, hand-stitched hardback bindings jacketed in uniform cream covers with only minimal decoration, recall an earlier age when books were as rare and treasured as jewels.
Read more on the Guardian book blog
cthul-you, feedbooks, iphone, Stanza
In The Fiction Front, Writing Journal on September 26, 2009 at 4:19 pm
I’ve been an iPhone user for a year now, and over that time I’ve become a huge fan of e-books and the Stanza ebook reader software on that platform. One of the best features of Stanza is access to Feedbooks, an online platform for publishing public domain and new original books. I’ve been interested in publishing something to the platform for sometime, so today I decided to take the plunge.
You can read my short story Cthul-You (originally broadcast on BBC Radio 7 last year) online by following the link below. You can download the e-book and read it on your computer, or any number of reader and mobile device including the Kindle, Sony Reader, iPhone and Android phones.
Cthul-You on Feedbooks – http://feedbooks.com/userbook/7655
I am going to make regular reports on the success or otherwise of this venture, so other writers interested in making use of Feedbooks can follow my self publishing adventure.
The Speculators
In Writing Journal on September 23, 2009 at 7:51 pm
A few months ago I taught my first course on science fiction and fantasy writing in my home city of Leicester. The students turned out to be great and decided to form a writing group after the course finished which I have also been attending. The Speculators (as the group is now called) meet regularly and we are happy to involve new writers of speculative fiction. So if you live in the Leicester area, think about coming along! More details below… Read the rest of this entry »
32nd Birthday, Electric Velocipede, My Lovesick Zombie Boyband
In The Fiction Front on September 21, 2009 at 11:58 am
My 32nd birthday arrived today, along with my first incidence of backpain! Old age seems to be coming sooner than expected. I’m sitting up very straight whilst typing, perhaps this will help.
I arrived at my birthday pre-cheered by two recent story sales:
John Klima at the Hugo award winning Electric Velocipede has bought My Love Sick Zombie Boy Band. I think this was the story that got me into Clarion, and then received copious workshop notes from Kelly Link. I think it’s my best story to date, so I’m very happy to know it will see publication. You can read a short extract, posted during the original writing of the story. Its my second publication in Electric Velocipede, which makes me extremely happy.
And the excellent chaps at StarShipSofa have generously agreed to include my story Momentum (Originaly oublished in EV #13) in a future edition of Aural Delights. I love hearing my stories in audio, and this is the third one I’ve been lucky enough to have produced. A fe wmore and I can release an album! (Rock stardom here we come)
And thanks to everyone who sent birthday greetings, I love you all.
In The Fiction Front on September 17, 2009 at 2:35 pm
Ever since the early days of radio, science fiction has found a natural expression via audio broadcasting. The speculative themes of the finest SF seem ideally suited to be shared by the dramatic presentation of the spoken word. Over the decades, SF has left a lasting mark on audiences who have heard it through the airwaves, on audiobook tapes and CDs, and in person, read aloud. With the advent of the podcasting revolution, however, a new frontier opened for the expression and celebration of quality SF literature. One of the leading pioneers of that frontier was StarShipSofa and its Aural Delights program.
Dowload Star Ship Sofa stories
Read the rest of this entry »
SOZD, Zine Link-Up Meme
In The Fiction Front on September 7, 2009 at 4:51 pm
So. No idea if this will work. But, to give people a handy guide to ‘zines they can donate to on Support Our ‘Zines Day (1st October 2009), I’m going to try and put together a complete list of speculative fiction ‘zines! However, I don’t want to do all the work myself, so am stealing the recent SF Reviewers Link-up Meme to make the…’ZINE LINK-UP MEME! I’ve added a few of the big ‘zines, just to get it started.
The ‘Zine Link-up Meme
Copy and paste the list (including links) of speculative fiction ‘zines below to your blog or website (include this informative introduction as well). Add your ‘zine (and link). Any ‘zine of any size and format that publishes speculative fiction of any kind can take part. Let other people, especially people publishing ‘zines, know about the meme. And help publicise Support Our ‘Zines Day by linking back to: http://damiengwalter.wordpress.com/sozd/
Asmiov’s science fiction
Analog science fiction and fact
Magazine of Fantasy & Science Fiction
SOZD, Zine Link-Up Meme
In The Fiction Front on September 1, 2009 at 12:33 am
SUPPORT OUR ‘ZINES DAY – OCTOBER 1st 2009
What are ‘zines?
The short answer is that ‘zines are where we go to find good, new short fiction. Magazines like Asimov’s or Weird Tales. Fanzines like Electric Velocipede or Shimmer. Webzines like Clarkesworld or Strange Horizons. Podcasts like Escape Pod and The Drabblecast. There are hundreds and maybe even thousands of ‘zines publishing speculative fiction stories, and from the largest to the smallest they all contribute to building the SF community. Read the rest of this entry »
Clarkesworld, Electric Velocipede, Escape, SOZD, Weird Tales
In The Fiction Front on August 24, 2009 at 11:22 pm
***UPDATE: SUPPORT OUR ‘ZINES DAY now 1ST OCTOBER***
Last week I put a call out for suggestions of magazines that as an SF fan I should be reading. My subscriptions have lapsed recently (its been a busy year) so this week I wanted to renew some subscriptions and start a few new ones. I wanted to do this because I get a huge amount of joy from reading and listening to good stories, and want to contribute to keeping the publications I like going. I think a lot of people feel the same. So why don’t more of us subscribe and donate to our favourite publications?
Read the rest of this entry »
In Events and Happenings on August 14, 2009 at 1:26 pm
Dear world,
I am giving two talks for Writing School Leicester on the 26th October and 23rd November on the genuinely exciting topics of Finding Your Digital Readership and The Entrepreneurial Writer. They are part of a series of five talks also titled New Ways With Writing involving Ross Bradshaw, Will Buckingham and Farhana Shaikh. They are one offs, so miss them and weep!
Get more information and book tickets online
Read the rest of this entry »
china mieville, not the booker
In The Fiction Front on August 11, 2009 at 12:09 pm
China Mieville’s The City and the City is one of forty-six titles nominated for the Not the Booker prize organised by the wonderful people at the Guardian. Also on the list are Spirit by Gwyneth Jones, The Quiet War by Paul Mcauley and Best Served Cold by Joe Abercrombie. You can read the full list compiled by Sam Jordison on the Guardian book blog. I’m quite proud to have nominated The City and the City so it is very nice to see it on the list alongside other excellent spec.fic books. I’ll be casting my vote for Mieville, and highly recommend you do the same.
Not that I’m suggesting you should…
1) Register on the Guardian site.
2) Cast your vote for an excellent spec.fic novel (one person one vote)
3) Systematicaly persuade others to do so via Twitter / Facebook / email or even face to face
…in some kind of organised attempt to vote a spec.fic title the first winner of the Not the Booker. I would never suggest such a thing. Ever.
Hugo Awards, neil gaiman
In Journalism on August 10, 2009 at 4:05 pm
Neil Gaiman has just won this year’s Hugo award for best novel, for The Graveyard Book – and I can’t be the only one who isn’t surprised by the news. I knew Gaiman was more than just a great writer when I read the comic mini-series Death: The High Cost of Living in 1993. I’d already been blown away by The Sandman, but in the spin-off series featuring Dream’s older sister, Death, I found something more.
Read more on the Guardian book blog
Not the Hugo Awards, Not World Con
In Events and Happenings on August 7, 2009 at 12:44 pm
The programme for Not World Con 1 is starting to take shape thanks to contributions from around the world! The programme is very much still open, so please add your suggestions! Check back regularly for programme updates.
GoH / Reading List
Boneshop by Tim Pratt
Richard Morgan’s Thirteen
Anything by Neil Gaiman
Talks & Panel Discussions
6pm GMT – An Audience with Mary Burroughs
7pm GMT – Reviews that aim for the juggular with Luke Burrage
8pm GMT – SyFy or SighFigh with Matthew Sanborn Smith
Entertainments
Flight of the Conchords evening marathon and sing-a-long hosted by Ferret Steinmetz
Not the Hugo Awards
Nominate your favourite books of the year for a Not the Hugo! Nominations will be listed as part of the prgramme. Winners announced at the Not World Con banquet (tickets still available)
Clarion, neil gaiman, WorldCon
In Events and Happenings on August 6, 2009 at 7:45 pm
The World Science Fiction convention is well underway in Montreal by now. Up until a few weeks ago I was sure I would be attending, but when it came down to it I just could not justify it for this year. I’m doubly sad as many Clarion friends are there and I would love to see each and every one of them again, and our Clarion instructor Neil Gaiman is the guest of honour (I still find it hard to parse the reality that I spent six weeks being taught by Neil, Kelly, Jim, Geoff, Nalo and Mary-Ann just a year ago) and really wanted to see him take the Hugo (which I am certain he will).
But I refuse to be sad. Instead this weekend I am having a WorldCon of my own. My own micro-convention, to which I am inviting all my favourite authors (in their paper and print incarnations) and you. If you to are missing the party, then feel free to join me on Twitter @damiengwalter or #notworldcon and we can form our very own virtual con.
A few random links:
I say a bit about the Hugo’s for SF Signal
I argue for Neuromancer as the book that should have won the 1984 Booker prize. Others disagree. (perhaps more on this subject to come)
dumbledore, gandalf
In Journalism on July 31, 2009 at 1:09 pm
Are you sitting comfortably? Then let us begin. Once upon a time, there was a kindly old wizard whose only concerns were pipe weed, hobbits and a gold ring that caused all kinds of trouble. Gandalf (for so the wizard was named) lived happy in the knowledge that he was the greatest wizard of them all. Until, one day, an obscure conjurer who ekes out a living as headteacher of a remote public school found international stardom when a former pupil made it big in Hollywood. And so it came to pass that Albus Dumbledore was hailed by a new generation as the greatest wizard of them all. But which was truly the greatest? Time to put them to the test.
Follow the bight fight LIVE on the Guardian book blog.
Booker Prize
In The Fiction Front on July 28, 2009 at 5:02 pm
The long list for the Booker prize has been announced today, and has dashed my hopes that following the victory of Interzone’s Chris Beckett in the National Short Award, The Booker would foil its many critics (myself included) and include some of the great works of speculative fiction published this year.
In previous years I have compared the Booker judges to the organising committee of a village fete. This year I think it would be fairer to ditch the metaphors and out them as the ethnicaly pure, upper middle class cartel they are. The only praise I can think to heap upon The Booker is that it is at least open in its utter class snobbery and borderline bigotry.
And lets be clear, the reason names such as China Mieville, Ian McDonald, Iain Banks, M John Harrison, Neil Gaiman, Jon Courtney Grimwood or any of the other superlative British authors of speculative fiction are excluded without consideration from The Booker, is nothing to do with quality of writing and everything to do with social discrimination. The Booker Prize and the literary fiction it rewards are the province of a small minded and ignorant cultural elite who are desperate to cling onto status and power. Speculative fiction is not just popular, but also rich with thought and ideas in a way that most literary fiction is sadly lacking. No wonder it is so often the target of insult and discrimination from those in the literary world who feel threatened by it.
Of course there is an argument that the literary fiction clique should be protected. Few people buy the books, and fewer read them. Like an endangered species, the lit.fic crowd need the protected reservations of The Booker prize and newspaper review pages or they will go extinct. The irony is that if the ignorant and bigoted lovers of lit.fic would only open their eyes and educate themselves about the wider world of contemporary fiction – speculative fiction included – they might find a new energy and lease of life. Or they can continue to fade into absolute irrelevance.
I think we all know wwhich choice they will make.
Amy H Sturgis, Jeff Vandermeer, Sofanauts, Tony Smith
In Journalism on July 19, 2009 at 3:56 am
I seem to have spent most of this weekend recording Sofanauts #13 with Jeff Vandermeer, Amy H Sturgis and host Tony C. Smith…so you lot better go listen to it now! (Or just skip through to about six minutes form the end where the out takes begin)
#ywrite, Clarion San Diego, Speculative Fiction
In The Fiction Front on July 16, 2009 at 11:47 pm
Today I bought a table. Its the final piece of furniture for my new home. Which is the first real home I have had since I was eighteen. Thats my own damn fault, for taking thirteen years to realise that a home is made, not found. The table is important, because it is where I am writing this. Over the years I have written in cafes, libraries, train stations, shopping malls, airplanes, buses, offices and many more places, anywhere other then wherever I happened to be living. But now I have a home I am comfortable writing in, and a table to write at. Read the rest of this entry »
JRR Tolkien, LotR, Ursula K LeGuin
In Journalism on June 29, 2009 at 1:43 pm
My name is Damien, and I am a fantasy fan. It started as a child, when my mum read me The Lord of the Rings. Three times. Eventually tiring of JRR Tolkien, I scoured the shelves for alternatives. I found Ursula Le Guin but her great books were too few for my habit. So I turned to David Eddings – but even the 10 volumes of the Belgariad were soon exhausted. That’s when I got into Dragonlance. My fate was sealed.
Read more @ Guardian books
Derby, Hello Hubmarine
In My Real Life, Stories & Scribblings on June 26, 2009 at 10:23 am
I will be reading at Hello Hubmarine in Derby on the evening of Saturday 27th June (i.e. tommorrow!)
I might have a new story. I might read an old story. I might let the audience decide.
World Fantasy, WorldCon
In The Fiction Front on June 23, 2009 at 7:28 pm
If you could go to only one, which would be and why?
Answer below.
I am caught in indecision. I can afford to do either WorldCon (Montreal) of World Fantasy (San Francisco) this year. I had almost settled on World Fantasy because of the higher concentration of writers and editors in my favored milieu of contemporary fantasy. But recent discussion amongst my Clarion group has swayed me back to World Con, because it is *more*.
All advice gratefully accepted.
Electric Velocipede, mcsweeneys, Sofanauts
In The Fiction Front on June 20, 2009 at 12:21 am
Mary Robinette Kowal made a wonderful point on tonight’s Sofanauts. In a discussion on the iPhone as e-reader Mary argued that e-books and online ‘zines would not kill printed publications. But the publications that survive will be the ones who understand the value of the physical object they are producing. I could not agree more. Read the rest of this entry »
cthul-you, Sofanauts, Tony C Smith
In Stories & Scribblings on June 18, 2009 at 10:58 am
My short story Cthul-You is repeated on BBC iPlayer this week. Whenever the beeb repeat this story I start getting hits on the blog ‘damien g walter’ along with ‘disturbed’, ’sick’ and ‘evil’. Its the only real horror story I’ve tackled so I’m glad it had the intended effect.
Tony C. Smith has invited be back on the Sofanauts this week, subscribe in iTunes or the podcatcher of your choice and listen to myself and the other panelists ramble on about various sfnal topics.
catherynne m valente, serial fiction
In The Fiction Front on June 14, 2009 at 2:33 am
Excellent fantasy author Catherynne Valente has taken action against the economic meltdown of the western world by asking readers to support the writing of The Girl Who Circumnavigated Fairyland in a Ship of Her Own Making. As I write Valente’s initiative has already generated enough support to alleviate the financial crisis she was facing, but please do pop over and donate if you are a fan of her writing.
I’m genuinely very excited to see Valente’s novel appear in real time online. I’ve been fascinated with the idea of serial fiction for some time, because the concept of shaping a novel episode by episode online seems so natural in the internet era. I wish Catherynne every luck and will be reading every Monday.
30000, random statistics
In About This Blog on June 7, 2009 at 10:22 pm
A little earlier this week this blog crossed the 30,000 hit barrier, only eight months after crawling over the 20,000 mark in October. To celebrate this wonderous news, a few random statistics for your bemusement.
Total Posts: 363
Best Month: March 2009 with 1,960 hits (An average of 63 hits a day, which this month is on track to beat with 67 hits a day!)
Top referrer this year: http://emilyjiang.wordpress.com (Thanks Em!)
Most read post this year: To self publish or to not
Most clicked link: Tor.com
Beowulf, George R R Martin, Seamus Heaney
In The Fiction Front on May 29, 2009 at 2:06 am
I saw Seamus Heaney interviewed about his translation of Beowulf tonight on the BBC documentary about the ancient epic. He said the most beautiful thing, that Beowulf was born into life as an intelligence and shaped by pain into a soul. An idea I must remember.
Elsewhere..
Jetse de Vries gives some statistical feedback on the first hundred or so SHINE anthology stories. With this in mind it might be time to take a shot at writing a story for him…hmm…
Jean Hannah Edelstein over at the Guardian asks if there is any longer an appetitie for 1000 page books. If the next George R R Martin is a thousand pages then yes.
Borderlands
In Infinite Book Pile on May 27, 2009 at 10:18 pm
So I did a bit of book shopping whilst is SF at the wonderful Borderlands. If you happen to be near enough to shop there at any time please do so. Empty your wallet in support of our much needed specialist genre stores, and get great books in return!
On the flight out I read the mildly disappointing first Harry Potter. Yes, it was fun and frothy. But bottom line it is the story of a boy whose problem is that he is both ordinary and poor, with the soultion being he is actualy rich and the single most special boy in the world. Those of us who grew up ordinary and poor, only to discover we were actualy ordinary and poor say boo! Down with potter! Read the rest of this entry »
826 Valencia, Borderlands, Mundane SF
In The Fiction Front on May 26, 2009 at 2:16 am
I have been asleep almost the entire time since getting back to England, catching up with friends and grabbing snatches of news. The British parliamentary systems has fallen into disrepute, the economy is in freefall and Tarantino has been allowed to release a new film. I go away for a few days…
San Francisco was a tremendous experience. It has left me with a lot to think through, especially regarding what I learned from 826 Valencia. No doubt I will do some of that thinking in future posts. i also have a rather wonderous selection of SF tomes to devour courtesy of Borderlands.
In the podosphere:
The Sofanauts discuss Orson Scott Card. Opinions are not divided. Mundane SF also rears its head. My thoughts are on record here.
american pie, cormac mccarthy
In My Real Life on May 23, 2009 at 8:53 am
My last full day in San Francisco and I have had a feast of American cuisine. Dunkin Donut, mid-morning Chinese tea and tiramisu cake thing, California sushi for lunch, cherry pie and extra thick milkshake for tea, deep dish Chicago pizza for dinner and a round of Earl Grey tea to finish. To paraphrase Homer Simpson…hhuuurrhhhhhh…
Of possible interest…
Realms of Fantasy still not re-opened for submissions, but progress is being made according to Monstrous Musings.
Cormac McCarthy’s The Road will soon be coming to a big screen near you. Looks good. The book almost induced me to suicide. Lets see if the film can do any better.
Jeremiah Tolbert, Keffy Kehrli, Murky Depths #6
In The Fiction Front on May 21, 2009 at 7:48 am
My holiday in San Francisco is entering its final days. It feels like I have been here forever, so long that I’ve established a routine and the streets around Union Square now seem very familiar. I’ve had a lovely time seeing old friends from Clarion, and taken time out to read some and write more. San Francisco is a great city for walking, and I have taken Shank’s pony all over the place. And I have been intensely smitten with 826 Valencia. More on this in a future post however.
A few items of interest for this Wednesday evening… Read the rest of this entry »
Art and Things, momentum
In Stories & Scribblings on May 20, 2009 at 7:22 pm
My short story Momentum (first published in Electric Velocipede #13) appears with a wicked little illustration in the utterly trendy Art & Things magazine, issue 2. You can read the magazine in a beautiful online edition or pick it up at a variety of excellent retailers including Foyles, Borders and the Tate Modern.
Read Momentum online in Art & Things magazine, issue 2
Jeremy Tolbert, Lawrence Santoro, Sofanauts, Tony Smith
In Journalism on May 9, 2009 at 1:42 am
The Sofanauts No 4 is up. I rant about discrimination aginast sf and why writing is not a career. I’m enjoying this show more and more.
Im Abendrot, Richard Strauss
In Book Reviews, Writing Journal on May 1, 2009 at 4:24 pm
I was nicely surprised to wake up this morning to find a wonderful translation of Im Abendrot in my inbox. I have posted before about this poem by Joseph von Eichendorff, which I discovered via the music of Richard Strauss. Teh generous spirited Richard Gardner found my ear;y post and has furnished me with a brand new translation all his own, which sticks rigourously to the structure and rhythm of the orignal. I love this translation…it may even be my favourite. Read the rest of this entry »
Michael Bishop, Starship Sofa, Vinegar Peace
In The Fiction Front on April 29, 2009 at 10:27 am
StarShipSofa narrates Vinegar Peace, a SF story wrote by Michael Bishop for his son Jamie Bishop who died two years ago at the Virginia Tech shooting. Read the rest of this entry »
kelly link, Clarion San Diego 08
In Clarion San Diego 08, Writing Journal on April 21, 2009 at 1:06 am
At Clarion, Kelly Link taught us about the logic of night and dreams. Lessons learned at Clarion can take some time to sink in. This one has seemed very relevant to me this week. Read the rest of this entry »
Electric Velocipede, John Klima, momentum
In Stories & Scribblings on April 20, 2009 at 10:53 am
Right people. John Klima, editor at Electric Velocipede has recently become a father for the second time (congratulations!), but unfortunately now also finds himself the sole earner in his household.
But to every cloud is a silver lining, because John has decided to sell off all remaining stock of Electric Velocpede #13 (among other things) which features my short story Momentum. Yes, thats right! You, dear reader, now have the opportunity to get in on the ground floor of perhaps the most exciting literary opportunity since….well….since the last time I got you to buy Electric Velocipede! Read the rest of this entry »
Jeremiah Tolbert, Matt Sandborn Smith, Sofanauts, Tony C Smith
In Media & Podcasts on April 17, 2009 at 6:59 pm
I’ve been a massive podcast fan since I bought my first iPod. I’ve always been a sci-fi fan, but podcasts like Escape Pod, I Should Be Writing and The Dragon Page introduced me to a whole new world of SF. I’ve been listening to Starship Sofa since the early days, so today I was really proud to take part in the first of a new show from the Starship Sofa team, The Sofanauts.
Anyone who has listened to The Week In Tech will be familiar with the format of The Sofanauts, which aims to be The Week in Sci-Fi. A gang of SF fans, bloggers and writers meet every week to talk about SF in all it’s glory!
I’ve just finished recording the first episode and REALLY enjoyed it. I joined host Tony C Smith, Escape Pod editor Jeremiah Tolbert and Matthew Sanborn Smith.
Go listen!
Hugo Awards
In Journalism on April 17, 2009 at 2:35 pm
Editors are important. That much is certain. To put it simply, they decide who does and does not get published. And in the high courts of publishing that so many authors aspire to enter this makes them judge, jury and all too often executioner. But are they creative?
Read more
Speculative Fiction, writing school leicester
In Events and Happenings on April 7, 2009 at 3:34 pm
Fancy spending 5 (or possibly even 10 weeks) learning to write speculative fiction with me as a tutor? If you have survived the terror of that prospect or even think it might have some merit and are within shouting distance of Leicester, then the course advertised below may be for you. Read the rest of this entry »
Clarion 08, E J Fischer, Strange Horizons
In Clarion San Diego 08 on April 6, 2009 at 11:12 am
If you only read one work of speculative fiction today, make sure it is Husbandry by E J Fischer (if you read two, read Husbandry twice). Its a wicked zombie story with more than a little to say about the state of modern realationships. Strange Horizons have once again displayed the presence of mind to recognise the good work of a Clarion ‘08 grad (they displayed genuine sci-fi skills by publishing Dan Pinney before he even went to Clarion!) So, go read! Whats stopping you?!
Canyon Vista, Clarion San Diego, Dantes Inferno
In Clarion San Diego 08 on March 31, 2009 at 12:12 am
There are seventeen other people in the world who know the slightly sick feeling I experienced when I read these words in the search terms used to find my blog just a few minutes ago:
Clarion San Diego Food
As I type eighteen new Clarionites are preparing to embark on the potentialy life changing experience that will be Clarion 2009. I know who you are, I’ve had a full list of your names and send you all good wishes. Read the rest of this entry »
Adam Roberts, Alex Proyas, Knowing, Nicholas Cage
In Media & Podcasts on March 29, 2009 at 11:58 pm
***WARNING – SPOILER ALERT***
I’m about to give away the ending of Knowing, the new Nicholas Cage vehicle from director Alex Proyas (who over a decade ago brought us the much superior Dark City). So, if you don’t want to know the entirely predictable end of a film that could have been so much more, look away now. Read the rest of this entry »
Charlie Stross, Cory Doctorow, Hugo Awards
In Journalism on March 25, 2009 at 10:13 pm
I’ve been lucky enough to interview both Charlie Stross and Cory Doctorow in the last year. To celebrate their nominations for both the Hugo and Prometheus awards, here are the two interviews again for anyone who missed them. I learned a lot from doing both interviews. Charlie has an insight into what science fiction is capable of that I had never considered before, and Cory understands the new paradigm between readers and writers better than any other writer working at the moment I believe. Read the rest of this entry »
J C Hutchins, John Scalzi, kelly link, mur lafferty, Scott Sigler
In The Fiction Front, Uncategorized on March 23, 2009 at 2:42 pm
I’ve been doing a lot of thinking about self publishing recently. I’ve been considering two projects that might be described as self publishing. And I’ve been looking at how self publishing fits into my professional life as a literature development worker. And I’ve just been following a thread incited by a Facebook status update from Mary Robinette Kowal on the brutal existence of self published authors at conventions. Basically, I think its time I put some of this into words.
Read the rest of this entry »
Andy Cox, Ann Vandermeer, Interzone, Weird Tales
In The Fiction Front on March 20, 2009 at 3:40 pm
The Hugo nominations are out and my two of my favourite magazines, Interzone and Weird Tales, have been nominated! Both receive a nod in the semi-pro zine category. Good luck to Andy Cox and Ann Vandermeer both.
Electric Velocipede also scoops a nomination for best fanzine, so good luck to John Klima.
The John W Campbell award for best new writer is interesting as well. No idea who will win, but that is a list of writers I must look into.
Geoff Ryman, kelly link, Mary anne
In The Fiction Front on March 16, 2009 at 1:22 am
It being late Sunday evening, I want to throw a question out into the void and see what comes back.
Geoff Ryman often rolled out the term ‘broken backed’ when he was teaching at Clarion. Geoff meant it not as a general term for a bad story, but as a specific term for a good story with something very wrong with it. Thats an interesting line to draw. A bad story is a bad story. But a good story, even with major flaws, is a thing of interest. So what to do about the broken backed story?
In my thinking a broken backed story is one where the writers imagination outstrips their skill. You are hit with inspiration for a truly original / inspiring story but your skill with the pen isn’t enough to express it in words. But that doesn’t quite work. Anyone who has sat down to write their Tolkienesque epic fantasy and failed is discovering how easy it is to imagine more than you can realise.
Another thought we all took away from Clarion, thanks to first Kelly Link then Mary Anne Mohanraj, was that there are many good stories in the world, but only a handful of great ones. Anyone can learn to produce a good story, but the thing every writer struggles with is stepping up into greatness. Stories are both complex and illogical, they are mechanisms with many moving parts, driven at their heart by a kind of magic none of us really understand. You can think you have all the parts mastered, only to find the magic is not there. Even the greatest writers only get the alchemy write some of the time.
Broken backed stories are the ones where writers are striving to get all the parts running smoothly and the magic blazing as well. They are like insane science experiments mixed with wild sorcery, Frankenstein’s monsters colliding with dancing mops to the music of Fantasia. They do not work. They are off kilter, out of joint, fucked up beyond all reason. Monsters that we keep looked in our trunks or exhiled to unused areas of hard drive.
Which leads me to my question. What should we do with them? Keep them locked away? Put them out of their misery? We might say ‘rewrite them and make them whole’. But what if we can’t? What if they can never be fixed? And what if fixing them means losing the mysterious spark that might have made them great? Isn’t a great story always a little broken backed? I think most of my favourite stories are in one way or another.
Maybe we need some kind of home for the broken backed that will never be whole. A Freakshow of Brokeback Tales. Hmmmm…I think I smell an anthology brewing!
Art and Things, momentum
In Stories & Scribblings on March 13, 2009 at 12:43 pm
The super beautiful Art and Things magazine have told me they want to publish my short story Momentum. It really is very beautiful publication. I feel all cool and trendy now!
James Patrick Kelly, Mirrorshades, Solstice
In Infinite Book Pile on March 11, 2009 at 12:52 am
John Klima sticks his neck out and nominates his top 10 most influential SF / F anthologies over at Tor.com. It’s a list that makes me want to read more, as do the the comments. But I was surprised to see my most influential anthology went entirely unmentioned…
Mirrorshades: The Cyberpunk Anthology was the book that woke me up to what science fiction could be. I would guess that like many readers I found it in the wake of reading Neuromancer. As unique and startling as that novel was, without seeing the diversity of writing in the Bruce sterling edited anthology I might not have grasped what SF short fiction was really capable of.
Red Star, Winter Orbit still rates for me as one of Gibson’s strongest stories (alongside Hinterlands). But Tom Maddox Snake-Eyes sticks in my memory as the epitomy of cyberpunk, and a major influence over my story They Leave Him No Voice (workshopped at Clarion and awaiting re-write). Contributions from Greg Bear and Pat Cadigan also rocked my adolescent world, but it was James Patrick Kelly’s Solstice that really blew my mind. I remember that story pretty much scene for scene, despite not having read it for at least a decade. Meeting Jim at Clarion was totally awe inspiring as a consequence.
I can see my old battered copy of Mirrorshades on the shelf from where I am writing this. Its been a while, I think its time to go and read it again.
Eugie Foster, Returning My Sister's Face, The Fix
In Infinite Book Pile on March 9, 2009 at 4:27 pm
I’ve been avidly reading (and listening) to Eugie Foster’s perfectly formed fairy tales in short story form since I started reviewing for The Fix (which Eugie edits). They have appeared in some of my favourite venues including the Drabblecast and Realms of Fantasy (sadly no longer with us). Now they have been collected together in Returning My Sister’s Face: and other far eastern tales of whimsy and malice. Should anyone feel like buying me a present, this comes high on the list. If you don’t like me enough to do that, then go and buy yourself a copy as quick as you can. I know one of my fellow Clarion grads in particular who will appreciate Eugie Foster’s writing (you know who you are).
Alan Moore, Dave Gibbons, Frak Miller, Watchmen, Zach Snyder
In Media & Podcasts on March 9, 2009 at 12:39 am
So…I’ve seen it. My considered conclusion…f@$king brilliant!!
My favourite film reviewer, the good Dr himself, Mark Kermode, absolutely panned it in his review on Friday. I think he must be getting a bit long in the tooth because he completely missed the point. Yes its stupid and flippant when it shouldn’t be. Yes the acting is quite appalling in places. But fundamentally this is a faithful adaptation of Alan Moore’s writing and Dave Gibbon’s vision and the outcome is as totally nasty, insane, grusome, violent, inspiring, shocking and hilarious as the comic.
I was a cynical as anyone going in, given that Zack Snyder’s attempt at making a film out of 300 had been gut wrenchingly awful. But then so was the orginal graphic novel (Frank Miller…single most overated comic writer / artsit of all time) and with Watchmen, Snyder demonstrates he is a fanboy director who is only as capable as his source material.
I think its a shame Alan Moore took his name off the film. Whilst it lacks much of the complexity and subtlety of the film, it does honour to it. I hope he changes his mind and watches Watchmen!
Best line:
“But…I thought you liked life now?”
“Yes. I think I will make some.”
Hooray!! I’ve waited years to hear Dr Manhattan speak, and tonight he finally did.
Blacks Beach, san diego
In Clarion San Diego 08 on March 2, 2009 at 12:26 pm
Clarion classmate E J Fischer recounts his last minute application to the worlds greatest Science Fiction and Fantasy writing workshop @ UC San Diego. If its any encouragement to those of you who barely scrapped the deadline, it seemed that almost everyone in the class of 2008 applied at the last minute (and now of course I’m discouraging those of you who applied in good time…)
Read the rest of this entry »
Issac Asimov, Kurt Vonnegut, Philip Jose Farmer, Philip K Dick, Robert Heinlein
In Journalism on February 27, 2009 at 12:21 pm
Philip José Farmer, who passed out of this world yesterday, was among the last of a generation who emerged from the revolutionary literature of science fiction. Along with contemporaries including Robert Heinlen, Isaac Asimov, Philip K Dick and and Kurt Vonnegut, Farmer dedicated his life to writing stories that forced their readers to confront and question many of their most basic assumptions about life, the world, and that slippery beast called “reality”.
Read more on the Guardian book blog
Asimovs, Ferrett Steinmetz
In Clarion San Diego 08 on February 9, 2009 at 9:53 pm
Here in the UK we once had a prime time children’s TV programme called Record Breakers. On said programme, the now sadly departed Roy Castle would play the trumpet over the theme song whilst a chorus of gospel singers (I may be exagerating, but this is how my memory remebers it) sang the shows catch phrase over the top. ‘If you want to be a record breaker, dedications what you need’.
Well, if you really want to see what dedication means, swing over to The Watchtower of Destruction and read in Ferrett Steinmetz own words his story of courage and tenacity. I was there the day in week 5 when the students of Clarion ‘08 played their part in pushing Ferrett to his limit and beyond. If souls made a sound when beig crushed, I think it quite likely we might have heard Ferrett’s crack as we delivered our critiques. Being it that room felt like watching a back alley beating, and then realising you were in the gang and it was your turn with the baseball bat. It wasn’t a pleasant expereince, but it was necessary. A Clarion critique can be a brutal, brutal expereince, and without doubt Ferrett took the toughest of our six weeks there.
But Ferrett took that critique, learned the lessons and turned in his best story for week 6. And not only that, Ferrett then went and sold the story to best market in speculative fiction, Asimov’s. I have only one thing to say about that.
Good on you Ferrett. You are the paragon of dedication.
cctv, pedantry, stephen fry
In Random Strangeness on February 5, 2009 at 10:21 pm
Stephen Fry delivers a long deserved slap down to pedants everywhere in the latest episode of his podcast series. My favourite moment is when Fry compares pedantry to sins like sloth and gluttony; a natural human response but one to be roundly discouraged. Also listen out for Fry’s cal for a new term for CCTV. I’ll be very surprised if we aren’t all calling it the SS (Security System) in a mater months. So much more appropriate.
ken scholes, Mary Robinette Kowal, Joe Hill
In Journalism on February 5, 2009 at 3:49 pm
There’s a wealth of talent out there – so who will be the SF and fantasy authors of tomorrow?
The Guardian’s recent quest to catalogue the 1000 Novels Everyone Must Read scoured the vast galaxy of tales told under the banner of “science fiction and fantasy”, and boiled them down to a few dozen of the many invented worlds the genre has to offer. From the fey fantasy of Susanna Clarke to the hard-boiled cyberpunk of William Gibson, from pulp adventure to high literature, the list provides enough great reading to keep most of us happy for half a lifetime at least.
Read more at the Guardian book blog.
100 beautiful words, Alison Flood, Cynosure, Penumbra
In The Fiction Front on February 4, 2009 at 1:17 am
Alison Flood toys cat-like with the 100 most beautiful words over at the Guardian book blog. Now I’m more of a storyteller than a wordsmith, and once appalled a friend by saying that words for me were just a means to end, but even I can see the pleasure in these words. Looking at the full list I’m torn between cynosure (a focal point of admiration) and penumbra (a half shadow, the edge of a shadow). The latter wins out however, both on the aesthetic level, and on meaning.
Now how about the 100 ugliest words. Thuggery? Spitefulness? Bankruptcy? Hmmm….
Murky Depths #6, Poluto, Reviews, The Fix
In Writing Journal on February 1, 2009 at 7:10 pm
Horizon gets a good review from Michelle Lee over at The Fix, and overall Murky Depths #6 gets a good response. Which reminds me, I’m well behind on my reviewing chores at the moment. Poluto #4 here I come…
“Horizon” by Damien G. Walter is a standout of the issue, a dark science fiction tale of space travel and settling new lands. The worst of human nature can’t be escaped in the far future, like a planet can be. Though whether the worst humanity has to offer is the rebel streak of a man who wakes from his regeneration and defies the procedure, or is in the method of civilizing an alien planet, is a decision left up to individual readers.
Bloody poets, irony, poetic justice
In Random Strangeness on January 31, 2009 at 10:00 am
Anyone who has my opinion on _poets_ will see the irony in my ‘What writer should you be’ test result…
You Should Be A Poet
|
You craft words well, in creative and unexpected ways.
And you have a great talent for evoking beautiful imagery…
Or describing the most intense heartbreak ever.
You’re already naturally a poet, even if you’ve never written a poem.
|
Asimovs, RoF, The death of SFF short fiction
In The Fiction Front on January 30, 2009 at 12:49 am
So, 2009 is not shaping up to be a good year for writers or fans of SF/F short fiction. Fantasy & Science Fiction magazine are reducing production to six double (as opposed to twelve single) issues a year, Years Best Fantasy & Horror is closing, Years Best Fantasy is going online, and most shocking of all Realms of Fantasy has announced that April 2009 will be the last issue. Read the rest of this entry »
The Fall of Western Civilisation
In Random Strangeness on January 26, 2009 at 11:22 pm
Have we really made a film called ‘He’s just not that into you.’ Really?
I’m so disappointed in humankind at this moment.
100 Best Books, The Next Generation
In The Fiction Front on January 25, 2009 at 2:11 am
The Guardian have gone list crazy this week, attacking with gusto the 1000 best novels we all should read before we die, including a section dedicated to science fiction and fantasy. Its a great list, with some wonderful reads, and looks at genre fiction in the broadest sense including both staight-up genre works and more literary classics.
Now here is a question…as most of the featured titles are at least a few decades old, what are the titles and authors published in the last few years (lets say five) that you think might make the list when it comes around again in another twenty years or so? I have a few names in mind, I wonder if anyone can guess them?
unlimited dessert trolley london
In About This Blog on January 21, 2009 at 2:40 pm
All blog owners are aware of the strange (and occaisionaly dirty) search terms people have used to find them. Well today I’ve had my all time favourite….(cue the drumroll)….and Damien’s favourite ever search term is…
unlimited dessert trolley london
Yes, I’ve checked on Google and for some bizarre reason this blog is the 20th result for unlimited dessert trolley london. Wonders will never cease.
I like this because I can sense an entire story behind those four words. Who might be seeking unlimited dessert in London? Why do they need as mauch cake as they can eat? Is it simple gluttony, or some absurd life and death predicament? If the Googler in question happens to pop by again, I’d love to know more. Otherwise imagined suggestions in the comments below please.
Errata, Jeff Vandermeer, Tor.com
In The Fiction Front on January 18, 2009 at 7:48 pm
Dear friends,
It is with perhaps a modicum of trepidation that I recommend to you the fittingly titled Errata, the latest work of penmanship from Mr. Jeff Vendermeer, published this day at the web journal of Tor.com. I should not have to tell regular readers that despite my interest in the fantastic, I am not in the habit of giving way to common superstition. Hence, while I have often found myself entertained, fascinated and on more than one occaision deeply moved by the meta-fictional cavortings of Mr Vandermeer, I have not until this day been so genuinely terrified of the consequences such linguistic acrobatics might have upon the world as we know it. Read the rest of this entry »
James Van Pelt, short fiction, The Fix
In The Fiction Front on January 18, 2009 at 3:17 am
James Van Pelt closes his article on short story collections over at The Fix with a call for people to read them. Its a call I would have to second, even knowing that it won’t be heard. Like poetry collections, or photographic monographs, or independent cinema, the short story is a specialised realm that will never have the same exposure as its mainstream cousin, the commercial fiction novel. Read the rest of this entry »
ken scholes, Clarkesworld, lamentation
In The Fiction Front on January 17, 2009 at 12:58 am
One of my favourite stories of last years was Summer in Paris, Light from the Sky by Ken Scholes in Clarkesworld magazine. I loved the stopry so much that I’ve been eagerly awaiting the release of Schole’s first novel, which has recently been released in hardback in the States. We may have to wait sometime for a British edition so I don’t know when I will get to review the full thing (hint hint any editors from Tor who might read this…send me an ARC!!) but there is a tasty extract over on Bookspotcentral. Go have a read. I have a feeling Scholes will be someone to watch for anyone who likes great storytelling.
Ricardo Montalban, Star Trek II
In Random Strangeness on January 15, 2009 at 12:14 pm
Ricardo Montalban, who played Khan Noonian Singh in Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan passed away today. The Wrath of Khan has for many years been my absolute favourite film of all time. From the opening sequence of the Kobayashi Maru, through the mind control ear wigs to William’s Shatners greatest moment screaming ‘KHAN!!!’ in the genesis caves, WoK is simply the greatest pulp adventure movie ever made. But there is more. The moment in thclimatic battle between the Enterprise and the hi-jacked Reliant when Spock hacks the opposing ships sytems and lowers her shields is a moment of cinematic brilliance. And I’m not ashamed to say I’ve cried multiple times over the death of Spock in the radiation chamber.
Mr Montalban. You will be missed.
Lou Anders, Mark Chadbourn, The New Fantasy
In The Fiction Front on January 14, 2009 at 12:59 am
Lou Anders of Pyr talks about the New Fantasy over at the Agony Column podcast. Anders cites Tom Lloyd, Joe Abercromie and Mark Chadbourn among others as. Is this post 9/11 fantasy? Are the values of sword and sorcery penetrating high fantasy? Is this a new debate, or is there always a new fantasy? Certainly the likes of Eddings, Brooks and Feist are starting to look dated. But truthfully, do people want ‘realistic, gritty’ fantasy? Its interesting that most of these writers are British. Is the sceptered isle about to wreak the same revolution on epic fantasy in the 00’s that it did on space opera in the 80’s? Maybe. Maybe.
Im Abendrot, Joseph von Eichendorff, Richard Strauss
In Writing Journal on January 13, 2009 at 1:27 am
UPDATE: A new translation sent to me by Richard Gardner
I’m collecting translations of the poem ‘Im Abendrot’ by Joseph von Eichendorff, which was the basis of the final work by Richard Strauss of the same title. I’m particularly interested in the second line of the last verse, most often translated as ‘So deep at sunset’ and other possible translations. All suggestions welcome.
Evening
We have gone through sorrow and joy
hand in hand;
from wandering we now rest
on the silent land.
Around us, the valleys bow;
the air is growing darker;
two larks soar still
with reverie into the fragrant air.
Come close to me and let them fly about;
soon it will be time to sleep;
let us not lose our way
in this solitude.
O vast, tranquil peace!
so deep at sunset.
How weary we are of wandering -
Is this perhaps death? Read the rest of this entry »
Gene Wolfe, John Klima, The Solar Cycle
In Infinite Book Pile, The Fiction Front on January 11, 2009 at 5:53 pm
Need more intellectual roughage in your post Christamas cultural diet? Well John Klima may just have the answer.
Not satisfied with reading an entre 53 books last year, Mr Klima has set himself the task of reading all 12 books of The Solar Cycle by Gene Wolfe. And you can join him in his endeavour over at the Gene Wolfe book club. In Klima’s words, ‘These books are dense and complicated and full of mysteries and things to discover’, exactly what I need in this new year.
I’ve been fascinated by Wolfe as one of a group of writers who have colonised the Dying Earth genre, following in the footsteps of the legendary Jack Vance. I attempted to tackle The Book of the New Sun by Wolfe about two years ago. I found it tough going but images from it have lingered in my imagination ever since. Quite coincidentaly I picked it up again last night, determined to finally conquer the tome! And now here comes the perfect opportunity. I’m heading to the club to sign up now.
Hard Fantasy, Jane Lindskold, Tor.com
In The Fiction Front on January 8, 2009 at 1:33 am
Jane Lindskold talks about her penchant for Hard Fantasy over at Tor.com. Even with the slightly sleazy connotations, I like the term. I’m not sure I agree with Jane’s shot at defibing it however, which sounds a bot too much like obessesive world building for my liking. For me, the hard bit about about writing fantasy is creating chracters that are real people caught up with fantastic events. Fantasy that does that is rare, but truly wonderful.
Ian R McLeod, Jay Lake, steampunk, Ted Chiang
In Journalism on January 7, 2009 at 1:26 pm
Forget spaceships and laser guns – steampunk says it’s the Industrial Revolution that shows us what we’ve got to look forward to. Dress code: polished brass.
While fans of speculative fiction are not known for their adherence to high fashion, the genre produces no end of trends to follow. In recent years paranormal romance has put vampires back on the catwalk, posthumanism has been inspiring the look of science fiction for some time and the New Weird is still the new black in fantasy. But of all speculative fiction’s sub-genres, steampunk is proving to be among the most popular and influential.
Read more on the Guardian book blog.
Gardner Dozois, IO9, Years Best Science Fiction 26
In The Fiction Front on January 7, 2009 at 1:05 am
Gardner Dozois has announced the table of contents for The Year’s Best Science Fiction, twenty sixth annual collection over at the Asimov’s forum. As IO9 observes, there are a very large number of original anthologies represented in the TOC. Are the digests dead? Did they fall or where they pushed? Interzone, Postscripts and Solaris hold up the British end of things, congrats deserved all around there. But a disappointing lack of material from the online ‘zines, with only one story from Clarkesworld, leaving Strange Horizons as the most notable abscence. Perhaps the ‘zines prefence for more literary and / or genre bending stories have put them out of the running. Read the rest of this entry »
Farah Mendelsohn, Jeffrey Ford, Paolo Bacigalupi, Strange Horizons
In The Fiction Front on January 5, 2009 at 11:44 am
Strange Horizons have invited their reviewers to round-up the best speculative fiction of 2008 and the results are profoundly interesting. Gwyneth Jones regrets the ever growing polarisation of the genre (agreed), whilst Jonathan McCalmont suggests the British SF boom may be turning to bust (case not proved) and Nader Elhefnawy continues to claim science fiction has seen its best days (profoundly untrue).
Short story collections from Paolo Bacigalupi and Jeffrey Ford are now high on my must buy list, as is Sarah Hall’s The Carhullan Army. I’m also tempted by Farah Mendelsohn’s ‘The Rhetorics of Fantasy’, I have a taste for some critical debate. So if anyone feels the need to buy me a post x-mas present, there is your list!
cat, dog, pet stakes
In My Real Life on January 4, 2009 at 5:00 am
I’ve always thought of myself as more of cat than a dog person. My understanding is that dogs are a major commitment akin to raising a child, whereas cats are independent creatures that look after themselves as long as you provide them the occaisional tin of food (opened, I assume). But my recent interactions with canine kind have lead me to believe that dogs, as often stated, may indeed have more personality than cats. In the potential pet stakes its a moot point, as my current lodgiings aren’t suitable for anything more adventurous than a hamster, or perhaps a guinea pig. But f I can find more suitable accomodation, the question now is which to go for, dog or cat? Hmmm…
award, David Gemmell, epic and heroic fantasy, shortlist
In The Fiction Front on January 3, 2009 at 1:28 pm
David Gemmell was one of my favourite writers as a teenager. His high octane fantasy novels such as Legend and A Wolf in Shadow really rocked my world. In memory of his fantastic stories the David Gemmell Legend Award has been established to celebrate the best in fantasy writing (with a focus on epic and heroic fantasy to judge by the shortlist ((the very long shortlist)) )
I haven’t picked my favourite yet, but reading through the list I’m realising just how little recent epic fantasy I have read. This needs to be remedied…I feel a visit to the bookshop coming on! Any suggestions for where I should start appreciated.
Clarion, Fictionwise, HBO, Stanza, Weird Tales
In The Fiction Front, Writing Journal on January 2, 2009 at 1:57 pm
With the new year upon us, I thought I would give all you lucky people a glimpse inside my head, or at least the parts of it that like things, and post a run down of all that was good about 2008 from my perspective. I don’t claim to be at the cutting edge of the cultural wave, but who knows, you might find one or two new and enjoyable wastes of time below.
Read the rest of this entry »
