News

Vlog: More Aftermath from Chengdu Worldcon

More information has come out about the appalling behavior of Dave McCarty and the Chengdu Worldcon committee, with a full report from File 770. I give some thoughts on the new revelations and next courses of action.

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Books

Light from Uncommon Stars: Book Review

There is some discussion as to whether there needs to be a clear dividing line between the genres of Science Fiction & Fantasy, that a work needs to be one or the other. As someone who encountered Shadowrun during my formative years of Middle School (shortly after Dungeons & Dragons), I’ve ultimately become someone who has come to realize that fantasy and science fiction are like chocolate and peanut butter. So, when Light from Uncommon Stars came up as a book pick for the Swords & Laser book club, as I’ve attempted to get caught up on my book reading I decided to put it on my list – even more so when I saw that it was nominated for the 2022 Hugo Award for Best Novel.

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News

The Hugo Rules for Fanzines need to be adjusted

John Scalzi’s latest blog post got me thinking – and this started off as a comment, but became a little too long for a comment, so I started to take it Tumblr… until it became too long for Tumblr, so I’m taking it here.

One of the support levels of my Patreon gets you a print copy of my fanzine. However, as of this writing I haven’t put out a new issue, because… well… I don’t have any cover art. I have the issue written, with the main article being a big piece breaking down the “Nasu-verse”, but before I put it out – I also wanted to get some cover art that reflected the topic – ideally of Saber, and in particular something that showed her as an active co-protagonist as opposed to cheesecake.

Except the artists I’ve contacted have not responded back, and I can’t blame them – because I can’t pay them. Not because I have no money… but because under the rules of the Hugo Awards, to remain classified as a Fanzine, I can’t pay them. Continue reading

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Books, videos

Vlog – Ancillary Justice & The Hollow Crown

This week I’m vlogging on one of this year’s Hugo Award Nominees for Best Novel – Ancillary Justice by Ann Leckie. I’m also putting my brief thoughts in on the BBC miniseries “The Hollow Crown”, which adapts William Shakespeare’s plays Richard II, Henry IV Parts 1 & 2, and Henry V. Continue reading

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