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June 29th, 2009
08:48 pm - It's so hot I just have to chill
Spent a relaxing couple of hours lounging out in the garden, reading the Dozois "Summation" and then eating. All evenings should be this pleasant.
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June 28th, 2009
06:29 pm - Living With Ghosts
Have just finished reading Living with Ghosts by Kari Sperring.
I think it is wonderful, and lost myself in its pages entirely.
It's no ordinary Fantasy novel, so I suppose some might like it more than others. But if you think you might like it, you're almost certainly right.
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June 27th, 2009
09:26 am - Year's Best Science Fiction
The Year's Best Science Fiction has arrived here. I get a positive name-check in editor Gardner Dozois' summation of the year at the beginning of the book (hurrah!) , but sadly this did not translate into a place on the coveted "honourable mentions" list at the back.
Looking through said honourable mentions list I am really pleased to see lots of fine people getting recognition for their writing published in 2008, especially Sarah Singleton, Molly Brown, Vaughan Stanger, Kari Sperring, Stephen Gaskell, Aliette de Bodard, Lavie Tidhar and Jessica Reisman.
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June 15th, 2009
10:52 pm - Audio fiction
I had a listen to Knowledge by Grace Dugan. Enjoyed it very much.
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May 25th, 2009
12:29 pm - Focus
I am trying to ignore the mountain of TV I have queued up to watch. The last Fringe of the series, the last George Gently, an Ashes to Ashes, an intriguing film called Brick. I don't really like to watch TV in daylight hours, so it can all wait.
I am trying to ignore the state of the garden, which seriously needs attention.
I am trying to ignore all the books and magazines I would like to be reading.
Instead I am trying to write. I am revising the novel. Feels like it will never be done. And also writing a synopsis for it, cos at some point I should try to sell the thing.
EDIT: Caved in at about 5pm and went for a walk along the seafront. The sea was very calm and the air humid. A few drops of rain coming down and some thunder, I had a drink sheltering under a parasol. A big black bird was eating crisps nearby.
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May 21st, 2009
05:30 pm - Sale to Interzone
Very happy to report that my story "The Festival of Tethselem" has been accepted by Interzone.
This one had two rounds of critiquing, at Milford 2008 and then by the Montpelier writing group. Much thanks to all those who helped me to knock it into shape.
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April 25th, 2009
10:58 am - Kate Bush
Am looking forward to seeing Kate Bush's 1979 TV show, which is being shown on BBC4 tonight.
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April 23rd, 2009
07:51 am - Semiprozine
I gather there is a resolution up for vote at this year's WorldCon to abolish the "semiprozine" Hugo category. While I don't much like the term "semiprozine" I do think it is important for the publishing industry, and particularly for writers, to have a definition of what a "professional" publisher is and to distinguish between "professional," "semi-professional" and "fanzine".
Problems such as Locus competing against Interzone in the semi-prozine category are serious annoyances, but disposing of the category entirely is surely not the answer.
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April 16th, 2009
10:33 pm - Since everyone's doing it
Me, apparently:
You are The Hermit
Prudence, Caution, Deliberation.
The Hermit points to all things hidden, such as knowledge and inspiration,hidden enemies. The illumination is from within, and retirement from participation in current events.
The Hermit is a card of introspection, analysis and, well, virginity. You do not desire to socialize; the card indicates, instead, a desire for peace and solitude. You prefer to take the time to think, organize, ruminate, take stock. There may be feelings of frustration and discontent but these feelings eventually lead to enlightenment, illumination, clarity.
The Hermit represents a wise, inspirational person, friend, teacher, therapist. This a person who can shine a light on things that were previously mysterious and confusing.
What Tarot Card are You?
Take the Test to Find Out.
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April 7th, 2009
10:11 pm - Battlestar Galactica
Watched the Battlestar Galactica finale. In a way, I didn't really mind what the ending was going to be, as long as they had one! They did, they had a damn good one. I loved every minute of it.
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April 2nd, 2009
10:28 pm - Any Time Now
For a long time, my novel Any Time Now has had five "Reader Ratings" on Fictionwise. Some time recently that number increased to six. The book has received all four possible ratings from "Great" to "Poor". I have my theories about why it should receive such diverse reactions. But perhaps in the end six ratings is just not a big enough number to draw any real conclusions.
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12:35 pm - Speechless
Last night's documentary "Queens of British Pop" on BBC1 started thus:
"In 2009 it seems as if men are running out of things to say..."
In my humble opinion, not the best way to start a programme intended to celebrate the achievements of women.
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April 1st, 2009
08:30 am - BSFA Awards
One of the problems with awards of any type is that the voters often haven't seen all of the nominated works. What value can there be then in the result?
So, top marks to the BSFA for producing a booklet containing this year's BSFA short story shortlist, and distributing it to BSFA members. The four shortlisted stories are all fine in their own way. But for me the best of the bunch is "Exhalation" by Ted Chiang.
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March 25th, 2009
08:19 pm - Homeward Bound
Today is my birthday. This morning I took a walk on the beach. Any day that starts like that is a good day.
Am currently at Orlando airport waiting for my flight home. The 50 mile drive to get here went without a hitch. On the car radio "Sweet Home Alabama" was playing, which always seems to be the case no matter which state you're in.
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12:37 am - Rocket
Got up early this morning to watch a rocket launch from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station. I was maybe ten miles from the launch site. Stumbled down to the beach, just a few yards from my hotel room, and found many others gathered in the darkness. The launch site was brightly lit in the distance. Even brighter when the engines ignited and the rocket lifted into the night. It was already high in the sky before the noise hit, a rumble that shook you even at that distance. I watched it till it disappeared, moving lower in the sky than I expected. Magnificent.
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March 24th, 2009
02:09 am - The 128th Waveform
It's always nice to get a mention in Locus. Gardner Dozois mentions The West Pier Gazette and Other Stories, Quercus One:
'Best thing here is Liz Williams's "Who Pays", a high-tech literalization of Egyptian mythology, but there are also good stories by Geoff Ryman, Lavie Tidhar, Andy W. Robertson, Chris Butler, and others.'
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March 23rd, 2009
02:08 am - Kennedy Space Centre
Today I had a free day in my hectic schedule so I drove out to Kennedy Space Center and did the tour. It's a fascinating place and I have huge admiration for everything achieved there.
I also saw an alligator. Merritt Island is a wonderful wildlife refuge as well as home to the Space Center.
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March 21st, 2009
02:15 am - Dollhouse
I like to watch a TV series from the beginning, in the right order. Makes sense to me.
But I'm currently in the States and couldn't resist watching episode 6 of Dollhouse, having not seen any of the previous episodes. I was treated to a sparkling Joss Whedon script with, amongst other things, a fabulous plot twist that made my jaw drop. He's a clever boy that Whedon.
I'm instantly a fan. Can't wait for it to be shown in the UK.
Current Mood: ![[mood icon]](http://l-stat.livejournal.com/img/mood/opiummmm/foxies/happy.gif) Whedonesque
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March 10th, 2009
09:13 pm - Asimov's Issue 400
Asimov's Science Fiction has reached issue 400. A remarkable achievement by any standards. Congratulations!
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February 19th, 2009
10:48 pm - Lisa Hannigan
Because it's fab:
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