chrisbutler

The web is alive with writers doing the Nebula Awards self-promotion thing. I empathize and will quietly cough the words Interzone, Fictionwise and eligible.

But really it is a waste of time because the Nebula eligibility rules are bizarre and designed to exclude writers outside the US. I can't see much defence for this, especially when the SFWA is more than happy to take membership fees from outside the US.

Was kept awake half the night by stormy weather outside. Not impressed.

On Saturday I finally got around to collecting this year's grapes off the vine in the garden (one of the benefits of living on the south coast). I usually pick them around the middle of October, but for various reasons that was impossible this year. The collecting is simple enough but the mashing them up is a tedious process. Anyhoo, they're in a bucket now and bubbling away merrily. Hopefully it will all be worth it in a couple of years time.

Last chance today (I think) to go get a free pdf of a selection of stories from past issues of GUD magazine.

Includes the story I co-wrote with Sarah Singleton.

Grab it today while it's free.

Interzone 224 has arrived here and I am reading it now. Well, not right now because I am writing this.

I gather this issue will have greater distribution outside the UK, so keep an eye out for it wherever you may be.

On Saturday I returned from a week's holiday in Devon, based on the edge of Dartmoor. Highlight of the week was a walk round the lovely Lydford Gorge. Yesterday for a complete change of pace I went up to London to see Beth Orton in concert. Great to see her in a small venue, near Piccadilly Circus.

It doesn't get much cooler than this:



See here for a larger version on the TTA forums.

Today I am mostly writing. Verrry slooowwwly. Cos you don't want to rush these things.

Recently read Sarah Singleton's latest. Another triumph, I enthusiastically recommend it to you, along with all her other books.

From page 1 of Interzone 223, just arrived. It's a small thing but it makes me happy!

223 is the Dominic Green special issue, which should be a walk on the wild side. And with all this good stuff coming up it's got to be a good time to subscribe.

Spent a relaxing couple of hours lounging out in the garden, reading the Dozois "Summation" and then eating. All evenings should be this pleasant.

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.

I had a listen to Knowledge by Grace Dugan. Enjoyed it very much.

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.

Am looking forward to seeing Kate Bush's 1979 TV show, which is being shown on BBC4 tonight.