Chris Butler

Winemaking

2009-11-09T21:25:29Z

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.

Milford 2009

2009-11-04T21:20:25Z

Milford 2009
Originally uploaded by Chris DB

Made new friends. Had a blast. Milford 2009 was fantastic.

GUD Halloween

2009-11-03T08:32:37Z

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.

Today's fox

2009-09-26T10:55:29Z

fox20090926
Originally uploaded by Chris DB

Interzone 224

2009-09-14T21:02:16Z

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.

Holiday

2009-09-07T13:16:46Z

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.

Interzone #224

2009-08-27T15:42:59Z

It doesn't get much cooler than this:

See here for a larger version on the TTA forums.

Writing

2009-08-22T13:51:53Z

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

The Poison Garden

2009-08-18T15:40:57Z

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

Wedding

2009-08-16T19:37:00Z

Ian and Louise got married. Aaahhhh.

I Am The Future

2009-07-14T07:24:08Z

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.

It's so hot I just have to chill

2009-06-29T19:51:45Z

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

Living With Ghosts

2009-06-28T18:06:40Z

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.

Year's Best Science Fiction

2009-06-27T08:51:17Z

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.

Audio fiction

2009-06-15T21:57:22Z

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

Focus

2009-05-25T11:32:47Z

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.

Sale to Interzone

2009-05-21T16:33:17Z

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.

Kate Bush

2009-04-25T09:55:46Z

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

Semiprozine

2009-04-23T07:07:40Z

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.

Since everyone's doing it

2009-04-16T21:35:23Z

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.

Battlestar Galactica

2009-04-07T21:17:00Z

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.

Any Time Now

2009-04-02T21:43:16Z

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.

Speechless

2009-04-02T11:49:23Z

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.

BSFA Awards

2009-04-01T07:34:16Z

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.

Homeward Bound

2009-03-25T20:40:10Z

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.