* Overheard in the store:
"They're not weapons, they're tools. They're just sort of . . . weapon-y."
* The San Mateo County Fair is having a number of writing contests, several of them in our genres. The deadline for submissions is April 1st, 2016 and more details can be found here, at the Fair's website contest page: http://sanmateocountyfair.com/pdf/2016/exhibits/literary_arts_16.pdf
* We've finally heard that the amazing Netflix series Jessica Jones has been picked up for a second season. Unfortunately, it may be quite a while until we actually get it. http://www.cinemablend.com/television/Why-Jessica-Jones-Season-2-May-Happen-Any-Time-Soon-101137.html
* We are very sorry to announce that respected and much-beloved editor David Hartwell has passed away after a fall. http://www.locusmag.com/News/2016/01/david-g-hartwell-1941-2016/
* Sadly, horror author A.R. Morlan apparently took her own life last month: http://www.locusmag.com/News/2016/01/a-r-morlan-1958-2016/
* io9.com posts a hilarious guide to defeating the Justice League, based on the cartoon. http://io9.gizmodo.com/a-foolproof-guide-to-beating-the-justice-league-1757183745
* Further from i09.com, author Charlie Jane Anders gives us a triptych of great articles!
First, the disappointing news about "Pride and Prejudice & Zombies" in her lackluster review -- and we had such high hopes! http://io9.gizmodo.com/when-you-netflix-pride-and-prejudice-and-zombies-you-l-1757269942
Second, a great rumination on what it means to be a science fiction writer now: http://io9.gizmodo.com/what-it-means-to-be-a-science-fiction-writer-in-the-ear-1755506670
Third, a listing of 17 of the saddest friendships in science-fiction & fantasy (get your tissues ready!): http://io9.gizmodo.com/17-most-tear-jerking-friendships-from-science-fiction-a-1756433149
* Locus Magazine has come out with their yearly recommended reading list. If you're wondering what you should read next, check out this list, as there's something for everyone! http://www.locusmag.com/News/2016/02/2015-locus-recommended-reading-list/
* The World Fantasy Convention has announced their Guests of Honor for 2016, and they are Larry Dixon, Mercedes Lackey, L.E. Modesitt, Jr. and Randal Spangler. Check out the website for more info: http://worldfantasy2016.org/
* The Daily Show's resident expert John Hodgman has been chosen to be the Toastmaster of this years Nebula Awards! http://www.sfwa.org/nebula-awards/2016-nebula-conference/about-the-toast-master-john-hodgman/
* An unfortunate review of the new "Avengers" mobile app game, "Avengers Academy". With such great art and A-list voice talent, you'd think they could have pulled together something better. http://kotaku.com/marvels-latest-avengers-video-game-is-such-a-shame-1757531547
* The Arizona Science Center is marrying science-fiction, pop culture and technology in an exhibit called POPnology, with a working R2D2, no less! https://cronkitenews.azpbs.org/2016/02/05/arizona-science-center-unveils-popnology-tying-together-technology-and-science-fiction/
* The United States Marine Corps have invited science fiction authors August Cole, Max Brooks, and Charles E. Gannon to come and discuss potential future threats. http://www.marinecorpstimes.com/story/military/2016/01/30/marines-ask-science-fiction-enthusiasts-describe-future-threats/79357404/
* Looking for something to watch, but none of the big science fiction shows have been to your taste? Check out Inverse's list of the 9 best indie science fiction web series. https://www.inverse.com/article/11012-ranking-the-9-best-indie-science-fiction-web-series
* Southern Fried Science spent all of January publishing science fiction meant to show some of the potential problems with our oceans in 2041. All the pieces are online for free, and together they create a fascinating, terrifying world: http://www.southernfriedscience.com/on-spending-a-month-publishing-science-fiction-from-our-ocean-future/
* Designing for the future, using William Gibson and Phillip K. Dick as guides: https://www.bostonglobe.com/ideas/2016/01/31/designing-for-science-fiction-future/ECcSg8DJsxL6cPeVB1knOP/story.html
* Check out a list of over 20 science fiction novels being adapted for the big screen. (Most of them are by Stephen King or Neil Gaiman, and there are only two female authors mentioned, but there are still some interesting films in development.) http://www.outerplaces.com/science-fiction/item/11123-science-fiction-books-being-adapted-into-movies
* The Scholarly Journal of the Museum of Science Fiction has been released, and the articles are complex, interesting and right on time: http://io9.gizmodo.com/the-museum-of-science-fiction-debuts-their-scholarly-jo-1755480848
* Famous dead authors, they're just like other people! H.G. Wells apparently enjoyed a whole lot of casual sex; read all about it: http://www.stuff.co.nz/world/europe/76641057/sciencefiction-writer-hg-wells-enjoyed-casual-sex-and-lots-of-it
* Local author (and new Mystery Writers of America President) Nick Mamatas will be teaching a 6-session Fabulist Fiction writing class for the San Francisco Creative Writing Institute, starting February 20th at We Work Golden Gate (25 Taylor Street, San Francisco). The class will focus on genre fiction, including "Fantasy, Sci-Fi, Mysteries, Young Adult, Magical Realism, Chick Lit & More". The cost is $395. To sign up, please go to http://sfwriting.institute/fabulist-fiction
* Junot Diaz is an author who always has a lot of intelligent things to say. In this summary of his recent speech at Northwestern University, the Pulitzer-Prize-winning science fiction author tackled immigration, science-fiction and white supremacy:
http://peoplesworld.org/author-junot-d-az-talks-immigration-white-supremacy-and-science-fiction/
* The Guardian does their science-fiction new release round-up, and among other strong works, they have great things to say about Borderlands' sponsor Charlie Jane Anders' new novel, All The Birds In The Sky! http://www.theguardian.com/books/2016/jan/15/science-fiction-roundup-eric-brown
* It's interesting that only a few years ago these images would have been called ridiculous, but the more technology progresses, the more all those kitschy conceptions of the future from the 40s, 50s and 60s seem to have some truth in them. Check out eight classic illustrations that presented technologies we have now. https://www.inverse.com/article/10329-8-science-fiction-illustrations-that-now-feel-crazy-prescient
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Award News
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* The Costa Awards celebrate writers based in the UK and Ireland, and all three of its fiction awards this year went to genre and genre-bending books. The full list of winners is here: http://www.costa.co.uk/media/391535/2015awardwinners.pdf
* Bestselling local author Kim Stanley Robinson has been announced as the winner of the prestigious Robert A. Heinlein Award. Congratulations, Stan! http://www.bsfs.org/bsfsheinlein.htm
* The 2016 Phillip K. Dick nominees have been announced. For the complete list of nominees click here: http://www.philipkdickaward.org/
* The 2015 Bram Stoker Awards preliminary ballot has been revealed! http://horror.org/9296-2/
* The American Library Association has announced its 2016 Reading List for genre fiction. Check out both the winners and short list here: http://www.ala.org/news/press-releases/2016/01/readers-advisory-experts-announce-2016-reading-list-year-s-best-genre-fiction
* The Stephen King Short Story Competition has announced its short list: http://stephenkingbooks.co.uk/2016/01/21/announcing-our-short-story-competition-short-list/
* Hugo Award nominations are now open! http://midamericon2.org/the-hugo-awards/hugo-nominations/
* Congratulations to Kai Ashante Wilson, whose Tor.com novella The Sorcerer of The Wildeeps has won the 2016 Crawford Award. Check out the whole short list here: http://www.fantastic-arts.org/2016/2016-crawford-award-announced/
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