* Overheard in the store:
"They're publishing a 'Classroom Edition' of THE MARTIAN in the fall."
"Of course they are; it's made of Science!"
"Coffee -- because adulting is hard."
* One year ago Ursula K. LeGuin urged people to stop using Amazon. Her reasoning is still sound. http://electricliterature.com/ursula-k-le-guin-i-keep-asking-you-not-to-buy-books-from-amazon/
* Speaking of alternatives to Amazon, we're happy to announce that our neighbor Dog Eared Books has opened up another store on Castro Street! They're having a gala opening party on June 20th from 6 pm - 10 pm with so many wonderful local authors: Armistead Maupin, Rebecca Solnit, Peter Orner, Brontez Purnell, Alejandro Murguía, Katrina Dodson, and Amy Berkowitz, along with their MC, Baruch Porras-Hernandez! Come down to mix 'n' mingle with their staff, drink swanky cocktails, eat fancy hors d'oeuvres, and listen to brief readings! http://www.dogearedbooks.com/castro.html
* Bookriot suggests 100 science fiction and fantasy novels by women that you should read. There are a few surprises on the list, but overall it’s a great selection. Organized, somewhat oddly, (mostly) alphabetical by title. http://bookriot.com/2016/05/02/100-must-read-sci-fi-fantasy-novels-by-female-authors/
* Bids for NASFiC 2017 and bids for WorldCon 2018: since WorldCon 2017 will be held outside the U.S. (in Helsinki), NASFiC will be running in North America. There are currently two bids for it: San Juan, PR (http://www.sanjuan2017.org/) and Valley Forge, PA (http://www.valleyforge2017.org/). (We know which place we'd rather vacation.)
* As for WorldCon 2018, the bids are coming in from New Orleans, LA (http://neworleansin2018.org/wp2018/) and San Jose, CA (http://www.sjin2018.org/). We'd love for it to be local to the Bay Area again, but. . . we also know where we'd rather go for a weekend. Head over to the websites to check out the bids.
* SFWA elections have been finished and winners have been announced. http://www.locusmag.com/News/2016/05/2016-sfwa-election-results/
* Katherine Dunn, the author most well-known for her novel GEEK LOVE, has passed away from complications related to lung cancer. An innovative writer, her voice will be missed. http://www.nytimes.com/2016/05/15/books/katherine-dunn-author-of-geek-love-dies-at-70.html
* Rolling Stone has come up with their list of the 40 Best Science Fiction Shows of all time. It’s a pretty thorough list with some cult classics that usually get ignored making the cut -- like Aeon Flux (the cartoon series, not the horrible movie). http://www.rollingstone.com/tv/lists/40-best-science-fiction-tv-shows-20160526/aeon-flux-1991-20160524
* An interesting article by IGN, on the seven science-fiction technologies that are poised to become science-fact. The tech is pretty "Star Trek" heavy, but when you think of time-frame and the number of years since the first series premiered, it makes sense. http://www.ign.com/articles/2016/05/31/7-ways-science-fiction-is-becoming-science-fact
* For a biological take on technology gone amok, take a look at these six current genetic manipulations that sound like science-fiction but have already happened, or are in process. Making micro-pigs, beagles with twice their normal strength, and cross-species transplants are just the beginning. http://fusion.net/story/305317/genetic-experiments-that-sound-like-science-fiction/
* Fandom darling, and all around amazing guy John Boyega has just made a deal to star in "Pacific Rim 2", which should stir interesting reactions in both fans of the first film and its ardent critics. http://deadline.com/2016/06/john-boyega-pacific-rim-sequel-star-wars-the-force-awakens-1201767756/
* Speaking of the "Star Wars" franchise, at least tangentially, here are some facts to calm down the massive fan panic that erupted when re-shoots were announced for Rogue One. http://sciencefiction.com/2016/06/06/setting-record-straight-rogue-one-reshoots/
* Looking for a vacation idea this summer that tie into your geeky nature? Here are seven suggestions from conventions to museums to theme parks to nature to start you off. http://www.space.com/32883-best-summer-vacations-for-science-fiction-lovers.html
* An inside look at novels and crowdsourcing: "4 Lessons I Learned Crowdsourcing a Science-Fiction Novel" is a surprisingly insightful look into work-sharing and the potential for the internet: http://www.cnet.com/news/4-lessons-i-learned-crowdsourcing-a-science-fiction-novel/
* An interesting take from Robert Kirkman, (creator of "The Walking Dead") on George R.R. Martin revealing his novel storyline to the producers of the television show. http://sciencefiction.com/2016/06/05/robert-kirkman-disappointed-george-r-r-martin/
* Annalee Newitz gives us a list of the 100 best stories from the early 20th century Radium Age of Sci-Fi over at Ars Technica. http://arstechnica.com/the-multiverse/2016/05/recapture-the-glory-of-radium-age-sci-fi-from-a-century-ago-with-these-books/
* A list of a few horror and science fiction film festivals happening around the US; submit a film or just kick back and and enjoy a massive media binge. http://metro.co.uk/2016/05/28/these-horror-and-science-fiction-film-festivals-will-give-you-the-chills-5908512/
* Over at io9, props are given to the thirty-year old film "Space Camp," which we'd barely heard of but seems like it should have some sort of cult status alongside other children/tech films like "The Computer Wore Tennis Shoes" or "Flight of the Navigator". . . we hope it's available at Lost Weekend Video < http://www.lostweekendvideo.com/#/new-page/ >! http://io9.gizmodo.com/30-years-later-the-space-camp-movie-is-still-fantastic-1780460215
* Geek Dad gives us a list of the top 10 mothers in science-fiction & fantasy, covering well-known territory like Martha Kent to more interesting choices like Lady Jessica from Dune: https://geekdad.com/2016/05/10-mothers-science-fiction-fantasy/
* Kotaku Australia has given us a list of awesome new science-fiction comics to check out. Na'amen can personally vouch for "ODY-C" & "Kaptara", both of which are interesting blends of science fiction with fantasy elements. The rest are going on the to-read list immediately. http://www.kotaku.com.au/2016/05/12-new-science-fiction-comics-you-absolutely-need-to-be-reading/
* Rumors about the third "Thor" film, "Thor: Ragnarok", hint at the possibility of Planet Hulk elements. If this is so? We're really excited and a canon Marvel Universe "Hulk" film with Mark Ruffalo can’t be that far behind. http://sciencefiction.com/2016/06/02/thor-ragnarok-rumored-include-planet-hulk-elements/
------------------
Award News
------------------
* The finalists for the 2016 Mythopoeic Awards have been announced! Winners will be announced at MythCon 47 in August. http://www.mythsoc.org/news/2016-mythopoeic-awards-finalists-announced/
* The winner of the 2016 Compton Crook award has been announced as Fran Wilde’s UDRAFT. http://file770.com/?p=29023
* The winners of the 2015 Nebula Awards were just announced in Chicago. http://www.sfwa.org/nebula-awards/
* The winners of the 2015 Bram Stoker Awards were announced by the Horror Writers Association. http://horror.org/2015-bram-stoker-award-winners/
* New Awards Alert:
(1) Eugie Foster, a hugely talented short fiction author, was taken from us too soon and so an award has been set up in her memory. For eligibility requirements and other information head to this website: http://www.eugiefoster.com/eugieaward
(2) It looks like the Chinese government will be setting up their own major science fiction award. http://www.gizmodo.com.au/2016/06/the-chinese-government-is-setting-up-its-own-major-science-fiction-award/
No comments:
Post a Comment