*Overheard in the Store:
"If I never hear the phrase 'Cyber Monday' again, it will be way too soon."
"I have body piercings older than most of the cafe employees!"
"Okay, gluten-free, artisanal strippers, then."
*Overheard at Writers With Drinks:
"Our motto for 2018 is going to be 'Aftercare, Hydration, and Lots of Cuddles!'"
"I don't know which version of the Bible you prefer-- I like the Queen James version."
* We're sorry to hear of the death of wonderful author Julian May, who wrote well over 200 books. She's best known among SF/F fans for her two series "Saga of the Plioscene Era" and "Galatic Milieu", as well as co-writing the first Trillium novel with authors Marion Zimmer Bradley and Andre Norton. https://chicago.suntimes.com/entertainment/julian-may-who-weaved-worlds-in-sci-fi-fantasy-novels-dead-at-86/
* This article about the idea of robot rights is great. There's no real conclusion, but there is a lot of food for thought about human rights and the potential abuse of created beings. https://daily.jstor.org/do-we-have-moral-obligations-to-robots/
* Over at The Verge, Devon Maloney uses the new "Star Trek" series as a window to explore the troubling trend of visual science fiction not straying too far from the near future and/or recycled plots. The article explores the variety of reasons this might be the case. https://www.theverge.com/2017/11/6/16604190/star-trek-discovery-science-fiction-stories-afraid-of-the-future
* In related news: the Reboot Apocalypse is near. Den of Geek lists over 100 reboots in the works and at least 90% of them seem completely unnecessary. http://www.denofgeek.com/us/movies/reboots/248590/126-movie-remakes-and-reboots-currently-in-the-works
* The Root has provided a Guide to Fantasy and Science Fiction Made for Black People, by Black People with many excellent short film, book, graphic novel, webseries, and even convention recommendations. http://www.theroot.com/a-guide-to-fantasy-and-science-fiction-made-for-black-p-1820396166
* Hedy Lamarr was a famous Golden Age Hollywood actress whose inventions have affected both warfare and personal technology. http://bust.com/feminism/15055-how-hedy-lamarr-gave-us-the-cell-phone.html
* Enjoy N.K. Jemisin's latest round of reviews about what's new in SF/F! As always she is honest and thoughtful while acknowledging books' triumphs and failures. https://www.nytimes.com/2017/11/03/books/review/seventh-decimate-stephen-donaldson-new-science-fiction.html
* Jo Walton has fully funded a series of intimate science fiction conventions in Montreal called Scintillation. Check out the (now-finished) Kickstarter here: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/2027413000/scintillation
* Floating cities may no longer be science fiction, and from the way the article frames "seasteading", it seems like only a matter of years before warring island nations become science fact too! https://www.nytimes.com/2017/11/13/business/dealbook/seasteading-floating-cities.html
* If you’re jonesing for an AI POV like we are, then here are four books for you to check out: http://beta.latimes.com/books/jacketcopy/la-ca-jc-robot-sci-fi-20171122-story.html
* Listen to creators Drew Hayden Taylor, Minister Faust and Danis Goulet talk about the way African and Native voices are limited in mainstream science fiction, and what they are doing to change that: http://www.cbc.ca/radio/thecurrent/the-current-for-november-14-2017-1.4400378/how-indigenous-and-black-artists-are-using-science-fiction-to-imagine-a-better-future-1.4400425
* GRRM's new space-opera-meets-slasher TV series "Nightflyers" should premiere this July on Syfy. Check out more info here: https://www.elitedaily.com/p/george-rr-martins-nightflyers-wont-be-set-in-westeros-but-youll-still-want-to-watch-6738517
* JY Yang’s Tensorate series is getting praise all over. Here's another glowing review of the series which comprises two novellas from Tor.com so far. https://blackgirlnerds.com/tensorate-series/
* "Shada", the famous Doctor Who story arc that was written by Douglas Adams and partially filmed but never completed is now being released! Because animation! Tom Baker recorded vocals and it's dropping soon! http://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/15694907.How_a_North_East_Dr_Who_fan_helped_to_finish____lost____episode/
* Seven animated cartoon movies for adults. We personally believe that all cartoons are for adults if they want them to be, but these are definitely intended for adults and span 70's surreal film Fantastic Planet to early 2000 anime Paprika to recent release Anomalisa. Check out the whole list here: http://www.sltrib.com/artsliving/movies/2017/11/29/not-just-kiddie-cartoons-7-animated-movies-made-for-adults/
* Bustle has compiled the nine best SF/F books by women in 2017 according to Amazon: https://www.bustle.com/p/the-9-best-sci-fi-fantasy-books-written-by-women-in-2017-according-to-amazon-3255319
*A discussion of N.K. Jemisin's Broken Earth trilogy and the similarities to current weather patterns. https://www.thedailybeast.com/have-we-goaded-mother-earth-into-becoming-an-angry-parent
* Book your tickets now! A virtual reality theme park is opening next month in China and we want to go so badly! https://www.lonelyplanet.com/news/2017/11/06/china-virtual-reality-theme-park/
* Tansy Rayner Roberts on her new novella about a "post-modern millennial bisexual vlogger" saving her mother from a "terrifying extra-dimensional space tyrant". (You can't tell us you're not super-interested right now.) https://www.themarysue.com/girl-reporter-cover/
* Amazon has announced a new "Lord of the Rings" TV Series, which just seems like a terrible idea.
- The Verge wrote a post on why TV studios should stop playing it safe when it comes to fantasy. https://www.theverge.com/2017/11/16/16649934/amazon-studios-fantasy-genre-tv-adaptation
- Entertainment Weekly chimes in with three book series that would make better TV http://ew.com/books/2017/11/13/lord-of-the-rings-three-fantasy-novels-better-tv/
- The Mary Sue also has a list of 8 fantasy novels that would be better ideas. https://www.themarysue.com/8-other-fantasy-series/
* The fantastic cult film "Galaxy Quest" is getting a second life as a TV show: https://www.cinemablend.com/television/1726920/how-the-galaxy-quest-tv-show-will-tie-into-the-movie
* If you’ve already mainlined "Stranger Things" Season 2 and are wondering what to watch now, The Insider has ten suggestions here: http://www.thisisinsider.com/stranger-things-shows-to-watch-next-2017-11
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Award News
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The African Speculative Fiction Society has announced the winners of the 2017 Nommo Awards! Check out the full list, with a video of the awards ceremony here: http://www.africansfs.com/home
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