Look! It has my name on it. […]
In which I discuss my career to date
This is my second year of eligibility for the John W. Campbell Award for Best New Writer (awarded to writers who are in the first two years of their careers, dating from their first professional sale). I am fairly unlikely to be nominated, since my career to date has been somewhat sparse. I can, however, hope that eligibility in itself will drive a few more people to read the work of mine that is available online, and maybe remember my name next time they see it (likely in Strange Horizons in spring). I can also goggle at some of the other people who are eligible this year. Rachel Manija Brown, who wrote the wonderful memoir All the Fishes Come Home to Roost. Nicole Kornher-Stace, whose story “The Raccoon’s Daughter” came out a week before mine in Fantasy Magazine and completely overshadowed it, in the best possible way. Amal El-Mohtar, who gave a very lovely and memorable poetry reading while standing on someone’s hotel-room bed at Readercon. Also, my fellow Viable Paradise students. From my year, Tiffani Angus and Christian Klaver. From other years, George Galuschak, Ferrett Steinmetz, and possibly other people I haven’t happened across yet. Obviously the workshop has […]
In which I am expensive and pretentious
…according to my boss, who saw me eating sushi for lunch again. I asked him what on earth one was supposed to eat for lunch–ham and cheese? (Most likely with my eyebrow raised.) And thus, another delightful epithet to add to my little collection (which, in case it is not obvious, consists of insults that actually bolster my self-opinion). How did I ever last in the wild? I have nothing at all to report from the front. I am vacationing someplace far behind the lines right now. No writing is required until my (figurative) stitches come out, and so I am lounging around my clean house, julienning vegetables and watching Queer as Folk. (When I am not working at my actual job, of course, which does not give extra vac days to recover from the brain-fever of novel-completion.) For Olinka: the Final Chapter Playlist. I thought about annotating these a bit, since some of them are there for abstruse creative reasons; then I decided instead just to let you wonder. “Go Into the Water” – Dethklok“The Gem” – Priestess“Pharaoh” – Richard Thompson“Real Thing” – Cypress Hill and Pearl Jam“Kryptonite” – Three Doors Down“Sing a Little Hymn” – Two Hours Traffic“Tonight, […]
My new favourite thing…
…apart from writing, of course… is answering questions about my work. Also: if I can make myself work ten more days like yesterday, I shall be finished the Not-a-Werewolf book right on time. […]
it’s alive!
My website is up. My thanks to the lovely & talented Kristin Craig Lai: may your future be rich with delicious tea! […]
In which everything’s coming up Humphrey
…although I do wish I had a more euphonious surname. I think it’s already too late to give myself one, however; it was too late the moment I signed my first contract. My website is ready, and will go live as soon as my webmaster has a free moment (currently, he is doing double duty as saladmaster, soon to be followed by workoutmaster). My web designer is a marvel of creativity and patience, and deserves some really nice tea. I continue to be amazed and humbled by the kindness, professionalism and enthusiasm shown by the people in my communities: the SF community, the bookselling community in general, and the community of my friends. My life makes me so excited sometimes that all I can think of doing is running around, picking up heavy things, or hauling myself up walls. […]
Appropriate responses to criticism
I love John Scalzi. I think I love him more as a blogger than as a novelist. (I like his novels but I’m not sure I love them. In fact, his Old Man’s War is one of the books that spurred my earlier pondering about characters who are too lucky.) Why do I love Scalzi? Partly because I know he won’t mind if I don’t. As a writer not yet significantly published, and also as a narcissist craving attention, I am quite looking forward to having reviews, and I hereby pledge to post them, no matter what they say. (Unless there are too many to post, in which case, I will proceed to party like a rock star.) […]