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Whether you're in the mood for a creative challenge or you're short on time or attention span, this semi-addictive community is perfect for those who find flash fiction way long. Once you get the hang of it, you won't be able to stop. The prince turned into a frog. The girl ran home to mother. Tough to write. Easy to read. It's a double threesome of fun.

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Delicious, ambitious, and occasionally nutritious dishes make for an eclectic, all-you-can-eat feast. Whether you're searching for recipes for your next dinner party or you're jonesing for a late-night brownie fix, your cravings are sure to be well sated. A warm and inclusive community that welcomes all orientations, from carnivores to vegans, from gourmands to junk-food junkies. Guaranteed bias-free, food-positive, and pan-epicurian.

A socially supercharged weekend meant that my writing binge was limited to 1900 words (still great for fri-sat-sun) onto Siege.  I'm not really sure what I'll be writing this week.  On one hand, I'd love to finish the first draft of the novel and get it out to beta readers, but on the other, there are a couple of anthos that I'd love to write something for, and they are the "until filled" kind, so I need to get moving!

I also need to research a good potential home for a Sci-Fi reprint collection that (because of rights reversions) could be released in October 2010.  There are two important things to consider here.  The first is that books take quite a while to get done if they are done right, so a year's lead time seems about right for a pitch to a small press (a year at the very least).  The second thing is that not every publisher wants to look at collections, so it will take a while to narrow it down to 2 / 3 to send the pitch to (suggestions, of course, are always welcome).

The Sprog turns six months on Friday. Which means he'll be starting solids.

To cake or not to cake, that is the question. Not for him, for us.

We went in Williams Sonoma over the weekend on a mission for baby food prep stuff and on a whim I picked up a new tin of tea, Harney & Sons "Paris" blend.

I've never been big on flavored tea. I like a haymaker of a tea taste, otherwise I'd be drinking chocolate or Italian soda or whatever if I wanted X flavor. I tend to load up on lemon and sugar anyway so I need something hearty to take the abuse. But this one was a very pleasant surprise. The tea is still there, though gentle. They've used a black that's very smooth and round in the mouth (maybe a Ceylon?). Strongest note is vanilla with some fruit from the Bergamot, but more subtle and less oily than an Earl Grey. The box said citrus but I wasn't tasting it, then again my taste buds are parboiled, wine-marinated, garlic-fried, over-spiced, and occasionally smoked.

This would be a great tea for people who don't like bitter teas or a delightful surprise for your friend who always sticks with a nice safe Lipton (I'm not knocking Lipton, mind, they make a superb tea and I ask for it in restaurants when I'm not sure of the other brands they have). When my tin of sachets runs out I'll be buying it in bulk.

I miss the days of Dennis Green's post-game microphone meltdowns.

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• 16:16 is enjoying this review of Cinema Spec at the Abyss & Apex blog. Each flash and poem gets a separate evaluation: tiny.cc/vc #

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The topic? The importance of failure.

Well worth a watch.

Despite concentrating on the golden age of science fiction, I'd never read Bradbyury's The Illustrated Man.  Why?  Well, there are a couple of reasons.  The first is that Bradbury always seemed to be a little off, a bit of a lyricist, more concerned with beautiful language than beautiful concepts (there's no need to tell me I'm wrong.  I know I'm wrong, that's why it's a prejudice!).  The second reason has to do with the book itself - I'd always thought it was urban fantasy.

Both preconceptions were proven wrong when I read the book.  The Illustrated Man is a collection of science fiction stories, extremely pulp-era in feel (as they should be - they're from 1948-1950). There are some fantastic elements, and some magical ones, but even they are set in SF settings.  There was one story I'd read before (a good one): "The Fire Balloons".  

As for the reading experience, the most jarring element is the fact that both Venus and Mars are generally considered to be habitable, with breathable air.  You have to be able to ignore this in order to enjoy the book.  On the other hand, these stories are not about the science, but about people in extreme situation, and most of them hit you right between the eyes (Bradbury isn't allergic to the occasional low blow or cliché, but always elegantly written).  All in all, an effective and enjoyable voyage back into the pulp era, with one in particular, "The Concrete Mixer", being absolutely, gloriously funny and brilliant!

As for the framework offered by the Illustrated Man himself, I felt it added little to the book.  I might have enjoyed it more, and read it earlier, if it had been presented as a collection of SF shorts.


With regards to my own writing, 300 words into Siege means I no longer stare at a blank page when I look at chapter 24.

Started my "Writing the Genre Novel" class at the Off-Campus Writer's Workshop up in Winnetka. They have a great group up there in John Hughes country, though it looks like they draw from all over Chicago. Close to 40 people attended.

I'm a bit sore-throated and shagged at the moment. I'm not used to talking for two hours (and those of you who know me know that while I don't mind doing presentations, it's not my comfort zone). I'll be doing this two more Thursdays but I'm looking forward to it. From what I've seen of the group's prose so far, they have some talented writers. They're also a friendly bunch. Next one will be easier.

That's always the way it is with me and teaching. The first couple classes are rough going, then once I get to know the students I'm a lot more comfortable.

The empire strikes back

In recent weeks, we've taken huge steps towards blocking spam accounts on LiveJournal. In fact, we've suspended as many as 30,000 accounts in a single day! We've implemented several pre-emptive measures to prevent the creation of spam accounts, and we've honed our detection of suspicious content. Spam bots are a crafty lot, so we'll continue to refine our tactics and keep up the good fight to keep you safe from spam attacks on LiveJournal.

RSS feeds again

If you're addicted to xkcd_rss, icanhaschzbrgr, or other syndicated feeds, we're pleased to report that we've resolved the update error that was mucking up your RSS feeds. While content was being pulled correctly, it wasn't being posted to the feeds themselves. Late last week, we finally nailed down what we hope was the root problem, so content should post properly. We thank you for your patience.

Wii have killer CSI Deadly Intent contests!

c_s_i

If you're a gamer who loves CSI, have Wii got news for you! c_s_i is sponsoring killer contests. Simply post a question to a member of the CSI crew. The winner will get a free copy of CSI: Deadly Intent for Nintendo Wii (with a retail value of $39.99) and get their question answered by a member of the CSI writing team! There's also a fantastic monthly contest. To enter, join c_s_i, play the online version of CSI: Deadly Intent, and respond to a two-part query for a chance to win a Wii! Entries will be judged on composition and originality. Sorry, but you must be a U.S. resident and over 18 years old to participate. Check out the rules here.

Enveloped in postcards

Last week, we asked you to send in postcards to help us decorate our drab concrete walls. Here's a photo of the results so far! Thank you so much and please keep them coming! You can mail them to Frank the Goat, Esq., c/o LiveJournal, Inc., 539 Bryant Street, Suite 210, San Francisco, CA 94107. Be sure to include your username, since we'll be giving ten random users paid account credits.

Photos of the week

If you haven't visited our new LiveJournal photo community, you're in for an amazing visual trip. LiveJournal users from around the world will take you on a scenic journey to everywhere. Post your own pictures or kick back and enjoy at lj_photophile. You can view some of this week's awesome photos after the jump. Please start tagging with geographic location, since we'd like to track all the places around the world represented in this community. Keep on commenting too!
( Read more... )

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• 12:25 is considering taking a machete to the workload that built up while he was in San Jose... Then again, that might just dull the blade. #
• 12:30 is frowning at Maine. #

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I'm nearing the end of Siege.  Last night's 1200 words got me to the end of the 23rd chapter, and to nearly 90K overall.  This makes me a happy camper (although the wisdom of finishing a novel in November, when everyone else in the world is also writing novels is questionable).  Just about 10K left - that's a longish short story!

In other news, for those curious to see the complete list of Anthology Builder competition finalists, here's the list!  Congrats to all, and I'm looking forward to crossing swords with you in the definitive round.  May the best story win!

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• 15:42 is enjoying the review of the Malpractice anthology at The Book Smugglers, which includes kind words about my story. tiny.cc/kHefM #
• 17:15 is pondering the magic of baking... #
• 09:39 ponders the wonderful advice in Jeff VanderMeer's Booklife. A great resource for any creative person. tiny.cc/QnMLo #
• 09:41 is running strong on caffeinated beverages this morning.., #

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Finished rereading The Forever War, by Joe Haldeman last night.  I had read and reviewed this one fairly recently, so I won't do so again here.  But I will say that this is a book that improves with a second reading, as it's much deeper in symbolism than it appears at first sight (and it appears very symbolic at first sight).  There are wheels within wheels and criticisms of modern western society that are still valid (possibly moreso) thirty years after the fact.  If you haven't read this one, you need to.

I'm glad I went through it again.  The Easton Press edition that prompted the reread was a beautiful book that gives the novel a certain gravitas - which is well suited to it.  I just wish that Easton would get its act together on the shipping side of things.  They seem to have enormous trouble getting my books to me while people like Amazon have never missed a shipment.  This is getting serious enough that I may have to cancel my subscription.

In other news, Siege advances with another 1300 words last night, while a short fantasy piece got about 150.

I keep meaning to get back here more often, and it keeps not happening. But I do have good news.

One: I am extremely pleased to announce that the talented Charles Saunders, creator of Imaro and Dossouye, will be dropping by to guest blog at the Black Gate web site from time to time, and he's just posted his first entry. Charles is one of the greatest living sword-and-sorcery writers we have, and I'm thrilled he's on board. Drop by the site and see his first post, then make sure you go find his fiction!

Two: John O'Neill has recently posted a preview of issue 14's cover, and is through laying out the fiction. We just have to wrap up the review sections. The finished issue should be available come Christmas time, and it will be extra bonus size, and not merely by a page or two.

Three: Now that I have a copy of the contract, I no longer feel like I'm jinxing anything by revealing that I have a two book hardback deal with Thomas Dunne, a St. Martin's imprint, for my Dabir and Asim historical fantasy/sword & sorcery novel(s). It's a good feeling. I had planned on keeping everyone abreast of the whole submitting process once I sent the thing off, but it didn't seem right talking about any of it until things were finalized. If anyone's curious about what it's like suddenly going from "outside" to "inside," I can post on that later.

Warm Regards, 

Howard Andrew Jones

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• 15:42 is enjoying the review of the Malpractice anthology at The Book Smugglers, which includes kind words about my story. tiny.cc/kHefM #

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I received word this morning that I am a finalist in the Match That Artwork Contest over at Anthology Builder.  For obvious reasons (in case the judging is anonymous), I won't mention the name of my story or say what it was about, but I'm very happy to be there, and the list of judges is simply amazing.

The reason I entered this one is that I believe that the business model in which you create your own anthologies with only the stories you select and they send you a printed copy of the book is a brilliant combination of what consumers want: flexibility and printed books.  For the first time since Henry Ford's production lines, technology is making it possible to get customized products at a comparable cost to mass-produced items, and the companies that take advantage of this in an intelligent way are likely to become the standard bearers in the 21st century.

The publishing world is in the middle of a great change.  Identifying which technologies are worth attacking and which aren't is going to be very important in the next few years.  Writers actually ahve it easy.  The oonly thing that keeps us from exploring new media is the quantity (and quality, of course) of our output - we don't have to take financial risks.

So what do you think the publishing world will look like in five - ten year's time?




Wordcount check:  450 into Sioege, 240 into a new fantasy story, and I also worte a review for SF Reader.

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