Hugos 2016: Reactions to the Shortlist

Hugos 2016: Reactions to the Shortlist

Finalists for the 2016 Hugo Awards were released on Tuesday. It's something of an understatement to say that reactions have been mixed. Game of Thrones creator George R.R. Martin sums up the anti-Puppy consensus nicely: Those of us who hoped this year's massive turnout might give us something more palatable than…
May 1, 20168 Comments
The 2016 Hugos: I Accept the Nomination

The 2016 Hugos: I Accept the Nomination

MidAmeriCon II, the 74th World Science Fiction Convention, received over 4,000 nominating ballots for this year's Hugo Awards, nearly doubling last year's record set by Sasquan. The complete list of Hugo finalists can be found here. Congratulations to all of the nominees, especially Andy Weir, Kukuruyo, Jeffro Johnson, Razorfist, Jason Rennie,…
April 26, 201610 Comments
JD Cowan Reviews Nethereal

JD Cowan Reviews Nethereal

From ...And Between the Wasteland and the Sky: Nethereal by Brian Niemeier is a different kind of book. I'm not the most well-read in science fiction, but then, this isn't totally a science fiction book. It's not really fantasy, either. But then, it's also not horror. It's a mixture of…
April 25, 20162 Comments
Nethereal Second Edition

Nethereal Second Edition

Contra my prior announcement that Nethereal Second Ed. would be released on April 30, I'm bowing to popular demand and breaking my own street date. That's right. The second, revised and expanded edition of my unconventional, never predictable, but always fun space opera is available now. Kindle version available now on Amazon…
April 23, 20168 Comments

The Dragon Awards on Geek Gab

On the latest episode of Geek Gab, Daddy Warpig and I discuss Dragon Con's newly announced SFF awards. Will the Dragons mean the end of the Hugos? Will the CHORFs invade and converge Dragon Con? More importantly, is my work eligible? Listen in and find out! Bonus: this week's Geek…
April 16, 2016
Is Galaxy Quest Superversive?

Is Galaxy Quest Superversive?

The crew of the Protector, about to give the Enterprise crew a run for their money--and have more fun while they're at it. Yesterday I revisited the late 90s cult classic Galaxy Quest. Not only is it one of my favorite comedies, it easily stands among my favorite SF films and…
April 11, 201618 Comments
A Defense of Big Publishing?

A Defense of Big Publishing?

Sci Phi Journal editor, 2015 Hugo nominee, and 2016 Hugo contender Jason Rennie raises some valid questions about my previous post on how big NY publishers are killing the traditional publishing industry. Hi Brian,  Just a thought (and a defense that might be offered so hopefully worth considering).  Big 5 publishers make up…
April 3, 2016
How Big Publishing Bias Drives Indie Growth

How Big Publishing Bias Drives Indie Growth

Is widespread political bias in big publishing enforcing a blacklist against openly conservative and libertarian authors? A few years ago, I would have greeted claims of publishers rejecting and blackballing writers based on ideological differences with skepticism. Sure, Manhattan, where all the big publishers congregate, has a pretty left wing…
March 28, 2016
Sad Puppies: The Superversive Mandate

Sad Puppies: The Superversive Mandate

The highly anticipated Sad Puppies 4 recommended reading list has been released. Just in the nick of time for Hugo Award nominations, which close at the end of this month, these works were suggested by SF fans from around the world and across the web. The full list can be…
March 18, 201610 Comments
Report from the 8th Annual Drunken Zombie Film Fest

Report from the 8th Annual Drunken Zombie Film Fest

This past weekend I had the pleasure of once again attending the Drunken Zombie International Film Festival. For the eighth year in a row, our friends at Drunken Zombie assembled a collection of independent horror movies from around the world. How did the 2016 festivities measure up against previous years?…
March 17, 2016