New Statement on the Hugo Data from Sasquan

Cathy Mullican sends this new reply to my demand that Sasquan follow the non-binding resolution passed at this year's business meeting and release the Hugo Award nominating data. The nominating and voting statistics are available from http://www.thehugoawards.org/content/pdf/2015HugoStatistics.pdf -- this is the data that has been released by every Worldcon since…
September 10, 2015
Review: Hard Magic by Larry Correia

Review: Hard Magic by Larry Correia

A friend was recently asked which novel is the best introduction to Larry Correia's work. She recommended Hard Magic: Grimnoir Chronicles Book I, and I was reminded that, although I've read and enjoy the book, I haven't reviewed it yet. This post is meant to correct that oversight. NB: I'll do my…
September 9, 20152 Comments
Hugo Committee Reneges on Resolution to Release Data

Hugo Committee Reneges on Resolution to Release Data

In a move that's par for the course in this drama-fraught Hugo Awards season, the Sasquan committee has announced their intention not to follow through on a non-binding resolution to release anonymized data pertaining to the 2015 award nominations. Back at Sasquan, the BM passed a non-binding resolution to request…
September 8, 2015
Geek Gab Returns

Geek Gab Returns

Huzzah! Geek Gab returns. I wasn't able to make it due to a scheduling conflict, but Daddy Warpig and Dorrinal capably hold their own. Listen to their discussion of BBC's Sherlock and the 2015 Hugo Awards controversy here.
September 6, 2015
Amazon Stumbles Over Parody Book

Amazon Stumbles Over Parody Book

Regular visitors to this blog will have noticed my generally favorable disposition toward Amazon. I consider it a public service to refute the deceptive zombie memes spread by Amazon's less scrupulous detractors. These actions are rooted in my commitment to support what's best for readers and authors. In most cases…
September 4, 2015
How to Write Romance

How to Write Romance

Didn't expect a guy who likes space battles, gun porn, and horror films to write about romance, did you?  Well, like others in my theological tradition, surprise is among my chief weapons. I recently finished the final draft of the second Soul Cycle book, Souldancer. While Nethereal had some romantic elements, romance is…
September 3, 2015
Hyperion by Dan Simmons

Hyperion by Dan Simmons

My SF education reached an important milestone this week when I finished reading Hyperion by Dan Simmons. Published 25 years ago to great acclaim, including the Hugo Award for Best Novel, Hyperion has had a long enough shelf life to obviate a formal spoiler warning. But this review won't shy away from…
September 2, 2015
Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain – Strength in Weakness

Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain – Strength in Weakness

Today marks the release of the latest installment in Konami's hit tactical espionage series, Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain. Since few games are more renowned for their deep, cinematic story lines than designer Hideo Kojima's Metal Gear titles, I thought I'd celebrate the occasion by examining how MGS5 reaches narrative heights…
September 1, 2015
Farewell Wes Craven: The Death of a Reluctant Horror Icon

Farewell Wes Craven: The Death of a Reluctant Horror Icon

"I think what, really, horror films deal with is vulnerability and inattention," director Wes Craven said in a 1996 interview promoting his meta-horror opus Scream. "They show you the penalty of...not admitting to what's really out there." Craven succumbed to cancer on Sunday in Los Angeles. Having been raised by…
August 31, 20151 Comment
Superversive SF Post-Hugo Livestream

Superversive SF Post-Hugo Livestream

Earlier today I joined Hugo nominees John C. Wright, Arlan Adrews, and Jason Rennie; plus Sad Puppies 4 organizer Kate Paulk, GamerGate morale officer Daddy Warpig, and the usual Superversive SF crew for a post-awards Livestream. Who really won the Hugo Awards? Who made the asterisk, and what does it mean? Did #GG rig the nominations? Will…
August 30, 2015