Fantasy

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This Katamari Feels Fundraisersish

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(That’s probably because you rolled up nothing but interesting crowdsourced projects and fundraisers!) Crowdfunding and fundraising are two awesome things that I think the internet does really well. This week, I’m sharing some things I’ve supported lately. Kaleidoscope: Okay, so yes, I am starting with my own project! Kaleidoscope is an anthology of diverse contemporary YA fantasy stories that I am co-editing with Alisa Krasnostein of Twelfth Planet Press. We’re putting together an awesome collection of stories with teen protagonists by authors such as Ken Liu,

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On Writing: Cold and Dead

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I don’t believe in literary trend tracking. I never have. Largely, the reason why is I’m a contrarian. If hordes of people are headed one direction, I’m very likely to push against the flow — particularly if the flow is overwhelming. More often than not, I’ve found that doing so has been helpful. It keeps me ahead of the game, as it were. I simply don’t trust fads, and I certainly don’t trust mobs. In large groups, people tend to think less of the consequences of what is happening. I want to think. I want to make my own decisions. I’m not interested in doing something just because it’s fashionable. Plus, I’ve been around long enough to know that the moment when everyone is doing it is the moment one should flee the scene. The pattern is as old as humanity. Look up the Dutch Tulip Bubble of 1637 if you don’t believe me. That’s why whenever a newbie writer asks me if they should follow trends, I tell them not to bother. They’re bullshit. Understand that by the time you finish

The Skiffy and Fanty Show Podcasts

170. Nick Mamatas at Worldcon — A Discussion of Sorts

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http://media.blubrry.com/skiffyandfanty/dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/archive.org/download/SandFEpisode170NickMamatasAtWorldcon/SandF%20–%20Episode%20170%20–%20Nick%20Mamatas%20at%20Worldcon.mp3Podcast: Play in new window | DownloadSubscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Android | iHeartRadio | Podchaser | Podcast Index | Email | TuneIn | Deezer | RSSCrowley, interview etiquette, and noir, oh my!  Author Nick Mamatas joins Shaun (at Worldcon) to talk about his upcoming book, Love is the Law, science fiction, noir and crime fiction, the politics of genre, and much more! We hope you enjoy the episode! Note:  If you have iTunes and like this show, please give us a review on our iTunes page, or feel free to email us with your thoughts about the show! Here’s the episode (show notes are below): Episode 170 — Download (MP3) Intro and Discussion (0:00 – 1:16:31) Nick’s Website Love is the Law at Dark Horse Comics Haikasoru You can also support this podcast by signing up for a one month free trial at Audible.  Doing so helps us, gives you a change to try out Audible’s service, and brings joy to everyone. Our new intro music is “Time Flux” by Revolution Void (CC BY 3.0). That’s all, folks!  Thanks for listening.  See you next week.

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Confessions of a Comics Junkie: The Racial Politics of Mutations (or, Mutant Passing)

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One of the reasons I have always preferred Marvel over DC is the fact that it’s world, however absurd at times, at least tries to explore what might happen if a bunch of people with extraordinary powers popped up in our neighborhoods.  In short, humans have a tendency to freak out.  In a weird, unexpected way, the Marvel Universe (Earth 616, not the other versions, which I’m not currently following) is an exploration of evolutionary change, the likes of which we haven’t seen because the last major change in our species “group,” as far as we know, was before written records.  I’m talking about the Neanderthals.[1]  We’ll never know exactly how humans reacted to those funny-looking humanoids, though we’re pretty sure there was some violence, some sex, and probably some group hugging in certain parts of the world.  And in a similar way, we don’t know exactly how humans would react to the rise of mutants; instead, we

Snowy Owl
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This Katamari Feels Halloweenish

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(That’s probably because you rolled up nothing but costumes!) Greetings, fellow costume aficionados! October is here, and that means we have one more excuse to examine many many costumes! Other good excuses are Mardi Gras, DragonCon, Comic-Con, and pretty much any time we can convince large swathes of people to play dress-up. Because, really now, playing dress-up is fun! Halloween can yield awesomeness, but it is also amateur night for costume-wearers. So let’s start with the most depressing stuff and then move up to the most awesome. Yes? Yes!

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Mining the Genre Asteroid: Jirel of Joiry

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Mining the Genre Asteroid is Paul Weimer’s look at the history of the science fiction and fantasy field, bringing to light important, interesting and entertaining books from science fiction and fantasy’s past to you. France during the dark ages. The ruler of a feudal holding stands to protect the people and realm against usurpers and rivals, wizards and witches, dark crossovers from eldritch dimensions and haunted castles. Possessed of indomitable will, a strong emotional core that erupts in violent love and hatred, and not inconsiderable skill with sword and the leading of men into battle,  this feudal lord is the central character of six early sword and sorcery stories. Meet the lady Jirel of Joiry.

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