Wil Wheaton on the Apocalypse

Wil Wheaton has an interesting article up at Suicide Girls about post-apocalyptic SF (and zombies). Some discussion spills over onto his blog too.

Since I’m the editor of such a book, I mentioned that it might be something he’d enjoy (and offered to send him an advanced copy when they’re ready). He wrote back right away expressing an interest in seeing it and gave me an address to send it to.

You know, there’s just something surreal about getting an email from someone you’ve seen on television. What’s the most surreal experience you’ve ever had when meeting someone famous?

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Ace/Roc Senior Editor Position Filled

My friend Alyssa Smith, who was up for the open Ace/Roc senior editor position, is reporting that the position has been filled (and not by her):

The job has been filled; I received a message from Susan this afternoon letting me know that they’ve chosen to downgrade the position a bit and promote internally.

Alyssa speculates that the position has been filled by the former assistant, Jessica Wade. Can anyone confirm or deny that?

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A Much-Less Delayed Than Usual Con Report: Readercon ’07

So, back from Readercon. Had a lovely time. Saw lots of old friends. Met lots of new ones. Avoided running into enemies, but possibly made some new ones. Did typical con activities. Some highlights:

  • Attended first Kaffeklatch. Was disappointed that there was no Kaffee.
  • Prior to hosting first Kaffeklatch, dubbed it “Klatch of the Titans,” then retitled it “Klatch of the Titan,” since there was only one of me.
  • Hosted first Kaffeklatch. Infuriated that there was no fucking Kaffee.
  • Took Kaffeeklatch attendees to dinner at Korean BBQ place due to extreme lack of Kaffee and extreme desire for food
  • Discovered Kaffee in Con Suite and Green Room. Felt better.

And here are some non-Kaffee-related highlights:

  • Saw with my own eyes, and touched with my own hand, the fabulous, the spiffy, the astounding Kowal Portable Typewriter and Adding Machine, which I’d previously seen on Mary Robinette Kowal’s blog (and subsequently on Boing-Boing)
  • Chatting with Wastelands‘ publisher Jason Williams
  • Listening to Gary K. Wolfe of Locus discuss the interesting life of Cordwainer Smith
  • Dinner with Sean Wallace and Stephen Segal of Wildside Press/Prime Books at a restaurant with an animatronic moose
  • Having Elizabeth Bear write me a rejection haiku on her autographing name tent, in essence creating for me a 1 of 1 limited edition poetry chapbook
    • The haiku, “Slush Haiku in the Style of JJA,” reads: Thank you for your submission / But I am afraid / Your story “did not grab me.”
  • The phrase (spoken with orgasmic glee): “Oh, Mr. Gernsback!”
  • The Traveler Book Restaurant, where I got not only free books, but also some kick-ass pizza as well
  • Getting a review copy of RADIO FREEFALL by Matt Jarpe hand-delivered
  • Hanging out in the bar with Paolo Bacigalupi and others

No doubt there were many more excellent things that happened, and apologies here if I didn’t drop your name, but it’s getting late and I have to work tomorrow. Can’t be falling asleep when I’m supposed to be reading slush.

Oh, and one other thing: At the con, I also llearned that I can now announce that I’ll be editing an original SF anthology for Prime. More details on that soon!

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Solstice Uncovers Modern Fairies

July 9 —

Multiple-award-winning fantasy author Patricia A. McKillip, whose novel Solstice Wood is a finalist for this year’s Mythopoeic Award, told SCI FI Wire that the book is a modern-day sequel to her novel Winter Rose, whose events occurred in the same small village a couple of centuries before.

More …

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‘House’ Is Post-Human Narrative

July 6 —

SF and fantasy author Benjamin Rosenbaum, whose story “The House Beyond Your Sky” is a finalist for both the Theodore Sturgeon Memorial Award and the Hugo Award, told SCI FI Wire that the story is about Matthias, a post-human entity who is in charge of a house between universes.

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Destination: Readercon

I’m off to Readercon in the morning. I posted my con schedule here, if you’re interested. If you’re at the con and see me walking by, come say hello (even though your instinct might be to run away, or run to your room to arm yourself with weaponry). If you’re not at the con and you see me walking by, run, it’s an evil clone!

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