SF Signal: SF/F Writers Who Don't Blog...But Should

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SF/F Writers Who Don't Blog...But Should

In compiling the SF/F Writers Who Blog post, it occurred to me that there are some science fiction & fantasy writers who I would love to read in blog form but cannot because they just don't blog.

I came up with two names so far...

Harlan Ellison
I know, I know...fat chance. Getting Harlan Ellison to start a blog is like asking the Wicked Witch of The West to drink a glass of water. Harlan's...aversion...to technology makes this a long shot, true, but hey, I'm in wishing mode. Just think of the colorful commentary we'd get, not just about the field of science fiction, but on any damn thing he pleases. (Apologies, but it's a law that when you write about Harlan, you have to use the word "damn".) I can't imagine that a free-form, open venue written by a man who is not afraid to speak his mind - and does so in such an entertaining way - would be anything but a fun, must-read blog. But I won't be holding my breath for that one.

Gardner Dozois
Quite simply, Gardner is our generation's John W. Campbell. Through his editing stint at Asimov's Science Fiction Magazine he helped shape not only the sf field, but a host of writers as well. Nobody else has his finger on the pulse of science fiction as much as this guy. And (no, I'm not done fawning just yet) his outstanding summations in his Year's Best Science Fiction series is the proof. Gardner still responds to posts at the Asimov's Forum, but (in my admittedly limited experience with the site - I must visit more often) there are too many questions for him and not enough opinions from him. I'd love to see his opinions on the sf field, on reading (his recommended reading list notwithstanding), on publishing, on writing, on the internet and just whatever might be floating around his head. I bet he has a ton of personal anecdotes to share; those would be welcome, too. So to sum up: Gardner's got knowledge, contacts, and he's well read in the field. If anyone should have a blog, it's him.

So, any other writers who would make good bloggers?

How about:
Neal Stephenson
Timothy Zahn
Neal Asher (a real blog with min. weekly updates)
China Mieville

Posted by Dan on Tuesday October 18, 2005 at 1:12 AM

I queryed Dozois about his lack of a blog at the Asimovs Discussion Forum, and he said that if he had one he'd never get anything done. A shame, really.

China mieville does blog, about politics at Lenin's Tomb.

Posted by Ian on Tuesday October 18, 2005 at 6:03 AM

Stephenson does put an occasional article online, but he's probably too busy working on the next big project. William Gibson was doing a blog when he finished "Pattern Recognition" but pretty much gave it up as he figured he could blog or write a novel, and writing a novel paid more. Stephenson might have the same philosophy.

Dozois would be great, but given all he does in editing (even after giving up Asimov's SF), would he have time?

I thought Ellison had some sort of online commentary going somewhere. Maybe it's a site that a fan runs for him? Or I'm just getting more senile.

David Brin has a blog. I've noticed, however, a correlation between him blogging and output of fiction.

So maybe that's the problem...I'd rather have these folks produce more books or short stories than read about their daily doings.

Posted by Fred Kiesche on Tuesday October 18, 2005 at 9:20 AM

Neal Stephenson used to have a great web page that basically said "go away and leave me alone"

Posted by James on Wednesday October 19, 2005 at 5:54 AM

...in fact it has grown a bit but the message is still there http://www.well.com/user/neal/

Posted by James on Wednesday October 19, 2005 at 5:55 AM

Can anyone be any more pompous to have a "go-away" page? This is along the same kind of crap those spoiled Hollywood celebrities who shunned their adoring autograph-seeking fans. Talk about biting the hand that feed their oversized egos/bank accounts. Where would they be without their fan, readers, or general people who give them money?!?!?! Eating dog food out their rat-infested slummed apartments, that's where!

Posted by Peter on Wednesday October 19, 2005 at 12:38 PM

There are plenty of authors who have a "go away" attitude that do pretty well. Stephen King springs to mind. Then there are authors who have made a reclusive mode a career: Pynchon, for example or J.D. Salinger (to drag this to the Time 100 list!).

Posted by FredKiesche on Wednesday October 19, 2005 at 7:26 PM

Orson Scott Card's Ornery American is a sort of blog:

http://www.ornery.org

Posted by chris hall on Thursday October 20, 2005 at 7:15 AM

I've read through that site that James references; I think that Neal Stephenson argues his "no e-mail/no blogging/no idle bantering = no distractions and better output" case pretty well - and with humility. I respect his stance -- and can't refute his logic.

Posted by Jack Mangan on Friday October 21, 2005 at 1:45 PM

Here's an interesting and related article: The Author's Dilemma: To Blog or Not to Blog [via Locus Online]

Posted by John on Friday November 11, 2005 at 1:09 AM