A science fiction blog featuring science fiction book reviews and with frequent ramblings on fantasy, computers and the web.
Do you have tickets to this year’s LonestarCon/WorldCon? If not, they are offering a special membership rate discount for all Adult Attending membership purchases made over the Memorial Day weekend.
Press release follows…
In episode 169 of the SF Signal Podcast, Patrick Hester chats with Christopher J. Garcia, winner of the 2011 Hugo Award for Best Fanzine (along with James Bacon) for The Drink Tank.
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In episode 165 of the SF Signal Podcast, Patrick Hester chats at WorldCon with Douglas Hulick, author of Among Thieves.
About Douglas Hulick: Douglas Hulick was born in Fargo, ND, but spent much of his life moving about the Midwest. Somehow, he kept ending up in the vicinity of Chicago, IL, which helps explain his abiding love of deep-dish pizza, Ferris Bueller, and Goose Island beer. Somewhere along the way, a copy of A Dictionary of the Underworld by Eric Partridge fell into Douglas’s hands. Having sold a few fantasy short stories, Douglas thought a book that defined historical thieves cant (criminal jargon) and described some of the practices of that world might come in handy at some point. Little did he know. Among Thieves, his first novel, grew out of this unlikely seed over the course of a decade. It was acquired by Roc/Penguin U.S.A. on Douglas’s 44th birthday in 2009. Douglas lives with his wife and two sons in Minnesota. When not writing or chasing after his kids, he likes to practice and teach 17th century Italian rapier combat (in the tradition of Ridolfo Capoferro), cook, read, and hang out in coffee shops.
In episode 161 of the SF Signal Podcast, Patrick Hester chats at WorldCon with Adam Christopher, who admits to loving American pancakes and Twinkies…
About Adam: Adam Christopher is the author of Empire State and Seven Wonders from Angry Robot, and the forthcoming Shadow’s Call from Tor Books. Born in Auckland, New Zealand, Adam grew up watching Pertwee-era Doctor Who and listening to The Beatles, which isn’t a bad start for a child of the 80s. In 2006, Adam moved to the North West of England. When not writing Adam can be found drinking tea and obsessing over superhero comics and The Cure.
Hugh Howey is as kind as he is a talented writer, and this live reading of The Walk Up Nameless Ridge will prove that I mean that as a compliment. Recorded from his reading at ChiCon7, this story is a Science Fiction adventure inspired by his ride to the top of publishing. Instead of Kindle charts, his unnamed narrator is striving to be the first to summit a 60,000 foot mountain on a distant planet. “The Walk…” has made it to #7 on the Kindle Singles chart. Now, let’s see how far our narrator makes it.
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In episode 158 of the SF Signal Podcast, Patrick Hester chats at WorldCon with prolific author Laura Resnick.
In episode 157 of the SF Signal Podcast, Patrick Hester chats at WorldCon with Electric Velocipede Editor John Klima.
In episode 155 of the SF Signal Podcast, Patrick Hester chats at WorldCon with author, editor and small press publisher Jennifer Brozek.
In episode 152 of the SF Signal Podcast, Patrick Hester gathers authors James Enge and Howard Andrew Jones along with Blackgate Magazine’s Publisher and Editor John O’Neill for a very special Live Panel at WorldCon / Chicon 7. Together, we discuss: Middle Eastern culture and fantasy, Tolkien, European-centric fantasy, Sinbad, Disney movies (specifically, Jafar), the history of Black Gate Magazine, sword and sorcery, being a short story editor, critiquing, Worldcon and much, much more.
In episode 151 of the SF Signal Podcast, Patrick Hester presents the first of many WorldCon interviews. Today, he chats with award winning author Jay Lake.
In episode 150 of the SF Signal Podcast, Patrick Hester gathers a panel to discuss the 2012 WorldCon (Chicon7), their experiences, panels and the Hugo Awards.
Yes, Virginia, there are wombats in Wonderland, as you should know because Digger just won the Hugo for Best Graphic Novel. I loved Digger. But I didn’t expect it to win. Firstly, it was in black and white (unlike all other entries), secondly, it had no babes in it, let alone naked ones (alright, there was a young priestess, but she was veiled and mostly bald, so I didn’t count her) and thirdly, it was a complete story from beginning to end (unlike all other entries).
Why would a complete story line disqualify a nominee? Simple. People vote for their favorites. Some fans (like myself) see their Hugo ballots as a sacred responsibility. They pour over the nominees, weighing every word and agonizing over the choice when (as often happens) several candidates are worthy. Others approach their vote (and I’m not criticizing, just observing) with light-hearted cheer, partial to their favorite authors/artists/etc. even before they start reading, and dismissing other entries as casually as a junior editor burrowing through the slush pile of Sisyphus. Some fans even join WorldCon solely to nominate and promote a specific work. Again, I do not criticize. They are driven by love. But whatever the technique, however much thought does or does not go into it, it everyone votes for the one they like best.
Have you ever wondered what makes the gears of SF Signal spin? (Whatever for?) Is SF Signal just the poorly-written online ravings of a group of socially inept and psychotic misfits? (Likely.) Do you want a peek behind the curtain? (Don’t do it!) Or would you like to buy us pie? (Actually, that would go over extremely well!)
If you answered “yes” to any of these question (especially the last one), you’re about to get your chance.
If you are going to Chicon7/Worldcon over Labor Day weekend, or are otherwise in the Chicago area…come meet us at the SF Signal 2012 Worldcon Meetup!
If you have some free time on the afternoon of Saturday, September 1st, come on over to the Corner Bakery and say hello to SF Signal’s editors, contributors and readers. See here for details.
Hope to see you there!
(But in case you can’t make it, you now know where to send the pie. Just sayin’…)
In the past few weeks, CtC has asked a couple of pertinent questions: What makes a convention worth going to, and what did you love (and hate) about WorldCon, DragonCon and PAX? The feedback was intriguing, and it gave this rookie convention programming director some actionable (but painful) insights into running a successful con.
Bottom line: It’s a big-name guests that get people to a convention, but it’s the sense of community that keeps them coming back…
This weekend, three major geek conventions throw down all at once: PAX, DragonCon and WorldCon. Short of the Hollywood-infused spectacle that is Comic-Con, this will be the biggest convention weekend of 2010. As a rookie programming director for ConGlomeration 2011, it’s also my most hyperconcentrated research opportunity — so , of course, I’m unable to attend any of the trio of A-list conventions. (Stupid adult obligations)
That’s where you guys come in. Roughly 60,000 people attend PAX. Another 40,000 attend DragonCon. WorldCon averages something in the neighborhood of tenth of either previous figure. In any case, about 100,000 geeks — professional and otherwise — will be at a convention this weekend, and a bunch of you read SF Signal, too.
So spill it.
I want to know:
Cite specific examples and show your work.
We’re a week out from Anticipation, the 67th World Science Fiction Convention, in my beloved Montreal.
Worldcons are fickle beasts, for the sole reason that there is just so damned much to do. We’re talking about thousands of people, hundreds of events, and every facet of this vast and ungainly thing we call “fandom” brought to light in some manner. Even after thirty years of attending cons, I still get little chills thinking about the singular experiences that never fail to pepper the long weekend: lucking into a Kaffeeklatsche; finding an unexpected pin next to my name on the Voodoo Message Board; encountering an author whose book I just happen to have on my person; having a wholly non-ironic conversation about broadcast engineering with a guy in an Elfquest outfit. Only at a Worldcon can you accidentally walk into a lecture about caring for your Stargate bobbleheads, wonder aloud why there are still Sailor Moon fans on the planet, and overhear extended passages from somebody’s “Me and Summer Glau Trapped on a Shuttlecraft in a Decaying Orbit” fan fiction while waiting for an elevator, all in one afternoon.
Even at their worst, Worldcons are magnificent.
I adroitly delude myself that I have the know-how and Con cred to efficiently maximize my enjoyment, but my plans, without exception, get tossed shortly after I grab my badge. Still, there are items and events that always tentpole the convention experience:
