Jim C. Hines's Blog, page 120

Cool Stuff Friday

Happy Friday, all! Have some cool stuff!

29 Cats That Forgot How To Cat. (Since people seemed to appreciate the last set of cat pics and gifs.)
Polar bear playing with sled dogs. (Link from hilleviw.)
16-Year-Old Egyptian Scientist Finds Way to Turn Plastic Waste Into $78 Million of Biofuel.
50 people share the most intellectual jokes they know.
10-Year-Old Accidentally Creates New Molecule in Science Class.
Finally, tonight I’ll be running my son’s very first D&D game. Behold, his character and brand new dice! (I’m jealous. His dice are SO MUCH COOLER than my first dice, which were pale blue, and I had to use a white crayon to fill in the numbers.)

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Giveaways, Cover Art, Diverse YA, and More

Welcome to this week’s grab bag blog post, wherein I try to fit in a bit of everything.

Thing one: Kaleidoscope is a YA anthology edited by Julia Rios and Alisa Krasnostein that will be published by Twelfth Planet Press, and will feature teen protagonists from diverse backgrounds. They’ve already accepted stories from Sofia Samatar, , Vylar Kaftan, and me.

My story is “Chupacabra’s Song,” and is about Nicola Pallas (from the Libriomancer books) discovering magic and trying to save a group of chupacabras. This is the story I asked for help with earlier this year. I received some very helpful feedback and suggestions.

The fundraiser page for the anthology is here, and they’ve already raised more than 25% of what they need to make this project happen. Once they reach the $7000 mark, they’ll open the anthology up for general submissions.

[image error]Thing two: io9 has posted the cover for my upcoming collection The Goblin Master’s Grimoire. The artwork is by Emily Fiegenschuh, and if you head over to the io9 post quickly enough, you can suggest a caption for the cover and be entered to win a copy of Libriomancer. The collection will be available as a hardcover and e-book. The hardcover is up for pre-order from the ISFiC Press site.

Here’s the full contents of the collection:

Introduction by John Scalzi

Goblin Lullaby

The Haunting of Jig’s Ear

Goblin Hunter

School Spirit

The Blue Corpse Corps

’Twas the Night of Midwinter: A Goblin Christmas

Sister of the Hedge

Corrupted

In the Line of Duty

Heart of Ash

Daddy’s Little Girl

Original Gangster

Ours to Fight For

Gift of the Kites

Blade of the Bunny

Spell of the Sparrow

Over the Hill

The Creature in Your Neighborhood

Untrained Melody

Mightier than the Sword

Kitemaster

Jim Hines: The Wizard We Deserve by Seanan McGuire

A Jim C. Hines Bibliography by Steven H Silver

Thing three: I’m part of the SF Signal Mind Meld today, talking about media tie-in works. (Yeah, I misremembered the title of Splinter of the Mind’s Eye. It’s been decades since I read that book, and I was working from memory )

Fundraising for Eugie Foster

In yesterday’s blog post, I commented that several people I knew had recently been diagnosed with cancer, or had loved once who had been diagnosed. One of the people I was talking about is author Eugie Foster.

I’m gonna do a little boasting here and say I was the editor who published Eugie in her first DAW anthology, back when I was editing Heroes in Training. Because her story was awesome, that’s why!

Like so many of us, Eugie’s finances have been rather tight. She has a fundraising post here. You can buy her short story collections or individual stories. She also – after being prodded to do so – posted an email address where you can donate directly via PayPal. Which gave me an idea…

If you PayPal a donation to eugie@eugiefoster.com and let me know, either in the comments here or by emailing me directly (jchines -at- sff.net), I’ll enter you in a drawing to win your choice of either Heroes in Training (with Eugie’s story Honor is a Game Mortals Play”), or Unidentified Funny Objects 2 (with my story “Stranger vs. the Malevolent Malignancy).

I’ll pick a winner at random next week. This is open to anyone and everyone. And thank you.

Laughing at Cancer

Unidentified Funny Objects 2 [Amazon | B&N | UFO Pub], an anthology edited by Alex Shvartsman, is now available in e-book format. I believe the trade paperback is out as well (or will be any day now).

I’m not sure why we needed big chrome boobs on the cover, but Alex has put together some impressive names, such as Esther Friesner, Ken Liu, Tim Pratt, Robert Silverberg, and more.

My story in the anthology is called “Stranger vs. the Malevolent Malignancy,” and it’s all Jay Lake’s fault. Jay has been battling cancer for years, and as is his way, he’s talked openly and honestly about his experiences on his blog. Right around the time I was searching for an idea to write about for UFO2, Jay wrote a post talking about humor – even morbid humor – as a coping mechanism.

“Humor is incredibly subjective at the best of times. Humor in the face of mind-numbing adversity… If I couldn’t laugh at this at least some of the time, I’d have curled up and died of grief and fear a long time ago.”

His post stuck with me. It reinforced a lot of the things I believe about the power and value of humor. And so I decided to write a funny story about cancer.

As it turns out, it’s a bit of a challenge to make a story about terminal cancer funny. Especially when you’re trying very hard not to minimize or gloss over the reality of cancer, the unfairness and the indignity and the grief and the reality of it all.

I ended up writing about a superhero named The Stranger, whose powers include the ability to talk to objects. Including his own inoperable tumor.

While I was working on the story, Jay announced his terminal diagnosis. Since that time, the SF/F community lost author and advocate Ann Crispin to cancer. Several other people I know have revealed that they or their loved ones are fighting cancer. And I find myself more and more relating to one of the characters from the story, who says, “The point is, fuck cancer.”

I asked Jay if he was okay with me using some of the details he’d shared in his blog when I wrote the story. Jay was kind enough not only to say yes, but to offer to read it when I was done. (Which means if you read the story and hate it, it’s officially ALL JAY’S FAULT!) I might have also used him as the basis for a head-in-a-jar who used to be a superhero but is now a psychiatrist…

I’ve read the story in public several times now, and it was scary. Scary to talk bluntly about something we often try not to think about, and scary because while I know my intentions with the story, there was no guarantee I’d succeeded. If I screwed this one up, not only would I have a broken story, but I’d have written something that could potentially hurt and offend a lot of people.

So far, the reaction has been positive, which gives me hope that I got it right. No story works for everyone, of course. But humor is both a coping mechanism and a way to confront fear and ugliness. And I can think of few things more frightening and ugly than cancer.

A story can’t cure cancer. But maybe — hopefully — it can bring a little light to those in the midst of that battle.

ETA: Author J. W. Alden is giving away an autographed copy of the anthology on his blog. Just comment to enter.

Legend of Korra: Peacekeepers

Legend of Korra

2 x 5: Peacekeepers

Full episodes available at Nick.com.

Episode Summary (from the Avatar Wiki): Korra attempts to gain support for the Southern Water Tribe from the United Forces, but her request is denied by President Raiko. As a result, she, Bolin, Varrick, and Asami attempt to take matters into their own hands.

My Thoughts: This episode started out with Lin Beifong. Woo hoo! And then … sigh.

First, let me throw something out there. Eska has been creepy-possessive about Bolin, claiming him as her possession, then going over-the-top abusive/vindictive when he gets away. Now let’s switch over to Korra barging into the station where Mako works to not only yell at him, but to blast his desk across the room. Not okay. Not even close. And I have a lot of respect for Mako’s response, both refusing to be drawn into that level of messed-up conflict, and also for drawing a line and breaking up with her.

I get that Korra is a mess right now. She’s had her whole world turned upside down. The truth about her father’s past, her uncle’s betrayal, the invasion of her home … that’s gonna mess anyone up. But she’s basically stuck on the one-size-fits-all idea that the solution to all your problems is to hit them really hard. And anyone who doesn’t go along with her is the enemy. It’s more Anakin Skywalker-level thinking, and Mako was right to call her on it. What is it with you and sides?

I don’t mind characters making mistakes. I mind when they continue to make the same mistakes over and over and seem unable to learn from them. And I get that we’re setting Korra up for various spiritual revelations, but I feel like that setup is too much, too clunky, and coming at the expense of her character.

Then there’s Varrick and Zhu Li. Zhu Li, whose only role in the story so far is to serve Varrick’s every whim, without speaking a single word. Once again, a character who could have been interesting and wonderful (like the different incarnations of Alfred on Batman, to pick one example), is relegated to a one-dimensional caricature.

Speaking of one-dimensional caricature, I actually liked Eska and Desna a little bit more in this episode. Which isn’t the same as liking them, but at least they were out there being their bad selves and taking on the Avatar.

Finally, we have our other storyline, in which Tenzin teaches Meelo to be a trainer, sucking the joy out of Meelo’s relationship with Poki the flying lemur. By the end of the episode, Meelo has turned the flying lemurs into a trained and disciplined flying force, and Tenzin says he’s created a monster. Sure, fine, Tenzin needs to find balance between discipline and joy. But Tenzin also needs to get involved in the larger story and catch up with his Avatar. Korra is so off-the-rails right now, and needs her Watcher.

Yeah, I was not pleased with this episode. Though Meelo’s line “Being alpha lemur is lonely” was wonderful…

Overall Rating: Tired of black-and-white, with-me-or-against-me thinking in the real world. Tired of it in the show. I liked Mako in this one, but beyond that, I’m firmly in the land of meh.

Predictions: Korra getting eaten by giant spirit is good. Hopefully this will force her to start confronting her spiritual shortcomings. I assume we’ll get lots of reaction shots to the news that the Avatar is dead. Tenzin and Mako will have guilt. This could be a rallying point to get Team Avatar back together (sans Avatar). Unalaq’s gonna be pissed, since he needed Korra alive for whatever he was up to with the northern spirit gate. Beyond that, I dunno. I just hope we get a bit more depth and complexity in future episodes.

Cool Stuff Friday

Another Friday, another collection of links that will hopefully make your day a little better.

Dog drinks from water fountain. Wonderful canine facial expressions ensue.
I loved Charlie Jane Anders’ Hugo award-winning story Six Months, Three Days. So I’m thrilled to see that NBC is putting together a procedural based on her story. I admit, I’m a little nervous about what they might do with it, but I’m so happy and excited for Charlie Jane.
Video of a red panda playing with a pumpkin.
The cover for Jaime Lee Moyer’s next book just showed up online, and guess who has a blurb on the front cover! (Also, the cover looks great, and I liked the first book a lot, but I have a front-cover blurb!)
Zac Vawter, who lost his leg in a motorcycle accident, is now the “test pilot” for what’s being called the world’s first fully bionic, mind-controlled leg.
Finally, the LEGO Black Box, by Jason Allemann:

Podcast Fiction: El-Mohtar and Ahmed

Two more recommendations from PodCastle.

First up is Saladin Ahmed’s Where Virtue Lives. This story takes place before the events of Ahmed’s award-winning novel Throne of the Crescent Moon, and shows how the aged ghul-hunter Doctor Adoulla Makhslood first met the young and rather uptight warrior Dervish Raseed bas Raseed. The story is also available at Beneath Ceaseless Skies. The story would be a great way to sample Ahmed’s world and writing. If you like it, you should enjoy the book as well.

I’m particularly fond of Adoulla, his impatience with the trappings of virtue combined with his determination to do what’s right. I appreciate the role religion plays in this world, how it’s woven through the magic and day-to-day interactions of the characters. This story also touches on the dynamics of power and control in an abusive relationship. There’s a “strong-guys-rescuing-the-women” overtone to the story, which I would have liked to see challenged a bit more, but overall I enjoyed it.

Next is A Hollow Play, by Amal El-Mohtar. This story was also published in the Glitter & Mayhem anthology, and is a tale of love and sacrifice and relationships and alienation and magic. This is the second of El-Mohtar’s stories that I’ve listened to and loved. In many ways, it’s a quiet story. There are no swords, no battles with evil demons, no end-of-the-world stakes.

But it’s a very powerful story. El-Mohtar makes the reader feel Emily’s sense of loss and being lost, her awkwardness and courage, and her love.

I was told that this is the kind of story some people might describe as being Full of Gay Agenda!!!1!!1! Having listened to the story, I’ve decided that’s just silly. There’s no agenda here, unless you feel that acknowledging the existence of gay or genderqueer or poly people is an agenda. (In which case, please go away.)

I’m particularly impressed with the way El-Mohtar wrote about feeling trapped in one’s own body, both from a human perspective and a not-quite-human one. Though this isn’t an area where I have first-hand experience, to me the story felt both respectful and genuine.

Ten Year Anniversary

This week marks ten years since Amy and I got married. That’s a quarter of our lives we’ve been together. If you look at how long we’ve been friends, we’ve been a part of each other’s lives for more than half the time we’ve been alive.

I don’t even know what to write here. I do know that I’m incredibly fortunate. Amy has put up with an awful lot over the past decade, from living with a struggling writer (and all of the emotional roller coaster rides and derailments that entails) to my struggle with undiagnosed depression to my obnoxious insistence on making her watch one geeky show after another. (In my defense, she loved Buffy, Doctor Who, and most of the other things I introduced her to. Because she has excellent taste!)

Amy, when you read this — and yeah, I’m gonna make you read my blog again — I know there have been some unexpected … let’s call them challenges. But I love you, and I wouldn’t trade these past ten years for anything. I can’t imagine doing all this without you, and I wouldn’t want to try. I’m looking forward to at least 60 more years. Yeah, that’s right, you’re stuck with me for a good long time.

Happy anniversary, love!

I wanted to share a few of my favorite pics of the two of us from years past…

Both of these are from around 1995 or so. The first was at the wedding of our friends Mike and Kelly, and the second was at Michigan State University. (Amy and I went to high school together, and then ended up at the same college, too.)

This next one is from 1997. I honestly have no idea where we were… I think this was the basement at her parents’ house.

This is one of my all-time favorite pics of the two of us, from 1999. We were hanging out in the kitchen at my parents’ house.

Finally, the wedding photo. Which was actually taken in 2004, because we got married in 2003, but didn’t throw the big wedding party until the following spring.

Thoughts on World Fantasy Con

I’ve been hearing a fair amount of frustration with this year’s World Fantasy Convention over various issues.

WFC was the first “world-level” convention I attended, more than a decade ago now. It was intimidating and overwhelming, but also fun and rewarding. Sadly, I won’t be at WFC in Brighton this month. Which could raise the question, “Why am I griping about a con I’m not even going to?”

I’d like to think this isn’t griping. (At least, not just griping.) I think the problems being pointed out are important to be aware of and talk about even for those of us who won’t be at this particular convention. Since a decent number of authors, fans, and conrunners check in on this blog from time to time, I figured it was worth a blog post. I’ve also tried to do some rumor-checking and dig up more information on the various complaints I’ve heard.

The point isn’t to bash the volunteers who’ve been working their asses off to make the convention happen. It’s to say hey, it sounds like there are a few problems here. Maybe some of them can be addressed before the con. Hopefully we can also address them at future conventions.

#

WFC is charging £5 to attend Kaffeeklatsches and Book Clubs?

True.

I’ve had one kaffeeklatsche as an author, and there was no charge to attend. It was a lot of fun — a chance to hang out in a more informal setting, enjoy a few snacks and drinks, and just chat. In this case, the WFC website says they’re charging for two reasons.

They’re passing along the hotel charge for biscuits and coffee.
As a way to “prevent people taking advantage and reserving multiple slots and then simply not turning up.”

I know I would personally be very uncomfortable with people having to pay to come chat with me at a con. My understanding — and I could be wrong — is that most cons cover the expense for kaffeeklatsches the same way they cover other hotel expenses, bundling it into the cost of the convention instead of presenting this kind of add-on fees.

The only other thing I’ll say is that I know some authors have declined to do a kaffeeklatsche at WFC because of this.

I’d welcome thoughts and input on this one from folks with more experience.

Is WFC deliberately set up to be exclusive?

To some extent, yes.

Under the FAQ explaining why World Fantasy is so expensive, it says, “Unlike many other conventions — particularly World SF — the attraction of WFC is its very exclusivity.”

For the record, this makes the convention significantly less attractive for me. But I suppose your mileage may vary.

Comics will not be sold in the dealer’s room.

True.

While this does not seem to be specific to this particular World Fantasy Con, I agree with Cheryl Morgan that excluding comics because you’re a “literary” convention is a serious fail. I guess I have a very different definition of literature than whoever came up with this rule. I hope this is a policy the WFC Board will reconsider in the future.

Wait, most authors get only one panel or one reading, if anything?

I believe this is correct, though I haven’t found an official policy statement anywhere. It’s also in line with what I’ve seen at other world conventions. Given the number of pros in attendance, most of whom want to be involved with programming, well, there’s only so much room for everyone.

Were they really planning a panel called “Broads with Swords” about those new lady writers “embracing a once male-dominated” genre?

Yes.

While WFC certainly isn’t alone in spotlighting “Women in ______” panels, this one felt particularly clunky and painful. Just read Jess Haines’ post on this one.

What I don’t know is whether the WFC programming folks heard the feedback to this panel and have changed/removed it. Does anyone know if this is still on the schedule?

Is accessibility an issue at this location?

It originally sounded like this was a problem for at least some convention events. However, an update from the WFC Facebook Page states:

“After further discussions with the Hilton Brighton Metropole hotel, they have revealed that there **is** wheelchair access to the Chartwell room via a staff lift/elevator off of the main hotel lobby. We apologise for any confusion our earlier announcement may have caused.”

I don’t know if there are other issues, but hopefully the con is continuing to work to make the event as accessible as possible. (After all, it’s not like convention accessibility is a thing nobody’s ever talked about before.)

#

Newbie support!

I also wanted to offer props to WFC for having a designated “Newbie Liaison” for people who are attending their first WFC, or their first convention period. I really like that the con is actively trying to create events and get-togethers for new people, and I’d love to see more conventions follow suit.

Tumblr

Got an email last week asking why I wasn’t on Tumblr.

As it turns out, while I’m not terribly active over there, I am on Tumblr at http://jimhines.tumblr.com. I’ve even got the “Ask Me Anything” function turned on, in case anyone wanted to ask me … well, anything.

I just hadn’t gotten around to adding that link to my website.

Well, NOW I HAVE! TAKE THAT, UNIVERSE!