Mark L. Van Name's Blog, page 206
June 1, 2012
You know you're sleep deprived when
you're up so late that you remember this article about insanely expensive men's socks, and then you check out the most expensive pair, and suddenly you find that you've put them in a shopping cart. That's when it's time to clear your browser's history, push back from the desk, and fall into bed.
On the other hand, you have to admit that it would be pretty cool--and pretty insane--to wear a pair of $200 socks that also happen to be so fragile that they begin to disintegrate after six or seven wearings.
Hmmm.
Best to push away from the keyboard, I think.
On the other hand, you have to admit that it would be pretty cool--and pretty insane--to wear a pair of $200 socks that also happen to be so fragile that they begin to disintegrate after six or seven wearings.
Hmmm.
Best to push away from the keyboard, I think.
May 31, 2012
It's that time again
I need to watch this movie again, and soon.
Who's with me?
Who's with me?
May 30, 2012
No Going Back is busting out all over!
My newest novel, No Going Back, the fifth in the Jon & Lobo series, went on sale yesterday, May 29. I'm excited that the physical book is now out there!
And, indeed, it is in bookstores, as this photo of the shelves of a nearby bookstore's new science fiction section shows.
Over at Baen's Web site, you can still vote for the No Going Back trailer you prefer. If you haven't already done so, please check out both trailers and let us know which one you believe does a better job of making you want to buy the book.
The redoubtable John Scalzi was kind enough to let me do a Big Idea piece on his very popular blog; you can check out that write-up
NGB is also in all the online bookstores, and you can order the ebook via baenebooks.com.
Over at Fantasy Book Critic, Liviu Suciu has posted a fairly long and very nice
You can also, by the way, get the audiobook version of No Going Back from Audible.com here.
So, what are you waiting for? Nothing says summer fun, birthday present, or even very early holiday gift like a lovely hardcover copy of No Going Back! Pick up one today--or, better, go for two so you have a spare.
And, indeed, it is in bookstores, as this photo of the shelves of a nearby bookstore's new science fiction section shows.
Over at Baen's Web site, you can still vote for the No Going Back trailer you prefer. If you haven't already done so, please check out both trailers and let us know which one you believe does a better job of making you want to buy the book.
The redoubtable John Scalzi was kind enough to let me do a Big Idea piece on his very popular blog; you can check out that write-up
NGB is also in all the online bookstores, and you can order the ebook via baenebooks.com.
Over at Fantasy Book Critic, Liviu Suciu has posted a fairly long and very nice
You can also, by the way, get the audiobook version of No Going Back from Audible.com here.
So, what are you waiting for? Nothing says summer fun, birthday present, or even very early holiday gift like a lovely hardcover copy of No Going Back! Pick up one today--or, better, go for two so you have a spare.
May 29, 2012
On the road again: Balticon, day 6
It's amazing what you can accomplish these days while barreling down the highway at 74 (or more) miles per hour. With an iPad and some concentration, along with more than a few typos, I was able to stay current on work for most of the drive home--specifically, for all of the parts I was not driving. No, I do not do email and drive, nor do I text and drive.
The big news of the day is that No Going Back is now out! I still don't have my author copies, but I have seen the book, and multiple folks I know have received their copies. I'm psyched and now must hope the book does well.
It's been a long day, so I'm keeping this short. More NGB news tomorrow, I hope.
The big news of the day is that No Going Back is now out! I still don't have my author copies, but I have seen the book, and multiple folks I know have received their copies. I'm psyched and now must hope the book does well.
It's been a long day, so I'm keeping this short. More NGB news tomorrow, I hope.
May 28, 2012
On the road again: Balticon, day 5
The morning went to sleep, work, and packing, as well as a few good-byes to folks who passed by.
Then, we headed into the country--specifically, to Patrick O'Connell's wonderful Inn at Little Washington. Along the way, we stopped at a wonderful ice cream shop so new its name was not yet over its door, so I cannot report it here. (I am trying to get it.) The owner makes all his own ice cream and frozen yogurt entirely from local ingredients, and every flavor I tasted was intense and wonderful. I wish him the best.
The Inn is related to a project I'm not yet ready to announce, but it is also simply an exemplar of hospitality and service. The dinner at the kitchen table was as reliably amazing as always. If I ever become an insanely rich bestselling multimillionaire writer, I will go to the Inn to hide away and write.
Work beckons now, so I must go to it.
Tomorrow, the drive home.
Then, we headed into the country--specifically, to Patrick O'Connell's wonderful Inn at Little Washington. Along the way, we stopped at a wonderful ice cream shop so new its name was not yet over its door, so I cannot report it here. (I am trying to get it.) The owner makes all his own ice cream and frozen yogurt entirely from local ingredients, and every flavor I tasted was intense and wonderful. I wish him the best.
The Inn is related to a project I'm not yet ready to announce, but it is also simply an exemplar of hospitality and service. The dinner at the kitchen table was as reliably amazing as always. If I ever become an insanely rich bestselling multimillionaire writer, I will go to the Inn to hide away and write.
Work beckons now, so I must go to it.
Tomorrow, the drive home.
May 27, 2012
On the road again: Balticon, day 4
I worked late last night but was able to sleep late this morning, so I awoke feeling far less sleepy than usual. After a little morning work and a shower, the first order of con business for the day was the Liars Panel.
Sunday at noon is not a great time for this particular panel, which demands both energy and money of the audience, but it was the slot we had. The audience was far smaller than usual, but we kept everyone entertained and laughing for an entire hour. When we finished, we'd raised a couple hundred bucks for Balticon's books-for-kids charity, which is a good thing.
After counting and delivering the money, I had time for a quick bit of lunch from the hotel's snack cart before I had to go to my next panel.
In this one, the Xenoarchaeology Road Show, we four panelists had to guess what future archaeologists will make of 20th century objects? We analyzed a wide variety of things, and the results were pretty funny. Both panel and audience had a good time.
A small group of us headed straightaway to the large movie theater across the street, where we caught a 3:50 show of Men In Black 3. I'll write about the movie in a separate entry someday soon, but I have to share with you the delicious snack that I and Kyle, against his better judgment, tried: the hot dog sliders, with extra cheese sauce.
As always, click on the image to see a larger version.
Yeah, that's some healthy eating for you.
Dinner, by contrast, was a meal both far more unusual and far better than these tubular sliders--which were, I hasten to add, rather tasty. Of course, I've had only good meals at Pazo, a perennial Baltimore favorite. We shared multiple small plates and several desserts, and every single item was delicious. I'll definitely head back to Pazo on my next visit here. And now, to work!
Sunday at noon is not a great time for this particular panel, which demands both energy and money of the audience, but it was the slot we had. The audience was far smaller than usual, but we kept everyone entertained and laughing for an entire hour. When we finished, we'd raised a couple hundred bucks for Balticon's books-for-kids charity, which is a good thing.
After counting and delivering the money, I had time for a quick bit of lunch from the hotel's snack cart before I had to go to my next panel.
In this one, the Xenoarchaeology Road Show, we four panelists had to guess what future archaeologists will make of 20th century objects? We analyzed a wide variety of things, and the results were pretty funny. Both panel and audience had a good time.
A small group of us headed straightaway to the large movie theater across the street, where we caught a 3:50 show of Men In Black 3. I'll write about the movie in a separate entry someday soon, but I have to share with you the delicious snack that I and Kyle, against his better judgment, tried: the hot dog sliders, with extra cheese sauce.
As always, click on the image to see a larger version. Yeah, that's some healthy eating for you.
Dinner, by contrast, was a meal both far more unusual and far better than these tubular sliders--which were, I hasten to add, rather tasty. Of course, I've had only good meals at Pazo, a perennial Baltimore favorite. We shared multiple small plates and several desserts, and every single item was delicious. I'll definitely head back to Pazo on my next visit here. And now, to work!
May 26, 2012
On the road again: Balticon, day 3
This morning arrived entirely too soon for my taste, but it brought something fun: an early lunch and good conversation with friends Eric, Rebecca, and Kim.
From the moment we hit the hotel afterward, however, I was rushing to gather the giveaways for the Baen presentation, set up for that slide show, and then present it. We filled the room, looked at many images of covers and the original art for them, and gave away a bunch of books. As friends were tearing down the presentation, I signed some books and talked with folks until we had to surrender the room.
After ditching the laptop and other gear back in the room, I finally had time to check out the dealer's room and the art show. I didn't make any purchases--this was my first pass--but I did see some attractive books that are tempting me. This visit, though, also revealed my greatest sadness of the trip: no dealer at the con was able to get any copies of No Going Back. I've heard from multiple people that Amazon claims to have shipped copies for arrival on Tuesday, the book's official release date, but according to one bookseller and friend, there were no copies in the Ingram warehouse and none in their Simon & Schuster shipment of June titles. This is really a bummer, and now I am worried that the book will ship late enough to simply disappear without a trace. I sure hope that doesn't happen.
After hanging signs to entice people to attend tomorrow's Liars' Panel, I did a short reading. At first only three people showed up, and two were friends, but a few minutes later, a bunch more folks arrived. By the end, I had more than a dozen. I think the selections went over well, but of course it's hard to tell.
After a very short break, I moved to my last panel of the day, one on collaborative writing. With half a dozen people on the panel and maybe fifteen in the audience, it was frequently one of those odd, lurching con affairs where everyone is involved, but in the end I think it came off okay.
The UFC held a major fight card tonight, so after the panel we left with Kyle and spent the evening with him watching the fights and eating delicious Indian food. It was an entertaining and relaxing time.
During all the gaps in the action today, I worked, so I ended Saturday not behind on PT work and no worse off on my personal projects than I began it.
All in all, a good day.
From the moment we hit the hotel afterward, however, I was rushing to gather the giveaways for the Baen presentation, set up for that slide show, and then present it. We filled the room, looked at many images of covers and the original art for them, and gave away a bunch of books. As friends were tearing down the presentation, I signed some books and talked with folks until we had to surrender the room.
After ditching the laptop and other gear back in the room, I finally had time to check out the dealer's room and the art show. I didn't make any purchases--this was my first pass--but I did see some attractive books that are tempting me. This visit, though, also revealed my greatest sadness of the trip: no dealer at the con was able to get any copies of No Going Back. I've heard from multiple people that Amazon claims to have shipped copies for arrival on Tuesday, the book's official release date, but according to one bookseller and friend, there were no copies in the Ingram warehouse and none in their Simon & Schuster shipment of June titles. This is really a bummer, and now I am worried that the book will ship late enough to simply disappear without a trace. I sure hope that doesn't happen.
After hanging signs to entice people to attend tomorrow's Liars' Panel, I did a short reading. At first only three people showed up, and two were friends, but a few minutes later, a bunch more folks arrived. By the end, I had more than a dozen. I think the selections went over well, but of course it's hard to tell.
After a very short break, I moved to my last panel of the day, one on collaborative writing. With half a dozen people on the panel and maybe fifteen in the audience, it was frequently one of those odd, lurching con affairs where everyone is involved, but in the end I think it came off okay.
The UFC held a major fight card tonight, so after the panel we left with Kyle and spent the evening with him watching the fights and eating delicious Indian food. It was an entertaining and relaxing time.
During all the gaps in the action today, I worked, so I ended Saturday not behind on PT work and no worse off on my personal projects than I began it.
All in all, a good day.
May 25, 2012
On the road again: Balticon, day 2
The con kicked off in earnest today. Most of the daytime went to work, which I started after some much-needed sleep. Getting almost eight hours of rest was heavenly. The hotel's bandwidth, on the other hand, is so bad that downloading a 13MB email attachment consumed hours of elapsed time. Amazing.
My first panel, Early Favorite Authors, started at 5:00 p.m., when most of the con's attendees were still on their way here. Though our audience was fewer than ten people, we three panelists did our best to discuss the topic and entertain the room.
I spent the next couple of hours going over and revising scripts with folks on the con committee and the tech crew, a good use of time that turned our rough Opening Ceremonies conversations into a real plan. When the show began, we were ready, and everything went quite smoothly. I had a good time acting as Master of Ceremonies, and as best I could tell from the audience's reactions and the post-show comments, all went well.
A group of us then hustled off to Woodberry Kitchen, where we enjoyed a tasty meal and good conversation. I heartily recommend this restaurant to anyone who lives here or is visiting. Its atmosphere is sort of up-scale down-home, its food is for the most part from local suppliers, and every single dish I've ever eaten there has been tasty.
Now, more work, and then a bit of sleep before a very busy Saturday.
My first panel, Early Favorite Authors, started at 5:00 p.m., when most of the con's attendees were still on their way here. Though our audience was fewer than ten people, we three panelists did our best to discuss the topic and entertain the room.
I spent the next couple of hours going over and revising scripts with folks on the con committee and the tech crew, a good use of time that turned our rough Opening Ceremonies conversations into a real plan. When the show began, we were ready, and everything went quite smoothly. I had a good time acting as Master of Ceremonies, and as best I could tell from the audience's reactions and the post-show comments, all went well.
A group of us then hustled off to Woodberry Kitchen, where we enjoyed a tasty meal and good conversation. I heartily recommend this restaurant to anyone who lives here or is visiting. Its atmosphere is sort of up-scale down-home, its food is for the most part from local suppliers, and every single dish I've ever eaten there has been tasty.
Now, more work, and then a bit of sleep before a very busy Saturday.
May 24, 2012
Charleston disappoints
I almost never write two blog entries in a day, but I felt this one deserved its own place separate from the discussion of my Balticon activities that I just posted.
Long-time readers of this blog will know that for many years I have been a big fan of Chef Cindy Wolf's Charleston Restaurant. For that entire time, I've been telling people that if you're seeking a great meal in Baltimore, the one certain winner was Charleston. I've also made sure to eat there each time I was in town. For the last couple of years, I felt the place was sliding a tiny bit, but I was willing to chalk up the less than perfect experiences to off nights.
After tonight's experiences, though, I won't be going back next year.
Before I get into the details, let me note that our meal was good. It was not exceptional, however, nor did it live up to its cost.
A big part of the problem was the service. Our main server, who might well have been the captain tonight, was wonderful. Everyone else, however, messed up and failed to live up to the restaurant's past standards. The people who presented each dish were mush-mouthed and unclear. The man who brought the cheese cart--a pale shadow of what was once one of the more magnificent cheese offerings I've seen--was nearly inarticulate and knew little about cheese. When I asked him to tell us what he had on offer, he replied, "What do you want?" For one cheese, all he knew was that it was a triple cream; for another, he shrugged when I asked its origin. Sad.
The worst service moment, however, came courtesy of the woman supplying water and bread. Clearly out of her depth and either overtaxed or under-trained--or both--at one point this server stepped in front of one of our party as she was returning from the rest room. The woman had to swerve to avoid the server, fell, twisted her ankle, and rug-burned her knee. The server never noticed or offered to help her up, nor did any of the four other servers within five yards of the accident.
The kitchen was also not on its game, even though Chef Wolf was present. My foie dish came cold in the middle, for example. The dishes were all tasty enough, but none was exceptional, and Wolf's past inventiveness was barely evident.
It saddens me to watch a restaurant take this dip, but it happens. Maybe in a while, I'll read stories of how Charleston returned to its former glory. I certainly hope so. For now, though, I'll give it a pass on future Baltimore visits, and I have to recommend you do the same.
Long-time readers of this blog will know that for many years I have been a big fan of Chef Cindy Wolf's Charleston Restaurant. For that entire time, I've been telling people that if you're seeking a great meal in Baltimore, the one certain winner was Charleston. I've also made sure to eat there each time I was in town. For the last couple of years, I felt the place was sliding a tiny bit, but I was willing to chalk up the less than perfect experiences to off nights.
After tonight's experiences, though, I won't be going back next year.
Before I get into the details, let me note that our meal was good. It was not exceptional, however, nor did it live up to its cost.
A big part of the problem was the service. Our main server, who might well have been the captain tonight, was wonderful. Everyone else, however, messed up and failed to live up to the restaurant's past standards. The people who presented each dish were mush-mouthed and unclear. The man who brought the cheese cart--a pale shadow of what was once one of the more magnificent cheese offerings I've seen--was nearly inarticulate and knew little about cheese. When I asked him to tell us what he had on offer, he replied, "What do you want?" For one cheese, all he knew was that it was a triple cream; for another, he shrugged when I asked its origin. Sad.
The worst service moment, however, came courtesy of the woman supplying water and bread. Clearly out of her depth and either overtaxed or under-trained--or both--at one point this server stepped in front of one of our party as she was returning from the rest room. The woman had to swerve to avoid the server, fell, twisted her ankle, and rug-burned her knee. The server never noticed or offered to help her up, nor did any of the four other servers within five yards of the accident.
The kitchen was also not on its game, even though Chef Wolf was present. My foie dish came cold in the middle, for example. The dishes were all tasty enough, but none was exceptional, and Wolf's past inventiveness was barely evident.
It saddens me to watch a restaurant take this dip, but it happens. Maybe in a while, I'll read stories of how Charleston returned to its former glory. I certainly hope so. For now, though, I'll give it a pass on future Baltimore visits, and I have to recommend you do the same.
On the road again: Balticon, day 1
The convention actually starts tomorrow, but we drove up today so that I would be certain to be here in time to meet all of my Friday obligations at the con. "What obligations?" you might well ask. Here's what I'll be doing this weekend. If you're at the con, please drop by one or more of these and say hi.
Friday, 5:00, Chase, panelist, Early Favorite Authors
The con's instructions are for us to talk about the writers we read and valued most when we were young, the ones who influenced our literary preferences and our writing. I'm sure we'll do some of that. If past experience is any guide, we'll also end up wandering into other, related topics. It should be an interesting time.
Friday, 9:00, Valley Ballroom, Master of Ceremonies, Opening Ceremonies
I'll be that guy standing at the mic, introducing a lot of people and telling stories and bad jokes any time the tech crew or the backstage team need me to buy them some time. One of the coolest parts of Balticon's opening ceremonies is the awarding of the Compton Crook Award for best first SF or fantasy novel. I had the privilege of winning that award in 2008 for One Jump Ahead, and I look forward to seeing who grabs this year's. As a special treat, the con is celebrating the 30th anniversary of the award by having multiple past winners attend and speak. That makes this event a great chance to listen to and, afterward, meet a bunch of cool writers.
Saturday, 12:30, Garden Room, moderator, Baen Travelling Slideshow
See slides of cover paintings before and after they turn (via the artistry of Baen's cover designers) into covers! Hear inside scoop from me! Win free cool stuff from Baen!
What's not to like?
Saturday, 4:00, Pimlico, reading
If enough folks show up, I'll do the first public reading of bits from No Going Back. If not enough folks show up, God only knows what I might do alone in a hotel meeting room without adult supervision. All I can say is that I hope the next occupant of the room brings a broom, some friends to remove the broken gear, and something to clean up messes.
Saturday, 5:00, Salon B, panelist, Collaborative Writing
We're supposed to talk about the joys and agonies of co-authoring work. I've done a few stories and one book with others, and I've edited two books with collaborators, so I can bring a little relevant experience to bear on the topic. Not that possessing relevant experience has ever been a requirement for me to talk. If they decide at the last minute to turn the panel into a gathering to discuss the dangers of man-dolphin sex, well, I'll find a way to talk about that one, too. Or not. You never know.
Sunday, Noon, Garden Room, moderator, Liars Panel
Grab a lot of dollar bills, and head over to this panel. Watch four of us tell outrageous stories--most of which will be true. Challenge the ones you think are lies; if you catch us, we pay ten bucks. If you're wrong, you pay one measly buck. All the money goes to buy books for kids who can't afford them.
You will laugh your ass off for an hour, and you will help a bunch of kids.
Do not miss this one.
Sunday, 2:00, Salon A, panelist, Xenoarchaeology Road Show
Speaking of laughing your ass off, if you're in the mood to keep the good times rolling, come to Salon A and watch as Guest of Honor Jody Lynn Nye and I, along with three other panelists (John Hemry, Christina Ellis, and Grig Larson), examine strange objects from the perspective of archaeologists five hundred years in the future. The audience will bring some of those objects, and we'll provide others. It should be a blast.
If you're at the con and can't make any of these, catch me in the dealer's room or the art show and say hi anyway. If you don't know me and are nervous about meeting me, I can tell you that nothing warms a writer more than someone with a stack of books for autographing. Seriously, though, no purchases are necessary; just come by and say hello.
Friday, 5:00, Chase, panelist, Early Favorite Authors
The con's instructions are for us to talk about the writers we read and valued most when we were young, the ones who influenced our literary preferences and our writing. I'm sure we'll do some of that. If past experience is any guide, we'll also end up wandering into other, related topics. It should be an interesting time.
Friday, 9:00, Valley Ballroom, Master of Ceremonies, Opening Ceremonies
I'll be that guy standing at the mic, introducing a lot of people and telling stories and bad jokes any time the tech crew or the backstage team need me to buy them some time. One of the coolest parts of Balticon's opening ceremonies is the awarding of the Compton Crook Award for best first SF or fantasy novel. I had the privilege of winning that award in 2008 for One Jump Ahead, and I look forward to seeing who grabs this year's. As a special treat, the con is celebrating the 30th anniversary of the award by having multiple past winners attend and speak. That makes this event a great chance to listen to and, afterward, meet a bunch of cool writers.
Saturday, 12:30, Garden Room, moderator, Baen Travelling Slideshow
See slides of cover paintings before and after they turn (via the artistry of Baen's cover designers) into covers! Hear inside scoop from me! Win free cool stuff from Baen!
What's not to like?
Saturday, 4:00, Pimlico, reading
If enough folks show up, I'll do the first public reading of bits from No Going Back. If not enough folks show up, God only knows what I might do alone in a hotel meeting room without adult supervision. All I can say is that I hope the next occupant of the room brings a broom, some friends to remove the broken gear, and something to clean up messes.
Saturday, 5:00, Salon B, panelist, Collaborative Writing
We're supposed to talk about the joys and agonies of co-authoring work. I've done a few stories and one book with others, and I've edited two books with collaborators, so I can bring a little relevant experience to bear on the topic. Not that possessing relevant experience has ever been a requirement for me to talk. If they decide at the last minute to turn the panel into a gathering to discuss the dangers of man-dolphin sex, well, I'll find a way to talk about that one, too. Or not. You never know.
Sunday, Noon, Garden Room, moderator, Liars Panel
Grab a lot of dollar bills, and head over to this panel. Watch four of us tell outrageous stories--most of which will be true. Challenge the ones you think are lies; if you catch us, we pay ten bucks. If you're wrong, you pay one measly buck. All the money goes to buy books for kids who can't afford them.
You will laugh your ass off for an hour, and you will help a bunch of kids.
Do not miss this one.
Sunday, 2:00, Salon A, panelist, Xenoarchaeology Road Show
Speaking of laughing your ass off, if you're in the mood to keep the good times rolling, come to Salon A and watch as Guest of Honor Jody Lynn Nye and I, along with three other panelists (John Hemry, Christina Ellis, and Grig Larson), examine strange objects from the perspective of archaeologists five hundred years in the future. The audience will bring some of those objects, and we'll provide others. It should be a blast.
If you're at the con and can't make any of these, catch me in the dealer's room or the art show and say hi anyway. If you don't know me and are nervous about meeting me, I can tell you that nothing warms a writer more than someone with a stack of books for autographing. Seriously, though, no purchases are necessary; just come by and say hello.
