Adam Roberts's Blog, page 16

Space, Time, Machine & Monster A Literary Invasion of Science Fiction, Fantasy and Horror

Tomorrow I'll be boarding an early train to Newport, Wales (land of my fathers etc etc) to attend the splendid-looking Space, Time, Machine & Monster event ('A Literary Invasion of Science Fiction, Fantasy and Horror'). [Previously, on this blog]

Oh, that you might be there too!

NJSFFR launches: new academic journal of SF/F studies

[This is very exciting. The I-daresay-its-pronounceable-if-you're-Finnish journal NJSFFR is to launch at this year's Swecon, with the first issue coming next year. And, actually, themselves thinking 'The Nordic Journal of Science Fiction and Fantasy Research' may not be quite pithy enough, the editors are running a competition for a snappier name. Below is the press release. You'll see that I'm on the advisory board for the new journal, but don't let that put you off submitting your excellent SFF research.]

The FINFAR Society Launches a SF / Fantasy Research Journal

The Nordic Journal of Science Fiction and Fantasy Research is a refereed, interdisciplinary journal published by the FINFAR Society (Suomen science fiction- ja fantasiatutkimuksen seura ry.) from 2014 onwards.

The purpose of the journal is to introduce and develop research focusing on science fiction and fantasy literature, audiovisual art, games, and fan culture by providing an interdisciplinary perspective on current issues and debates within research into these genres.

The journal is published online in PDF-form. In addition to the peer-reviewed articles, the journal publishes essays, interviews, opinion pieces and academic book reviews. The main language of the journal is English, but articles will also be published in the Nordic languages. The journal’s website will also contain a special section on Nordic research, with information on publications, reviews and university theses on science fiction and fantasy.

The first Editors for the journal are:

Jyrki Korpua, University of Oulu (literary studies)

Hanna-Riikka Roine, University of Tampere (literary studies)

Päivi Väätänen, University of Helsinki (English)

The Current Advisory Board for NJSFFR consists of:

Merja Polvinen, University of Helsinki (English), Chair

Paula Arvas, University of Helsinki (Finnish literature)

Stefan Ekman, University of Gothenburg (English)

Irma Hirsjärvi, University of Tampere (cultural studies)

Urpo Kovala, University of Jyväskylä (cultural studies)

Sanna Lehtonen, Tilburg University (cultural studies)

Cheryl Morgan (publisher and critic)

Frans Mäyrä, University of Tampere (game studies)

Jerry Määttä, Uppsala University (literary studies)

Sari Polvinen, University of Helsinki, (critic, history)

Liisa Rantalaiho, University of Tampere (gender studies)

Adam Roberts, Royal Holloway, University of London (literary studies)

Sofia Sjö, Åbo Akademi University (religious studies, film studies)

Markku Soikkeli (non-fiction author, comparative literature)

For more information, please contact Mika Loponen at mika.loponen@helsinki.fi

The name contest

We refuse to call this journal only by its official name. It should be Bob. Or Susan. Or, preferably, something Nordic. Think of a name for the NJSFFR and win a life-time membership in the FINFAR Society and a supporting membership at Finncon 2014! Please send suggestions to merja.polvinen@helsinki.fi by 30th November 2013.

The Times Cheltenham Literary Festival 2013

I'm doing two things at this this year's Cheltenham Festival. On Friday 4th October (at 4pm, in the Studio, Imperial Square) I'm on the 'Re-Wired: Memory in the Digital Age' panel:

Join us to explore the impact of the Internet, digital technology and social media on human memory. From Google and GPS to lifelogging services, we are outsourcing more and more cognitive faculties. But are we really becoming shallower, lazier, more stupid? Join novelist Adam Roberts (New Model Army), Stacey Pitsillides (Digital Death), Wendy Moncur (LivingDigital, University of Dundee) and James Smyth (The Machine) to debate one of the most important issues facing us in the 21st Century.

Not sure why they've confiscated the terminal 'e' on James's surname, there. Maybe it's something to do with Cheltenham Council Health and Safety. No matter. Then the following day (Saturday the 5th) I'm doing this splendid-looking Tolkien panel, with the brilliant Brian Sibley, the marvellous Jane Johnson and thinking fantasy-reader's crumpet Joe Abercrombie:

Lord of the Rings regularly tops lists of the best books of all time, and is loved worldwide. But what makes it so special? Former Tolkien publisher Jane Johnson, and as Jude Fisher the writer of the visual companions to Peter Jackson’s films, is joined by author of The First Law trilogy Joe Abercrombie; by Brian Sibley, author of The Lord of the Rings film guides and co-adapter of the classic BBC Radio 4 serialisation, and by Adam Roberts, who’s homage to Tolkien, The Soddit was published last year.

So: the Soddit is ten years old now, give or take. And that should be 'whose', not 'who's'. But whose counting? I mean 'who's'?

It would be very nice to see you there. But if you don't come, I won't cry. I'll understand. I won't cry on the outside, at any rate.

Sibilant Fricative: Cover Reveal

Courtesy of the estimable Ian Whates, here is the cover for my upcoming collection of Essays and Reviews, soon to be published by Newcon Press (also check out the like-named blog). GASP AT MY BEAUTY, O WORLD! GASP, I SAY!

Mummy, He’s Making Eyes At Me

Pornokitsch have posted the TOC and pre-order details for the newest Jurassic London anthology, The Book of the Dead. And it's (if you'll pardon the phrase) A Monster:

Table of Contents

Introduction: "Some Words from an Egyptologist" by John J. Johnston (Egypt Exploration Society)

"Ramesses on the Frontier" by Paul Cornell

"Escape from the Mummy's Tomb" by Jesse Bullington

"Old Souls" by David Thomas Moore

"Her Heartbeat, An Echo" by Lou Morgan

"Mysterium Tremendum" by Molly Tanzer

"Tollund" by Adam Roberts

"The Curious Case of the Werewolf that Wasn't, The Mummy that Was and the Cat in the Jar" by Gail Carriger

"The Cats of Beni Hasan" by Jenni Hill

"Cerulean Memories" by Maurice Broaddus

"Inner Goddess" by Michael West

"The Roof of the World" by Sarah Newton

"Henry" by Glen Mehn

"The Dedication of Sweetheart Abbey" by David Bryher

"All is Dust" by Den Patrick

"Bit-U-Men" by Maria Dahvana Headley

"Egyptian death and the afterlife: mummies (Rooms 62-3)" by Jonathan Green

"Akhenaten Goes to Paris" by Louis Greenberg

"The Thing of Wrath" by Roger Luckhurst

"Three Memories of Death" by Will Hill

Illustrated by Garen Ewing

Edited by Jared Shurin

More information here.

Proofs!

Exciting!

Coming out 16 Jan 2014! Also with lots of intrinsic Mahendra Singh goodness:

Space, Time, Machine and Monster

I am appearing at what the good people at Literature Wales are pleased to call a "sci fi, fantasy and horror festival" at the Riverfront in Newport, 18-19 October. But I won't be alone, oh no! Also appearing are: Alastair Reynolds Large As Life And Twice As Natural; Tim Lebbon; Jon Chase; Mark Brake; the incomparable Graham Joyce; Yomi Ayeni; Dimitra Fimi; Rhianna Pratchett; Gwyneth Lewis; Mark Morris; Steve Volk; Louis Savy; Gwilym Games; Steve Bond; Dan Dan the Anthony Man; the delectable Jasper Fforde; the mighty Ben Aaronovitch; Horatio Clare; Catherine Fisher; Huw Aaron; Turnip Starfish (yes, really); Catherine Bray and Sarwat Chadda [you can see the full list of people appearing, and their bios, here]. That's a pretty impressive list of names! Since it's not alphabetical, I assume it's in order either of importance -- which, since they squeeze me in between Louis Savy and Gwilym Games, is fair enough -- or of Welshness, in which case I think I am entitled to feel a little snubbed. Still. I'm excited to be going!

Details of the festival, and of how to book and so on, are here. Come! I insist.

Sir Niallalot Reviews

Niall Alexander (@naillalot on Twitter) has reviewed Robots for the Tor.Com blog. It's a thoughtful, interesting review, with some positive and some negative things to say. He calls the book overall a 'difficult, if intermittently excellent (and certainly representative) collection'. Can't say fairer than that. One thing particularly piqued my interest:

Some of the science fiction collected herein is stunning, as essential as it is eclectic, but perhaps an equal quantity of it can be summarised thusly: here’s an idea. Isn’t it interesting? Next!

I take the force of this latter criticism, directed (of course) at me. But part of me thinks: I've read a thousand collections of SF short fiction that, in effect, do precisely that. Perhaps it (the logic thumbnailed in Alexander's pithy phrase) is part of the problematic of short SF itself? Or is that just me trying to wriggle free from under the butterfly pin? Either way, Here’s an idea. Isn’t it interesting? Next! strikes me as an excellent title for a collection of science fiction short stories, and I may appropriate it for future use.

Next!

Riddleses of the Hobbitses

It seems the proofs of this book (due out December this year) have arrived in the Palgrave office; though they have yet to make their way out to me. Exciting!

On the 23 November I’ll Be Talking. In a Library! (shhh!)

Adam Roberts: "Can science fiction become science fact?" at Guildford library

23 November 2013 13:30-15:00

Guildford Library

77 North Street

Guildford

Surrey

GU1 4AL

General information

Science fiction is all about imagining the future but how successful have past writers been and how realistic are the imaginings of contemporary sci-fi writers? Have they achieved a realistic vision or are their works implausible? Science fiction novelist, Adam Roberts, examines the issues.

Adam teaches English Literature at Royal Holloway, University of London. In April this year, the University of Lincoln’s Department of English hosted an international conference on Adam’s writing.

Intended for ages 14 and above.

Tickets are £5, including refreshments.

Book online using debit or credit cards.

Telephone credit/debit card bookings on 01483 543599. A small handling charge may apply.

Tickets can also be bought in person from Guildford library.

For ticket sales:-

http://www.surreycc.gov.uk/?a=657296

webpage info:-

http://www.surreycc.gov.uk/events/gui...