Jeff VanderMeer's Blog, page 81

Weird Tales One-Minute Video: Rochita Loenen-Ruiz's "Catching an Angel"

Click here to view the embedded video.

I really like Rochita Loenen-Ruiz's fiction, and Weird Tales has just posted a new one-minute video micro-fiction of hers (video by Gregory Bossert). So I'm heading off to no-internet land this afternoon but thought I should post this one before I go.

The new Weird Tales issue will be out soon, Ann tells me, and you can find a lot more cool stuff on their website.

Weird Tales One-Minute Video: Rochita Loenen-Ruiz's "Catching an Angel" originally appeared...

Ecstatic Days, Gone For a Week: What's Your Most Surprising Read?

(Two of the texts we read in acquiring stories for our The Weird antho–now coming out in 2011. Yes, that's right–Jazz and Palm Wine is an antho of fiction from African nation writers, mostly non-genre, that has a spaceship on the cover! The Japanese antho is an awesome collection from the University of Hawaii Press–their books are highly recommended.)

I need a week off of the internet. Writing fiction is deeply immersive, and the computer and smart phone are fragmenting me too much. So, I'm o...

The Apex Book of World SF–Volume 2 TOC!

As reposted on SF Signal, here's the TOC for the second Apex Book of World SF! I'm really psyched to read this one. I've read only about 10 of the writers listed.

You'll also note that "A Life Made Possible Behind The Barricades" by Jacques Barcia (Brazil) is a story that was slated for Steampunk Reloaded, but the final translation didn't make the deadline. So it'll be featured on the Steampunk Reloaded page (Tachyon website) in November, and we'll be sure to use its appearance there to give s...

Booklife UK!

That's right–Booklife, the UK edition, has arrived at Club VanderMeer. It's a sharp-looking version, although I do love me that original Coulthart design. I do believe the green thing with one eye is Grod (those in the know, know).

Anyway, I'd be curious about any sightings in the wild from those of you who live in the UK. I've heard that as a special promotion the first printing was fitted with electro-wheels and are in constant motion where they were set free in the wildest areas of...

Angry Robot Conquers North America, Then Gives Out Hugs and Chocolate

Check out my feature on Angry Robot finally conquering North America. Angry Robot's angry—angry because some people walk around without books. Make Angry Robot less angry.

Also, check out the amazing K.W. Jeter reprint covers for Angry Robot's forthcoming editions of Morlock Night and Infernal Devices, created by John Coulthart. Click on the covers in the feature for a large version. This is an exclusive first look at these covers.

Angry Robot Conquers North America, Then Gives Out Hugs and...

What Is Steampunk? WhatIsSteampunk? Whatissteampunk? Whassupsteampunk?

If you want a larf, check out the Google search for "What Is Steampunk?" in that you'll find blog after blog after website addressing the subject, mostly to zee point of repetition or confusion. What is steampunk may eventually become WIS or WIST? as a twitterization.

In other news, I'm reading at the Warehouse here in Tallahassee tonight at 8pm. I've decided to tell an anecdote about Finch and read from "The Situation" (in Third Bear) to mix it up a bit. All about the autobiographical...

Last Drink Bird Head Award Finalists (2009-2010)

We're pleased to announce the finalists for the second annual Last Drink Bird Head Awards, as chosen by Ann and Jeff VanderMeer. The purpose of the awards is to celebrate those in the genre community who enrich us with their time, energy, and words, for causes greater than themselves. Finalists for this year's award were chosen for efforts in 2009 and/or 2010.

The winner of the Neil Clark Special Achievement Award, as announced below, is L. Timmel Duchamp. Please join us in congratulating...

The Honey Month by Amal El-Mohtar: Perfect Gift Book

I've just posted a short review of Amal El-Mohtar's lovely The Honey Month on Omnivoracious. It's just a beautiful little book, and the kind of thing you should not only sample yourself but also keep in mind as gifts for friends, and during the holiday season. The book's flying a little under the radar, and I think it's the kind of thing that'll be a great surprise for the readers in your life.

You can see a composite of some of the art here.

The Honey Month by Amal El-Mohtar: Perfect Gift...

Omnivoracious Week: Mark T. Mustian, Mary Robinette Kowal, and Unsinkable Pirate Post

(Krista Brennan made me a Steampunk pirate for the author image in the back of the forthcoming Steampunk Bible; she also did one for my coauthor, S.J. Chambers. This is just a detail from the full portrait.)

It's been a busy week on Omnivoracious for me, with a short interview on Mary Robinette Kowal's novel (asking the essential question: "If your novel were an animal…?"), a photo shoot for Brandon Sanderson's latest, and, today, my post on Talk Like a Pirate Day–which looks at a new novel f...

Finch in the Guardian, Breaking Waves for Gulf Coast Relief, Jeff in Chair, Writing

Eric Brown's written a very nice review of Finch for The Guardian, which means I've now run the gauntlet of UK major newspapers and only lost a few toes, really, maybe a finger–although Tom Holt tried a gut shot with a bazooka, luckily turned into a glancing blow by all the other coverage.

There's now a Gulf Coast charity anthology called Breaking Waves–more info here. Contributors include Ursula K. Le Guin, Vonda N. McIntyre, and David D. Levine. Consider picking it up. I haven't talked much ...