Walter Jon Williams's Blog, page 42

Taos Toolbox is Back!

Taos Toolbox, the master class for writers of science fiction and fantasy, had been postponed past 2020 due to COVID. It’s now been rescheduled, for September 5-18, 2021.

Until we determine how many of the original players can attend, we will be accepting no new applications. Keep watching this space for more information.

When Dacron Polyester Walked the Earth

I believe the announcer is Don LaFontaine, known as “The Voice of God,” famous for narrating countless film trailers that began, “In a world where . . . ” Since he died, film trailers have almost stopped using narrators entirely. Apparently he couldn’t be replaced

Too Long a Vacation

Since I’m vaccinated and the world is opening up again, I’m busy trying to tick off all the items on my to-do list that were delayed by the pandemic. And I’m not getting a lot of help.

I think that people who have been in lockdown have just forgotten how to do their jobs. The people who were in the trenches for the last year, working their regular jobs in the face of the pandemic, are still as competent as ever they were, but those lucky enough to spend their time at home have just lost th...

Part Two

Part II of my story “Incarnation Day” is now available in the latest edition of Galaxy’s Edge.

If you’ve already got a copy of my story, check out the other writers in this issue, which is clearly topped up with talent.

#Disney Still Must Pay

The Disney story hits the Hollywood Reporter. I am quoted.

Lassitude

The horizon has grown wider and brighter since I had my COVID shots, with my life regaining some of its former zest, with meetings and meals with friends, and more opportunities for social interaction that don’t involve Zoom calls and social media.

What surprises me is that it all seems harder than it was. I’ve been unable to entirely get over my COVID-inspired lassitude.

For nearly a year I didn’t do much. I stayed in my house and left only on important errands, like visiting the super...

äitienpäivä

It’s Mother’s Day here in the States, so for your enjoyment I present a photo of my mother in conversation with our parakeet, Mr. Chips.

I perceive the ornaments of a Christmas tree shining in the lower right of the photo. So many of my old pictures seem to be taken around the holidays, so I think that was the time of the year when the camera came out.

I have written elsewhere of my mother’s rise from a childhood hedged with poverty and superstition, and of my appreciation for ...

Let Disney Pay

Better cover the eyes of the children, because I’m about to write something bad about Disney.

Which is that they’re withholding payments from writers from spurious reasons. (Full disclosure: I may be one of these writers.)

Twenty or so years ago I wrote a Star Wars tie-in novel called Destiny’s Way. It was published in 2002. It’s the only tie-in novel I ever wrote.

It’s been available ever since. Hardback, paperback, ebook, dramatized audio book complete with stirring music and...

Kitty vs. Kaiju

As I mentioned in an earlier post, Dish Network is devoting a single channel to (mostly) relaxing views of some countryside or other. February showed a view of the Giza plateau in the 1920s, which our cat Mocha found quite fascinating. Presumably in honor of St. Paddy’s Day, March was a view of an Irish castle, which Mocha mostly ignored.

Now in April it’s cherry blossom time, with Mt. Fuji, a pagoda, a lake, and lots and lots of cherry blossoms. Mocha quite likes this one, because it...

On the Virtual Llano

Around this time of year I’m normally found in the town of Portales, on the Llano Estecado in southeast New Mexico, where I regularly attend the Jack Williamson Lectureship.

Due to COVID the Lectureship is being held in cyberspace this year, mostly on Friday, 23 April. The guest speakers are James Patrick Kelly and Hugo-nominated Rebecca Roanhorse, and other attendees include Connie Willis, Reese Hogan, Darynda Jones, Emily Mah, Michael Cassutt, Jeffe Kennedy, and Steve Gould.

I’ll be on...