If you’d like a chance to win a copy of Futuredaze 2: Reprise, Reading Teen is giving away two copies. So, this is your chance, but remember … you have to enter to win. Here’s the link to my guest post and to the contest: http://www.readingteen.net/2014/09/giveaway-paying-it-forward-with.html
I have always believed that science fiction is for everyone. After all, it’s truly the most “forward” facing genre and you would think this should obligate it to be more diverse and open than it has been in the past. Still, for a long time, it was challenging to find stories about people or stories written by a person who wasn’t white, male, and heterosexual. A genre like science fiction, which is for everyone, really ought to be about everyone, and diversity should be represented in the fiction and in the authors who are in the industry.
So, when Nancy Holder and I were working on Futuredaze 2: Reprise, these were all things that were on our mind. However, while we were in the reading stage (and when you’re putting together a reprint anthology, that is one huge stage of the process!), we picked the best of what we found. We figured we would look at diversity issues after we selected the stories that we most wanted in the anthology. At the end of our reading stage, we ended up with 16 stories–15 of which are in the book. When we looked at that group of stories, which really were all of our favorite stories, we were pretty shocked that the selection was naturally diverse. If they weren’t great, they weren’t for us. The fact that diversity happened naturally was incredibly gratifying since it touched on my early belief that science fiction is for everyone.
The reason I bring this up is that I just read a review on Goodreads that said this about Futuredaze 2: Reprise:
“…it’s aimed at a younger audience who probably shouldn’t start chronologically. I think that anyone who believes that people need to approach science fiction starting with the older stuff, even from the “Greats” will find that modern readers demand a bit more, and a bit less crap. While many people might be willing to overlook offensive crap in older science fiction as “just part of the times,” there is something to be said for not having to deal with that. And here is a set of stories that are great and original and show real diversity and a view of the world that isn’t just white and male. It’s refreshing, and it is how science fiction is going to end up pulling more and newer people into the genre, which is what it needs.”
Yes! This is exactly how I feel about science fiction, and seeing someone write that in a review of my book was like winning the lottery. Thank you Charles Payseur. I don’t know you, but I hope that someday we get to meet because I have a feeling we’d have a fantastic discussion about the history and future of science fiction.
For those of you who don’t review books that you’ve read, I can guarantee you that the authors and publishers read them. To those of you, like Charles, who take the time to write down your thoughts, thank you!
Sometimes writing and publishing feels like throwing words into a vacuum. It’s so nice to see what people think, no matter what they have to say. Seeing those reviews is rewarding because it’s an acknowledgement that someone cared enough to share their thoughts about your work. That’s what it’s all about. So, again, thank you!
Here I am introducing Jim Kelly at my graduation ceremony. Summer 2009
Five years ago, I earned my MFA in Creative Writing with a concentration in Popular Fiction. Five years ago, James Patrick Kelly was our graduation speaker and he was firm in telling us to remember to make time to write. Five year is a long time.
It seemed like silly advice back then since we just spent two years writing, writing, writing. I was exhausted from the work and hoping that the cash I laid down for the degree was worth it, but I was pleased with the fact that over those two years I had established a consistent writing schedule that had become second nature to me.
Several months after graduating, I realized that I had lost my writing mojo. My mom had passed away and I could barely keep myself going. If it weren’t for my Stonecoast mentor Nancy Holder, I might have forgotten how to fill a blank screen with words. I wasn’t her student any longer, and yet she held out a hand to me, helping me to get back in my chair to write. Since then, I often think back on Jim Kelly’s words, secretly acknowledging that maybe it wasn’t such silly advice after all.
I couldn’t have made it without a little help from my friends. RtoL: Diana, Nancy, Linda, ME, and Jim. 🙂
Looking back over these last five years since graduation, I can’t imagine my life without Stonecoast and the friends that I made. That was where I learned to slay dragons, talk Elvish, and fly spaceships. We plotted out heinous acts and argued over legal technicalities like seasoned detectives. We debated about whether or not Ned Stark really needed to die and how a single act could set forth a flood of decisions that would change the world.
Since graduating I have come to terms with my own personal definition of success, and I am pleased to say I am on the path to achieving it. I am happy, but not content. There is still more to do! More to write! More to publish!
Deciding to get an MFA is almost as big of a decision as deciding which school to attend. For those of you considering Stonecoast as an option, I can’t guarantee that your experience will be the same as my experience. All I can say is that Stonecoast was exactly what I needed to acquire the tools to build my career as a writer, editor, and publisher…with a little con-running thrown in for fun.
If anyone ever wants to talk MFA programs and Stonecoast, you know where to find me. Also, here’s where you can find the Stonecost MFA in Creative Writing Program.
Help me welcome D. Lynn Smith, my guest blogger for the day. Not only is she a screenplay writer and a fiction author, but she also publishes comic books through Kymera Press, which specializes in “comics about women, by women and for everyone.” It’s pretty exciting stuff. She’s got a Kickstarter going for Kymera Press where people can back and learn more about the project.
Now, without futher ado … D. Lynn Smith and Wonder Woman …
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I’m a big fan of the television show Longmire. Last week as I was watching a new episode, one of the lines of dialog was, “Good girls ask for permission, bad girls ask for forgiveness.” UGH! What a load of bull… We women have been fed versions of this time and time again until it is ingrained in our consciousness.
I read an article recently that talked about how men will usually get that coveted project/promotion/raise simply because they go in and ask for it, while their female counterparts wait for recognition of their abilities and is passed over. That seems like waiting for permission to me. What would happen if a woman went into her boss’ office and asked for that project? Would she then have to ask for forgiveness? No way.
So what does it take for women to feel comfortable enough to demand what they want and need without having to ask permission? Do we have to act like men? Do we have to think like men? Some people believe we simply have to boost our testosterone levels. And there’s a very simple way to do it, according to the New York Times.
The New York Times published an article that tells us how:
“Poses are powerful,” said Amy Cuddy, a social psychologist and associate professor at Harvard Business School. With colleagues, she has, through a series of controlled experiments, shown that assuming an expansive pose (think Wonder Woman with legs planted apart and hands on her hips) for two minutes will increase testosterone and lower cortisol in your bloodstream. Dr. Cuddy’s TED Talk on the subject has gone viral on the Internet, now with almost 4 million views.
Wow, standing like Wonder Women for two minutes will increase your testosterone levels and improve your performance, whether it be for a speech, a job interview, or simply asking for a raise. Why aren’t we all utilizing this little trick? We should all follow her example. Wonder Woman won’t mind.
In the end, maybe Wonder Woman can teach us more than how to stand to boost our performance. Wonder Woman never asked for permission. And I’ve never heard her ask for forgiveness. This doesn’t make her a bad girl or a good girl—just a woman.
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D. Lynn Smith is the co-founder of Kymera Press, a comic book publisher that develops comics about women, by women and for everyone. Check out her kickstarter at https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/812703115/gates-of-midnight
I am incredibly sad to hear today that Jay Lake has passed away. He was a force unto himself, full of incredible energy and talent. He was a good person with a good heart, and I wish I had more time to get to know him.
Back when I was still doing my One Word Interviews, he sent in this response to the word “Spark.”
SPARK
Rushing from the primordial darkness, spark was what God got when She said, “Luke’s Fiat.” Spark, and fire, and ice, and earth, and air, and all the vengeful writhing business of life, love, fiction and the inner light that drives us all to be better than ourselves. Spark is creation.
– Jay Lake
His response still makes me smile. Spark will always remind me of Jay Lake and of creation: creation of imagination, creation of fiction, creation of friendship, and creation of life…
Dear Jay, you will be missed. Rest in peace.
Have you read The Mortal Instruments series by Cassandra Clare? If not, get to a bookstore and pick up City of Bones, the first book in the series. If you like young adult urban fantasy, you’re going to love this series.
When I heard that they were making a movie of the first book, I was a bit nervous and scared about how the film might turn out because you just never know about these things.
I’m happy to say that the film was really good. Whew! So, I wrote a short review of it to go with the interview that I did with Chad Connell, one of the actors from the film. Chad plays the part of the blue haired demon, and he shares his experiences both on and off the film set. 
Come read my interview with Chad Connell, which is published over at Amazing Stories Magazine and let me know what you think!
Apparently vacation works for me because I have been reading and writing like crazy! ….. not to mention taste testing Dirty Banana drinks at Nancy’s in Martha’s Vineyard. So, as I was saying, vacationing sure makes for some great reading time!
Speaking of reading, I read the new mystery/crime novel The Cuckoo’s Calling by Robert Galbraith (aka J.K. Rowling). My review of the book just posted on Amazing Stories Magazine, and let me just say….. nope….you’re going to have to read the review to know what I think. You can read the review of The Cuckoo’s Calling here. Enjoy!
I’m thinking of making a vacation post because it was fantastic….but not sure I have the time. Yes. Should have done this yesterday!
I recently had a chance to interview Kate Drummond, a new up-and-coming actress, who stars in Tom Clancy’s new Splinter Cell Blacklist video game.
The interview that I conducted with Kate Drummond for Amazing Stories Magazine was so much fun. She’s bright, fun, and very witty. I will absolutely be keeping my eye on Kate to see what she’s up to in the future.
I hope you enjoy reading the interview as much as I enjoyed conducting it.
As you know, I’ve started blogging for Amazing Stories Magazine, which has been a lot of fun. One of my newest adventures was getting to interview Trenna Keating who plays Doc Yewll on SyFy’s new hit show Defiance. Yep. She’s the coolest new alien to hit the big or little screen since …. well, Chewbacca in my opinion. She’s just as witty and sharp as our lovable Wookie friend, except you can actually understand what she’s saying.
Come check out my interview with Trenna Keating, aka the witty and wry Indogene alien known as Doc Yewll.
P.S. My spell checker says that “Chewbacca” should be spelled “Chewable”. I find that amusing. So, I thought I’d just toss out that odd little factoid for you all to enjoy.
I’ve recently begun blogging for Amazing Stories Magazine, which is a great online magazine that includes some fantastic reviews, essays, general commentary, etc about all things science fiction, fantasy and horror.
Amazing Stories has published my review of Ellen Datlow’s new anthology Hauntings. Even better, I’m giving away a free copy of the anthology and the contest is open WORLDWIDE. So be sure to read the review and enter the contest to win a copy of Hauntings, edited by Ellen Datlow.
Please note that you do have to be a member of Amazing Stories to post comments (which is how you enter the contest), but membership is free and SUPER easy!
Erin Underwood Presents 