Posts
Well, Urgh
I'm just about feeling better now. Last Thursday night, a bunch of British comickers got together for a meal and a few pints. Unfortunately, there was something in the air, and loads of us (apart from Gillen and McKelvie, too cool to vomit) came down with the same Norovirus. I thought I'd gotten away with it, and had actually got on a train to go to John Clute's 70th birthday party on Saturday, when I suddenly felt like I needed to go to sleep in the middle of Paddington station. Thankfully I'd been clued in to what it was by all the pale and stricken tweeting from my peers, and headed home. It's a good weight loss programme, let me tell you. I had cheek bones for a moment there. I'm always way too interested, from an SF point of view, in what's happening to me when I'm ill. This time round, it was star-shaped viruses having a football match in my small intestine. I've been doing my best to stop Caroline from catching it too, which, short of her wearing a containment suit, may prove impossible. But she's okay so far.
Anyway, in the meantime, several things have happened. For one thing, I achieved an ambition of mine and sold a story to Isaac Asimov's Science Fiction Magazine! It's the third in my Jonathan Hamilton series, and it's called 'The Copenhagen Interpretation'. I don't yet know when it's out. Long term readers will know of my passion for Asimov's right now. It feels good to have joined in.
I've been interviewed by Ian Cullen of this parish for his Sci Fi Pulse podcast. It's episode 95, and you can also find it on iTunes. A really great interview, covering a lot of ground, where I'm actually given a sudden insight into an old connection to a new villain. Do have a listen.
There's only nine days left to send in your links for my fan fiction blog. If you don't know what I'm talking about, take a look here. We've had loads of good stuff in already, but there's always room for more.
Podcast. There's going to be one. Me and some big names. On a regular basis. That's all I can say for now.
Thog's Masterclass is the section of Dave Langford's long-running newsletter Ansible which features the bad, awkward and strange from decades of SF and fantasy prose. I'm proud to say that I have an entry in the latest issue. No, not like that, thank goodness. I found something delicious in my reading of Robert E. Howard and sent it in.
We'll be getting to the Twelve Blogs of Christmas soon. I think this time round is all going to be a bit more personal, relying more on me writing something new each day. Which is a bit of a challenge in itself. If anyone has any ideas, please let me know.
Until next time, then, Cheerio!
Labels:
Ansible,
Asimov's,
Sci Fi Pulse
|
Congratulations on the Asimov's story! As an on-and-off Asimov's subscriber of many years standing, I can only barely imagine what a big deal that must be. Congratulations on all the other stuff too -- it's getting to be too much to list. Glad you're feeling better as well.
Glad you're on the mend, Paul.
As part of your 12 blogs of Christmas, I would love, given the current Ashes series and my own love of the sport, to hear about your passion for cricket.
Great news on the Asimov story.
Podcast went well. Though I did read out a rather fun, if somewhat very ironic item from the Christmas Viz magazine, which will get me stoned by a few of our female listeners.
Kev: Paul and I decided that Lex Luthor should head up a fantasy Cricket team for the Ashes. I think Paul had the flash down as a fast bowler and the Phantom was in the Australian side.
Paul: Sorry that you haven't been so good. Sounds like the virus I had issues with. Been a few nasty bugs going round. Though I think this cold whether has probably killed a fair few of them.
Thanks again Paul. It was a lot of fun having you on. I should get the back issues of Action this week, and can't wait to get my mits on them.
Ian
I remain convinced that conventions were invented by viruses for the purpose of virus propagation.
Get properly well soon.
Fanfic link coming as soon as Gmail will let me actually type something in the Compose Email box.
Paul: When you say Robert E. Howard. Do you mean the same Robert E. Howard that wrote the Conan books. If so I can't say have read any of his books since the early 90s when I developed a bit of a ongoing obsession with them.
By Krom I did.
Ian
YAAAAAY! So many good things happening! (Except for the being sick part, but, well, karma and all that. Can't expect to get published in Asimov's without vomiting up your lungs to balance out the universe. You understand.)
Will listen to Ian's interview soon, and am also very intrigued by your podcast endeavor!
Lastly, you'll be getting a link to a story of mine within the next day or so. It's EPIC IN ITS DOMESTICITY! :)
Thanks, all. Kev: you're on. Thanks for the idea. Nightsky: well, it was a meal rather than a con, but you're right. That's why I never eat from con suites. Looking forward to it, Craig. Ian: yes, I'm making my way through all the Conan stories in publication order. Ter: glad to hear it. We have many stories on the way!
I hope you stop vomiting long enough to write.
If not, come up with a story about a man who couldn't stop vomiting and later finds out that he's spewing forth a new universe.
Like that smelly thing Marvel did back in the eighties.
At least, I think that's how it got into print.
Erm, okay!