Author: Joe Vasicek

Joe Vasicek is the author of more than twenty science fiction books, including the Star Wanderers and Sons of the Starfarers series. As a young man, he studied Arabic and traveled across the Middle East and the Caucasus. He claims Utah as his home.

Thoughts after finishing A Canticle for Leibowitz

Wow.  Wow. This book is INCREDIBLE. I’ll review it later, but first I want to put down some of my initial thoughts. With any great book, you come to a point where you realize, consciously or not, that it just can’t get any better.  The story, the characters, the world, the ideas and stakes, the… Continue reading Thoughts after finishing A Canticle for Leibowitz

back in Provo

Just arrived in Utah, after a LONG drive.  Nevada is so freaking huge…and empty.  Blegh. Considering I need to be in class at 9am tomorrow, I’m going to post this and go straight to bed.  Goodnight.

more later

Saturday was a great day.  I wish I had the time to blog all about it, but unfortunately I need to get up a little early tomorrow and I need the extra sleep.  More later, though–I promise!

World Fantasy 2009 — second day

Friday was a long, awesome day  at World Fantasy.  I feel like I’m floating around on a sea full of big names and interesting people, and it’s surprisingly less intimidating than I thought it would be. The day started with a number of panels.  I attended “Writing human characters, whether or not they’re human” and… Continue reading World Fantasy 2009 — second day

World Fantasy 2009 — first day

After four years, I’m back in California!  Yay! Okay, now that I’ve got that out of my system (because California is, without a doubt, the most awesome state in the union), let me just say that the first day of World Fantasy 2009 was most excellent. For Cavan, Alex and me, the day began at… Continue reading World Fantasy 2009 — first day

T minus 5:08:37…

Business cards…check. Clean clothes…check. Clean shaven…check. Soap and toiletries…check. Batteries…check. Battery recharger…check. iRiver 800…check. Music…check. Computer…check. Camera…check. Tentative convention program…check. Map and directions…check. Snacks and lunch…check. Five hours to liftoff and counting.  This time tomorrow, I’m going to be in California! Yay!  And holy cow, did I mention that I’m nervous? World Fantasy 2009, here… Continue reading T minus 5:08:37…

Convention jitters

World Fantasy starts in less than 72 hours, and I’m getting nervous about it.  Really nervous.  This is the first big-time science fiction convention I’ve ever been to, and I’m worried that it will be too intimidating, or that I’ll make a fool of myself, or that I won’t put myself out there enough, or…… Continue reading Convention jitters

Mysterium by Robert Charles Wilson

Nobody knows why the government chose the small town of Two Rivers, Michigan, as the site for a top secret military project.  Even most of the people involved in the project don’t know what it’s really about.  That’s alright, because most of the denizens of this backwoods community are used to minding their own business.… Continue reading Mysterium by Robert Charles Wilson

Why I love Robert Charles Wilson

From Mysterium, which I plan to review here soon: “Do you ever wonder, Howard, about the questions we can’t ask? “Can’t answer, you mean? “No. Can’t ask.” “I don’t understand.” Stern leaned back in his deck chair and folded his hands over his gaunt, ascetic frame. His glasses were opaque in the porch light. The… Continue reading Why I love Robert Charles Wilson