How I Would Vote Now: 1992 Hugo Awards (Best Novel)

The Nominees Barrayar by Lois McMaster Bujold Bone Dance by Emma Bull Xenocide by Orson Scott Card All the Weyrs of Pern by Anne McCaffrey Stations of the Tide by Michael Swanwick The Summer Queen by Joan D. Vinge The Actual Results How I Would Have Voted Explanation I have a confession to make. That… Continue reading How I Would Vote Now: 1992 Hugo Awards (Best Novel)

How I Would Vote Now: 1989 Hugo Awards (Best Novel)

The Nominees Falling Free by Lois McMaster Bujold Red Prophet by Orson Scott Card Cyteen by C.J. Cherryh Mona Lisa Overdrive by William Gibson Islands in the Net by Bruce Sterling The Actual Results How I Would Have Voted (Abstain) Explanation Another year where the books were fine, but not to my personal liking (or… Continue reading How I Would Vote Now: 1989 Hugo Awards (Best Novel)

The state of science fiction is as bad as Australian breakdancing

It seems like most of the internet is talking about the hilariously bad breakdancing performance given by Australia at the Paris Olympics. Apparently, the “athlete” in question is actually a university professor named Rachael Gunn who specializes in breakdancing studies, or some such nonsense, and the main reasons she got the nod to compete are… Continue reading The state of science fiction is as bad as Australian breakdancing

A Crippling Realization

I have come to realize something that is, in some ways, making it very difficult for me to keep writing. Not in the short or the medium term—I’m actually making quite good progress on my current novel WIP, and am optimistic about finishing my three unfinished trilogies in the next couple of years. But when… Continue reading A Crippling Realization

Reading Resolution Update: Before 2022

My 2022 Reading Resolution: Read or DNF every novel that has won a Hugo or a Nebula award, and acquire all the good ones. I was going to keep track of my reading resolution this year by mentioning each book and what I liked or didn’t like about it, why I DNFed it if I… Continue reading Reading Resolution Update: Before 2022

#GiveThanks Day Three

(30) My wife posted today that she’s grateful for Tillamook Mudslide ice cream. So am I! (31) I’m grateful for the original Star Wars series for cultivating within me a deep and lifelong love for science fiction. (32) I’m grateful for Michael Ende and his magnificent book The Neverending Story, which remains my favorite novel… Continue reading #GiveThanks Day Three

2020-02-20 Newsletter Author’s Note: Thoughts on the History and Future of Science Fiction (Part 1)

This author’s note originally appeared in the February 20th edition of my newsletter. To sign up for my author newsletter, click here. One of the projects I hope to get to someday is to make a podcast on the history of science fiction. I’m a huge fan of podcasts, and subscribe to almost 100 of… Continue reading 2020-02-20 Newsletter Author’s Note: Thoughts on the History and Future of Science Fiction (Part 1)

Extra Sci-Fi S3E3: The Two Towers

This episode of Extra Sci-Fi got me to thinking about a speech that Orson Scott Card gave when he visited BYU back in 2007. He said a bunch of interesting things that have stuck with me over the years, including (to paraphrase) “conservatism is the new counterculture.” He was probably ten to fifteen years before… Continue reading Extra Sci-Fi S3E3: The Two Towers

Late November Update

Is it time for another update? Why yes, I suppose it is. Sons of the Starfarers is coming along quite well. Book 6, Patriots in Retreat, is up for preorder right now with a release date of January 19th. My editor just got back with the edits for book 7, A Queen in Hiding. Haven’t… Continue reading Late November Update

LTUE 2014

Without a doubt, my favorite sci-fi convention / writing conference / symposium is LTUE. I say this every year, but this year’s symposium was one of the best! Orson Scott Card and Brandon Sanderson were both there, along with a whole bunch of other authors and artists, local and otherwise. It drew a huge crowd,… Continue reading LTUE 2014