Show Notes: F. Paul Wilson

The guys talk about how writers writing has been influenced or affected by various electronic media now open to them, including e-books and podcasts, and integrating social media and the Internet in expanding those stories in different ways.

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Interview: Jack: Secret Circles, the latest novel in the YA series about Repairman Jack’s teen years, is out and F. Paul Wilson drops by “Cover to Cover” to talk about Jack’s journey, and focusing on building up the foundation events that influenced young Jack to become the Repairman Jack we all know and love.

Paul admits to having fallen under the spell that many writers dread: a supporting character who comes to life, takes on a mind of their own and takes over a story; and also expands on his reasons for setting up a limit on both the Young Jack stories and on the Repairman Jack series.

He’s also getting help from fans of his old science fiction novels in getting them converted to e-book and Kindle formats to get them back where they can be available to readers who haven’t been able to get these books until now.

Feedback Wanted: What do you think about submitting writing related questions to “Cover to Cover”? What do you think about having authors read chapters as part of the show? Call in or email in with your thoughts!

Submitting Listener comments: If you have any suggestions or comments, please let us know! “Cover to Cover” has it’s own call-in line, 206-350-READ! That’s 206-350-7323, or just email Michael with a comment you’ve recorded yourself!

FarPoint Forums: Head on over to the FarPoint Forums and join in the discussions on Dragon Page topics, and for most of your favorite FPM shows!

Second Life Info: FarPoint Media’s Second Life space can be found on the Third Life Books island in the Wind River Territory, the place for SL versions of Michael A. Stackpole’s writings, frequent author readings, and many other goodies, including a Wednesday night writing workshop. Find the island here: http://slurl.com/secondlife/Wind%20River%20Territory/50/129/22

Link: F. Paul Wilson Official Website
Promo: The WEIRD Show: Mars Needs Podcasts
Link: Dragon’s Fire, Wizard’s Flame by Michael R. Mennenga

 

 Cover to Cover #399A: F. Paul Wilson [41:13m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (1204)

Review by Michael Hickerson (Slice of SciFi Editor)

Last year, Daniel Suarez’s “Daemon” left us on one heck of a cliffhanger.

Now, “Freedom (TM)” picks up that cliffhanger, resolves it and delves even further into a scary but all too possible near future in which a computer bot can seemingly take over the world.

In terms of story and characters, “Freedom (TM)” picks up right where “Daemon” left off. The bot is still lurking, exerting its power and group of humanity is trying to fight against it before it’s too late.  Watching as the bot is able to attack and manipulate systems operated strictly by computing power is both fascinating and scary as you realize that a similar thing happening could happen in the not too distant future.

At its core, “Freedom (TM)” is a techno-thriller with elements of cyberpunk thrown in for fun.  Suarez keeps the story moving at a good clip, creating some nicely done action sequences that could translate well to the big-screen whenever the movie version of the novels is made.  But he also balances that out with sections examining the implications of technology and an over reliance on it.  Suarez isn’t saying that technology is a bad thing, but he does offer some stern warnings about it.  Those implications and thoughts will stay with you long after the last page is turned.

The story directly follows the events of “Daemon” and if you haven’t read that novel, odds are you will be completely lost.  While I’d read book a year ago, I did find myself having to surf back to my original review to remember some of the plot threads.  Like Frank Herbert’s “Dune” series, Suarez doesn’t spoon-feed readers but instead assumes the reader is smart enough to recall details and figure out what’s going on without having large info-dumps or the constant need for recap.

Both books serve as one long, epic story that is chilling, fascinating and one of the more memorable author debuts in a long time.  It should be intriguing to see what Suarez offers next.

Review by Michael Hickerson (Slice of SciFi Editor)

“Horns” starts with two of the most ingenious opening paragraphs I’ve read in a long while about Ignatius Perrish waking up from having spent the night before doing horrible things and getting ready to do a lot more. Also, Ig (as he’s called) has a pair of horns growing out of his head.

Joe Hill sets the hook early (again, two paragraphs) and then never lets go of your attention for the rest of “Horns” as we learn more not only about the night before but the complicated past of one Ignatius Perrish. Ig was the prime suspect in the murder and rape of his girlfriend Merrin. The night before Ig is set to leave for England for six months, Merrin announces that she wants a bit of a break from Ig during his sojourn in England. Ig leaves is a fit of fury and the next day Merrin is found dead in the woods. Ig is the prime suspect but was never charged due to a lack of evidence.

Now a year later, he’s woken up with horns and is estranged from most of his family and friends. And the horns have an unusual power–they make anyone Ig comes in contact with tell him their most subconscious and repressed desires, emotions, thoughts and feelings. It’s amusing at first, but soon takes a darker turn with Ig finds out exactly how his family feels about him and discovers some clues about what happened the night Merrin died.

At times, “Horns” feels like a lost story by Richard Matheson while at others (especially in the last half of the book), the story feels like vintage Stephen King. Joe Hill shows the influences of both horror masters here, but also comes into his own as a writer with this superb story. Going back and forth, following events across Ig’s life, we get a complete character study as well as a superb set-up of what happened to Merrin and why. The story gives us just enough clues to keep things interesting without telegraphing all of the novel’s final few revelations. And when the final page is turned, you’ll walk away feeling satisfied like you’ve just enjoyed a great meal.

Joe Hill builds on his work in “Heart Shaped Box” with “Horns,” delivering on the promise he showed there in spades. You don’t have to have read “Box” to enjoy “Horns” (each is stand alone), but if you missed it, you’ll definitely want to check out one of the most promising young writers on the market today. “Horns” should only win him over a legion of new fans.

Link: SF Signal: VIDEO: Joe Hill talks about his new novel HORNS
Link: PS Publishing: Signed Limited Slipcase Edition of Horns

Show Notes: Bookapalooza

The book delivery broke Mike’s driveway. Another mondo Library episode coming your way!

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The Library: Jack: Secret Circles by F. Paul Wilson; Chill by Elizabeth Bear; Prince of Storms by Kay Kenyon; Jade Man’s Skin by Daniel Fox; Angelology by Danielle Trussoni; The Conqueror’s Shadow by Ari Marmell; Petrador by Joel Shepard; The Red Inferno: 1945 by Robert Conroy; The Hundred Thousand Kingdoms by N. K. Jemisin; How Defeat Your Own Clone by Kyle Kurpinski and Terry D. Johnson

Listener Review: Web Genii brings us a review of On the Edge by Ilona Andrews.

The Library, continued: Empire in Black and Gold by Adrian Tchaikovsky; The Best Science Fiction and Fantasy of the Year, Volume 4 edited by Jonathan Strahan; The Stolen Moon of Londor by A. P. Stephens; The Best Horror of the Year, Volume 1 and The Best Horror of the Year, Volume 2 edited by Ellen Datlow; Arcadia Falls by Carol Goodman; The Splendid Magic of Penny Arcade: The 11 1/2 Anniversary Edition by Mike Krahulik and Jerry Holkins

Feedback Wanted: Do you have any input on the new Apple Tablet? Do you have writing related questions? Ask your question!

Submitting Listener comments: If you have any suggestions or comments, please let us know! “Cover to Cover” has it’s own call-in line, 206-350-READ! That’s 206-350-7323, or just email Michael with a comment you’ve recorded yourself!

What do you think about submitting writing related questions to “Cover to Cover”? What do you think about having authors read chapters as part of the show? Call in or email in with your thoughts!

FarPoint Forums: Head on over to the FarPoint Forums and join in the discussions on Dragon Page topics, and for most of your favorite FPM shows!

Second Life Info: FarPoint Media’s Second Life space can be found on the Third Life Books island in the Wind River Territory, the place for SL versions of Michael A. Stackpole’s writings, frequent author readings, and many other goodies, including a Wednesday night writing workshop. Find the island here: http://slurl.com/secondlife/Wind%20River%20Territory/50/129/22

Promo: Tuning Into SciFi Television
Link: Dragon’s Fire, Wizard’s Flame by Michael R. Mennenga

 

 Cover to Cover #398B: Bookapalooza [31:40m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (1467)

If you’re  a fan of Terry Brooks’ Shanara universe, we have good news for you.  (On the other hand, if you’re like me and behind on the books, you may let out a sigh of despair at ever catching up…)

Brooks has sold the next Shanara trilogy to Del Rey, who will publish the books through 2015.

Janklow & Nesbit agent Anne Sibbald negotiated the deal with Del Rey EIC Betsy Mitchell. According to the release, the three books will be set in the time period following Brooks’s High Druid of Shannara trilogy.

The publisher released the following statement about the purchase and upcoming publication: “One semester early in his college years he was given The Lord of the Rings to read. That moment changed Terry’s life forever, because in Tolkien’s great work he found all the elements needed to fully explore his writing combined in one genre. He then wrote The Sword of Shannara, the seven year grand result retaining sanity while studying at Washington & Lee University and practicing law. It became the first work of fiction ever to appear on the New York Times trade paperback bestseller list, where it remained for over five months.”

Show Notes: Connie Willis

Mike and Mike talk about a New York City legislator who is pushing to expand electronic editions of textbooks to help defray high costs for college students.

New York, NY – With Governor Paterson proposing that New York’s public universities be allowed to freely raise tuition, opening the floodgates for cash-strapped colleges to hit students with big bills as they scramble to overcome cuts to tuition assistance, Assembly Member Micah Z. Kellner (Upper East Side D, WFP) released a report today showing that electronic resources have the potential to bring down the cost of higher education for low- and middle-income families struggling to put their kids through college.

Entitled, “Transforming Textbooks: How Electronic Textbooks Can Reduce Costs and Expand Academic Resources in Our Public University Systems,” Assembly Member Kellner’s report demonstrates that electronic textbooks have the potential to take a big bite out of the more than $1000 that public college students spend per academic year on required texts, making the case that the digital revolution provides a critical opportunity to save money for New Yorkers—but warns that the publishing industry’s current business practices stand directly in our way.

The full report is freely available from Assembly Member Kellner’s website.

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Interview: Connie Willis’ latest novel is Blackout, and it’s actually just the first half of the story. Blackout: All Clear is the concluding volume, and is due out in October 2010.

Connie tells the guys about some of the little-known stories that came out of the London Blitz, how she prefers to examine the human elements surrounding the disaster stories throughout history, and how she prefers science fiction over historical fiction as a platform to tell these tales.

Feedback Wanted: Do you have any input on the new Apple Tablet? Do you have writing related questions? Do you have any questions or suggestions about improving the content of the shows? Ask your question!

Submitting Listener comments: If you have any suggestions or comments, please let us know! “Cover to Cover” has it’s own call-in line, 206-350-READ! That’s 206-350-7323, or just email Michael with a comment you’ve recorded yourself!

What do you think about submitting writing related questions to “Cover to Cover”? What do you think about having authors read chapters as part of the show? Call in or email in with your thoughts!

FarPoint Forums: Head on over to the FarPoint Forums and join in the discussions on Dragon Page topics, and for most of your favorite FPM shows!

Second Life Info: FarPoint Media’s Second Life space can be found on the Third Life Books island in the Wind River Territory, the place for SL versions of Michael A. Stackpole’s writings, frequent author readings, and many other goodies, including a Wednesday night writing workshop. Find the island here: http://slurl.com/secondlife/Wind%20River%20Territory/50/129/22

Promo: How To Grow Your Geek
Promo: The Seeker Cast: A Legend of the Seeker podcast
Link: Dragon’s Fire, Wizard’s Flame by Michael R. Mennenga

 

 Cover to Cover #398A: Connie Willis [35:12m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (1542)

Show Notes: Books and . . .

Lejon from Chandler chimes in on the MacMillan-Amazon.com kerfuffle, and some points on the pricing disagreements and rumored e-book exclusivity are clarified in the process.

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The Library: Shadowrise by Tad Williams; Cat’s Claw by Amber Benson; Time Shares edited by Jean Rabe and Martin H. Greenberg; The Secret of the Dragon by Margaret Weis and Tracy Hickman; Dead Matter by Anton Strout; Starship: Flagship by Mike Resnick; Where Angels Fear to Tread by Thomas E. Sniegoski; Burn by Ted Dekker and Erin Healy;

Listener Review: Web Genii brings us a review of Santa Olivia by Jacqueline Carey.

The Library, continued: Coyote Destiny by Alan Steele; Hastur Lord by Marion Zimmer Bradley and Deborah J. Ross; Shalador’s Lady by Anne Bishop; Deep In The Woods by Chris Marie Green; A Magic of Nightfall by S. L. Farrell; The Brain Thief by Alexander Jablokov; Geosynchron by David Louis Edelman

Feedback Wanted: Do you have any input on the new Apple Tablet? Do you have writing related questions? Ask your question!

Submitting Listener comments: If you have any suggestions or comments, please let us know! “Cover to Cover” has it’s own call-in line, 206-350-READ! That’s 206-350-7323, or just email Michael with a comment you’ve recorded yourself!

What do you think about submitting writing related questions to “Cover to Cover”? What do you think about having authors read chapters as part of the show? Call in or email in with your thoughts!

FarPoint Forums: Head on over to the FarPoint Forums and join in the discussions on Dragon Page topics, and for most of your favorite FPM shows!

Second Life Info: FarPoint Media’s Second Life space can be found on the Third Life Books island in the Wind River Territory, the place for SL versions of Michael A. Stackpole’s writings, frequent author readings, and many other goodies, including a Wednesday night writing workshop. Find the island here: http://slurl.com/secondlife/Wind%20River%20Territory/50/129/22

Promo: Variant Frequencies
Link: Dragon’s Fire, Wizard’s Flame by Michael R. Mennenga

 

 Cover to Cover #397B: Books and . . . [39:10m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (1967)

Show Notes: L. E. Modesitt, Jr

Anna talks about her experience with the Sony Reader, and about her opinion on why she thinks the publishing industry should emulate the movie industry in including digital downloads when you purchase a hard copy of the content.

Mike M talks about his new Google Phone, and the Amazon Ereader app that he has available on it, and how it is to read a book on this device.

Mike S talks about his blog post about ebook design, and how authors wanting to self-publish ebooks can learn a few design tricks and improve the quality of the finished product.

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Interview: Lee Modesitt joins us to talk about the 16th book in his Recluce series, Arms-Commander, and the world that the epic is set in.

He talks about how he grew this world after initially never intending to go beyond the first story, by taking the threads of the back story and world history that were dropped along the way and tying them together and expanding them as he wrote more and more stories in the setting.

The talk also ventures into coming up with stories to write and making them work, and the real reasons why sometimes you need to kill off a popular character in a series, and the story benefits of portraying emotional injury rather than physical injury on characters.

Feedback Wanted: Do you have any input on the new Apple Tablet, or on the e-book scuffle between Amazon and MacMillan? Do you have writing related questions? Ask your question!

Submitting Listener comments: If you have any suggestions or comments, please let us know! “Cover to Cover” has it’s own call-in line, 206-350-READ! That’s 206-350-7323, or just email Michael with a comment you’ve recorded yourself!

What do you think about submitting writing related questions to “Cover to Cover”? What do you think about having authors read chapters as part of the show? Call in or email in with your thoughts!

FarPoint Forums: Head on over to the FarPoint Forums and join in the discussions on Dragon Page topics, and for most of your favorite FPM shows!

Second Life Info: FarPoint Media’s Second Life space can be found on the Third Life Books island in the Wind River Territory, the place for SL versions of Michael A. Stackpole’s writings, frequent author readings, and many other goodies, including a Wednesday night writing workshop. Find the island here: http://slurl.com/secondlife/Wind%20River%20Territory/50/129/22

Promo: The Survival Guide to Writing Fantasy
Promo: Mur Lafferty: I Should Be Writing
Link: L. E. Modesitt, Jr Official Website
Link: Dragon’s Fire, Wizard’s Flame by Michael R. Mennenga

 

 Cover to Cover #397A: L. E. Modesitt, Jr [36:43m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (2234)

The Dragon Page is pleased to bring you a giveaway featuring Burn by Ted Dekker and Erin Healy!

We are giving away two (2) copies! 

To enter, just send an email to contest [at] dragonpage [dot] com and put “Dekker” in the subject line.

Be sure to include your name and shipping address in the body of the email. Any entries submitted without name and mailing address information will be disqualified and discarded.

One entry per email per day, and all entries must be received by midnight Pacific time, March 5, 2010.

This contest is only open to those with mailing addresses in the US.

Show Notes: Nina Munteanu

So, you, our listeners, wanted to get back to the discussions about the craft of writing and story-telling?

You’re welcome!

If you’re writing, starting to write, stuck in your writing process, submit your question. Michael and Michael will start getting your writing related questions of our upcoming guest authors to get a wide variety of answers, observations and opinions for you.

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Interview: Canadian SF author Nina Munteanu drops by today to talk about writing!

Her latest book is a writer’s guide, The Fiction Writer: Get Published, Write Now!, and Nina talks about the obstacles (real and imagined) facing new writers today, teaching writing, the possibilities on the direction of the future of storytelling, and more.

To keep informed about Nina’s appearances, and sign up for her online and on-site workshops, visit The Passionate Writer. You can also find Nina’s articles on writing and publishing there; become a member and receive her informative and entertaining newsletter.

Feedback Wanted: Do you have any input on the new Apple Tablet, or on the e-book scuffle between Amazon and MacMillan? Do you have writing related questions? Ask your question!

Feedback: Tim Low recommends that people try using the “Donate” buttons over at Slice of SciFi if you want to help out the shows and donate smaller amounts. And since you’re all asking, Summer will look into adjusting the amounts available on DragonPage.com

Submitting Listener comments: If you have any suggestions or comments, please let us know! “Cover to Cover” has it’s own call-in line, 206-350-READ! That’s 206-350-7323, or just email Michael with a comment you’ve recorded yourself!

What do you think about submitting writing related questions to “Cover to Cover”? What do you think about having authors read chapters as part of the show? Call in or email in with your thoughts!

FarPoint Forums: Head on over to the FarPoint Forums and join in the discussions on Dragon Page topics, and for most of your favorite FPM shows!

Second Life Info: FarPoint Media’s Second Life space can be found on the Third Life Books island in the Wind River Territory, the place for SL versions of Michael A. Stackpole’s writings, frequent author readings, and many other goodies, including a Wednesday night writing workshop. Find the island here: http://slurl.com/secondlife/Wind%20River%20Territory/50/129/22

Promo: Let’s Talk Joss!
Promo: Short Cummings Audio
Link: Darwin’s Paradox by Nina Munteanu
Link: Dragon’s Fire, Wizard’s Flame by Michael R. Mennenga

 

 Cover to Cover #396A: Nina Munteanu [33:35m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (2800)

Review by Michael Hickerson (Slice of SciFi Editor)

“Star Trek” novels (and media tie-in novels in general) walk a very fine line when it comes to revisiting familiar elements from their original source material.    This can especially be true when it comes to giving the details behind the romantic liaisons of various character that took place off screen but are referenced and alluded to on-screen in various episodes or movies.

To most “Trek” readers, Peter David’s “Imzadi” is held up as the gold standard for filling in the details of a previous romance–in this case, giving us the history of Riker and Troi before they met again on the bridge of the starship Enterprise.

Then there’s the latest entry in the “Trek” fiction line, “Inception” that wants to give us a bit of insight into the romance between Captain James T. Kirk and Carol Marcus as well as that of Spock and Leila Calomi before the original series begin.  A novel that concentrated on one or the other might have worked better, but the usually reliable S.D. Perry and new writer Britta Dennison instead bring both romantic pairings together in such a way that strains the willing suspension of disbelief and, as a whole, drags down the story.

It also doesn’t help that most fans know how these things will end and the authors don’t offer any new insight or character nuances to help keep the story moving along.

Coming off a bad break-up, Leila joins Carol Marcus’ scientific team that is looking to use a revolutionary and controversial element to help terraform part of Mars.   A group of protesters seeks to stand in the way of the development, leading to a lot of passages that get bogged down in a debate over the merit of scientific progress and how it’s achieved with Kirk offering the Starfleet party line and the group’s leader opposing him.  The story does try to offer a motivation for the leader, but since he’s a relative new comer to the “Trek” universe it’s hard to really emphasize as much with him as we might or the authors want us to.

Into all this, we discover that Carol and Kirk are in the midst of their romance and that Leila meets Spock and falls hopelessly in love with him.

What could have been a fascinating exploration of two influential women in the lives of two of the most popular characters in the “Trek” canon instead is nothing more than a lot of relationship angst for pages on end.  Carol worries about how to tell Kirk her big news and how he’ll react while Leila pines for the emotionally unavailable Spock.

In many ways, the concept behind “Inception” is an interesting one, but as I read the novel I kept thinking it might have worked better as a short story. Weight in at just over 300 pages, the novel is fairly lightweight both in page count and in storyline.  The story is a fascinating experiment but one that, unfortunately, comes up short.

“Star Trek: Inception” by S.D. Perry and Britta Dennison
Pocket Books, (January 2010), 320 pages
ISBN-10: 0743482506

Review by Michael Hickerson (Slice of SciFi Editor)

If you’re not careful Stephen King’s latest tome may hurt you.  Weighing it at close to 1100 pages and almost four pounds, “Under the Dome” is a return to form for one of the best-selling authors of the past thirty years.

King says he began writing this novel 30 years ago, but wasn’t quite ready to give it the effort it needed.  Thankfully, he didn’t abandon the concept of a small group of people cut off from the outside world because “Under the Dome” is one of the better King novels we’ve had in a long time.  And given that with his new publishing contract that his books are better edited these days and he’s really delivered some great books, that’s saying a lot.

The small town of Chester’s Mill is having a reasonably ordinary day when a giant dome literally cuts the town off from the outside world.  The first hundred or so pages look at the dome’s fall and its immediate impact–from birds crashing into the dome to a plane crash to animals being chopped literally in half by the dome.  The story them follows a huge cast of characters in the town as they struggle and devolve into political factions.  The town’s leadership is hiding secrets, including the fact that second Selectman “Big Jim” Rennie is the mastermind behind one of the largest crystal meth operations in the state.  Rennie has been playing fast with the rules, lining his own pockets and hoarding certain town resources.  Finding out who is involved in this elaborate conspiracy is just one of the fascinating journeys that King takes readers on in the just under 1100 pages that the novel unfolds.

Big Jim is a classic King villain–a guy so convinced of his own divine right to rule and that his decisions are what’s best for everyone (because they’re what’s best for him)–that you can’t help but root against him.

Meanwhile, we’ve got Dale Barbara, an Iraqi war vet on his way out of town when the Dome leaves him stranded.  Barbara (or as we come to know him by his nickname of Barbie) has crossed paths with Big Jim’s son and several buddies during a bar fight.  Barbie won the fight, but lost the war when he realizes that leaving town might be his best move.  Unfortunately, he doesn’t make it out in time and is trapped as well, leading to some further complications when the President puts him in charge of the situation.  To say Big Jim is not happy is an understatement.

The story unfolds over the course of four days under the dome with King examining the conflict between good and evil and looking at how ordinary people react to extraordinary circumstances.  In that, “Under the Dome” is vintage King. But King takes the dome concept a bit further, looking at the environmental impact the dome has on the Mill and its surrounding area.  In some ways, it’s almost along the lines of apocalyptic thriller along the lines of “The Stand” though there are probably King fans who would argue that “The Stand” is better.

If you’re a Stephen King fan, this is a must read.  Carve out some time, settle back, do some hand exercises (holding the book until you read the 200 page and pass the 900 page mark will require some strength and dexterity) and enjoy a superb read by one of the masters of contemporary fiction.

Under the Dome by Stephen King
Publisher: Scribner (November 10, 2009)
ISBN-10: 0765321858

Show Notes: Weighing in on the iPad

Keep sending in those reviews and other things Mike wants to hear from you!

Listener Review: Quill in Four Corners brings us a review of the Castle tie-in novel, “Heat Wave”, the first in the “Nikki Heat” series, based on the characters created by the novelist in the TV series.

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iPad Feedback: Offering a suggestion, Daryl in Chicago posits that Stackpole might be better off waiting for the second generation iPad before diving in; Sandy in Maryland weighs in on the current crop of ebook readers, and wants to know why Stackpole bought the Sony E-Reader; Kevin in Phoenix suggests that Stackpole should get the iPad, and wonders if content can be transferred between the iTouch and the iPad;

Redshirt from Iowa weighs in on the iPad debate; Anna lists her reasons why she won’t be buying an iPad for herself; Logan from FL thinks the system is a little too closed for him to consider getting an iPad, and prefers e-ink over LCD.

Do you have any input on the new Apple iPad? Let your views be heard!

Submitting Listener comments: If you have any suggestions or comments, please let us know! “Cover to Cover” has it’s own call-in line, 206-350-READ! That’s 206-350-7323, or just email Michael with a comment you’ve recorded yourself!

What do you think about submitting writing related questions to “Cover to Cover”? What do you think about having authors read chapters as part of the show? Call in or email in with your thoughts!

FarPoint Forums: Head on over to the FarPoint Forums and join in the discussions on Dragon Page topics, and for most of your favorite FPM shows!

Second Life Info: FarPoint Media’s Second Life space can be found on the Third Life Books island in the Wind River Territory, the place for SL versions of Michael A. Stackpole’s writings, frequent author readings, and many other goodies, including a Wednesday night writing workshop. Find the island here: http://slurl.com/secondlife/Wind%20River%20Territory/50/129/22

Promo: SFF Audio
Link: Dragon’s Fire, Wizard’s Flame by Michael R. Mennenga

 

 Cover to Cover #395B: Weighing in on the iPad [32:15m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (2349)

Show Notes: Samuel R. Delany

Michael and Michael weigh in on the Amazon-MacMillan kerfuffle.

If you want to add your thoughts and opinions, call in and leave a voicemail!

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Interview: Our guest today is acclaimed Hugo and Nebula award-winning author Samuel R. Delany.

He is currently a professor of English and Creative Writing at Temple University, and his most recent book is the revised edition of The Jewel-Hinged Jaw, published by Wesleyan Press.

The talk ranges from science fiction as societal predictors; sexuality; the growth and changes that writers might experience or choose; the history of science fiction criticism, the teaching of writing, and more.

Feedback Wanted: Do you have any input on the new Apple Tablet, or on the e-book scuffle between Amazon and MacMillan? Let your opinion be heard!

Submitting Listener comments: If you have any suggestions or comments, please let us know! “Cover to Cover” has it’s own call-in line, 206-350-READ! That’s 206-350-7323, or just email Michael with a comment you’ve recorded yourself!

What do you think about submitting writing related questions to “Cover to Cover”? What do you think about having authors read chapters as part of the show? Call in or email in with your thoughts!

FarPoint Forums: Head on over to the FarPoint Forums and join in the discussions on Dragon Page topics, and for most of your favorite FPM shows!

Second Life Info: FarPoint Media’s Second Life space can be found on the Third Life Books island in the Wind River Territory, the place for SL versions of Michael A. Stackpole’s writings, frequent author readings, and many other goodies, including a Wednesday night writing workshop. Find the island here: http://slurl.com/secondlife/Wind%20River%20Territory/50/129/22

Promo: Buffy Between the Lines
Promo: Babylon Podcast
Link: Dragon’s Fire, Wizard’s Flame by Michael R. Mennenga

 

 Cover to Cover #395A: Samuel R. Delany [41:10m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (2628)

Kage Baker passed away from cancer on Sunday, and I’m still not sure how to process that. It’s taken me this long to figure out what I want to say.

I’ve known Kage for over 10 years, though we hadn’t chatted via email in a few years. I’d only just found out she was ill a few hours before finding out she was gone. The realization that there’s a finite number of her stories yet to come, that I won’t be able to invite her back on “Cover to Cover” to chat about them, is slowly sinking in.

Her early Company novels are amongst the small handful of books I’ve bought multiple times, in order to place them into the hands of friends that would enjoy them, but who had never heard of them, and probably wouldn’t remember to check for them the next time they went book shopping. The stories worked their own magic on those friends, who never needed more reminders to check for Company tales.

There’s a wonderful overview and appreciation of her stories from this past summer over at Green Man Review, and many thanks to whomever took that photo… I had to use it.

There’s a lovely tribute to Kage by Marty Halpern, mostly about how he came to edit Black Projects, White Knights, amongst other memories. For his work on that collection, I think I will someday have to give him a hug and a kiss.

I remember asking Kage years ago why Graveyard Game was only available in the UK and why Mendoza in Hollywood was so impossible to find. I remember how antsy and excited I became when she told me that I only had to wait another year or so, because Tor was going to eventually rerelease the early Company novels as well as continue the series.

I remember her mailing a couple copies of Black Projects, White Knights back to me, having forgetten to sign them before doing so, and the huge laugh we both got out of that.

I remember the cover proofs she sent me of the new trade versions of In the Garden of Iden and Mendoza in Hollywood, and the snarky but amused commentary she’d written on them.

I remember her telling a bunch of us on an old forum that she was going to be in a segment on a Food Network program, and I remember hunting through the TV listings, hoping to TiVo it (even though she really didn’t want any of us to see it). I remember the discussion about Victorian food, and the jokes about spotted dick in particular. I don’t remember if I saved a copy of it to vhs or dvd for her, or for anyone else.

Even though I have her stories on my shelves to continue to enjoy along with the happy and funny memories, I will dearly miss Auntie Kage.

Link: Kage Baker