Michael Stackpole talks a bit about Space Vulture, and how possibly the marketing campaign behind it might have missed the mark. It's 50s style aimed at a seasoned 21st century audience, and as a result he has a bone to pick about the "SciFi Essential" label being thrown about on a number of new books. Is Tor choosing what gets that label, or is SciFi Channel doing the picking, or is it a group effort?
Does targeting the wrong audience do irreparable damage to the story or the author? Does familiarity with and knowledge of the genre come first in consideration, or is it merely aiming for the largest mass audience in an attempt to get their monies?
Listener Review: Scott Purdy gives us a review of Bone Song by John Meaney, newly released in hardcover in the US. Cyber Zombie Noir... sounds cool.
Submitting Listener comments: If you have any suggestions or comments, please let us know!
The Library: Mike, Mike and Lorrie discuss the newly arrived books: Embrace the Night by Karen Chance; The Magician and the Fool by Barth Anderson; Small Favor by Jim Butcher; Steward of Song by Adam Stemple; Nebula Award Showcase 2008; In The Courts of the Crimson Kings by S. M. Stirling; Truancy by Isamu Fukui; The Lost Ones by Christopher Golden; Viewpoints Critical by L. E. Modesitt, Jr.
Don't forget, you can also comment on books listed in The Library... look through the listings and feel free to post your thoughts and comments there.
Promo: INFECTED by Scott Sigler
Just wanted to let you know how much I love your show. Every time I hear you all get excited while reading a synopsis, it's all I can do to not go to the nearest book store that minute and see what I'm missing. Keep up the great work.
Margaret Atwood did finally admit that she has written scifi (after the squids in space farce):
http://arts.guardian.co.uk/fridayreview/story/0,12102,1507718,00.html#article_continue
The Important bit being:
I have written two works of science fiction or, if you prefer, speculative fiction: The Handmaid's Tale and Oryx and Crake. Here are some of the things these kinds of narratives can do that socially realistic novels cannot do.