Words and Worlds by Carl Bystrom
Magical Thinking for Androids and Other Future Beings
Two years ago today, Prince died.
We all die. This inevitable fact gives our lives meaning and urgency, initiates despair and depression, inspires art, appreciation of beauty, and reverent contemplation. The looming threat of death can inspire greatness and can breed anger, fear, and violence. Whether we embrace our end or fight it, ignore the inevitable or stare it in the face, we can’t avoid death. It will be the conclusion for all of us. Continue reading “Remember: the Incomparable Prince”
I usually listen to podcasts like RadioLab, More Perfect, Hidden Brain, and Invisibilia when I run. (I use “run” in the most modern sense – the pace at which I shuffle my feet used to be called “jogging” but that term seems to have slipped out of favor.) But while waiting for fresh episodes, I often look to Escape Pod, an always reliable source for professionally rendered audio sci-fi short stories, to keep my mind off my tiring legs.
Yesterday, I was entranced by an episode in Escape Pod’s Artemis Rising series (a month of sci-fi by female authors) called Promise by Christi Nogle. I won’t spoil anything about this story except to say that if you like crisp plots that tie up neatly at the end, then you might look askance at this one, but I recommend it anyway. Promise is mesmerizing and beautifully read by Tina Connolly. I enjoyed it so much that after I finished my run, I went to the site and read the story for myself.
Art (for Escape Pod) by Geneva B
I’m a middle-aged white guy living in the suburbs of Seattle, so my late arrival to this particular party should surprise no one. I surely won’t be the last through the door, so to save any of you that embarrassment, I encourage you to explore the amazing talent that is Janelle Monáe. Continue reading “Listen: To (Anything and Everything by) Janelle Monáe”
For those of you who write, tell stories, or take an interest in the process, I highly recommend an article that appeared in the January issue of Clarkesworld magazine:
Luke vs Han: An Approach to Characterization by Kelly Robson
Although it’s a couple months old, I’ve referenced this article in multiple conversations over the last few weeks so I thought I’d share it here as well. Continue reading “For Writers: Kelly Robson’s Luke vs Han”
The cover story from the Jan/Feb issue of Analog Magazine, The Quantum Magician by Derek Künsken, is a delightful first installment in a hard sci-fi serial that opens in classic Seven Samurai style and plays at the edges of what we know, or what we think we know, about physics. The science is intriguing but the fiction is entirely engaging. I look forward to following the crazy cast of characters through the ongoing adventure!
Another Highly Recommended piece that you can sample by clicking here.
Enjoy!
The Rescue of the Renegat, a novella by Kristine Kathryn Rusch from the latest issue of Asimov’s Science Fiction, is a super fun read! Flawed characters race against time in a deep space adventure with just enough mystery to keep the pages flipping.
You can check out an excerpt by clicking here, but will need to purchase the magazine to read the story in its entirety.
Both the magazine as a whole and this piece in particular are Highly Recommended.
Happy New Year Everyone!