John Scalzi, profiled in the NYT

John Schwartz wrote a great profile of John Scalzi in the NYT, in honor of his latest book, the absolutely cracking Redshirts, an existentialist comedy space-opera.

The novel, Mr. Scalzi’s eighth, is something of a hit, especially for a work of science fiction without light sabers — or any of the accouterments of big-brand series. Published last month by Tor, “Redshirts” made its debut at No. 15 on the New York Times hardcover best-seller list.
At 43, Mr. Scalzi knows more than a little about taking charge of his life, having been raised in frequent hardship in Southern California. “I can describe to you the taste of government cheese,” he said with a smile, disarming but not happy, in a recent interview over lunch during a visit to New York.
He scored a scholarship to the Webb School of California, a boarding school in Claremont where his poverty was notable even to another scholarship student, Joshua Micah Marshall, who went on to create the political Web site Talking Points Memo. Yet Mr. Scalzi “never had any interest or desire or inclination to be anyone other than who he was,” Mr. Marshall said.

The Extras Get a Life

I write books. My latest is a YA science fiction novel called Homeland (it's the sequel to Little Brother). More books: Rapture of the Nerds (a novel, with Charlie Stross); With a Little Help (short stories); and The Great Big Beautiful Tomorrow (novella and nonfic). I speak all over the place and I tweet and tumble, too.

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http://twitter.com/haypenny Hannah T

Very much enjoyed the Wil Wheaton reading of this. It reminds me of Sophie’s World when they…well I won’t spoil it (much).
http://pulse.yahoo.com/_UWDFQHLRCTYZIOWFK3UZK223WI Rusty Shackleford

Government cheese is actually very tasty.
Pope Ratzo

In Europe, they have government Caprifeulle Saint Maure.
http://www.misscellania.com/ MissCellania

I’m sure most people of a certain age know what government cheese tastes like. However, Scalzi could describe it better than most.
jeligula

Went to Hastings to buy some books recently. Their “Science Fiction” section needs to be renamed. Thousands of books and only about 5% were science fiction, the rest were fantasy series. If it weren’t for Kevin J. Anderson, there wouldn’t have been any sci fi there at all. Excepting the obligatory Star Wars section, that is.
- Talia
  
  This is par for the course in the vast majority of bookstores I’ve been in. They lump science fiction and fantasy together. Pretty standard. (Although some places do the favor of labeling the section sci-fi/fantasy. Others don’t bother).