The 2019 Nebula Awards were announced and presented last night in Los Angeles: the prize for best novel went to Mary Robinette Kowal (previously for The Calculating Stars.
Wired Magazine has just published a package of eight sf writers visions of "The Future of Work," including some of our favorite authors like Laurie Penny (previously), Charlie Jane Anders (previously), Nisi Shawl (previously), Ken Liu (previously) and others — eight in all.
Colin writes, "Parvus Press is funding IF THIS GOES ON, an anthology of political science fiction on Kickstarter. The anthology is edited by Cat Rambo, author and president of the Science Fiction Writers of America. It features thirty original stories dealing with the long-term impact of the policies and politics of our current elected leaders. — Read the rest
Celebrate International Women's Day in stfnal style with Nevertheless She Persisted, a free anthology of original flash fiction by some of science fiction's leading women voices, from Catherynne M. Valente to Amal El-Mohtar to Jo Walton to Nisi Shawl to Charlie Jane Anders to Seanan McGuire to Alyssa Wong to Kameron Hurley — and more!
The Science Fiction Writers of America has released the ballot for this year's Nebula awards, nominated for and voted upon by the organization's members; the ballot lists novellas, short stories, novelettes, YA novels (the Andre Norton award), dramatic presentations (the Bradbury award), and novels — including two debut novels I reviewed in 2016: Nisi Shawl's Everfair and Charlie Jane Anders' All the Birds in the Sky.
Though Everfair is Nisi Shawl's debut novel, it's also been a hotly anticipated book for years, as Shawl is the co-author of Writing the Other, a seminal book about diversity in prose; and is a much-respected critic and teacher. The book was worth the wait.
Niall from the online speculative fiction magazine Strange Horizons writes, "Our annual fund drive has just 6 days to run, and we still need to raise at least $3,000! Why should you, the fine readers of Boing Boing, consider donating this year?"
Pablo Defendini writes, "Fireside Fiction Company has released a report detailing the dismal state
of representation of black writers in the science fiction and fantasy short
fiction market
Despite increasing efforts to boost representation of people of color
generally, the prospects for black writers, specifically, have not been
improving. — Read the rest
For more than a decade, science fiction and fantasy writers have handed around Nisi Shawl and Cynthia Ward's Writing the Other, an intensely practical and thoughtful guide to inclusive, representative writing that includes people of genders, ethnicities, races, and orientations other than the writer's.
Nisi "Writing the Other" (previously) Shawl has assembled a fantastic (in more ways than one) reading list for people interested in the history of science fiction written by black writers.
Science fiction titan Nalo Hopkinson appears in this week's Geek Guide to the Galaxy podcast, talking about race, diversity, and sf.
Two of these should make you smile, one should make you shake your head.
Publisher Steven Saus sends us a Kickstarter for "a diverse steampunk anthology from your favorite award-winning authors, including Jay Lake, Nisi Shawl, Ken Liu, and Lucy A. Snyder."
Mary Robinette Kowal sez, "Many authors struggle to write beyond what they know and write the other. While conventions are tackling this material, there is frequently not enough time to delve into this tricky and nuanced skill. The Writing the Other Workshop and Retreat is designed to have lessons and conversations at a more advanced level. — Read the rest
Clarion West's Nisi Shawl writes,
— Read the restThanks for Your Generous Response to Clarion West Dorm Burglary
Due to the swift and generous response of the SF community, Clarion West has now received nearly enough money to replace the four student laptops stolen July 4 from rooms at the workshop residence.
Eileen sez, "Aqueduct Press has posted its 2007 finale: 22 year's best lists from some of the liveliest and most political of speculative fiction writers and critics, including Nicola Griffith, Kelley Eskridge, Rebecca Ore, Jeff Ford, Eleanor Arneson, Cheryl Morgan, Nisi Shawl, Cat Rambo, Josh Lukin, Lucy Sussex, L. — Read the rest
Steve sez, "The Science Fiction Museum and Hall of Fame in Seattle, of which Octavia Butler was an Advisory Board member, is holding a public memorial at the Museum tomorrow at 7:30 PM, including readings of favorite passages from her writings by fellow local science fiction authors." — Read the rest
A book for writers tackles the tricky issue of writing characters of other racial backgrounds, sex, or sexual orientation.
Last month, I blogged about Pam Noles's wonderful essay about the difficulty of being a black sf writer in a largely white field, and about white writers' reluctance to attempt to portray people of color. — Read the rest
Eileen Gunn, Editor & Publisher of The Infinite Matrix (an amazing online sf zine) writes:
— Read the restInfinite Matrix is trying to jumpstart its bank account, which is way past empty. Nisi Shawl has masterminded a fundraising festival in which major SF writers have contributed their personal artwork and handicrafts as rewards for donors to the site.
