Fiction Discussion

This is from my friend Rick

For those of you who have an hour or so to spare for a bit of fiction:

My blog post today is about a short story (novelette, actually) by Ted Chiang that appeared in S&SF last year and has now been nominated for the Hugo and Nebula awards. I'm asking those of you with blogs to make a little experimental space on your blog for the links to the free audio and text versions of the story so that us and your readers can attempt a group discussion of the story -

How it works,
How it doesn't,
Whether it's deserving of the awards,
Whether it showcases modern science fiction as a still-promising genre, etc.

All I request is that you link back to my post and put a comment on mine so other people can find their way to your blog post as well.

For those of you without blogs I'm asking for participation - too much of our entertainment these days is passive. Jump in, read the story, talk about it. If you hate it, then say so. If you love it, tell us and others about it. If this works, I'll find other free - linked stories to try this with and it can become an (ir-) regular feature.

New Review of An Old Book

I came across this nice review of Tall, Dark & Dead at Kaijsa Reads: 11. Tall, Dark & Dead.

As a bonus, there's a nice little discussion about the chick-lit label.

Astro Alert: Pluto Retrograde!

The newest in planetary developments affecting your life directly from Astrology.com:

The plot thickens. Ever since January 25 when powerful Pluto entered Capricorn, the sign of the builder, you have been examining conditions you have left (or are leaving) and have been wondering where you want to put your energy and ambitions. What projects do you want to invest in? Where do you want your life to take you? These are changing times and you are feeling every bit of it!

Now, on April 2, Pluto turns retrograde for the first time in its new sign -- giving you the opportunity to review the blueprint of your life plan. Additionally, Mercury's entrance into Aries on April 2 (new ideas) and Venus' transit into the same sign on April 5 (a new love interest?) encourage you to be bold, not to shy away from these important new beginnings.

Now is the time to transform your life. You are embarking on a new chapter of a whole new story. The journey ahead is filled with all of the twists and turns that make a great novel and, since you are the author, this Pluto review in the midst of Aries energy offers you the opportunity to write, re-write and edit your amazing life story!

RtD Review!

Thanks to Tony L. P. Kelner for pointing out this great review for ROMANCING THE DEAD in Romantic Times:

"It's round three of witchy heroine Garnet Lacey's first-person adventures. One of the real pleasures of this series has been watching this spunky heroine come into her own. Relationships are never easy, and when you throw in supernatural jeopardy, it can play havoc with emotions. This is a guenuinely funny, adventurous and delightful read."