Monthly Archives: November 2009

xkcd: A Very Short Review

Posted on November 30, 2009 by

As all geeks probably know, xkcd is a web comic with a computer-geek slant.  Geeks are of course an SF writer’s core audience, so we do have many things in common.   Many xkcd  panels have more than one F&SF reference … Continue reading →


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Posted in comics, Reviews | 3 Comments

A Ranty Review: Queen of the Orcs

Posted on November 30, 2009 by

I read Queen of the Orcs: King’s Property by Morgan Howell on my Kindle because it looked promising.  It starts off well, but ultimately fails. Dar is half kidnapped, half sold by her parents into the king’s army, where she … Continue reading →


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Posted in Reviews | Tagged , , | 6 Comments

Form to Function, Redux

Posted on November 30, 2009 by

I’ve talked about this-world breeds and types of horses in previous posts, and gone into some detail about equine form for various functions. This week I’d like to revisit the topic, but with a more speculative bent: creating breeds and … Continue reading →


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Posted in Blogs, horses | Tagged , , , , | 8 Comments

I Think I Am John Hodgman – Part III

Posted on November 29, 2009 by

Buying a new computer, continued from Part I & II Having experienced shoppingFAIL at the way-too-cool Apple Store, I whine to several of my Mac geek friends. It’s kind of surprising how many Mac geeks there are here in Microsoftland. … Continue reading →


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Posted in Writers on Writing | 2 Comments

It’s Genetic

Posted on November 28, 2009 by

When my son, who is 7, found out I was writing a book about vampires (the Vampire Chef series, the first book of which I’m turning in to the editors in early June), he immediately started telling me how the … Continue reading →


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Posted in Announcements | 9 Comments

An Anime Review — The Place Promised in our Early Days

Posted on November 27, 2009 by

The Place Promised in Our Early Days (PP) is Makoto Shinkai’s first full length movie.  Shinkai, a one man band creator who won awards for Voices of a Distant Star, his first anime, has teamed with others for his second … Continue reading →


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The Way of the Warrior: Security Theatre

Posted on November 26, 2009 by

I have a confession to make: Going through security at the airport stresses me out, because I’m always worried that I’ve accidentally broken some rule that will get me pulled aside. And when they pull you aside, they just leave … Continue reading →


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Posted in Book View Cafe | 4 Comments

My Apologies, Star Wars Fans….

Posted on November 25, 2009 by

Yes, I was supposed to do a blog this week on Star Wars heroines, but somehow, with the Thanksgiving holiday approaching  my schedule sprang more leaks than I had thumbs to plug them with. AND not only are we hosting … Continue reading →


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Posted in Star Wars, Writers on Writing | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

How to Escape from the Slushpile

Posted on November 25, 2009 by

I used to work at a Major New York Publisher (all right: it was Tor Books). First, I worked in production, then as the Publisher’s Assistant.  Both jobs were fast-paced, chaotic, exhausting.  Sometimes I needed a break. Those were the … Continue reading →


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Posted in Publishing, Writers on Writing | 7 Comments

On Reading Canine Body Language

Posted on November 24, 2009 by

Our German Shepherd Dog, Oka, developed fear-aggression after being attacked on several occasions by other dogs. I watched him go from “Another dog! Hooray — great fun, great smells!” to “Another dog — oh no, OH NO — he’s after … Continue reading →


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Posted in Announcements, dogs | Tagged , , | 3 Comments