Time for Moorcock
I was pleased to see Time’s Nerd World blog run a Q&A with Texas (by way of England, of course) sf/fantasy treasure Michael Moorock. Writer Lev Grossman ladels on some serious praise and pimps Mike’s new collection, The Best of Michael Moorcock.
I have to agree with Grossman when he calls Moorcock, “the writer who introduced me to the ridiculously powerful things that happen when you put a sophisticated, contemporary literary vocabulary at the service of a blackly grim high-fantasy imagination.”
Moorcock’s Elric books were among the first works of sf, fantasy and horror that I read, and I can blame him, in large part, for my subsequent immersion in the genre. Not to mention, my crackbrained dream of pursuing a writing career.
Mike’s fearless imagination and uncompromising vision certainly left a deep mark on me and countless others. Praise well deserved.
And, yes, I know the headline above sounds filthy, but perhaps it will lure in some curiousity seekers. Who knows?
Now playing: “Mutiny” – The Birthday Party
The GOP’s new bully pulpit
Writer Jeffrey Ford’s 14theditch blog pointed me toward this great Tom Gilroy editorial at The Huffington Post. Gilroy explains that the GOP’s bashing of Sonia Sotomayor has little to do with trying to derail her appointment — which is all but impossible, given the Dems’ control of the Senate — but everything to do with intimidating the Obama Whitehouse, the media and progressive-minded voters.
“That’s the goal here,” Gilroy writes, ”keeping ignorance alive so you can cajole it to the ballot box, the streets, in front of David Letterman’s studio, at the local Board of Ed meeting or the commencement at Notre Dame.
Or outside Dr George Tiller’s women’s health clinic or the Holocaust Museum — carrying a gun.”
“Whatsoever” takes the Moonlit Path
Just returned from a few relaxing days at the beach with my wife to find out that my tale of fundamentalist fear, ”Whatsoever a Man Soweth,” is now online in the summer issue of Tales from the Moonlit Path.
It was inspired by a nightmare last fall, when it actually looked like Sarah Palin might end up a heartbeat away from the U.S.presidency. I racked up 16 rejection letters before I finally found a taker.
Thankfully, it looks like the former Gov. You-Betcha isn’t going to be getting anywhere near the White House, but the tale is available for you to savor just the same.
Now playing: “Universal Consciousness” – Alice Coltrane
Sanford in silhouette
I recently did some modeling for my buddy John Picacio for his excellent cover art on Subterranean Press’ limited edition of Dan Simmons’ The Terror. With my clothes on, of course. Lots of heavy, winter clothes during late spring in sweltering San Antonio, to be exact.
Those shadowy figures in the foreground? Yep. All me. John wisely depicted me in silhouette, fearful that my face would drastically harm book sales.
I had a blast doing it (even if I nearly had a heat stroke), and John delivered an excellent cover that captures the icy essence of The Terror.
Now Playing: “Boomer’s Story” – Ry Cooder
Raking the muck with Rucker
The Steampunk Scholar blog has an interview with the ever-fascinating sf author Rudy Rucker. Definitely worth checking out.
Flash From the Mouth
Sonar 4 Publications’ newly released From the Mouth anthology features two of my super-short stories, “A Fine Vintage” and “Loves Me, Loves Me Not.”
And — what do you know – I also penned the introduction to the book, a collection of horror and sf flash fiction, or stories clocking in at fewer than 1,000 words in length.
For those of you keeping score at home, another of my flash pieces, “The Regular,” is scheduled to appear in September in the online horror mag Fifty-Two Stitches.