This time of year, writers who blog tend to lay out their plans for the next twelve months: writing projects, submission goals, directions for their craft, whose work they plan to read, and so on. And so I too am using this time to consider my writing in the coming year. But not, in the […]
Just about all the articles, blog posts, and books you can find on author self-promotion will contain this bit of advice: you need a website. Nothing fancy, just a website with a list of works, a bio, maybe a blog, maybe a picture. But you need a website. As a relatively new SF author—I can’t […]
In my post from July, I discussed the three archetypes that the three men who entered Herland exemplified: the philanderer, the woman-worshiper, and the observer. In this post, I’ll draw parallels between those three types and the reasons men often give for wanting to enter women-only spaces. Again, in this post, I do want to […]
Recently, I interviewed Dr. Sabrina Starnaman, Clinical Assistant Professor of Literary Studies at The University of Texas at Dallas, who teaches science fiction and fantasy as literature courses. Some of the classes she has taught include “The Hero’s Journey,” “LeGuin and Butler,” and “Cyborgs and Robots.” Her research foci include American literature written by and about […]
Among the problems of aging utopian novels is the fact that many of the ideas these perfect societies are founded upon become outdated and, sadly, obscure the lessons present-day readers can take from them. Such is the case with Charlotte Perkins Gilman’s 1915 novel Herland, in which three male explorers from the US attempt to […]
Late spring in North Texas brings with it warmer nights, more thunderstorms, and, alas, mosquitoes. Many, many mosquitoes. Some bite during the day, others bite at dawn and dusk. We all cover up in long sleeves and douse ourselves in whatever promises to keep the critters from feasting on us, but the welts show up […]
Recently, I interviewed Dr. Sabrina Starnaman, Clinical Assistant Professor of Literary Studies at The University of Texas at Dallas, who teaches science fiction and fantasy as literature courses. Some of the classes she has taught include “The Hero’s Journey,” “LeGuin and Butler,” and “Cyborgs and Robots.” Her research focuses include American literature written by and about […]
Here in the US, the Academy of American Poets recognizes April as National Poetry Month, a time to highlight the importance of poetry in the public sphere and to support the writing, reading, and teaching of poetry. The AAP suggests thirty ways to celebrate National Poetry Month, which includes reading poems and reading about poetry […]
In a recent post on her website, Mary Robinette Kowal noted that the percentage of SFF books available for purchase at airport bookstores that were written by women and non-binary authors was alarmingly small in comparison to those written by men. Her explanation of her methodology struck me: “If I couldn’t tell and/or didn’t know, […]
Greetings from behind a cup of coffee. Not just any coffee. Coconut vanilla flavored coffee with a splash of milk and a bit of foam on top. Indulgent, a bit sweet, and rather pretty in the clear glass cafe mug. It’s sitting on the slate coaster between my monitor and me as I write this. […]
