This is a stable, regularly updated* version of my @ISTeahouse Twitter thread collecting free/low-cost science fiction/fantasy (sff) and related online conventions for the fall and winter of 2020. All events are online and cost $50 or less (most are free!). Please share, and if you know of any other events**, contact me (preferably via Twitter, … Continue reading Free & Cheap Conventions, Fall/Winter 2020
Knowing I’d be stuck on airplanes too small to even comfortably open my iPad and keyboard, I asked Twitter whether there was a good app I could use to write with the Apple Pencil. All I wanted was consistently good handwriting recognition and a painless way to get the text into other programs, like Scrivener. A friend recommended MyScript Nebo, which turned out to be exactly what I wanted. It has the simple features that I want, and not a lot else. (If you want simulated papers and inks, this is not your app.) Continue reading Writing Tool: MyScript Nebo
We have a rare gift on the Hugo ballot this year: clipping.’s science fiction concept album, Splendor and Misery. They generously handed out a bunch of download codes to prospective Hugo voters (me included), but you can also listen to the whole thing courtesy of Sub Pop on YouTube. This “experimental hip-hop” album is up … Continue reading Real Players Trip Light-Years
If you ever watched a lot of American 1980s TV sitcoms, you probably saw several “Very Special Episodes.” In these episodes, little things like humor, characterization, and plot take a back seat (or maybe a ride in the trunk) to what are generally ham-handed attempts by aged, and usually pretty clueless, adults to impart very … Continue reading The Kids These Days and The Novels: A Very Special Episode
Last time, we started looking at some hysterical letters by F. C. W. (who may very well be Francis Channing Woodworth) that were published in The Mother’s Magazine in the 1840s. Fourth on the list is “Moral Poisons: The Antidote,” which starts with the rather worrying sentence “Under the general caption of ‘Moral Poisons,’ I … Continue reading The Kids These Days and The Novels: F. C. W., Poisonous Literature, and Cranky Letters to the Editor: Cruise Control
Just a brief note: together with Alyssa Franke of Whovian Feminism, we came up with a panel about gender-mixing in science fiction and fantasy for Gallifrey One, the Doctor Who convention in LA. It was well received! I’ll write my own thoughts on it (and give appropriate shout-outs to my co-panelists and our moderator) later, … Continue reading You Just Got Holtzmanned! on SyFy Wire
Yes, YOU. Applications are now open for Viable Paradise 21! My detailed VP blog is still in the works, because there was just so much! So much writing, so much thought-provoking discussion, so many great new writing family members, so many feels. So many songs I didn’t know how to sing. Such a big stack … Continue reading You should apply for Viable Paradise
Advances in Science & Conservation GHOSTS GRAVITIONAL WAVES ARE REAL!!! Thanks, risktaking science. I hope you can stick around… Pandas off the endangered species list Measles declared eradicated in North & South America First solar-powered airport in Africa opens (George Airport in South Africa–and note: The only other solar-powered airport in the world is in … Continue reading Saving Graces of 2016
JT Crane isn’t alone in comparing novels to drugs. I was browsing merrycoz.org, which is where I’ve found a lot of the characters I’ve written about, when I found a couple of articles written by F. C. W. (quite possibly Francis C. Woodworth) published in The Mother’s Magazine, . In “Moral Poisons: The Antidote,” F. … Continue reading The Kids These Days and The Novels: F. C. W., Poisonous Literature, and Cranky Letters to the Editor
2016 was a terrible year overall. But though it feels wrong to say so, 2016 was actually pretty good for me, socially and professionally. Especially in a terrible year like this one, sitting down in December and recording your successes is essential. We’re going to need the reminder to give us fuel for next year. … Continue reading Year-End Review
