Tag: books
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Chinese science fiction: You’d better start reading it right now
China is a rising global power with a significant economy and population. Liu Cixin’s “The Three-Body Problem” explores historical themes and alien encounters, reflecting contemporary Chinese society and aspirations in science fiction.
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Five Questions: Sherry Decker, author of A Summer with the Dead
I’m not a huge horror fan, but my Five Questions interview with author Sherry Decker demonstrated that horror is a great way to explore the great questions that daunt us as humans. I heard author Sherry Decker read from her upcoming novel A Summer with the Dead at Two-Hour Transport, a monthly open mic and…
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Five Questions: Sabrina Chase, author of the Argonauts of Space series
Sabrina Chase, a Seattle indie author, discusses the publishing process, her series, and offers advice to aspiring writers.
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Five Questions: Aaron Ward, author of Upriver, Downriver
Aaron Ward, debut author of Upriver, Downriver, shares insights on his writing journey and the challenges of self-publishing in an interview series for authors.
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Five Questions: Kevin D. Aslan, author of Encore, a story of living twice
Kevin D. Aslan, a debut author, self-publishes his fantasy serial “Encore,” featuring Leo Melikian, who relives each day, while sharing insights on writing and publishing.
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Overheated: A weak narrative undercuts the urgency of climate change
Andrew Guzman’s book, Overheated, discusses climate change’s uncertain impacts on humanity, advocating for fiction to better explore its emotional and social consequences, beyond mere facts.
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Five Questions: Elizabeth Guizzetti, author of The Grove
The blog introduces a new feature called Five Questions, starting with author Elizabeth Guizzetti. She discusses her writing journey, advice for new authors, and upcoming projects.
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Ted Chiang’s sci-fi genius arrives with laser-like precision
The article discusses Ted Chiang’s acclaimed collection, “Stories of Your Life And Others,” highlighting his precision in writing and the profound themes in stories like “Story of Your Life,” which inspired the film Arrival.
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Writers should stop using ‘redneck’ as an ethnic slur, and probably won’t.
Historically dominated by white men, science fiction in recent decades have seen increasing representation from women and minorities. But the term “redneck,” alongside other slurs, reflects societal biases and stereotypes against immigrant redneck culture. The biases are rooted in American upper class snobbishness against Scots-Irish immigrants.
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Review: Augments of Change salient in a time of racial tension
In a time of racial tensions and national reckoning with uncomfortable pieces of our history, Augments of Change attempts to satirize race, noting that it’s mostly an illusion. America is going through another paroxysm of racially tinged violence, reminding everyone of our failure to reconcile our history with our ideals. In my own lifetime, the…
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The Girl in the Road: Literary fiction with a sci-fi overlay
Monica Byrne’s The Girl in the Road intertwines two women’s journeys in a future shaped by climate change, exploring technology’s role in economic colonialism while challenging dominant narratives and human resilience.
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Review: In Hieroglyph, sci-fi exists to explore the possibilities of change
Science fiction reflects societal hopes and anxieties, evolving from optimism to realism. The anthology Hieroglyph seeks to inspire and debate sci-fi’s purpose, focusing on human experiences amid technological advancements.
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Review: A faux-paleo world with email stumbles on its ‘re-wilding’ contradictions
The content critiques a perspective that views civilization as a historical mistake, advocating for a return to hunter-gatherer lifestyles. It examines romanticized views of the past and highlights attempts at rewilding.
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Review: The appropriated world of The Guild of Saint Cooper
The text discusses cultural appropriation in art, focusing on Shya Scanlon’s novel inspired by David Lynch’s work. It questions originality, highlighting characters and narrative style while exploring theft versus influence.
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Review: The Subprimes is primo satire
Karl Taro Greenfeld’s The Subprimes presents a satirical economic dystopia where libertarians thrive amid environmental collapse, exploring themes of justice, community struggle, and the impact of the 2008 recession.
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Review: Why aren’t ‘serious’ writers writing about climate change?
Adam Trexler argues that while climate change dominates discussions, fictional narratives are scarce. He critiques the literary world’s neglect of novels that convey climate challenges and emotions, advocating for compelling storytelling.
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Review: Clade shows love and hope are timeless in a changing climate
James Bradley’s “Clade” melds climate change with human relationships, illustrating personal struggles against a backdrop of environmental shifts, emphasizing the enduring nature of humanity amid slow, profound transformations.
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The new emerging hierarchy of publishing legitimacy
A new legitimacy hierarchy is forming among independent writers, where traditional publishing is viewed as the pinnacle for artistic status, despite the difficulties of securing a contract compared to self-publishing options.
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Restoring the environment is a good thing. Or maybe not?
Speculative fiction challenges societal values, particularly environmentalism. The removal of the Elwha River dams illustrates this shift toward restoration, raising complex questions about who benefits and who suffers.
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Review: Nature’s Confession an impressive sci-fi epic for young adults
Nature’s Confession blends young adult romance and speculative fiction, exploring themes like love, family strife, and environmental degradation, with humor and satire reminiscent of classic literary works.