Matt’s Bookosphere 6/11/08

Jeff VanderMeer’s “Secret Life” on StarShipSofa.

Matt Mitchell speaks mysteriously of his transformation. Behold!

Check out this cool site devoted to the art of the six word story!

Elizabeth Bear refutes the notion that we don’t have strong new voices in genre fiction: exhibit (a) “The Lone Star Reader.”

The pleasure is mine, Elizabeth.

An interview with Rose Metal Press.

“I think this is what makes YA so appealing to adults, too – the books are aimed at passionate readers, and they do everything they can to tap into that passion. I don’t think grown-ups are rushing out to buy Harry Potter or Twilight – or indeed Enthusiasm, or Jaclyn Moriarty’s novels, or any number of great books aimed at younger readers – because they’re dumbed-down or childish. I think they (we) are just sick and tired of the blasé and the post-modern or post-ironic or whatever phase we’re supposed to be living in.”

Jeffrey Ford’s “Well Built City” now available for pre-order. Cool covers.

David De Beer remembers Algis Budrys.

Cat Rambo offers some tips on frugal eating.

Lit needs a little less Mozart string quartet and a lot more MC5 “Kick Out the Jams.” I’ve sought to provide that. You can have your fine musicianship. I’m looking for relentless thundering noise.

Who are tomorrow’s big genre stars? 18 authors to look out for…

(LOTS AFTER BREAK)

Aurealis Awards nominations.

Rick Klaw gives a shout-out to Maurice Sendak.

Secondary characters who do too much.

I call this session of the Post-Apocalyptic Book Club to order…

Smile, Joe R. Lansdale.

Review: Rhetorics of Fantasy.

Beginning with Anne Rice, the idea of “serious” popular fiction having speculative elements started to become “cool.”

See you at the Emirates Airline International Festival of Literature!

Corey Redekop reviews “Yellow Knife.”

Permuted Press now accepting novel submissions!

Get your dose of “blasphemous horror” at Weird Tales.

Paul Coelho and YouTube users creating “Witch of Portobello” movie.

Experiencing a location and relating its Genius Loci are two different skills.

Apocalyptic anthology from Morrigan Books.

Vancouver grad student with seriously good taste in books looking for local D&D campaign.

“It’s a bitch convincing people to like you.”

Behind the scenes of “My Name is Might Have Been.”

Interviews with some of your favorite (?) book reviewers.

Bulgarian SF author Lyuben Dilov dead at 80.

The twenty hottest authors alive today.

Gil Adamson’s “The Outlander” wins Dashiell Hammett award.

Michael Chabon: “Golems I have known, or why my son’s middle name is Napoleon.”

Wait, what? I can meet the author of “Archie the Flying Dolphin?” Hot damn!

Author’s Soundtracks: Ekaterina Sedia on her musical inspirations.

We’ll play with you, Lord Rocket! Especially if you like Jack Vance.

What’s new in book promotion?

Podcastle: Deborah Coates’ “A Certain Kind of Light,” read by Cat Rambo.

Jonathan Wood is a bit disappointed with postmodernism.

MungBeing, issue TWO! MARK TEPPO!!!!

Official Robert R. Best message board is up.

Interview with John Joseph Adams!

Mo*Con: The intersection of Faith, Art and Gender Nick Mamatas, Stephen Mark Rainey, Matt Cardin, Lucy Snyder, Kim Paffenroth…more.

Radio interview with Felix Gilman online!

Nominees for the John W. Campbell award.

Interview with Neil Asher.

Warren Ellis, SF and penis size….

Recommended reading from the British Fantasy Society.

More praise for Centipede Press’ Lovecraft art book. Want!

BORDERS sells Aussie stores.

Alright, alright! I’ll buy “Superpowers” by David J. Schwartz

Ruth Frankin fries James Frey. No rubber-necking! OK, maybe a little bit.

“You are a Miserable Excuse for a Hero,” a Choose-Your-Own-Adventure for adults.

Steps to becoming a fantasy writer.

Brian Ruckley, Sean Williams, Fiona McIntosh and Pamela Freeman in their own words.

Rupert Thompson’s “Divided Kingdom” sounds pretty good.

Interview with Paul Cornell

SF Signal really, really likes Jay Lake’s “Escapement.” (Nice work, Jay!)

Simple advice for putting your book in bloggers’ hands.

Is this Edgar A. Poe’s Rock?

Christopher Golden interviewed.

McSweeney’s “Advice from a Person with a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology.” (Note: I have a BS in psychology…)

Whistling in the dark, or more on the pace of publishing.

Mike Brotherton is looking for suggestions for Launchpad instructors.

New Life for the Dead

This picture of flying manta rays has renewed my sense of wonder.