http://xcentric.com Science Fiction Author Sun, 04 May 2008 20:42:08 +0000 http://backend.userland.com/rss092 en . . . for a shameless plug. I've received my copies of The Del Rey Book of Science Fiction and Fantasy, and the book is stunning. In the middle of a busy, busy week, I burned a day reading. If you're interested in a perspective on science fiction and fantasy that ... http://xcentric.com/2008/05/04/we-interrupt-this-program/ Okay, it's time for the big things. These things aren't going to be accomplished without investment of time and/or money. They may require reorganizations. Or new organizations. Or new investment. That's why these are hard. And now, a disclaimer. Especially in the light of the furore over the last post. I ... http://xcentric.com/2008/04/18/5-big-things-science-fiction-can-do-to-improve-its-image/ Yes, small things. As in, "There ain't no reason not to do this." As in, "This costs nothing, or next to nothing." As in, you don't need to reinvent the industry or discover the magical monetization model or invent the free ebook reader that convinces everyone to give up their ... http://xcentric.com/2008/04/11/5-small-things-science-fiction-can-do-to-improve-its-image/ Last year, I compared the web traffic and related sites for BoingBoing and science fiction publications. Not surprisingly, science fiction magazines like Asimov's, Analog, and F&SF trailed BoingBoing in terms of overall traffic. But even more interesting were the stats on what Alexa calls "related sites." Related sites are sites ... http://xcentric.com/2008/04/04/popular-metafiction-vs-science-fiction-revisited-for-2008/ My friends know that I write science fiction. Some of them treat this fact like a terminal illness--something unfortunate and never to be talked about. Some of them try to be helpful. This is about one who tried to be helpful. He brought by a whole mess of vintage science fiction ... http://xcentric.com/2008/03/19/science-fiction-fails-the-long-view/ Following the release of Far Horizon, I realized that I have another trunk novel that explores the world of Winfinity, a couple of hundred years into their regime. It's called Eternal Franchise, and (at least I think) it's a fun romp. It's also probably the last thing I really want to ... http://xcentric.com/2008/03/16/another-free-novel/ I don't often cross-post things from work, since by day I'm an evil marketing wonk. But when the world crosses a threshold like we just did, it's worth talking about here as well. Future historians will look back on March 6, 2008 and say, "This is the day the PC really, ... http://xcentric.com/2008/03/10/the-death-of-the-pc-and-the-rise-of-us-computer/ Here's what Publishers Weekly has to say about the upcoming antho I'm in: The Del Rey Book of Science Fiction and Fantasy: Sixteen Original Works by Speculative Fiction's Finest Voices. Edited by Ellen Datlow. Del Rey, $16 paper (416p) ISBN 978-0-345-49632-4 Declaring that short stories are the “heart and soul of fantastical ... http://xcentric.com/2008/03/08/we-pause-for-a-short-commercial-announcement/ Crap, now I wish I published this one earlier, rather than sitting on this since December. Here's why: Wired Article: Free is the Future of Business Let's get this out in the open: Chris' argument is not entirely convincing. But it's a pretty scary summation for industries like software, music, movies, and ... http://xcentric.com/2008/02/28/what-the-freeconomy-means-for-writers/ Wanted: Professional writers who can deliver high quality work within a stated deadline. Flexibility regarding final content form (novel, graphic novel, screen, interactive, or life experience) is expected. Also must have experience in writing screen and online script derivatives, mobisodes, and promotional spots from the original storyline. Also requires experience in extending ... http://xcentric.com/2008/02/25/a-future-publishers-want-ad/