Today marks the seventh year in a row where I’ve woken up, turned to my wife, and thanked her for not killing me in my sleep. Yes, that’s right, it’s my wedding anniversary today. According to some sources, it’s all about copper and wool and desk sets. I really don’t know what any of that means, but I do know that I’m truly blessed for having Valerie in my life, and if any of you ever find me forgetting that, do feel free to kick me in the ass.
News
Advance look at Buffalito Buffet
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Written on August 17th, 2012 by Lawrence Schoen
Categories: News
Tags: Books, Conroyverse
Categories: News
Tags: Books, Conroyverse
The next book in the Amazing Conroy series, is actually a look back. Buffalito Buffet is a collection that gathers all the previously published stories (including those from venues long out of print and/or not available in the US) as well as a brand new novella set before the events of the story arc of the novels.
It will be coming out from Hadley Rille Books in the Fall.
I thought you might like to see what it’s going to look like:
New and Improved 2012 Worldcon Schedule
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Written on August 15th, 2012 by Lawrence Schoen
Categories: News
Tags: Appearance, Conventions, Klingon, Traveling, Writing
Categories: News
Tags: Appearance, Conventions, Klingon, Traveling, Writing
This is probably my final schedule for Chicon. Of course, the moment I post this I’m jinxing myself and doubtless there’ll be a change, but you know what I mean.
Wednesday, August 29th:
noon – 11:00 (Addams) Klingon Language for Newbies
Thursday, August 30th:
3:00 – 4:30 (Kaffeeklatsche 1) Kaffeeklatsche
4:30 – 6:00 (Autograph Tables) Autographing
Friday, August 31st
9:00 – 10:30 (Offsite ) Strolling with the Stars
noon – 1:30 (Grand Suite 3) Iron Chef: Flash Fiction (M)
1:30 – 3:00 (Wright ) “To Be” or Not “To Be”: Constructed Languages in SF&F
3:00 – 3:30 (Fan Lounge) Writer Under Glass #23
4:00 – 4:30 (Addams ) Reading
Saturday, September 1st
09:00 – 10:30 (Offsite ) Codex Breakfast
1:30 – 3:00 (Wrigley) How to Speak Klingon
Sunday, September 2nd
9:00 – 10:30 (Offsite) Strolling with the Stars
8:00 – 11:00 (Grand Ballroom) Hugo Awards
Monday, September 3rd
10:00 – noon (Sandburg) Writers’ Workshop -Section U
4:01 – next several days (offsite) Recovery Time – Enjoying the City of my Birth!
I won’t be attending the SFWA Business Meeting because someone decided to schedule it opposite the Codex Breakfast (which has been set since early June), and since I’m the fellow who organizes that breakfast, I’m going to be there! At some point though, I’ll be working the SFWA table in the dealers’ room, and possibly even pretending to sign autographs there.
What hasn’t changed from my last schedule draft is my plan to wander the convention with my faithful plush promotional device, Barry, riding on my shoulder. I’ll be handing out postcards for free copies of his eponymous novella “Barry’s Tale” and even giving away similar plushies to some members of the audience at my reading, Kaffeeklatsch, and Autographing session (and maybe elsewhere too so come up to me when I’m strolling, you might get lucky!). Also be sure to ask for a photo with Barry at any time during the convention. He has his own Facebook and Google+ pages, and he needs images to post.
Wheels down on Mars!
Congratulations to the fine folks at JPL for this awesome accomplishment.
Now where will Curiosity show us?
2012 Worldcon Schedule (a first look)
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Written on August 1st, 2012 by Lawrence Schoen
Categories: News
Tags: Appearance, Conventions, Klingon, Traveling, Writing
Categories: News
Tags: Appearance, Conventions, Klingon, Traveling, Writing
One of the ways to predict the quality of a convention is by how far in advance they send out preliminary schedules to their participants. Chicon 7 sent me mine today, four full weeks before the start of the convention.
I have no doubt there’ll be some changes. Some of my co-panelists will slip away and others will show up in their stead, rooms may change, and times surely will, but all in all, having a glimpse of what I can expect this far in advance is a clear sign that this worldcon is going to be awesome!
Wednesday, August 29th:
noon – 11:00 Klingon Language for Newbies
Thursday, August 30th:
9:00 – 10:00 Strolling with the Stars
3:00 – 4:30 Kaffeeklatsche
4:30 – 6:00 Autographing
Friday, August 31st
noon – 1:30 Iron Chef: Flash Fiction (M)
3:00 – 3:30 Writer Under Glass #23
4:00 – 4:30 Reading
Saturday, September 1st
09:00 – 10:30 Codex Breakfast
10:30 – noon Another View on Character Building
1:30 – 3:00 How to Speak Klingon
Sunday, September 2nd
9:00 – 10:00 Strolling with the Stars
noon – 1:30 Introduction to Linguistics
8:00 – 11:00 Hugo Awards
Monday, September 3rd
10:00 – noon Writers’ Workshop -Section U
4:01 – next several days Recovery Time – Enjoying the City of my Birth!
The actual schedule for Strolling with the Stars hasn’t gone out yet, but I’ve included my best guess above. Likewise, the day and time of the SFWA Meeting has yet to be announced, but if I had to guess I’d say it will happen just after lunch on Sunday. Stay tuned to see if I’m right, because if I am I’ll either have to miss it, or the Linguistics panel will end up moved to a different time.
As always, you can expect to see my faithful plush promotional device, Barry, riding on my shoulder during the convention. But this year, Barry is not alone. I’ll give one away to some lucky Buffalito Wrangler who comes to my reading, another at my Kaffeeklatsch, and at least one more to someone who comes to my Autographing session with three or more books for me to sign (yes, I know, I’m shameless, but you also know you want a plush buffalo dog of your very own, complete with a tiny blue tongue!). Also be sure to ask for a photo with Barry at any time during the convention. He has his own Facebook and Google+ pages, and he needs images to post.
Another Friday
It’s another Friday, but marked more than most.
For most of the world, today marks the start of the Olympic games. Like many, I’m turned off by the financial tumult the games bring to the hose nation, by the sheer mercantilism and nonsense of it all. I don’t like the whole “how many medals have we won attitude that I see on television (and the linguist in me really wishes that English differentiated between inclusive and exclusive first person plural pronouns, but alas). On the other hand, I do enjoy seeing some of the performances, the tangible/visual results of dedication of will and time and passion. That part is extraordinary.
For a smaller group of people, today marks a “choice point” in terms of quantum mechanical many worlds theorists who happen to subscribe to the fictional intentions of the ReDeus anthology that debuts next week. That universe begins today, a universe in which all the gods of every culture come back to resume their rightful places as objects of worship. Of course, you have to wait a week for the book, but oh well.
And, on a smaller and more intimate level, today marks my 53rd birthday. I’m spending the day quietly. I got up, did a bit of work, sent a few emails. I went to the gym, pushed myself a bit more than usual, and that was good. Then I went off and ate Chinese food, and that was good too. I’ve started in on another of the finalists that I’m reading for the Endeavor Award, and I’m enjoying the book (also a good thing). Having returned home from brunch, I’m doing laundry (eh, not so much a good as a necessary thing) and I’ll be doing some more work on a Paper Golem project as the day wears on.
I haven’t talked about it here, partly because I always worry of being one of those people who end up talking rather than doing, but since I came back from a Klingon gig in the Spring I’ve been a bit more careful about what and how much I eat, as well as improving my exercise regimin. I’m happy to report that I’ve dropped about 15 pounds and I feel great. In fact, I’m probably healthier now than I was a year ago.
There’s still a lot of stress in my work life, but I’ve become more philosophical about it and I’m not letting it get to me as much, and that’s a huge improvement. On the writing and publishing ends of thing, I find my creative powers are booming and I’m feeling more productive than I have in quite a while. So, yeah, yeah me.
My wife is happy and healthy, my dog is a source of delight. I have plenty of people in my life who are generous with their time and creativity and intelligence.
So, to the extent that I’m celebrating my birthday today, I’m doing so by acknowledging once more what a truly blessed life I enjoy, and giving thanks to the people who make it so. If you’d like to join in, go have a piece of cake, on me.
Happy Birthday, Gej!
Today is Gej’s birthday. I’ve tried to explain it to him, but he seems uninterested. Of course, this may change later tonight when he gets treats. And a new toy. And more treats.
Then too, he may sulk anyway because he’s also bound for the groomer’s in just a few minutes, and while he’s happy to be free of knots and matts, he’s not wild about the process that gets him there.
Here’s a photo of him this morning. As you can see, he’s one desperately shaggy pup.
It’s a wonderful thing having a dog in your life. I highly recommend it to you it all.
The 2012 Endeavor Award
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Written on July 13th, 2012 by Lawrence Schoen
Categories: News
Tags: Awards, Conventions
Categories: News
Tags: Awards, Conventions
The finalists for this year’s Endeavour Award have been released, and they are:
Anna Dressed in Blood by Kendare Blake
City of Ruins by Kristine Kathryn Rusch
River Marked by Patricia Briggs
Robopocalypse by Daniel H. Wilson
When The Saints by Dave Duncan
Books of science fiction or fantasy written by a Pacific Northwest author (or authors) and published in the previous year are eligible. The winner will be announced at OryCon 34 in early November.
How do I know this? Because I have the honor of being one of this year’s judges! Which is why I’ll be busily reading all five books in the coming weeks before conferring with my fellow judges to pick a winner.
Hey, here’s a crazy idea: why don’t you read along with me? Particularly if you live in the Pacific Northwest and/or plan to attend OryCon.
C’mon, it’ll be fun.
Lawrence
Endeavour image ©HM Bark Endeavour Foundation Pty. Ltd. The Endeavour is docked at the The Australian National Maritime Museum in Sydney.
