Virtually Yours by Nina Munteanu
Vincent yanked the V-set off his head and found himself back in his apartment, lying alone and spent on his king-size bed. The cozy cabin with the fireplace had vanished. Katherine was gone. He stared […]
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Anime roundup 4/10/2014: It Takes All Kinds
In this week’s viewing: After seeing off Hozuki no Reitetsu, it’s premiere time!
Recap: “Futomano,” Hannibal, Season 2, Episode 6
I feel like it’s not a theory anymore: when people go to see Will, they are shot behind bars if they don’t know that he’s innocent, shot free of the bars if they know the […]
Retrospective – Stephen King’s Carrie Turns 40
April 5 marked the 40th anniversary of the original US publication of Stephen King’s first novel, Carrie. Writing that makes me feel old. Not that I read Carrie in 1974, but I became aware of […]
Fiction In Amazing Stories Today: Lightning War by Duncan Long
Today we get a double dose of Duncan Long, first as author of the brilliant and provocative short story Lightning War and then as illustrator of the self-same story. Lightning War takes us to a […]
The Artful Collector: Where Are They Now? Spotlight on Jill Bauman
Jane Frank looks at Jill Bauman’s work.
Lightning War by Duncan Long
Commander Teresa Werek sat at the helm in the shadowy bridge, studying the subspace surveillance photos that had been relayed to her. “Zoom in on 35/150,” she ordered the computer. The photo expanded, floating in […]
The Art & Science of World Building: The Tools You Need to Make a Believable World
World building requires art AND science. Nina takes us through a primer.
Poetry Round-up April 2014
Trolling the internet for wonderful tidbits of and about poetry, this is what I came away with.
Should Big Brother Get Bigger?
Do we need more surveillance or less? A look at whether big brother should get bigger?
¿Hacer una revista física o digital?
A discourse on publishing a science fiction magazine in Spanish – which may just be a bit harder than doing one in English.
Game of Thrones is BACK!
A look at last week’s episode of Game of Thrones, “A Tale of Two Swords.”
Noticias literatura 9-4
Cesar MallorquíHoy charla de Cesar Mallorquí en Vitoria, EspiralVideo del próximo título de “Espiral CF,” Cambio en las bases del Premios UPC de CF 2014, Charla en Vitoria “Escritoras de ciencia ficción” y Revista miNatura 133 “Vampiros” ya disponible.
Asni’s Art Blog: Interview with Tais Teng
Tais Teng is a well established and prolific science fiction and horror writer and illustrator from the Netherlands. He has made several hundred covers and interior illustrations – most notably the Jack Vance e-books. His particular affinity is for the work of H. P. Lovecraft.
Interview: David Langford and John Clute on The SF Encylopedia
John Dodds interviews the makers of The Encyclopedia of Science Fiction, David Langford and John Clute.
Review: War of the Worlds: Goliath
A look at the movie adaptation of H. G. Wells’ War of the Worlds: Goliath.
19th Annual H. P. Lovecraft Film Festival & CthulhuCon Preview, April 11 – 13: Portland, Or.
A Pre-Con report for the 19th Annual H. P. Lovecraft Film Festival & CthulhuCon from J. Simpson
Una mujer-lobo embarazada: ejercicio de verosimilitud
SI UNA MUJER-LOBO EMBARAZADA SE TRANSFORMA, ¿EL BEBÉ SE TRANSFORMA TAMBIÉN?
Review: Steam & Strategem by Christopher Hoare
Steam & Strategem by Christopher Hoare is billed as a steampunk adventure, but the author’s astute attention to detail in this novel of the Regency era could just as easily qualify this work as an adventure in alternate history.
Fiction In Amazing Stories Today: Cosmic Corkscrew by Michael A. Burstein
Read Michael A. Burstein’s Cosmic Corkscrew in Amazing Stories 88th Anniversary Issue.
Histoire de la science fiction française : la genèse
An essay on the history and themes of French Science Fiction.
Cosmic Corkscrew by Michael A. Burstein
Stasis felt unreal. Dr. Scheihagen had warned me about that when I volunteered for this mission. “Remember, we don’t know what it’ll be like for you inside,” he said in his German accent. “We’ve never […]
AMAZING News 4/6/14
PRESS RELEASES & NEWSLETTERS (See Below For Full Text) Lightspeed Magazine April Phoenix Pick Detcon1 YA Finalists SOCIAL Sexism In Tech: The ‘Breast App Ever’ Controversy (NY Times: May be behind a paywall) There’s A […]
The Unintended Consequences Of Mortality
I don’t mean to inject depressing subjects into what has otherwise been a very happy and joyful exercise, but the subject needs to be covered at least a little bit before I move on. April […]
Fiction In Amazing Stories Today: Customer Service by John Purcell
Today in the magazine: John Purcell’s Customer Service, with artwork by Duncan Long.
To Show Or Not To Show? Horror and the ‘Power Of Suggestion’
HOW much horror should you depict and how much should you leave to the imagination? It is a dilemma that has confronted anyone who has ever attempted to scare people in the name of entertainment. […]
Daína Chaviano, entrevista a una escritora extraterrestre
An interview with Cuban fantasy author Daína Chaviano
Customer Service by John Purcell
RECORDED FEMALE VOICE: “To ensure quality control, this conversation might be recorded.” TRANSCRIPT BEGINS: “Satellite Life and Property, Customer Service, this is Monica. How can I help you?” “Uh, yeah. Monica?” “Yes, sir.” “Yes. Monica. […]
About Author
A professor of English and ESOL (teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages) at Blinn College in Bryan, Texas, John Purcell has also been at various times in his life an insurance assistant underwriter, worked at a pig-packing plant in Iowa, and a professional jazz musician. John gave that last one up for teaching because he needed a steady paycheck to take care of a growing family. Yes, he is married – for 23 years now – and has three children, all grown. Well, almost; the youngest is 17 and still living at home, but as soon as that kid is done with college and gets a job, he gets the boot.
John currently publishes the online fanzine Askance, which is available for viewing and downloading at www.efanzines.com, and has been involved with science fiction fandom in one way or another for 40 years now. He is hosting the fanzine lounge at the upcoming World Science Fiction Convention in San Antonio, Texas – LoneStarCon 3 – and is looking forward to attending his first world con since 1978!
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