Electric Velocipede #11

Featuring the work of Jeffrey Ford & Matthew Cheney, Tobias Buckell, Catherynne M. Valente, Steve Rasnic Tem, and many others will be avaiable for pre-order soon!

Also, I've seen a preview of Thom Davidsohn's new cover. :)

It kicks ass. (I also have Thom on board for #12)

You will see it soon once Thom has a more final version.

Tags: Science Fiction, Electric Velocipede

Ad for Dad

Aubrey is a punk rocker
Originally uploaded by gumboeditor.


Now how's that as an ad for the zine? If that won't sell copies of the zine, I don't know what will!

And yes, she does have a mohawk in the photo. Mom was trying to give her hair a curl on top and it wouldn't stay curled. It wanted to go punk.

New Address

My PO Box has moved:

Electric Velocipede
PO Box 5014
Somerset, NJ 08873

Please update your datebooks! Remember, submissions open up again tomorrow October 1! Which, as we know, is not tomorrow, but a WEEK from tomorrow.

Sheesh.

Tags: Science Fiction, Electric Velocipede

Science Fiction Audio Books

Anyone have any idea how popular/unpopular science fiction audio books are? Do audiobooks get made for science fiction titles in general?

We're looking to expand our audiobook collection here at the library, and we don't have much for science fiction. However, we don't necessarily want to add a bunch of titles that never circulate.

I think they would circulate, even if people weren't exactly fans of science fiction. Heck, it might be a way for me to get some more books read!

Tags: Science Fiction, Electric Velocipede, audiobooks

Book Covers and the Lotus Lyceum

My favorite new-to-me blog is the Lotus Lyceum. It's comments have some of the liveliest and most interesting discussions I've seen in a long time.

I've been nattering on and on in a recent post about book covers. To quote myself:

But to many publishers the book is JUST a product. And to Waterstone’s, the book is JUST a product. They want to sell books. They stay in business (and pay their mortgages and put food on the table and buy a pint and put clothes on their book) but selling products, which in their case happen to be books. Now, for you personally, this is not how you view books. It’s also probably not as black-and-white as I paint it even for the booksellers’ view of books.

It’s almost as if you need to have two brains to work with books. The one brain loves the story, gets caught up in the characters, want to hold the book to your chest and weep with its brilliance. The other brain wants people to buy it so it needs to look pretty, not have any errors in it, get nice blurbs, nice reviews, etc. The first brain is what you use to create it. The second brain is what you use to send it out into the world (because that first brain wouldn’t let the book’s hand go if it had its way). And the first brain soaks up the accolades of the book after it’s out and people love it.

There's a lot of good stuff on this blog, said by more witty people than me.

Tags: Science Fiction, Electric Velocipede, book covers

Help!

UPDATE PART ZWEI: I've recorded the podcast and sent it off to School Library Journal. They really liked it. When it's up I'll post a link to it so everyone can hear me natter on and on about technology in the library.

UPDATE: I have what I need to create this podcast. However, I've been thinking it would be nice to be able to create podcasts at some point in the future.

I need to make a podcast, ASAP. I don't know what I need for equipment, etc. I've been asked by a library trade magazine to record a podcast talking about some technology-oriented stuff I've been doing. Sorry about being vague, but if I can't record the podcast I don't want people to be looking for it. The magazine will be hosting the the audio, so I don't need to worry about server space, etc.

Anyone local (central NJ) to me have equipment I could borrow or use?

Tags: Science Fiction, Electric Velocipede, Podcasting

World Fantasy

As Deanna Hoak points out, if you have hotel reservations for World Fantasy, don't cancel them. Find someone who is going so you can transfer the reservation. I would love a hotel transfer. I have room plans already, but the rooms are crowded due to the main hotal being booked. If someone was unable to go, I would take the reservation from them.

Just saying.

Tags: Science Fiction, Electric Velocipede, World Fantasy

Teaser

In my previous post, I mentioned that I was going post about the process I take in creating the zine over the next few months. While I've posted about this in the past, I wanted to do something more formalized with screen shots and more.

These posts should be chronological, i.e., starting with reading submissions and running through to printing the zine. Today I did a small--but important--part of the process.

I mailed out contracts for issue #11. Very simple step, actually. I just send out two copies of the contract--both signed by me, one the author signs and keeps, the other is returned to me--to all the contributors of issue #11. It's actually more of a time-consuming process (folding, addressing, stamping, etc.) than you'd suspect (but maybe's that's my inefficiency) but completel necessary.

The next thing is to get my editorial comments off to the writers so that I can get revisions before I need to mail out the CD to the printer.

Tags: Science Fiction, Electric Velocipede, publishing, contracts

How to Write a Novel (and a Little Bit Extra)

I had this clever post started about all the 'How to Write a Novel' posts that were appearing online. Then it fermented for a few days, more posts appeared, and I had nothing relelvant to say...again. In fact, Andy Wheeler posted on the SFBC blog a round-up of most of the posts, so there's no need for me to list them again when I can link to Andy's post.

There are two I like, though. The first one I saw was from Justine. I like how she works. If I ever started writing novels, I think I would try her way. I also like how pithy and straightforward she is. There's a no-nonsense but encouraging tone that I like to it.

I also like Toby Buckell's because he apparently starts writing a novel by napping. Or 'plotting' as he describes it.

I know that some writes were skeeved out by the fact that Justine uses a spreadsheet for writing, but I think it could be a handy tool for an unorganized, inexperienced writer. It could also become a tool to procrastinate with, which is what I would likely do. Update: I think I should add that I like this aspect of Justine's writing advice because I use a mad amount of spreadsheets to plan the zine; which I'll post about over the next few months.

I wasn't going to do this, but I think I'll give a little advice. This is what I always tell people when they ask me how to become a published writer (I think I usually get asked for advice on becoming a successful writer--as an editor they think I have an inside track or something?--but I quickly derail the thought of success and tell them to focus on getting published first, and then work on success later). So without further ado, John Klima's five rules to becoming a published writer:

1. Write
   
2. Send stories out
   
3. Revise
   
4. Write
   
5. Write
   
6. (bonus sixth rule for genre people) Go to conventions
   

See? Simple. Everyone I know who's become a published writer--and ALL of the successful writers I know--either write every day or almost every day. It becomes like brushing teeth, or eating (two things that go well together) and the day feels wrong if they don't write. And the sixth point is paramount for genre writers. It's the best way to meet editors and talk to them about what they're looking for; to talk to published authors and learn what they did; to soak in the world--irritations and annoyances included--that makes up the wonder of the genre.

I'm not giving away trade secrets here, just reinforcing that you need to be persistant to get anywhere. If you don't have the motivation to write every day, you probably won't be published.

Tags: Science Fiction, Electric Velocipede, writing, Justine Larbalestier

Why Doesn't Worldcon 2006 Go Away? Part 3

For a convention I didn't go to, I certainly have a lot to say about it....

I had a big post I was writing about people complaining about the programming that took place at Worldcon. I had specific posts I was linking to and comments about what people said. As it sat and I watched it ferment, I felt like my opinion wasn't adding anything to the discussion.

I have complained about convention programming in the past, but it's more complaining to hear my own voice. Science fiction conventions are volunteer run. These people have better things to do with their lives. They don't have to plan a convention for you. They will make mistakes. So would you if you planned a convention. For example, I hate how late Readercon is with its programming questionnaire and with finalizing its programming.

It's my favorite convention.

If it works out so well because they run so late...well then that's how I want it to run. I don't want them to get more organized if it means that their programming will suffer.

What's different now (and has been for a few years) is that instead of someone complaining to friends or even creating a zine to complain about the convention, someone can complain online and have thousands of readers. Now, one dissenting voice can carry a lot of weight and draw attention of people in the field who work as professionals (or sit on Worldcon committees).

There is both good and bad about this.

It's good for people to offer constructive criticism. Unfortunately, most criticism I see on the web is not constructive, it's typically inflammatory. But, let's pretend it's constructive. It would behoove people running conventions in the future to watch these discussions. You might see some pitfalls you didn't know to avoid. You might learn about an author or two that people have a genuine interest in seeing (not that interesting writer = good panelist, but that's another matter). You could create a search in one of several search engines and subscribe to it via RSS and then have these discussions (constructive and inflammatory) be sent to you.

It's bad for people to think they can get up on a platform and just complain over and over and expect to be mollycoddled. Sometimes convention organizers make mistakes and sometimes they chose to do things they way they happened even if you didn't like it. (you see, there's this utilitarian thing about cons and trying to reach to the greater good rather than creating unique, one-of-a-kind programming for each attendee; it's up to the attendee to find their unique programming) Perhaps the reason your favorite pro wasn't on any panels is that the pro in question didn't want to be on any panels (it happens). It's also bad for people to be agressively critical. If you really want programming to change, don't call the people who plan conventions names; it won't endear you to them.

I agree that just because it worked in 1947 doesn't mean we should keep planning conventions in the same way. Maybe they are things to be changed. Kevin Standlee is a great source of advice and has worked on conventions for a long time. He would be a great resource to go to if you'd really like to try and make a change for the better. From what I've read of Kevin's comments in the aftermath of this last Worldcon, it seems like Kevin is a proponent of change--as long as that change is well thought out and beneficial to everyone. (we can't change Worldcon to suit only one person's needs, it needs to be something that will make the experience better for a lot of people)

I would suspect that every convention has a questionnaire for people to fill out about their convention experience. Have you filled one out? Have you written to the convention to explain what you didn't care for at the convention? Did you do it without calling people names and without speaking in angry absolutes?

When was the last time you thanked people who planned and ran a convention? While I'm sure it happens all over, it feels like a typically American thing to just complain and complain and never offer accolades. If there was nothing you liked about the convention, why did you go? I'm asking in all seriousness. There must be something that draws you there.

I've been very disappointed with the last few Worldcons, so I didn't even try to go to this one. Tthere were other reasons--new baby, long flight from the east coast, cost, etc.--but I don't really care for Worldcon...it's too big. It helps when Worldcon is in a city I want to go to. This is why I always vote on site selection. I really like Chicago, and was excited at the thought of a Worldcon happening there. I probably won't go to Denver.

So, if you want to complain about Worldcon, please do so. In addition to complaining on your blog/message board/website/podcast/etc. also write to the convention committee with your complaints.

But also make the effort to let them know what they did right.

Tags: Science Fiction, Electric Velocipede, Worldcon, Convention Programming

A Break in Our Worldcon Posts

I just want to post a link to a review of issue #10. Here's a nice snippet or two:

This is the third issue of Electric Velocipede that I've received and it is a good one as usual. This is a magazine of very different kinds of stories and they mostly work very well.

And:

I'd recommend this to those who like their fiction a little more experimental. It's well worth the price.

Tags: Science Fiction, Electric Velocipede, reviews, SF Revu