It’s been long enough that fandom has almost forgotten about the Harry Potter Lexicon court case, but the verdict is in… And it’s for Rowling! Once again, I recommend keeping an eye on Cleolinda’s Fandom Wank post for the continuing story.
Poll: Did Star Wars novels get you started on genre?
A point that’s often made when arguing the merits of media tie-in novels is that they bring additional readers to the science fiction/fantasy genre. My own experience runs completely counter to this: Star Wars didn’t get me into SF/F; SF/F got me into Star Wars. Granted, I grew up in a family of readers, and Heir to the Empire was not the first genre novel I borrowed from my parent’s bookshelves before I was old enough to drive. So, I admit, I get a little miffed at the notion that reading these things makes us knuckle-draggers. (What’s wrong with an intelligent reader enjoying a little melodramatic space trash, huh? Wait, don’t answer that.) So, for the sake of science random internet polling: Continue reading “Poll: Did Star Wars novels get you started on genre?”
Raise a glass to Tolkien!
Thirty-five years ago today the world lost a master storyteller.
Mind meld, tie-ins, and a lot of Star Wars people
I had no idea when SF Signal asked me to participate in their latest Mind Meld on tie-ins that they’d get so many actual writers who had written Star Wars (Sean Williams, William C. Dietz, Kevin J. Anderson, Kristine Kathryn Rusch and Walter Jon Williams.) Plus many other names familiar to genre readers and the blogosphere. And me. It’s a little unsettling. Really cool, but unsettling.
Bujold Guest Blogs – New Vorkosigan Confirmed Again
Bibliophile and (former?) Stargate Atlantis producer Joe Mallozzi recently convinced Lois McMaster Bujold to come answer questions on his blog after her book Cordelia’s Honor was selected as one of his Books of the Month. (A large percentage of CJers are rather insane for this woman’s writing.)
Interesting insights into the Vorkosigan and Chalion sagas. And she confirmed, again, that she’s working on another Vorkosigan book for 2010. Yays!
Beedle the Bard: Just in time for Christmas!
You can go ahead and add a copy of J.K. Rowling’s The Tales of Beedle the Bard to your Christmas wish list. Sales of the book, which will be released on December 4, will benefit the Children’s High Level Group (CHLG).
You can pre-order either the deluxe collector’s edition or the standard edition from Amazon.
SDCC ’08: Saturday and Sunday at the con
While I don’t doubt there were still plenty of Star Wars fans still roaming around Saturday and Sunday, with most of the panels being on Friday there wasn’t much new floating around. Well, except for the Mandalorian wedding. (Oye vey.) And Cinematical posted a brief review of Fanboys. And the official site has more pictures, of course, while Rebelscum continues exhaustively documenting the booths and products of every licensee.
- The Dollhouse panel featured Joss Whedon, Eliza Dushku and Tamoh Penikett.
- SPOILERS: They showed the entire first episode of Heroes S3. That’s so not cool. Well, for us, anyway.
- Sorry Paula, but they just won’t shut up about Battlestar Galactica.
- Video: The Movie Blog nabs a few minutes with Paul Ens; Naomi Novik gets a gift from a fan; See a teaser for Pixar’s next, Up.
- Also: Neil Gaiman’s new project, Lost, Futurama, Terminator Salvation, and The Sarah Conner Chronicles
SDCC ’08: Wolverine, Watchmen, BSG
- The Wolverine panel – featuring a surprise visit from Hugh Jackman himself – looked to be a big hit with the crowds. Hopefully we’ll be getting an official look at that trailer soon.
- Richard Hatch and Bear McCreary talk Battlestar Galactica; io9 has a look at Bryan Singer’s 2001 take on the series.
- Inside Watchmen’s Owlship with MTV… Less hopeful? My Chemical Romance will cover Bob Dylan for the movie. Ugh.
- Doc Savage coming to the screen?
- Sam Raimi announced that Bruce Spence has been cast in the Wizard’s First Rule TV show, which will be called Legend of the Seeker.
- Also: Jim Butcher; Red Sonja; Tron 2; The Day the Earth Stood Still; The Jokers are swarming!
Entertainment Weekly previews Watchmen, Trek
The cover story of the latest EW features Watchman, the adaptation of the classic graphic novel whose trailer debuted yesterday. Also in the issue? ComicCon giveaways for JJ Abrams’ Star Trek, four posters that unite to form a one-sheet – and feature our first official look at some of the cast. Also in their SDCC slideshow: Peeks at Dollhouse, Terminator Salvation, an Ender’s Game comic, and Fringe.
George Lucas back on Forbes’ Celebrity 100
It’s time for Forbes to break out this year’s Celebrity 100 list… And this year, George Lucas comes in at #46. He wasn’t on 2007’s list, but he was #15 in 2006 and #4 in 2005.
Other ranking geek idols include J.K. Rowling (#9,) Steven Spielberg (#13,) Stephen King (#34,) Keira Knightley (#47,) Daniel Radcliffe (#64,) Cate Blanchett (#77) and Tina Fey (#99.)