Author: Kate Lechler

On this day in 2012, Sally Ride passed away from pancreatic cancer. She was the youngest American astronaut to travel to space, the third woman in space, and a total badass. Lift a glass to Sally Ride today.

Writing, Editing, and Publishing:

Kate Bernheimer writes this essay for NPR on the predicament of immigrant children in the US, and the timely value of fairy tales for today’s young readers. “These aren’t escapist fantasies; they’re stories of kids facing unimaginable terror,” she writes about Maria Tatar’s collection of Grimm fairy tales.

James A.

On this day in 1945, the United States successfully detonated a plutonium based test weapon in New Mexico as part of the Manhattan Project, bringing in the Atomic Age.

Writing, Editing, and Publishing:

The World Fantasy Awards announced the 2014 list of nominees last week, as well as the two winners of the Lifetime Achievement Award, Chelsea Quinn Yarbro and my girl Ellen Datlow.

Tor interviews Tiphanie Yanique, whose first novel, Land of Love and Drowning, has just been released. She is planning someday to write a retelling of the fairytale,

We’re a little thin on the ground today, but here goes!

On this day in 1981, Donkey Kong debuted and the world was introduced to everyone’s favorite Italian plumber, Mario.

Writing, Editing, and Publishing:

Two pieces today by writers, about writing, both from Tor.com. First, Mary Pearson wrote this article about using ancient history to inspire new fantasy worlds, citing George R. R. Martin and Robin LaFevers as examples. Second, Ellen Klages writes about the collaborative writing process and laments that short fiction gets no love (‘cept here,

Today is the midpoint of the year. There have been 182 days up to today, and there are 182 days left in 2014. Also, on this date in 1504, Bogdan III the One-Eyed became Voivode of Moldavia. Now that’s a fantasy name if I ever heard one . . .

Writing, Editing, and Publishing:

A new anthology has been announced, by the team behind the Writing Excuses podcast. It will feature a novella by Brandon Sanderson. Also, look at the cover; it is uhhh-mazing.

The winners of the 2014 Locus Awards have been announced,

On this day in 1903, Eric Arthur Blair, better known as George Orwell, was born. Orwell wrote Animal Farm and 1984, introducing the world to the terms “Big Brother,” and “doublethink.”

Writing, Editing, and Publishing:

Strange Chemistry, Angry Robot’s YA imprint, has shut its doors. This is sad, especially so for us because its editor, Amanda Rutter, used to be a FanLit reviewer.

The Atlantic wants readers to read weird fiction. Their Twitter bookclub,