The cast of superheroes from Shazam! The Fury of Gods, with a bridge in background. Image from CNN Entertainment.One commenter selected at random will win a copy of Veronica Roth’s Arch-Conspirator.

Alexi Vandenberg appears to be the latest competitor in the George Santos Sweepstakes. Known at conventions for his large bookselling booth, often under the name of Bard’s Tower, Vandenberg presented himself as a publisher and as someone who once worked with President George W. Bush. It appears that, in the tradition of con artists everywhere, Vandenberg has, among other things, sold companies that didn’t exist. He also is alleged to have violated contracts and sexually harassed people. An all-around nice guy.

Speaking of cons and heists, since Tor.com reprinted my article from last year on heists, I’m linking to it again, because why not?

Kelly Link, one of the best fabulist writers and often overlooked, gets some attention from Vulture.

On File770, Mike Glyer gives us a mini-review of the film 65.

Shazam! Fury of the Gods opened to poor box office. Since the first one and Wonder Woman are the only two DC superhero films I liked, I was surprised. Zachary Levi talks about a failure of marketing, and a toxic social media contingent. CNN Entertainment was one of the reviews who was less than enthusiastic.

I liked Trisha Low’s review of Esther Yi’s Y/N a lot, but I don’t think I would like the book.

Also from Tor.com, Cole Rush offers a startling reason for “reading fast”—to get through a book you don’t like much. Does his experience match yours? I find I rush through the books that I love, and have to consciously slow myself down, so this was a shock to me.

 

 

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  • Marion Deeds

    Marion Deeds, with us since March, 2011, is the author of the fantasy novella ALUMINUM LEAVES. Her short fiction has appeared in the anthologies BEYOND THE STARS, THE WAND THAT ROCKS THE CRADLE, STRANGE CALIFORNIA, and in Podcastle, The Noyo River Review, Daily Science Fiction and Flash Fiction Online. She’s retired from 35 years in county government, and spends some of her free time volunteering at a second-hand bookstore in her home town.

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