It’s an odd WWW for you this week – we have some very saddening news to impart, some more hopeful news and then your usual mix of articles and features.
1) R.I.P. Jennifer Rardin
It was with great sadness that we heard about the death of Jennifer Rardin. She passed away on 20th September. The remaining two books in her very popular Jaz Parks series will still be published. A group of bloggers, including Lurv A La Mode have decided to celebrate her life and writing with a series of posts, reviews and giveaways.
2) R.I.P. Ralph Vicinanza
Legendary literary agent Ralph Vicinanza has also passed away. George R R Martin has written a moving eulogy to his friend and agent.
3) Harlan Ellison says goodbye
Harlan Ellison announced, prior to going, that Madcon would be his last appearance due to ailing health. In an interview, he said candidly: “The truth of what’s going on here is I’m dying. I’m like the Wicked Witch of the West – I’m melting. I began to sense it back in January.”
4) Jay Lake kicks cancer
Of course, there are always two sides to every coin, and happily Jay Lake has announced that he has beaten cancer.
5) Banned Books Week
Last week we mentioned the novel Speak and the fact that it was a banned book. This week Banned Books Week is being celebrated by a number of bloggers, including The Story Siren, who challenges us all to read banned books this week! We also have the absurd logic behind some of the most famous banned books.
6) A Robot Invasion
Did you know that you were being invaded by robots over there in the US and Canada? Mr YetiStomper knew! Angry Robot Books are bringing their unique blend of science fiction, dark fantasy and steampunk across to the States – they report on their second month and show off some gorgeous cover art!
7) Cover Art – Your Choice
In a unique move Mark Charan Newton and his editor, Julie Crisp, have announced that the readers of Mark’s series can pick the cover of his third book – The Book of Transformations – from two they are considering. In all honesty, there isn’t masses of difference between the two choices, but head on over to his blog to take a look! Dark Wolf and A Dribble of Ink have already posted their thoughts!
8) The 40K Universe
Games Workshop’s novels about the 40K universe have an enduring quality – on SF Signal the authors writing about 40K tell us what attracts them to the far-future world. If you’ve never read any Warhammer 40K novels, then the Wertzone has a handy guide to 40K for you.
9) Budding Writers?
Any of you out there? You could do a lot worse right now than head on over to the blog of M D Lachlan, and check out two posts: the first shows the Dan Brown effect of writing, while the second shows why adverbs are BAD!
10) Babel Clash
I mention this blog now and again when I think it will be of interest to the FanLit readers – this time round the three people contributing are Lou Anders, Ginjer Buchanan and Jeremy Lassen – editors extraordinaire! If they don’t say at least a few things of interest then I will be enormously surprised!
Okay, that’s the lot – see you next week!
Wow. Heavy stuff this week! Thanks for all the news, Amanda!