Comments on: Booklife, Predecessor, Shriek–Linkerage

By: Jeff VanderMeer

Jeff VanderMeer — Wed, 20 May 2009 14:08:40 +0000

Yeah–that’s a Czech Republic shirt. Like it so much I’ve got two. See above for my post on Conjunctions–it has a link to the introduction.

By: swartzfeger

swartzfeger — Wed, 20 May 2009 14:07:09 +0000

Jeff, what is #52’s purported ‘theme’? My first exposure to Conjunctions was #39, which I loved, but I haven’t followed it since, unfortunately. With Evenson at the helm and you, Carroll and some other writers I love it looks like I’ll be adding this to my must buy list.

And call me crazy, but are you wearing a Czech Republic t-shirt in that photo?

By: Jeff VanderMeer

Jeff VanderMeer — Wed, 20 May 2009 11:50:18 +0000

I am reading through Conjunctions now. I don’t think much of its purported theme, just as I didn’t think much of the New Wave Fabulists theme. So what I care about only is the quality of the stories. Still reading.

By: Larry

Larry — Wed, 20 May 2009 04:16:02 +0000

Jeff, if my brain recovers enough from the past month’s traumas, I plan on reviewing that issue of Conjunctions this weekend or sometime next week. I did like your story (read it twice now) for that menacing, nightmarish quality (among other things), but I’m curious to know what you made of the issue itself and its purported theme. I’m still pondering that, as well as being slightly sad that this issue at around 350 pages was about 50-70 pages shorter than than the past few.

By: Brian Lindenmuth

Brian Lindenmuth — Tue, 19 May 2009 23:38:15 +0000

Jeff, I think I have some extra review copies of a couple of Ray’s books. If you want them their yours just shoot me an email.

By: Terry

Terry — Tue, 19 May 2009 19:55:39 +0000

Oh, cool. I just recently discovered that World Fantasy was in San Jose, and I’ve been bouncing with joy ever since.

And it sounds more than ever like I need Booklife. Thanks.

By: Jeff VanderMeer

Jeff VanderMeer — Tue, 19 May 2009 16:40:44 +0000

Terry:

No, I haven’t read The Daily Writer. Booklife is a strategy book for your career and creativity. It’s not about the mechanics of writing or prods to get you writing. I will begin working on a craft of writing book in 2010.

I’m not sure about Borderlands because I’m not just promoting Finch but Booklife, and Booklife is not a book for genre writers–it is a book for all writers. So I’m just not sure yet how that’ll pan out. I’ll be in San Fran, though, yes. And, of course, in San Jose as a GoH for World Fantasy.

Jeff

By: Terry

Terry — Tue, 19 May 2009 16:33:20 +0000

I’ve got almost all your books, Jeff, in part because I enjoy Ecstatic Days so much, but mostly just because I want to read the books.

You never mentioned when discussing your book tour whether you’d be coming to San Francisco. I live out on the Peninsula and don’t get into the city nearly as much as I’d like to, but I absolutely adore Borderlands Books, and there is no question I’d be there if you were in town.

Did you, by any chance, take a look at my husband’s book while you were putting Booklife together? It’s called The Daily Writer, and it’s by Fred White. I’m using it now to try to shake my own creativity free (my left brain seems to have nearly total control, since I have to use it for my legal writing and have defined myself almost exclusively as a lawyer for 28 years now; switching over to fiction isn’t easy). I plan to buy Booklife when it comes out and see how it complements Fred’s book. From what you’ve said about your book, it’s more about the mechanics of writing, while Fred’s is more a book of prods to get you writing. I suspect they’ll work well together.

By: drax

drax — Tue, 19 May 2009 15:58:45 +0000

I really believe that sooner or later, we are all going to have to pay for the wicked-cool daily online content we currently enjoy for free. And it will not be the worst thing in the world. Really. Would I pay a nominal fee for the pleasure of visiting Ecstatic Days on a daily basis? Absolutely. Just as I expect to pay (one day soon) for the Guardian and the NYT and CNN and Warren Ellis and a fistful of others, too. Free blogs (spaces where nutjobs—not you Jeff—manage to post amusing musings) aren’t going to go away. But the sites that regularly provide entertainment and/or news on a consistent basis have to survive in some fashion. Yes, of course, it’s going to be bloodbath, and some beloved sites will fade from our screens, ALAS. But that’s just the way it’s going down, troops. Anyway, I have a clear conscience, at least concerning this topic (I subscribe to the NYT, I’ve bought books, etc), but if you installed a paypal button tomorrow, I wouldn’t blink. ‘Nuff said.

By: Jeff VanderMeer

Jeff VanderMeer — Tue, 19 May 2009 15:34:04 +0000

Yes, it’s definitely going to be awkward. Luckily, you’re a continent away! LOL!!! ;)

Yeah, Pygmy needed less vibrator humor…

Ennis–window? Window?