Science Fiction

This week the Best Cover EVER? pick comes from one of our own writers; Dublin based Colm Creamer, who describes himself as: ‘born a nerd, raised a nerd and will eventually die a nerd. He works on computers and writes mainly to fund his long term comic book addiction that takes up most of the space in his apartment which he shares with his two nerd friends and nerd girlfriend and listens to lots…and lots of music. His apartment is often considered a shrine to the pop culture he finds himself a member of. ‘ Over to Colm… So when I first started writing for the fine folks here at the FP Blog, Richard told me about the ‘Best Cover Ever’ posts and asked if I wanted to contribute to one ….and I scratched my head for a really REALLY long time! I couldn’t think of just 1 cover- and I had to figure out what criteria I wanted to judge it by: Eye-catching? Did it let you know what was in the story? Did I want it to let me know? Pure artistic merit? Was it a good series? Etc. The list could go on, and on until I ran out of rhyme or reason! So I fell back on covers that I really loved from my favourite series and had meaning related to something really important and big in my life: Phonogram 5 and 6 by Jamie McKelvie Phonogram 5, Image Comics, 2007, cover art by Jamie McKelvie Phonogram 6, Image Comics, 2007, cover art by Jamie McKelvie The first thing to say about them is that they’re both gorgeous! They’re eye catching instantly because they’re bright and have what seems like a unique image that reflects on the story inside (though not in a traditional sense) They are, in fact, (for anybody who’s never listened to/followed Brit pop or music in the 90′s) both homages to album covers- 5 is Suede’s first album ‘Suede’ and 6 is The Manic Street Preachers ‘The Holy Bible’ album and they are 2 of my favourite albums of all time! And that is why I love Phonogram! It makes me think about albums and music like that and as soon as I look at these covers I get songs like ‘Animal Nitrate’ by Suede or ‘Faster’ by Manic Street Preachers in my head! Then you read the series and you get that the whole thing is a big open love letter/ homage to music and why exactly you should love it! Also album art is cool! It’s on t-shirts, bedroom walls, badges, postcards and backpacks. Art speaks to people, causes a reaction- that’s why we love the medium of comics, right? Cause of the effect art can have? I know that’s 1 of the reasons for me, anyway. Cover art is like album art right? So you see the single issue, you’re buying the single! You see the trade, you’re buying the album- the collected tracks! Well, something has gotta make them stand out in a sea of bright colours, logos and men in spandex! Art also evokes memory! Be it of a summer day or of a beautiful girl. These covers remind, first off, of the albums, and then that brings in the power of music to remind me of a time I loved, of listening to albums, or reading liner notes and song lyrics! Of getting a pen (because if I used a knife and left scars, my Mam would kill me) and scrawling ’4Real’ on my forearm before going to school. * I think that’s pretty fair criteria for best cover: eye-catching, beautiful composition and the ability to evoke a huge emotional reactions and throw me back into a haze of memories from my teen-aged years! *For those who aren’t Manic Street Preachers fans, in an interview, somebody made the mistake of asking Richey Edwards if the songs political protest lyrics were legitimate or  were they just trying to cash in on the tail end of punk -becoming what was known as ‘Plastic Punks’ and in response Richey grabbed a knife and scratched ’4 Real’ into his forearm.

Last update: May 19 Included here are links, pics and news (and possibly spoilers - though they will be heavily marked as such) on the Doctor Who 50th Anniversary Special, this page will be updated as and when "stuff" happens. First up, the facts: • The episode is written by Steven Moffat and directed by Nick Hurran. • It has been filmed using 3D technology and will be broadcast on November 23. It will also receive a limited worldwide cinema release. • Starring in the special are: David Tennant (The Tenth Doctor), Matt Smith (The Eleventh Doctor, Billie Piper (Rose Tyler), Jenna-Louise Coleman (Clara), Joanna Page (Elizabeth I), Jemma Redgrave (Kate Stewart), Ingrid Oliver (Osgood), John Hurt and many more. See the pictures from the Anniversary Special read~through HERE. • Classic monsters The Zygons are to feature in the story, but are not the main villain. Pic HERE. Now here's the rest! The most recent news will appear at the top: • David Tennant and Matt Smith chat about how their characters get on with one another HERE. • John Hurt talks about his role HERE. • Steven Moffat reveals secrets have been kept - watch interview HERE. • Jemma Redgrave talks about it HERE. • The running time is around 60 minutes. • Is David Tennant the only returning Doctor? Info HERE. • Scenes were filmed in London at Tower Bridge, read Blogtor's exclusive report, along with set pictures, HERE. • Scenes were filmed in London at Trafalgar Square, read Blogtor's exclusive report, along with set pictures, HERE. • Ingrid Oliver's character Osgood is related to UNIT's Sgt. Osgood from The Daemons, she wears a Fourth Doctor scarf. • The BBC have some behind~the~scenes videos from the London shooting - watch them HERE. • Christopher Eccleston talks about the 50th - watch his interview HERE. • Paul McGann talks about the special HERE. • Billie Piper says it's "very much for the fans" - interview HERE. • Steven Moffat doesn't want it to be a "fanfest" - interview HERE. • Producer Marcus Wilson says it's a "love letter to fans" - read HERE. • Filming pictures reveal a familiar location - see HERE. • David Tennant talks about filming - listen HERE. • Pic of Tennant and Smith on set together - see HERE. • John Simm says he's not involved - watch interview HERE. • John Barrowman not involved - see HERE. • Matt Smith says it's "very funny" - interview HERE. • Sylvester McCoy and Colin Baker talk about the special - watch interview HERE. • Matt Smith says it's "vast","epic" and "momentous" - watch interview HERE. • Freema Agyeman chats 50th - see HERE. • Steven Moffat is interviewed by his son - watch HERE. • Jenna-Louise Coleman talks 50th - read HERE. • David Tennant talks to Jonathan Ross about being involved/not involved [pre-announcement] - watch interview HERE. • Billie Piper talks to Graham Norton about being involved/not involved [pre-announcement] - watch interview HERE.

A follow up to Golva’s Ascent from March 2012, which I skimmed through. A ‘fast paced adventure’ of the kind that Purdom often produces that don’t really do it for me. But if you are wanting to read more about Harold the Human, here’s your chance…

A technology enables individual to see with clarity an event that will happen to them in the future. In some cases the nature of that event can have huge impact, and a young man who has seen himself as a murderer, is visited by a young woman who knows her own fate as a murder victim.

A technology that allows instant transportation, enables a young woman to run away – far, far away – and for whole communities to leave Earth behind.

A chilling mystery has to be solved, as a number of scientist succumb to a strange death that it outside the boundaries of what should be possible. Some excellent characterisation and dialogue, just a bit different to the usual.

The Science Fiction & Fantasy Writers of America, Inc. has announced the recipients of the 2012 Nebula Awards®. The Nebula Awards® are voted on and presented by the active members of SFWA for outstanding science fiction and fantasy published in 2012. The awards were announced at the Nebula Awards® Banquet held at in San Jose, CA, May 16-20. The Recipients of the 2012 Nebula Awards: NOVEL:  2312 by Kim Stanley Robinson (Orbit US; Orbit UK) NOVELLA: After the Fall, Before the Fall, During the Fall by Nancy Kress (Tachyon) NOVELLETTE: “Close Encounters” by Andy Duncan (The Pottawatomie Giant & Other Stories) SHORT STORY: “Immersion” by Aliette de Bodard (Clarkesworld 6/12) RAY BRADBURY AWARD FOR OUTSTANDING DRAMATIC PRESENTATION: Beasts of the Southern Wild, Benh Zeitlin (director),  Benh Zeitlin and Lucy Abilar (writers), (Journeyman/Cinereach/Court 13/Fox Searchlight) ANDRE NORTON AWARD FOR YOUNG ADULT SCIENCE FICTION AND FANTASY BOOK: Fair Coin, E.C. Myers (Pyr) 2011 DAMON KNIGHT GRAND MASTER AWARD: Gene Wolfe SOLSTICE AWARD: Carl Sagan and Ginjer Buchanan KEVIN O’DONNELL JR. SERVICE TO SFWA AWARD: Michael H. Payne ABOUT SFWA The award is presented at the Annual Nebula Awards Weekend, held this year May 17 to May 20, 2012 at the Hyatt Regency Crystal City in Arlington, Virginia, near Reagan National Airport. The Nebula Awards are voted on and presented by active members of SFWA. More information about the Nebula Awards Weekend is available at http://www.sfwa.org/nebula-awards/nebula-weekend/. Founded in 1965 by the late Damon Knight, Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America brings together the most successful and daring writers of speculative fiction throughout the world. 2012 Nominees: Novel Throne of the Crescent Moon, Saladin Ahmed (DAW; Gollancz ’13) Ironskin, Tina Connolly (Tor) The Killing Moon, N.K. Jemisin (Orbit US; Orbit UK) The Drowning Girl, Caitlín R. Kiernan (Roc) Glamour in Glass, Mary Robinette Kowal (Tor) 2312, Kim Stanley Robinson (Orbit US; Orbit UK) Novella On a Red Station, Drifting, Aliette de Bodard (Immersion Press) After the Fall, Before the Fall, During the Fall, Nancy Kress (Tachyon) “The Stars Do Not Lie,” Jay Lake (Asimov’s 10-11/12) “All the Flavors,” Ken Liu (GigaNotoSaurus 2/1/12) “Katabasis,” Robert Reed (F&SF 11-12/12) “Barry’s Tale,” Lawrence M. Schoen (Buffalito Buffet) Novelette “The Pyre of New Day,” Catherine Asaro (The Mammoth Book of SF Wars) “Close Encounters,” Andy Duncan (The Pottawatomie Giant & Other Stories) “The Waves,” Ken Liu (Asimov’s 12/12) “The Finite Canvas,” Brit Mandelo (Tor.com 12/5/12) “Swift, Brutal Retaliation,” Meghan McCarron (Tor.com 1/4/12) “Portrait of Lisane da Patagnia,” Rachel Swirsky (Tor.com 8/22/12) “Fade to White,” Catherynne M. Valente (Clarkesworld 8/12) Short Story “Robot,” Helena Bell (Clarkesworld 9/12) “Immersion,” Aliette de Bodard (Clarkesworld 6/12) “Fragmentation, or Ten Thousand Goodbyes,” Tom Crosshill (Clarkesworld4/12) “Nanny’s Day,” Leah Cypess (Asimov’s 3/12) “Give Her Honey When You Hear Her Scream,” Maria Dahvana Headley (Lightspeed 7/12) “The Bookmaking Habits of Select Species,” Ken Liu (Lightspeed 8/12) “Five Ways to Fall in Love on Planet Porcelain,” Cat Rambo (Near + Far) Ray Bradbury Award for Outstanding Dramatic Presentation The Avengers, Joss Whedon (director) and Joss Whedon and Zak Penn (writers), (Marvel/Disney) Beasts of the Southern Wild, Benh Zeitlin (director),  Benh Zeitlin and Lucy Abilar (writers), (Journeyman/Cinereach/Court 13/Fox Searchlight ) The Cabin in the Woods, Drew Goddard (director), Joss Whedon and Drew Goddard (writers) (Mutant Enemy/Lionsgate) The Hunger Games, Gary Ross (director), Gary Ross, Suzanne Collins, and Billy Ray  writers), (Lionsgate) John Carter, Andrew Stanton (director), Michael Chabon, Mark Andrews, and Andrew Stanton (writers), (Disney) Looper, Rian Johnson (director), Rian Johnson (writer), (FilmDistrict/TriStar) Andre Norton Award for Young Adult Science Fiction a

This is Books, Biscuits and Tea's Showcase Sunday where I share my lovely book hauls each week. Have a look back at Vicki's link up to see what everyone is up too!So Sarah and I were away all week in Portugal and spent most of it reading. It was a lazy week and very nice - unfortunately I returned yesterday to more bad news so all the good has pretty much been wiped out already. Still I did managed to read some good books while we were away including another fantastic installment in the Dresden Files - Ghost Story by Jim Butcher, a fun anthology - Those Who Fight Monsters edited by Justin Gustainis, a quick visit to The Wizard of Oz by L. Frank Baum. I also finally started the City of Bones by Cassandra Clare and caught the penultimate visit to Bon Temps with Deadlocked by Charlaine Harris. So that's five books read this week...You'd think being on holiday all week I wouldn't have any new books to share - and you'd be wrong! When I got back yesterday there was a pile of parcels waiting for me with some books I had ordered on line and a giveaway win!ReviewPoison - Sarah PinboroughPublisher: GollanczPOISON is a beautifully illustrated retelling of the Snow White story which takes all the elements of the classic fairytale that we love (the handsome prince, the jealous queen, the beautiful girl and, of course, the poisoning) and puts a modern spin on the characters, their motives and their desires.I was chosen bu Gollancz Geeks to review Poison for them so I will be picking it up this week!WonTime Warped - Claudia HammondPublisher: CanongateHave you ever tried to spend a day without looking at a clock or checking your watch? It's almost impossible. Time rules our lives, but how much do we understand about it? And is it possible to retrain our brains and improve our relationship with it? Drawing on the latest research from the fields of psychology, neuroscience and biology, and using original research on the way memory shapes our understanding of time, the acclaimed writer and broadcaster Claudia Hammond delves into the mysteries of time perception.Along the way, Claudia introduces us to an extraordinary array of characters willing to go to great lengths in the interests of research, such as the French speleologist Michel, who spends two months in an ice cave in complete darkness. We meet one group of volunteers who steer themselves towards the edge of a stairwell, blindfolded, and another who are strapped into a harness and dropped off the edge of tower block. Time Warped shows us how to manage our time more efficiently, speed time up and slow it down at will, plan for the future with more accuracy and, ultimately, use the warping of time to our own advantage.I won this over at Curosity Killed The Bookworm. Non-fiction is not my usual read but this sounds like it could be quite different and interesting! Thanks Ellie!BoughtDeadlocked (Sookie Stackhouse #12) - Charlaine HarrisPublisher: GollanczSookie has a murder investigation on her hands. A young girl has died at a vampire party - and it looks as though her lover, Eric, might be responsible. Eric swears he didn't do it, the police don't believe him, and even Sookie isn't so sure. Nor is she inclined to take his word for it, not having caught him enjoying the victim's blood minutes before she was killed.But something strange is going on. Why had Sookie been asked to come to the fateful party a few minutes early - just to catch Eric in the act? And why had the victim spiked her own blood before approaching Eric? Was it simply because she wanted to be irresistable, or was it something more sinister?Sookie will have to find out ... but it's the worst moment to investigate, as her Fae family are having troubles of their own and Sookie is, inevitably, drawn in. And there is one last complication. The cluviel dor her grandmother left her. It will grant her one wish, which could fulfil Sookie's heart's desire. The only problem is, she still doesn't know what - or who - her heart truly d

SFWA presented the 48th annual Nebula Awards in San Jose, CA on May 18. In addition to the Nebula Awards, SFWA also presented the Solstice Awards, the Kevin O’Donnell Service to SFWA Award, the Damon Knight Grand Master Award, the Andre Norton Award, and the Ray Bradbury Award. Best Novel: 2312, by Kim Stanley Robinson Best Novella: After the Fall, Before the Fall, During the Fall, by Nancy Kress Best Novelette: “Close Encounters,” by Andy Duncan Best Short Story: “Immersion,” by Aliette de Bodard Andre Norton Award for Young Adult Science Fiction and Fantasy: Fair Coin, by E. C. Myers Ray Bradbury Award for Outstanding Dramatic Presentation: Beasts of the Southern Wild, written by Benh Zeitlin and Lucy Abilar, directed by Benh Zeitlin Solstice Award: Ginjer Buchanan and Carl Sagan Kevin J. O’Donnell Service to SFWA Award: Michael H. Payne Damon Knight Grand Master Award: Gene Wolfe

The winners of the 2012 Nebula Awards have just been announced! NOVEL: 2312, Kim Stanley Robinson (Orbit US; Orbit UK) [Our review] NOVELLA: After the Fall, Before the Fall, During the Fall by Nancy Kress (Tachyon) NOVELETTE: “Close Encounters”, Andy Duncan (The Pottawatomie Giant & Other Stories) SHORT STORY: “Immersion“, Aliette de Bodard (Clarkesworld 6/12) RAY BRADBURY AWARD FOR OUTSTANDING DRAMATIC PRESENTATION: Beasts of the Southern Wild, Benh Zeitlin (director), Benh Zeitlin and Lucy Abilar (writers), (Journeyman/Cinereach/Court 13/Fox Searchlight ) ANDRE NORTON AWARD FOR YOUNG ADULT SCIENCE FICTION AND FANTASY: Fair Coin, E.C. Myers (Pyr) 2011 DAMON KNIGHT GRAND MASTER AWARD: Gene Wolfe SOLSTICE AWARD: Carl Sagan and Ginjer Buchanan KEVIN O’DONNELL JR. SERVICE TO SFWA AWARD: Michael H. Payne Congrats to all! Related posts: FINALISTS: 2012 Nebula Awards (With Free Fiction Links!) Coming Soon: A Documentary About Andre Norton WINNERS: 2011 Nebula Awards