Monthly Archives: May 2015

Houston, here I come…

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This coming Memorial Day Weekend, I am guest at Houston’s Comicpalooza. The traditionally comic and media heavy convention as decided to venture into literary programming. Hence, my invite and appearance on several panels.

Friday, May 22

4PM Essential Horror: The Books You Should Be Reading

From Frankenstein and Carrie to the Wayward Pines trilogy; what are the best stories a true horror fan should read? Our panelists share which books and authors are on their list and why. Danel Olson, Rick Klaw, Jacqueline Patricks, Chun Lee, Gabrielle Faust

Saturday, May 23

11:30AM Essential SF: The Sci-Fi You Must Read

What are the books you should read to have a well-rounded knowledge of science fiction? Come learn which works and authors our panel of experts thinks you should know and maybe you can give them a few suggestions as well! Raymond E. Feist, D.L. Young, Rick Klaw, K. S. O’Neill, H. C. H. Ritz, C. D. Lewis

4PM Cyberpunk in Books and Movies

From Neuromancer to Blade Runner and Elysium; cyberpunk fiction has influenced countless novels and films with its high-tech; low-culture worldview. Join the discussion on the roots of cyberpunk and its influence on sci-fi over the last 30 years. D.L. Young, K. S. O’Neill, Rachael Acks, Rick Klaw, Gabrielle Faust

Monday, May 24

4PM Sci-Fi Writing on TV: The Best (and Worst)

The Twilight Zone; Orphan Black; Star Trek; Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.; Doctor Who” what are the all-time best (and worst) of television’s science fiction shows; and what makes them so great (or not so great)? Come and participate in the discussion! C. D. Lewis, Rick Klaw, Wayne Basta, C. Stuart Hardwick, Diana Dru Botsford

Hope to see everyone one there.

The Simonsons are good people

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I was looking over the Comicpalooza site, when I happened upon the Autograph and Photo Prices. Even though I find the act of charging for signatures largely deplorable, I was curious what people are demanding. While there are some free, most range from $25 to $50.

Two in particular stood out to me.

Simonson Louise No charge

Donations accepted for
Hero Initiative

Simonson Walt No charge

Donations accepted for
Hero Initiative

The Hero Initiative is a fantastic and sorely needed organization for comic book creators.

The Hero Initiative is the first-ever federally chartered not-for-profit corporation dedicated strictly to helping comic book creators in need. Hero creates a financial safety net for yesterdays’ creators who may need emergency medical aid, financial support for essentials of life, and an avenue back into paying work. It’s a chance for all of us to give back something to the people who have given us so much enjoyment.

This further cements Walt Simonson as one of my favorite artists. Apparently, he’s a good human being as well.

Graphic novels received 5/16/14

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Let’s take a quick look to see what’s arrived at the Geek Compound.

91JEhqxM+HLThe Michael Moorcock Library Vol.1: Elric of Melnibone
Script & adaptation by Roy Thomas
Art by Michael T. Gilbert & P. Craig Russell

Promo copy:

Collecting the first volume of the classic adaptation of Michael Moorcock’s bestselling fantasy saga, Elric of Melniboné marks the perfect introduction to the series’ iconic antihero, his fabled blade, Stormbringer, and his harrowing adventures across the Dragon Isle. Adapted by former Marvel Comics editor, Roy Thomas, and beautifully rendered by longtime comics illustrator, Michael T. Gilbert, and the multiple Harvey and Eisner award-winning P. Craig Russell, this definitive collection marks an essential read for all fans of sword and sorcery and brings the Moorcock’s epic tales to life with luxuriant imagination.

On the book’s title page they get the artist credits wrong. It’s attributed to Michael T. DAVIS rather than GILBERT.

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The legendary Sidney Bechet was born 118 years ago

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(Image courtesy of Wikipedia)

Born in New Orleans on May 14, 1897, Sydney Bechet was the first great Jazz clarinetist. He famously performed with many famous musicians including Duke Ellington, Louis Armstrong, Charlie Parker, and Josephine Baker. A master of improvisation, Bechet often played lead parts that were usually reserved for trumpets.

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In 2004, Tachyon produced a chapbook of Bechet’s OMAR, a tale of of passion, danger, and betrayal in the Bayou.  Infused with voodoo, love, music, and death, the chronicle is wrought out of a brutal period in American history, passed down by a family born into slavery. It is jazz legend Sidney Bechet’s story.

Sidney Bechet died in Paris on May 14, 1959 at the age of 62.

For more about Sidney Betchet, visit The Sidney Bechet Society.

For more about OMAR, visit the Tachyon page.

Cover by William Reid.

Look what just arrived at the Geek Compound!

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As chronicled here, Hannu Rajaniemi visited the Tachyon offices in San Francisco. Many thanks to the fine folks there who got me this inscribed copy. 

Tachyon fearless leader Jacob Weisman aiding Hannu.

There are times that I really love my job as Tachyon’s resident social media maven.

Photo by Jill Roberts

HANNU RAJANIEMI: COLLECTED FICTION cover art by Lius Lasahido. Design by Elizabeth Story.

At last, RAYGUNS OVER TEXAS goes digital

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Cover by Rocky Kelley

Cover by Rocky Kelley

At long last, Rayguns Over Texas comes out in an ebook format.

“In spite of the title, which implies freewheeling space opera, there’s only one raygun to be found in Rayguns Over Texas, an original anthology edited by Richard Klaw; most stories here don’t take us off Earth, and most don’t have anything to do with aliens (attacking or otherwise) or armadas of battling spaceships. That doesn’t mean that the anthology isn’t fun, though.” – Gardner Dozois, Locus Mag

“I hope you enjoy reading this as much as I did.” – Bruce Sterling, from his introduction

“I love the cover by Rocky Kelley (no relation)! Bruce Sterling provides a wonderful Introduction. Scott Cupp’s essay on his SF reading is masterful. Neal Barrett, Jr., Joe R. Lansdale, and Michael Moorcock wrote my favorite stories in this collection, but there are plenty of other enjoyable stories here. Pick up a copy soon before they’re all gone!” – George Kelly,GeorgeKelly.org

 

Since the end of the Civil War, Texans have played an essential role in the history of science fiction. Acclaimed and influential writers such as Bruce Sterling, Michael Moorcock, Howard Waldrop, Walter M. Miller, Jr., Marion Zimmer Bradley, Gene Wolfe, Neal Barrett, Jr., L. Sprague DeCamp, Chad Oliver, John Steakley, and Elizabeth Moon all called The Lone Star State home.

Continuing this proud tradition, Rayguns Over Texas features 17 original and two classic tales that reflect the current creative state of Texas sci-fi, alongside historical essays and an introduction by Hugo award-winning, Texas ex-pat Bruce Sterling.

Whatcha waiting for? Hustle you way over and pick up your copy today at Amazon.

Books received 5/1/15

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By popular demand, I’m resurrecting my books received feature. I don’t get as many physical books as before, but there is still plenty for me to post about.

Let’s take a quick look to see what’s arrived at the Geek Compound.

downloadThe Vorrh
by B. Catling
Book design by Jaclyn Whalen

Promo copy:

Prepare to lose yourself in the heady, mythical expanse of The Vorrh, a daring debut that Alan Moore has called “a phosphorescent masterpiece” and “the current century’s first landmark work of fantasy.”

Next to the colonial town of Essenwald sits the Vorrh, a vast—perhaps endless—forest. It is a place of demons and angels, of warriors and priests. Sentient and magical, the Vorrh bends time and wipes  memory. Legend has it that the Garden of Eden still exists at its heart. Now, a renegade English soldier aims to be the first human to traverse its expanse. Armed with only a strange bow, he begins his journey, but some fear the consequences of his mission, and a native marksman has been chosen to stop him. Around them swirl a remarkable cast of characters, including a Cyclops raised by robots and a young girl with tragic curiosity, as well as historical figures, such as writer Raymond Roussel and photographer and Edward Muybridge.  While fact and fictional blend, and the hunter will become the hunted, and everyone’s fate hangs in the balance, under the will of the Vorrh.

This sound fascinating. Complete with blurbs from Alan Moore, Terry Gilliam, Tom Waits, and Jeff VanderMeer!

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