It's time for the weekly round-up of interesting links about speculative fiction from around the web, this week with yet more best of 2018 lists as well as a look ahead at 2019, the Doctor Who New Year's Special, Black Mirror: Bandersnatch, Outlander, Aquaman, The Orville, The Punisher, Bird Box, the hopepunk debate, the adventures of the New Horizons and Chang'e 4 space probes and much more.
Speculative fiction in general:
- Tor.com shares the SFF novels they are looking forward to in 2019.
- James Davis Nicoll shares one hundred books to consider reading in 2019.
- Joel Cunningham looks ahead at science fiction and fantasy books he can't wait to read in 2019.
- Michael Patrick Hicks looks ahead at the horror novels coming out in 2019.
- Alexandra Rowland writes about hopepunk, what it is and isn't.
- Aja Romano also attempts to define hopepunk.
- Cora Buhlert weighs in on the hopepunk debate.
- Gordon White feels that hopepunk is insufficiently optimistic.
- Jonathan Wallace declares himself hopepunk.
- Carrie Sessarego talks about love and romance in science fiction.
- James Davis Nicoll talks about classic works of science fiction set aboard thrilling space habitats.
- Charlie Jane Anders explains that Wonder Woman is the hero she wanted to be.
- Richard Thomas explains what we can learn from the Best Horror of the Year anthology, edited by Ellen Datlow.
- Alan Brown explains how Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings changed publishing forever.
- Aidan Moher shares the artistic advice Charles Vess received from Ursula K. Le Guin, when he illustrated a new edition of The Books of Earthsea.
- The Star shares Isaac Asimov's 1983 predictions for 2019.
- Rosie Knight discusses the importance of zine libraries.
- Alex Dueben remembers Marie Severin.
- Graham Connor, physicist and longterm science fiction fan, has died aged 61.
Best of 2018:
- The Book Smugglers share their favourite books of 2018.
- The Fantasy Café share their favourite books of 2018.
- Joe Sherry shares his nine favourite science fiction and fantasy books of 2018.
- Andrea Johnson shares her favourite speculative fiction novels, short fiction and movies of 2018.
- Michael Patrick Hicks shares his ten favourite science fiction, fantasy and horror books of 2018.
- Matt Brandenburg shares his ten favourite science fiction, fantasy and horror books of 2018.
- Sadie Hartman shares her most-loved horror books of 2018.
- The SFF World reviewers share their favourite movies and TV shows of 2018.
- Barack Obama has called Black Panther one of his favourite films of 2018.
- SyFy Fangrrls share the most influential women in genre of 2018.
- Bleeding Cool shares the 100 most influential people in the comics industry of 2018.
- Graeme McMillan shares the best comics of 2018.
- Jax Motes shares the twelve most WTF? pop culture moments of 2018.
- Riley MacLeod shares his twelve favourite video games of 2018.
- iO9 remembers all the creative and inspiring people we lost in 2018.
Film and TV:
- Tor.com shares SFF movies they're looking forward to in 2019.
- Tor.com shares SFF TV shows they're looking forward to in 2019.
- Rob Bedford shares his thoughts on season 1 of The Chilling Adventures of Sabrina.
- Germain Lussier calls the Japanese zombie comedy One Cut of the Dead brilliant.
- Josh Bell calls the new Roswell, New Mexico an underwhelming alien soap opera.
- Paul Levinson shares his thoughts on the latest episode of Counterpart.
- Joseph Walter ranks the ten all-time best and worst Star Trek episodes.
- Ava Jarvis explains what's it like to watch Star Wars for the first time.
- Rich Lynch shares his appreciation for 2001: A Space Odyssey.
- Susan Leighton revisits The Exorcist for its 45th anniversary and traces its impact on the horror film genre.
- Meagan Navarro explains how Netflix came to dominate the horror genre in 2018.
- Cheryl Eddy interviews horror film director Sophia Takal, director of New Year, New You.
- Kristy Puchko also interviews Sophia Takal.
- Charles Pulliam-Moore interviews Josh Schwartz and Stephanie Savage, creators of Runaways.
- Sergio Pereira wonders how the Predator franchise can be saved after last year's disappointing outing.
- Kimberly Roots reports that Midnight, Texas has been cancelled.
- William Hughes reports that actress Allison Mack, best known for her role in Smallville, defends herself against allegations that she was involved in a sex slavery cult by declaring that Scientology did it first.
- Read the screenplay of Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse online.
- Film and TV composer Norman Gimbel, who wrote the theme song for the 1970s Wonder Woman series among many others, has died aged 91.
- Dame June Whitfield who had a guest appearance in Doctor Who among many other roles has died aged 93.
- Don Lusk, animator for Disney and Hanna-Barbera, has died aged 105.
Comments on the Doctor Who New Year's Special:
- Mark Lawson calls the Doctor Who new year's special "Resolution" a spectacular and topical satire with Daleks.
- Caroline Siede calls "Resolution" an exhilarating new year's special.
- Ed Power calls "Resolution" a reminder of what people love about Doctor Who.
- James Whitbrook declares that "Resolution" finally made the Daleks scary again.
- Emily Asher-Perrin declares that "Resolution" is how you do a Dalek episode.
- Christopher Stevens delcares that "Resolution" starts slow and only gets moving, once the Dalek shows up.
- Camestros Felapton calls "Resolution" good but not great.
- Martin Belam feels that the makeshift Dalek of "Resolution" was the perfect enemy for a post-Brexit Britain.
- Rory O'Connor is not happy with a Brexit joke in "Resolution".
- Huw Fullerton reports that according to showrunner Chris Chibnall, the political aspects of Doctor Who are of fundamental importance.
- James Whitbrook explains that the not particularly stellar overnight ratings of "Resolution" don't necessarily mean anything.
Comments on Aquaman:
- Brandon Zachary declares that Aquaman is at its best when it embraces the goofiest elements of the character.
- Jason Cohen declares that the true villain of Aquaman is never seen on screen.
- Jason Cohen explains how the Atlanteans can survive on land in Aquaman.
- Noah Dominguez shares Jim Lee's Christmas gift to Aquaman director James Wan.
- Julie Muncy reports that Aquaman has already made more money worldwide in two weeks than Justice League during its entire run.
- Josh Weiss reports that Aquaman has passed Wonder Woman at the box office.
- Heather V. Swanson reports that Aquaman is now DC's best performing movie outside the US.
Comments on Black Mirror: Bandersnatch:
- Natalie Zutter calls Black Mirror: Bandersnatch its own perfect example for the illusion of free will.
- Elizabeth Rayne calls "Bandersnatch" a new Alice in Wonderland.
- Narayan Liu declares that "Bandersnatch" isn't the "Choose Your Own Adventure" episode many people wanted.
- Janko Roettgers declares that "Bandersnatch" takes interactive storytelling to the next level.
- Linda Holmes declares that the interactivity is merely a gimmick in the new Black Mirror special "Bandersnatch".
- Lucy Mangan calls "Bandersnatch" the TV of tomorrow.
- Stuart Heritage calls Black Mirror: Bandersnatch a meta masterpiece.
- Zack Handlen calls "Bandersnatch" an entertaining experience that is not going to knock anybody's socks off.
- Adam Chitwood declares that "Bandersnatch" questions the idea of free will and leaves viewers and characters paralysed by choice.
- Ed Cummings calls "Bandersnatch" an intriguing but imperfect postmodern adventure.
- Gita Jackson calls "Bandersnatch" a let-down.
- James Poniewozik compares "Bandersnatch" to The Sopranos, which premiered twenty years ago and finds similarities in their approach to stories and storytelling.
- David Streitfeld calls "Bandersnatch" an experiment on the viewer and the grimmest Black Mirror episode yet.
- Roisin O'Connor discusses the interactive experience of watching "Bandersnatch".
- Alissa Wilkinson shares three non-spoilery things to know before watching "Bandersnatch".
- Jackie Strause shares all the "Bandersnatch" endings and how to reach them.
- Beth Elderkin discusses her favourite ending of "Bandersnatch" and how to get it.
- William Hughes shares some Black Mirror related Easter eggs to be found in "Bandersnatch".
- Bryan Menegus explains how to play one of the games in "Bandersnatch".
- Jackie Strause interviews Charlie Brooker and Annabel Jones, creators of "Bandersnatch" and discusses the many alternate endings with them.
- Jackie Strause also explains how "Bandersnatch" fits into the Black Mirror universe.
- Ross Johnson ranks every episode of Black Mirror to date.
- Kate Abbott reports that actor Will Poulter, who plays Colin Ritman in "Bandersnatch", has been driven off Twitter by attacks on his performance and character.
- Inspired by "Bandersnatch", Jeff Somers shares ten choose-your-own-adventure books for adults.
Comments on season 2 of The Orville:
- Nick Wanserski declares that season 2 of The Orville starts with a low-key, character-focussed episode, which is just right to set the tone.
- Scott Snowden is quite impressed with the first episode of season 2 of The Orville.
- Liz Shannon Miller declares that the season 2 premiere "Ja'loja" show The Orville at its best.
- Paul Levinson is pleased that season 2 of The Orville continues to feel like classic Star Trek with more humor.
- Matt Webb Mitrovich interviews Adrianna Palicki who plays first officer Kelly Grayson in The Orville.
- Matt Webb Mitrovich also interviews Penny Johnson Jerald who plays Dr. Claire Finn in The Orville.
Comments on season 2 of The Punisher:
- L.D. Nolan reports that some members of The Punisher cast thought that the show would be another casuality of Netflix's cancelling spree.
- Noah Dominguez reports that Karen Page, played by Deborah Ann Woll, will appear in season 2 of The Punisher.
- Meagan Damore reports that villain Billy Russo, played by Ben Barnes, will not be called by his comic nickname Jigsaw in season 2 of The Punisher.
- Charles Pulliam-Moore reports that Billy Russo's character was altered to make The Punisher feel more grounded.
- Meagan Damore also has some more on the villain of season 2 of The Punisher.
- Vinnie Mancuso interviews Josh Stewart who plays the villain John Pilgrim in season 2 of The Punisher.
- Watch a teaser for season 2 of The Punisher.
Comments on Bird Box:
- Camestros Felapton shares his thoughts on Bird Box and compares it to other monster and horror films.
- Matt Novak shares his theories about what he believes the monsters in Bird Box stand for.
- Bird Box star Sandra Bullock believes that Bird Box symbolises the problems parents face in trying to keep their children safe.
- Fred Topel reports that we almost got to see the unseen monster in a deleted scene from Bird Box.
- Alison Foreman collects some of the discussions about the true meaning of Bird Box.
- Jess Joho is troubled that Bird Box might stigmatize mental illness.
- Kellen Beck shares some more reactions to Bird Box.
- Germain Lussier interviews Susanne Bier, director of Bird Box.
- Ryan Chichester reports that Netflix felt compelled to warn viewers not to take the so-called Bird Box challenge.
- Farid Ul-Haq reports that Bird Box has broken a Netflix viewing record.
Comments on Outlander:
- Smart Bitches, Trashy Books share their thoughts on the latest episode of Outlander.
- Paul Levinson shares his thoughts on the latest episode of Outlander.
- Kayla Kumari Upadhyaya shares her thoughts on the latest episode of Outlander.
Awards:
- Nominations are open for the 2018 This Is Horror awards.
- Nominations are open for the 2019 Sir Julius Vogel Awards.
- The first ever Speculative Fiction in Translation poll is open for voting.
- The finalists for the 2018 Cybils Awards have been announced.
- The nominees for the 2018 BAFTA Rising Star Awards have been announced with several nominees of genre interest.
- The winner of the 2018 Darth Vader Parenthood Award for Outstandingly Horrible Fictional Parents has been announced.
- The winners of the 2018 Dream of Waking Video Game Awards have been announced.
- The 2019 New Year Honours List includes several names of genre interest.
Writing, publishing and promotion:
- Robert Repino explains what Mister Rogers can teach us about storytelling.
- Rachel Hartman talks about the emotional journey of writing fantasy.
- C. Hogan explains how to develop a writing habit that sticks.
- Ayodeji Awosika shares the ultimate guide to writing your first book.
- Eris Young shares seven things writers get wrong about language.
- Rayne Hall shares some tips for writing night scenes.
- Stephen Spatz explains what John Locke's career teaches us about self-publishing the wrong way.
- Kristine Kathryn Rusch takes a look at the state of the publishing business in 2019.
- Brian Peters shares marketing advice from thirteen social media experts.
Interviews:
- Lily Philpott interviews Yoon Ha Lee.
- Ana Marie Cox interviews Mary Robinette Kowal.
- Jonathan Thornton interviews Karen Lord.
- Andrea Johnson interviews Howard Andrew Jones.
- The Qwillery interviews Adam Nemett.
- The Fantasy Hive interviews James Eggebeen.
- This Is Horror interviews Grady Hendrix.
- Erin Al-Mehairi interviews Steve Stred.
- Marcin Klak interviews Lynelle Howell, Simon Litten and Nicole Murphy, the candidates for the 2019 GUFF fan fund.
Reviews:
- Thea James reviews Furyborn by Claire Legrand.
- Liz Bourke reviews The Adventure of the Dux Bellorum by Cynthia Ward.
- Liz Bourke reviews Static Ruin by Corey J. White.
- The G. reviews Black Hole by Bucky Sinister.
- For winter nights reviews The Eternity War: Exodus by Jamie Sawyer.
- James Davis Nicoll reviews Steel by Carrie Vaughn.
- Jessica Juby reviews Skyward by Brandon Sanderson.
- Majanka Verstraete reviews Witching on a Star by Erin R. Bedford.
- Carolyn Cushman reviews The Way of the Shield by Marshall Ryan Maresca and Séances are for Suckers by Tamara Berry.
- Brilliant Bloomin' Books reviews Fallible Justice by Laura Laakso.
- Tadiana Jones reviews It Happened at the Ball, edited by Sherwood Smith.
- James Davis Nicoll reviews Miranda in Milan by Katherine Duckett.
- Phoebe Wagner reviews the Six of Crows duology by Leigh Bardugo.
- Suzy Feay reviews Tentacle by Rita Indiana.
- Colleen Mondor reviews Children of Blood and Bone by Tomi Adeyemi.
- Colleen Mondor reviews The Agony House by Cherie Priest.
- The Qwillery reviews Aching God by Mike Shel.
- Jamie Sugah reviews White Stag by Kara Barbieri.
- Rob Bedford reviews Blood of Ten Kings by Edward Lazellari.
- Paul Weimer reviews the Guardians of Aandor trilogy by Edward Lazellari.
- The Fantasy Hive reviews The Waking Fire by Anthony Ryan.
- Gary K. Wolfe reviews Red Moon by Kim Stanley Robinson.
- Vidvuds Beldavs also reviews Red Moon by Kim Stanley Robinson.
- Michael Patrick Hicks reviews Coyote Songs by Gabino Iglesias.
- Michael Patrick Hicks reviews Wardenclyffe by F. Paul Wilson.
- Mahvesh Murad reviews The Curses by Laure Eve.
- Bill Capossere reviews Breach by W.L. Goodwater.
- Paul Di Filippo reviews Tell Me Like You Done Before: And Other Stories Written on the Shoulders of Giants by Scott Edelman.
- Gary K. Wolfe reviews Astounding: John W. Campbell, Isaac Asimov, Robert A. Heinlein, L. Ron Hubbard and the Golden Age of Science Fiction by Alec Nevala-Lee.
Classics reviews:
- Cora Buhlert revisits Andre Norton's 1964 science fantasy novel Ordeal in Otherwhere.
- Joe Kenney revisits the 1967 futuristic crime novel Vigilante 21st Century by Robert Moore Williams.
- James Davis Nicoll revisits the 1969 science fiction novel The Ship Who Sang by Anne McCaffrey.
- Joe Kenny revisits the 1977 planetary romance The City Outside The World by Lin Carter.
- Eli Bishop revisits the 1977 science fiction novel We Who Are About To... by Joanna Russ.
- J. Barton Mitchell revisits the 1984 military science fiction novel Armor by John Steakley.
- Joe Kenney revisits The Warlord's Revenge, a 1988 novel in The Last Ranger post-apocalyptic adventure series by Craig Sargent a.k.a. Jan Stacy.
- Rich Horton revisits the 1998 time travel novel To Say Nothing of the Dog by Connie Willis.
Crowdfunding:
- Season 1 of the science fiction audio drama The Sojourn is looking for funding.
- The Best of Little Red Reviewer 2010 - 2018, a print collection of Andrea Johnson's reviews, is looking for funding.
Con and event reports:
- Milton Griepp reports that Ithaca College in Ithaca, New York, will offer a class on how to run a comic convention.
- Brianna Wu weighs in on the sexual harrassment and assault issues involving Arisia in Boston, Massachusetts.
- Leslie Grace reports about an exhibition of Charles Vess' artwork for the new edition of Ursula K. Le Guin's Tales of Earthsea in Abingdon, Virginia.
- Mike Perschon looks back on a decade of Steampunk scholarship.
Science and technology:
- Catie Keck shares live updates of the New Horizons probe's flyby of Ultima Thule.
- Jonathan Amos reports that New Horizons has survived the Ultima Thule flyby and is sending data back to Earth.
- Jackson Ryan reports how the US government shutdown could affect NASA and several missions currently running.
- Steven Lee Myers and Zoe Mou report about the landing of China's Chang'e 4 probe on the far side of the moon.
- The BBC also reports about the Chang'e 4 mission.
- Jacob Banas reports that the Dream Chaser cargo space plane has been given the full scale production ge ahead.
- Marina Koren wonders what childbirth would look like in orbit and outer space.
- Juan Siliezar offers a virtual reality trip inside the heart of a dead star.
- Paul Stenquist reports about the challenges to the power grid posed by electric cars.
- David Nield reports that neuroscientists have successfully managed to link the brains of three people together who can now share thoughts.
- Lawrence Roberts, one of the creators of what eventually became the internet, has died aged 81.
- Astronomer Nancy Grace Roman, also known as the mother of the Hubble telescope has died aged 93.
Free online fiction:
- "Left to Take the Lead" by Marissa Lingen in Clarkesworld.
- "The Pulse of Memory" by Beth Dawkins in Apex Magazine.
- "The Blighted Godling of Company Town H" by Beth Cato in Beneath Ceaseless Skies.
- "The Beast Weeps With One Eye" by Morgan Al-Moor in Beneath Ceaseless Skies.
- "With Teeth Unmake the Sun" by A. Merc Rustad in Lightspeed.
- "The Emerald Coat and Other Wishes" by Emily B. Cataneo in Lightspeed.
- "Nothing to Fear, Nothing to Fear" by Senaa Ahmad in Uncanny Magazine.
- "Poems Written While" by Natalie Theodoridou in Uncanny Magazine.
- "The Truffles of Mars" by Jeremy Lichtman in Flash Fiction Online.
- "A Long Spoon" by Jonathan L. Howard at Tor.com.
- "The Mystery of the Compost Heap" by Cora Buhlert in Umbel & Panicle.
Odds and ends:
No comments:
Post a Comment