It's time for the latest weekly round-up of interesting links about speculative fiction from around the web, this week with the Star Trek: Strange New Worlds announcement and the various iterations of Star Trek, the various iterations of Star Wars, Snowpiercer, Penny Dreadful: City of Angels, What We Do in the Shadows, the final season of She-Ra and the Princesses of Power, Scoob, the planned release of the so-called "Snyder cut" of Justice League, Friday the Thirteenth at forty, the departure of Ruby Rose from Batwoman, links to various freely available Hugo Voter Packets, the latest convention cancellations due to the corona virus and much more.
Speculative fiction in general:
- Paulette Jiles recommends some post-apocalyptic science fiction.
- James Davis Nicoll shares five SFF revenge stories featuring treacherous bosses and evil overlords.
- Zoraida Córdova shares five YA speculative fiction spin-offs.
- Elisabeth Thomas shares eight supernatural novels for the eerie days of summer.
- Jay Gabler reminds the world that Isaac Asimov was not just one of the big names of science fiction, but also a sexual harrasser.
- Alan Kistler reports that superheroes are abandoning their secret indentities.
- Alex Segura shares his appreciation for the comic Cosmic Detective by Jeff Lemire, Matt Kindt and David Rubin.
- James P. Blaylock talks about his personal library.
- Jo Walton explains how Victorian literature influenced her novel Tooth and Claw.
- Neil Gaiman explains that he and his wife Amanda Palmer are not divorcing and that they are planning to sort out their marital troubles in private.
- The BBC reports that Neil Gaiman has been criticised by locals for flying from New Zealand to Scotland in the middle of a pandemic, potentially endangering locals.
- Opera singer and Edgar Rice Burroughs collector George Turberville McWhorter has died aged 89.
- Chinese science fiction writer Ye Yonglie has died aged 79.
Film and TV:
- Gege Li calls The Vast of Night a 1950s version of Stranger Things.
- Peter Bradshaw calls Edge of Extinction a plodding apocalpytic thriller.
- Peter Bradshaw calls The Final Wish a cliché ridden and unimaginative horror film.
- Andrew Paul declares that Antrum: The Deadliest Film Ever Made may turn out to be the sleeper horror hit of 2020.
- Caroline Siede calls Stargirl Supergirl meets Riverdale.
- Ben Child explains why Robert Pattinson could be the most exciting Batman in years.
- Natalie Zutter declares that the postapocalyptic TV show The 100 is a master class in bizarre, but epic worldbuilding.
- Mark Alvarez talks about grief and suicide in I Am Not Okay With This.
- The AV Club shares the 25 best horror movies since 2000.
- Leah Schnelbach discusses five heroes from filmic SFF who use non-traditional, non-violent weapons.
- Leah Schnelbach argues that John Wick is a portal fantasy.
- Anthony Breznican offers a look at the upcoming adaptation of Stephen King's The Stand.
- Jacob Sarkisian interviews Carice van Houten who played Melisandre in Game of Thrones.
- Elizabeth Blair profiles Greg Daniels, director and producer of Upload and Space Force.
- Steve J. Wright revisits the 1944 horror movie The Curse of the Cat People, directed by Robert Wise and Gunther V. Fritsch.
- Steve J. Wright revisits the 1944 supernatural comedy The Canterville Ghost, directed by Jules Dassin.
- Steve J. Wright revisits the 1944 horror movie The Invisible Man's Revenge, directed by Ford Beebe.
- Steve J. Wright revisits the 1944 radio science fiction drama Donovan's Brain.
- Steve J. Wright revisits the 1944 horror movie The House of Frankenstein, directed by Erle C. Kenton.
- Jessica Homes revisits the 1965 Doctor Who serial "The Space Museum".
- David Kamp explains why Sesame Street was so revolutionary upon its debut in 1969.
- Andrew Pulver reports that Lilly Wachowski, co-director of The Matrix, has attacked Ivanka Trump and Elon Musk for abusing the term "red pill".
- Ryan Parker reports that several members of the cast of Independence Day are not pleased about a video which places the famous speech held by Bill Pullman's character into the mouth of Donald Trump.
- Nellie Andreeva reports that lead actress Ruby Rose will be leaving Batwoman after one season and that her part will be recast for season 2.
- Joe Otterson sheds some additional light on the reasons for Ruby Rose's departure from Batwoman.
- Gregory Tyree Boyce who played Tyler Crowley in Twilight has died aged 30.
- Cora Buhlert remembers German film composer Peter Thomas who died aged 94.
Comments on the various iterations of Star Wars:
- James Whitbrook sheds some additional light on the return of Boba Fett or rather his armour in season 2 of The Mandalorian.
- Clarissa Loughrey explains why the Star Wars prequels deserve some respect.
- Ben Child revisits Revenge of the Sith fifteen years after its original release.
- Scott Tobias revisits The Empire Strikes Back forty years after its original release.
- Charles Lippincott, who was responsible for the promotion of the original Star Wars, has died aged 80.
- Take The Guardian's Star Wars quiz.
Comments on the Star Trek: Strange New Worlds announcement and various iterations of Star Trek:
- Andrew Liptak reports that CBS All Access has greenlit a new Star Trek series entitled Star Trek: Strange New Worlds, which will feature the adventures of Captain Christopher Pike's Enterprise.
- Keith R.A. DeCandido shares seven thoughts he had on the announcement of Star Trek: Strange New Worlds.
- Watch a trailer for Star Trek: Strange New Worlds.
- James Whitbrook reports that Star Trek tends to age terribly, when it tries to reflect contemporary culture and points out an Elon Musk reference in season 1 of Star Trek Discovery for proof.
- Keith R.A. DeCandido rewatches the Star Trek Voyager episodes "Death Wish" and "Lifesigns".
Comments on Snowpiercer:
- Dave Itzkoff calls Snowpiercer a timely dystopian series.
- Danette Chavez declares that Snowpiercer charts new dystopian territory, but is a bit bumpy.
- Joyce Chen declares that Snowpiercer is no longer a dark prophecy, but a mirror.
- Kayla Kumari Upadhyaya is not pleased by the murder mystery in Snowpiercer.
- Gavia Baker-Whitelaw declares that Snowpiercer turns Bong Joon-Ho's dystopian thriller into a standard cop show.
- Cameron Scheetz interviews the cast of Snowpiercer.
- Cameron Scheetz interviews Graeme Manson, showrunner of Snowpiercer.
Comments on Penny Dreadful: City of Angels:
- Danette Chavez shares her thoughts on the latest episode of Penny Dreadful: City of Angels.
- Michael Schneider interviews John Logan, showrunner of Penny Dreadful: City of Angels.
Comments on What We Do in the Shadows:
- Shane Ryan shares his praise for What We Do in the Shadows.
- Katie Rife shares her thoughts on the latest episode of What We Do in the Shadows.
Comments on She-Ra and the Princesses of Power:
- Victoria Whitley-Berry declares that She-Ra and the Princesses of Power demonstrates that the true strength lies in being yourself.
- Camestros Felapton declares that the final season of She-Ra and the Princesses of Power is very good.
- Emmet Asher-Perrin is pleased that the final season of She-Ra and the Princesses of Power, lesbian love literally saves the universe.
- Emmet Asher-Perrin also shares his appreciation for the character of Catra in She-Ra and the Princesses of Power.
- Alexis Gunderson interviews Noelle Stevenson, creator and showrunner of She-Ra and the Princesses of Power.
Comments on Sccob:
- Benjamin Lee calls the animated Scooby Doo adaptation Scoob a rough ride.
- Katie Rife shares her thoughts on the animated film Scoob! and asks potential viewers to abandon all hope that the film might turn out to be decent.
Comments on the impending release of the so-called "Snyder cut" of Justice League:
- Matt Donelly reports that the so-called "Snyder cut" of Justice League will be released on the streaming service HBO Max.
- Jacob Oller reports that the so-called "Snyder cut" of Justice League could either be a four hour movie or a six-part mini-series.
- Jeffrey Miles wonders if the so-called "Snyder cut" of Justice League might actually be good.
- Tres Dean reminds us that no matter how you feel about Zack Snyder, his works and their toxic fans, the Snyder family deserves sympathy for the tragedy that caused Zack and Deborah Snyder to leave Justice League in the first place.
- Stuart Heritage lists some other movies he wishes would get a director's cut.
Friday the Thirteenth at Forty:
- Benjamin Lee revisits the 1980 slasher film Friday the 13th for its 40th anniversary.
- Katie Rife and A.A. Dowd revisit the Friday the Thirteenth slasher movie series for the fortieth anniversary of the first film.
Awards:
- The winners of the 2019 BSFA Awards have been announced.
- The shortlist for the 2020 Nommo Awards has been announced.
- The winner of the 2020 Tähtivaeltaja Award has been announced.
- The finalists for the 2020 Premios Kelvin 505 have been announced.
- The winners of the 2020 Prix Imaginales have been announced.
- The winners of the 2020 Hans Christian Anderson Awards have been announced.
- Voting is open for the 2019 This Is Horror Awards.
- Marc Malkin reports that the 2020 Oscars may be postponed due to the corona virus and its impact on the film industry.
- Gideon Marcus discusses the 1965 Hugo ballot.
- Kim Huett takes a look at the early history of the Hugo Awards.
- Steve J. Wright explains why the Best Series Retro Hugo doesn't work for him.
Hugo Voter Packets:
- Download the Hugo Voter Packet of Best Fan Writer finalist Cora Buhlert.
- Download the Hugo Voter Packet of Best Fan Writer finalist Paul Weimer.
- Download the Hugo Voter Packet of Best Fanzine finalist nerds of a feather.
- Download the Hugo Voter Packet of Best Fanzine finalist Quick Sip Reviews.
Writing, publishing and promotion:
- Charlie Jane Anders explains how to create characters.
- Charlie Jane Anders points out that imposter syndrome is part of being a writer.
- Katherine Quevedo explains how to write from the POV of an inanimate object.
- Cat Rambo explains how to ask for things.
- Cat Rambo explains how to know when you are done revising.
- Alex George explains why some writers burn their work.
- Jessica Lee Hester shares several ways you can help librarians and archivists from home.
- Janelle Brown explains how Bookstagram became an antidote to the dark side of social media for her.
- Alison Flood reports that people are reading more during the corona virus pandemic and that mysteries and thrillers are the most popular genres.
- Kristine Kathryn Rusch discusses how the corona virus has affected her various licensing partnerships.
- Jim Milliot reports that bookstore sales have dropped by 33.4 percent in March due to the corona virus.
- Jim Milliot also reports that sales of print books have actually grown during the corona virus pandemic, even though most bookshops are closed.
- Graeme McMillan reports that the readership of the DC Universe comic streaming service has jumped by 35 percent.
- Locus reports that LCS Communications, the largest book printing company in the world, has filed for bankruptcy.
Interviews:
- The 2020 World Fantasy Convention interviews Charlaine Harris.
- The New York Times interviews John Scalzi.
- Tor.com interviews John Scalzi.
- Locus interviews C.L. Polk.
- Paul Weimer interviews Rowenna Miller.
- Lulu Garcia-Navarro interviews Curtis Sittenfeld.
- David Barnett interviews Duncan Jones.
Reviews:
- Russell Letson reviews Bone Silence by Alastair Reynolds.
- Joel Cunningham reviews A Memory Called Empire by Arkady Martine.
- Kat Hooper and Marion Deeds review A Song for a New Day by Sarah Pinsker.
- James Davis Nicoll reviews The Physcians of Vilnoc by Lois McMaster Bujold.
- Adrienne Martini reviews Paladin's Grace by T. Kingfisher.
- Joel Cunningham interviews Gideon the Ninth by Tamsyn Muir.
- Gary K. Wolfe reviews The Vanished Birds by Simon Jimenez.
- Colleen Mondor reviews The Gravity of Us by Phil Stamper.
- Joel Cunningham reviews Marque of Caine by Charles E. Gannon.
- James Davis Nicoll reviews Goldilocks by Laura Lam.
- Bill Capossere reviews The Ghosts of Sherwood by Carrie Vaughn.
- Joel Cunningham reviews The Ten Thousand Doors of January by Alix E. Harrow.
- Mark Yon reviews The City of a Thousand Faces by Walker Dryden.
- Fantasy Faction reviews A Tale of Stars and Shadow by Lisa Cassidy.
- Bethan Hindmarch reviews Bloodchild by Anna Stephens.
- Kelly Lasiter reviews Legends of the Sky by Liz Flanagan.
- Joel Cunningham reviews Gods of Jade and Shadow by Silvia Moreno-Garcia.
- Tadiana Jones reviews Interference by Sue Burke.
- Amy Goldschlager reviews The Border Keeper by Kerstin Hall.
- Adri Joy reviews The Court of Miracles by Kester Grant.
- Publishers Weekly reviews The Year of Witching by Alexis Henderson.
- Publishers Weekly reviews The Four Profound Weaves by R.B. Lemberg.
- Andrew Fowlow reviews Hearthstone Cottage by Frazer Lee.
- Cassie Schulz reviews This Coven Won't Break by Isabel Sterling.
- Kat Hooper reviews Sal and Gabi Fix the Universe by Carlos Hernandez.
- Philip Womack reviews The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes by Suzanne Collins.
- Annalisa Quinn reviews The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes by Suzanne Collins.
- Publishers Weekly reviews Blood Victory by Christopher Rice.
- Michael Patrick Hicks reviews Sed de Sangre by V. Castro.
- Andrew Fowlow reviews The Wise Friend by Ramsay Campbell.
- Ian Mond and Gary K. Wolfe review Ghost Species by James Bradley.
- Camestros Felapton reviews The Deep by Rivers Solomon, Daveed Diggs, William Hutson and Jonathan Snipes.
- Sean Dowie reviews Providence by Max Barry.
- Anne Enright reviews Rodham by Curtis Sittenfeld.
- Jonathan Thornton reviews Out of Body by Jeffrey Ford.
- James Davis Nicoll reviews Inhalations by S. Qiouyi Lu.
- Runalong the Shelves reviews Nothing is Strange by Mike Russell.
- Paul Di Filippo reviews Masters of Science Fiction: Kate Wilhelm by Kate Wilhelm.
- Paul Weimer reviews The Book of Dragons, edited by Jonathan Strahan.
- Betty Webb reviews Crime Travel, edited by Barb Goffman.
Classics reviews:
- Sandy Ferber revisits the 1923 science fiction novel The Clockwork Man by E.V. Odle.
- Ruthanna Emrys and Anne M. Pillsworth revisit the 1937 horror story "The Terrible Parchment" by Manly Wade Wellman.
- Paul Fraser reviews the November 1944 issue of Astounding Science Fiction.
- Jason MacGregor revisits the 1951 space opera novel The Stars Like Dust by Isaac Asimov.
- Alan Brown revisits the Med Service science fiction series by Murray Leinster, which appeared between 1957 and 1967.
- Gideon Marcus revisits the June 1965 issue of The Magazine of Fantasy and Science Fiction.
- James Davis Nicoll revisits the 1967 military science fictionn novel Soldier, Ask Not by Gordon R. Dickson.
- Runalong the Shelves revisits the 1986 Vorkosigan novel The Warrior's Apprentice by Lois McMaster Bujold.
- Joe Kenney revisits American Death Orbit, a 1988 novel in the Doomsday Warrior post-apocalyptic series by Ryder Stacy.
- Runalong the Shelves revisits the 1989 Deverry fantasy novel Darkspell by Katherine Kerr.
Crowdfunding:
- Staying in Place, an anthology of stories to pass the time edited by John Betancourt, is looking for funding.
- Madi: Once Upon a Time in the Future, a graphic novel by Duncan Jones and Alex de Campi, is looking for funding.
Con and event reports:
- Andrea Johnson shares her experiences at the virtual Flights of Foundry convention.
- Mike Glyer lists the latest convention cancellations due to the corona virus as well as one con in Florida that is actually allowed to go ahead.
- Elena Davison and Mike Percival announced that the 2020 Oxonmoot in Oxford, UK, has been cancelled due to the corona virus.
- Mike Eckert announces that the 2020 KublaCon in El Granada, California, has been cancelled due to the corona virus.
- Gen Con in Indianapolis, Indiana, has been cancelled due to the corona virus.
- Emery Glover reports that Soda City Comic Con in Columbia, South Carolina, has been cancelled due to the corona virus.
- The Locus Award Weekend in Seattle, Washington, is not yet cancelled, but may well go online.
- The Newberry Book Fair in Chicago, Illinois, has been cancelled due to the corona virus.
- The Wigtown Book Festival in Wigtown, Scotland, will go online due to the corona virus.
- Michael Paulson reports that the musical Frozen, based on the eponymous Disney film, will close on Broadway due to the corona virus.
- Beth Elderkin reports how the corona virus pandemic is impacting cosplayers.
- Lauren Abbott reports about the Discovering Steampunk exhibition at the Museum of Idaho in Idaho Falls, Idaho.
Science and technology:
- Jon Cartwirght reports that strange particles observed in Antarctica may be evidence of a parallel universe going back in time.
- Daniel Oberhaus reports about a new solar power experiment in orbit.
- Jane Wakefield reports that Facebook is planning to lay a 37000 kilometre long undersea cable to bring faster Internet to Africa.
- Watch a video showing the interior life of several rocket types.
- Annie Glenn, widow of astronaut John Glenn and advocate for people with spech disorders has died aged 100.
Free online fiction:
- "Beyond the Dragon's Gate" by Yoon Ha Lee at Tor.com
- "Luminous" by Kel Purcill in Luna Station Quarterly.
- "Clever Jack, Heavy with Stories" by R.K. Duncan in Beneath Ceaseless Skies.
- "High in the Clean Blue Air" by Emma Törzs in Uncanny Magazine.
- "The Honey of the World and the Queen of Crows" by Dimitra Nikolaidu in Beneath Ceaseless Skies.
- "Decorating with Luke" by Adam-Troy Castro in Nightmare Magazine.
- "Melting Like Metal" by Ada Hoffmann in Lightspeed.
- "Skating Without Streetlights" by Tina Connolly at the ASU Center for Science and the Imagination.
- "A Stick of Clay, in the Hands of Gods, is Infinite Potential" by J.Y. Neon Yang in Clarkesworld.
- "Honor Thy Mother" by Angela Slatter in The Dark.
- "We Are Where the Nightmares Go" by C. Robert Cargill in Lightspeed.
- "The One That Got Away" by Kristine Kathryn Rusch.
Odds and ends:
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