Uber-cool sci-fi authors and more lit links
At io9, Charlie Jane Anders comes up with a list of authors of science fiction that elite literary types hold dear. Philip K. Dick, Octavia Butler, Neal Stephenson, H.P. Lovecraft and Kurt Vonnegut make the grade -- and the image above proves that Vonnegut can, yes, be considered a science fiction writer. The comments, which mention J.G. Ballard and others, have many worthy additions.
Romance is another genre that's rattling its cage, especially at the ever-sassy blog Smart Bitches, Trashy Books. They're giving away 10 advance copies of their upcoming book, "Beyond Heaving Bosoms: The Smart Bitches’ Guide to Romance Novels." Leave a comment for a chance to win; all they ask is that you read it and tell them what you think.
Nobody's asked me what I think the new Borders CEO should do, but I have a suggestion. Barnes & Noble has the corner on coffee; how about Borders Books & Beer?
Are there any of those elite literary types in Portland, Ore., with a pocketful of cash? Small Beer Press reports that Twenty-Third Avenue Books is for sale.
The alternative weekly the Nashville Scene isn't for sale -- but it has nixed its book section. Clay Risen looks at what this kind of contracting book coverage will mean for local authors in a post at MaudNewton.com.
-- Carolyn Kellogg
That copy of Sirens of Titan also features the sought-after amazing surrealist artwork of Richard M. Powers. There are thos of us (read: geeks) who collect the old paperbacks just for the Powers cover art.
Posted by: Shaun Mason | January 06, 2009 at 10:36 AM