Andreas Matern’s Weblog

As I mentioned on my other site, Neil Gaiman’s American Gods is now free to read on-line. That is fun for us, but how do the publishers and authors make money? I understand that the idea is to get folks to buy other works by the same author, and I get it is American Gods, I mean, who hasn’t read that wonderful novel?

God, I feel like total ass today. We went to heavy metal karaoke last night.. and something compelled me to drink Tequila. And now its a day that doesn’t really exisit, stupid Leap Day. How am I supposed to get motivated on a day where it is colder than the 3rd Level of Hell outside and it is a made up day?

Enter the ICHC online Poker Cats Contest!

Have you seen this?

Someone has put together an amazing site where they have removed Garfield from all the Garfield comics resulting in:

the result is an even better comic about schizophrenia, bipolor disorder, and the empty desperation of modern life? Friends, meet Jon Arbuckle. Let’s laugh and learn with him on a journey deep into the tortured mind of an isolated young everyman as he fights a losing battle against lonliness and methamphetamine addiction in a quiet American suburb.

Just awesome…. some are a lot more psychopathic than others, I chose a tame one. 

I had to post this, from The Reverse Cowgirl which is a damn fine blog!

Call for submissions: Best Sex Writing 2009
To be edited by Rachel Kramer Bussel
Publication date: November 2008
Deadline for submissions: May 1, 2008
Editor Rachel Kramer Bussel is looking for personal essays and reportage for inclusion in the 2009 edition of the Cleis Press series Best Sex Writing, which will hit stores in November 2008. Seeking articles from across the sexual spectrum, covering alternative sexuality, reproductive rights and sexuality, sex education, sex and technology, sex work, sex and aging, sex and parenting, sex and religion, sex and race, sex and disability, BDSM, polyamory, gender roles, etc. These topics are just starting points; any writings covering the topic of sex will be considered. Personal essays will also be considered. I like work that looks at sex in new and unusual ways, that challenges us to think about sex and our own sexuality, is thought-provoking and possibly disturbing. I want sex journalism that’s found in the most unexpected places.

Found this great website while checking out the del.icio.us hotlist.  Great art!

Einstein & Faith - TIME - flagged for me to read later today.

From here:

Finalists have been announced for this year’s Nebula Awards, which recognize superior achievement in science fiction and fantasy writing. The award is presented annually by the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America. Winners will be announced at the 2008 Nebula Awards Weekend, April 25-27, in Austin, Texas. A complete list of nominees follows.

I’ve tried to hyperlink to the Amazon.com for the novels and to the original websites where one can read the nominated shorts.  Some of the shorts I can’t find on line, so I’ve linked either to the amazon.com anthology they are in, or to the literary journal where they are published.

Novel: Ragamuffin by Tobias Buckell, The Yiddish Policemen’s Union by Michael Chabon, The Accidental Time Machine by Joe Haldeman, The New Moon’s Arms by Nalo Hopkinson, Odyssey by Jack McDevitt
Novella: “Awakening” by Judith Berman, “The Helper and His Hero” by Matthew Hughes, “Fountain of Age” by Nancy Kress, “Stars Seen Through Stone” by Lucius Shepard, “Kiosk” by Bruce Sterling, “Memorare” by Gene Wolfe
Novelette: “The Children’s Crusade” by Robin Wayne Bailey; “Child, Maiden, Woman, Crone” by Terry Bramlett; “The Merchant and the Alchemist’s Gate” by Ted Chiang; “The Evolution of Trickster Stories Among the Dogs of North Park After the Change” by Kij Johnson; “Safeguard” by Nancy Kress; “Pol Pot’s Beautiful Daughter” by Geoff Ryman; “The Fiddler of Bayou Teche” by Delia Sherman
Short Story: “Unique Chicken Goes in Reverse” by Andy Duncan, “Always” by Karen Joy Fowler, “Titanium Mike Saves the Day” by David D. Levine, “The Story of Love” by Vera Nazarian, “Captive Girl” by Jennifer Pelland, “Pride” by Mary Turzillo

Now, its time to try and read them!

Browse through 70 years of New York Times articles here: TimesMachine - New York Times

Great stuff! From here.