World in the Satin Bag

World in the Satin Bag

YWO Store Now Open!

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YWO, a website for young writers that I co-own, has officially opened its very own merchandise store here. We have shirts, hats, and loads of things. We’re also going to be doing non-YWO stuff, like shirts with funny phrases and what not. Check out our RPG Line for starters. Lots of things are going to be added to our store over the next few months, but for now, feel free to pick up a YWO t-shirt, hat, or mug. Also check out our awesome ambigram line, which features a really cool logo created by one of our members (Carraka). It’s a beautiful creation. Oh, and I should mention that proceeds from sales go to making YWO a better place. Covers hosting fees and, if we’re lucky, we’ll get to host some contests with real prizes! So, help us out and buy a shirt. And spread the word about our site and our store. Thanks! (Don’t click the read more, there isn’t any more after this!)

World in the Satin Bag

Website Found: American Monsters

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What is it?American Monsters is a website with a far larger scope than the name suggests. Gathered there is a huge supply of useful information on cryptozoology, or, for those that don’t know what that is, the “scientific” study of the unknown and mysterious creatures on this planet (such as Loch Ness, Big Foot, and creatures that we know for a fact actually exist–as in physical evidence like a dead body). The website features: Monsters page which divides creatures by type (such as avian, hairy, and hybrid). WHen you click a specific type it takes you to another page that lists reported incidents with creatures that fit into that category. A map that allows you to click icons representing certain monsters, which brings up on the world map several dots representing known sightings. This is actually pretty neat. You’d be amazed how widespread some creatures are as far as sightings are concerned. Sightings form that allows you to report your own sightings of the unknown. Vanguard and Pioneers pages, which provides detailed information about folks, new and old, who have either participated in the expansion of cryptozoological knowledge or perhaps had some sort of ancient connection to it (such as a Saint; yup, a Saint). A gallery of images, a media guide for finding out about programming of interest in your area, a skeptics page, a forum, a links page, and a store. Why is it cool?I’m particularly impressed by the organization of the website, though it could use with expanding their knowledge base. Still, considering it has a forum for discussion and potential for being a comprehensive site for all you need to know about Big Foot and his friends. Give it a look. (Don’t click the read more, there isn’t any more after this!)

World in the Satin Bag

Website Found: Worlds Without End

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It’s called Worlds Without End. What is it?A website featuring most anything an SF/F literature nut can want. It has:–A section about the top books in SF/F at any given moment, revolving around books that have won or been nominated for major awards and featured novels.–A section about authors, which lists nominations and wins, has featured authors, and loads of information about the folks that keep our imaginations soaring.–A section about publishers, which is basically like the books section, just about publishers instead.–A forum.–A store, featuring products for Worlds Without End.–An extensive resources sections, which lists magazines, conventions, and just about anything else you can imagine in relation to SF/F literature. Why is it cool?Because it is a remarkably well put-together website with a lot of valuable information for fans of SF/F literature. The owners have certainly put a lot of work into making it look professional and easy to navigate. Plus, it’s nice to know one of my favorite authors is pretty high up on the list of great authors. So, check this site out!(Don’t click the read more, there isn’t any more after this!)

World in the Satin Bag

Poul Anderson: One of the Greats

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If you’ve never read Poul Anderson, you’re missing out. I recently came across this article that profiles his work (discovered here).I’ve been a fan of Poul Anderson’s work for a long and have set out to collect all his printed works (I have most of them actually). His writing has always been inspiring to me. I first read “Call Me Joe” by him many years ago and it was the spark that got me into science fiction in the first place. It was a strange story, and I think that’s what made me so intrigued: it had that sense of wonder and amazement.Shortly after that I started buying up old SF titles and even spend quite a few bucks one christmas building up a collection of Analog SF backissues (from way back when, actually; I currently have two big boxes full of these things and they’re wonderful). I’m not as well read as most SF nuts (I’ve yet to reaed all the classics), but if it hadn’t been for Poul Anderson I don’t think I would have ever started writing SF. Maybe I would have if I discovered some of the writers I admire today, but that’s shaky at best. Poul Anderson was the catalyst for my newfound obsession with SF. Granted, other writers preceded him and it was them that got me to eventually read Poul Anderson (Richard A. Knaak, actually, was my introduction to fantasy literature, with the exception of a little Tolkien and some classics I had read, and without Knaak I probably wouldn’t have jumped into fantasy as much as I did; Knaak is one of my favorite fantasy writers and I’m somewhat disheartened by the fact that he doesn’t write enough of his own stuff and spends most of his writing time on shared world things, which sucks, cause the Dragonrealm books were good).So, here’s to Poul Anderson, a gem among gems, if that makes any sense. And now I’ll bring it back to you:What one author got you to read science fiction or fantasy? Or, what author got you interested in reading at all, since some of us have only recently realized the wonders of reading?

World in the Satin Bag

Website Found: Uchronia

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It’s called Uchronia: The Alternate History List. What is it?A website featuring extensive information on works of alternate history.Includes:–Lists of novels, anthologies, reference texts, and series that are printed in English and other languages.–Extensive introduction page which talks about the genre of alternate history, among other things. Plus there is a forthcoming page that lists all the works coming up, obviously.–Also is the home of the Sidewise Awards, which are given to the best novel and short form pieces of the year. Why is it cool?If you’re looking for a new alternate history stuff, this is probably the best place to go. Plus, it has its own awards. That’s cool in my book. So check it out! (Don’t click the read more, there isn’t any more after this!)

World in the Satin Bag

Science Fiction Meme

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This meme apparently was on SF Signal at some point, but I found it here. Consider yourself tagged! Science Fiction, Fantasy or Horror?Science fiction and fantasy, rarely horror. It’s hard for me to choose. I love science fiction very much, but I also happen to enjoy fantasy quite a bit too. I’ve read some amazing fantasy novels in my life and I did start with fantasy when I started reading more, mostly because science fiction seems so difficult to me for a long while. Hardback or Trade Paperback or Mass Market Paperback?Mass market, but only because they’re smaller and I feel like I’ve accomplished more reading each sitting. Heinlein or Asimov?I’ve read little Heinlein, though I plan to read more. So, Asimov. Amazon or Brick and Mortar?Brick and Mortar. Amazon doesn’t give the same browsing experience. Barnes & Noble or Borders?Borders. They have a FREE rewards card, and there isn’t a B&N here. B&N tends to be more organized and has more discount books (and a better selection for discount stuff too), but their rewards card sucks. Hitchhiker or Discworld?Hitchhiker. Bookmark or Dogear?Bookmark. Dogearing books should be illegal. How would you like it if I dogeared our arm when I wanted to pause while examining you? Exactly. Magazine: Asimov’s Science Fiction or Fantasy & Science Fiction?F&SF, because I’ve never read Asimov’s. Alphabetize by author Alphabetize by title or random?Depends. On my “to read” shelf it’s random, but everything else is supposed to be alphabetical (it’s out of order right now, though). Keep, Throw Away or Sell?Keep if I like it enough that I’ll re-read it, or sell it if I don’t. Year’s Best Science Fiction series (edited by Gardner Dozois) or Years Best SF series (edited by David G. Hartwell)?No preference, to be honest. Keep dustjacket or toss it?It came with the book. It stays. Read with dustjacket or remove it?Leave it on most of the time (unless it’s easy to tear, in which case it is removed). Short story or novel?Both. I like shorts a little better because they are short, but novels tend to be deeper. Harry Potter or Lemony Snicket?Harry Potter. Never read Snicket and don’t really want to. The movie did nothing for me. Stop reading when tired or at chapter breaks?Depends. Either or. “It was a dark and stormy night” or “Once upon a time”?Once upon at time…both are horribly cliche, though. Buy or Borrow?Buy. I’ll borrow sometimes, but rarely. Buying choice: Book Reviews, Recommendation or Browse?A combination of all of them. I buy more books via browsing though. I rarely buy or ead anything that is shoved down my throat, though. So if you want me to read something, stop pestering me about it. Lewis or Tolkien?I like Lewis’ writing style better, but Tolkien does have the advantage of a thoroughly fascinating world. Hard SF or Space Opera?Both, and even more so when they are combined. I love merged genres. Collection (short stories by the same author) or Anthology (short stories by different authors)?Both. Hugo or Nebula?Doesn’t really matter. I buy a book because it sounds interesting, not because it won an award. Golden Age SF or New Wave SF?Both, duh. Tidy ending or Cliffhanger?Absolutely no cliffhangers unless there is a book that follows immediately after. Tidy endings can be a little annoying if they’re too tidy. Leave a couple things unanswered with certainty. Morning reading, Afternoon reading or Nighttime reading?I read whenever I have a moment to spare for reading. Standalone or Series?Both are great, although superb standalones beat a series any day. Urban fantasy or high fantasy?High fantasy unless the urban fantasy is something not involving vampires or werewolves. New or used?Both. Sometimes you have no choice but to get used. Favorite book of which nobody else has heard?The Steam Magnate by Dana Copithorne. It’s good. Read it. Now. Or else. Top X favorite genre books read last year? (Where X is 5 or less)In no particular order:The Steam Magnate by Dana CopithorneCrystal Rain by Tobias S. BuckellRagamuffin by Tobias S. BuckellSpin State by Chris MoriartyLeven Thumps and the Whispered Secret by Obert Skye Top X favorite genre books of all time? (Where X is 5 or less)I’ll be honest, these five are just going to be “top 5 favorites that I can think of right now”. My top 5 changes quote a lot, to be honest. A top five list for me is really rather pointless. This should be a top 100 or something.Peeps by Scott Westerfeld1984 by George OrwellSly Mongoose by Tobias S. BuckellEon by Greg BearOld Man’s War by John Scalzi X favorite genre series? (Where X is 5 or less)Tobias S. Buckell’s scifi series (not sure what you call it, but they’re all good)Karen Miller’s Innocent Mage/Awakened Mage series.Leven Thumps by Obert SkyeDiane Duane’s Young Wizards (So You Want to Be a Wizard, etc.)Susan Beth Pfeffer’s series (Life As We Knew It and the dead & the gone) Top X favorite genre short stories? (Where X is 5 or less)“Call Me Joe” by Poul Anderson“Sandkings” by George R. R. MartinWork by Paul Melko and Zoran Zivkovic“The People’s Republic of the Edelwiess Village Putt-Putt Golf Course” by M. K. Hobson Currently Reading?Honeycomb by Israel Del Rio

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