Jason Sanford

Searching for the Strange in Short Fiction on Dec. 4

I'm presenting a book talk on "Searching for the Strange in Short Fiction" on Wednesday, December 4 at 7 pm in the Bexley Library auditorium. I'll not only discuss the strange with regards to SF/F short stories (including SciFi Strange) but I'll also meander through my thoughts on how short fiction in general—no matter the genre—is at essence an exploration of the stranger aspects of human existence.

If you live in or near the Columbus, Ohio, area, please stop by on Wednesday for the talk. I'll be giving away a signed copy of my Never Never Stories to one random participant. In addition, if any writers show up I'd be happy to discuss fiction markets, writing theory, and anything else after the talk is finished.

Million Writers Award update

Since I'm receiving so many emails on the Million Writers Award, I wanted to post a statement: The top ten stories and the public vote are coming! Soon! The top ten stories have been posted and voting is now open.

As I've said before, we have new administrators running the award this year and there's been some teething pains. But the top ten stories have been selected and should be released shortly—as in within days (I hope)—and the public vote will start at that time.

A big part of the delay was on me. Even though I passed the award duties to others because I no longer had time to manage the award, I still volunteered to be one of the final three judges. I probably should have realized that lack of time + still volunteering would result in me being the tardiest of the judges in turning in my selections.

So stay tuned. The Million Writers Award is coming here.

Art for my upcoming Interzone novelette "Paprika"

My 13th story in the Britsh magazine Interzone will be published in their upcoming Nov./Dec. 2013 issue (number 249). The SF novelette, titled "Paprika," is set in the far future and involves an artificial construct designed to preserve copies of human lives.

Interzone editor Andy Cox sent me the art for the story and yet again I'm blown away by what they've created. Interzone has no equal for the honor of world's most beautiful SF/F magazine. The art is by Ben Baldwin, who has also created other artwork for my Interzone stories.

As always, if you want to read the story I suggest you subscribe.  Individual issues will also be available in stores beginning in December (for American readers, you'll likely have to wait until January to find copies in stores).

 

It's not easy being (Judge) Green

This political billboard ad, which I pass daily going to work, has to be one of the worst ever. I mean, can you imagine the stoned photoshop wiz who convinced Judge Green to go with this ad. "Oh wow, dude, your last name's Green. We should totally make you, like, green!"

Every time I see this billboard I want to start singing "It's not easy being green" alongside Kermit the Frog. 

The sad thing is that Judge Green's a highly respected and effective judge here in Ohio. I sometimes think this ad might be so bad it's actually genius because it forces people to remember his name. Since judicial elections have problems with voters remembering candidate names, that wouldn't be a bad thing.

But then I snap back to reality and realize, no, this ad does Judge Green absolutely no favors.