"Toppers" in Asimov's Science Fiction, August 2016

My novelette "Toppers" has been published in the August 2016 issue of Asimov's Science Fiction. The time travel story set in a weirdly different New York City is already receiving positive reviews.

The August 2016 Asimov's is currently in stores. You can also order ebook editions of the issue from Amazon and other places.

My MidAmeriCon II schedule

I'm a participating author at MidAmeriCon II, August 17 to 21 in Kansas City. This will be my first WorldCon and I look forward to seeing everyone.

Here's my schedule. Also note that I'll be giving away signed limited edition copies of my novelette "Blood Grains Speak Through Memories," published earlier this year by Beneath Ceaseless Skies. While supplies last, as the cliche goes.

The Future of Forensics

Thursday August 18, 12:00 - 1:00 p.m., 2209 (Kansas City Convention Center)

Forensic scientists analyze scientific evidence in criminal investigations and as with all science the methods available grow and change and improve on a regular basis. This panel of experts discuss what is current and lead to where it might go next. 

Jason Sanford, Alistair Kimble (M), Jack Campbell Jr., Diana Rowland, Anna Yeatts

Autographing: Sharon Joss, Anna Kashina, Mur Lafferty, Jason Sanford

Thursday August 18, 3:00 - 4:00 p.m., Autographing Space (Kansas City Convention Center)

Stop by for an autograph and pick up a free limited edition copy of my novelette "Blood Grains Speak Through Memories," published earlier this year by Beneath Ceaseless Skies.

Knock on Wood. From Squirrel Girl to Lumberjanes

Thursday August 18, 5:00 - 6:00 p.m., 2207 (Kansas City Convention Center)

What the junk?! In the last couple of years we've seen the growth of comics that might superficially appear to be aimed at a YA audience, however these titles are hitting the mainstream with a vengeance. Marvel are leading the pack with Squirrel Girl, Ms Marvel and Captain Marvel, but there's also a vast amount of Indie work coming through such as Lumberjanes, Space Dumplin', Kaos Komics and Footloose. Our panel discuss why these titles are so popular, and what they have to offer both new and established audiences. 

Tom Galloway, Jason Sanford, Adam Rakunas, Rebecca Schwarz (M), Catherine Lundoff

Trends in Magazine Publishing

Friday August 19, 2:00 - 3:00 p.m., 3501D - A/V (Kansas City Convention Center)

A lot of things have changed for magazine publishing. What's the beat way in, and how do we write for a genre that is moving across media?

MR. Donald Douglas Fratz (M), John Joseph Adams, Neil Clarke, Shahid Mahmud, Dr. Mary Anne Mohanraj, Jason Sanford

Kaffeeklatsch: Richard Hescox, Rebecca Moesta, Jason Sanford, Martha Wells

Saturday August 20, 10:00 - 11:00 a.m.,  2211 (Kansas City Convention Center)

Stop by and pick up a free limited edition copy of my novelette "Blood Grains Speak Through Memories," published earlier this year by Beneath Ceaseless Skies.

Archaeology in SF

Saturday 2:00 - 3:00 p.m, 2503B (Kansas City Convention Center)

Forget Indiana Jones, learn what archaeologists really do and how science fiction and fantasy get it right and wrong.

Dana Cameron, Rhiannon Held, Jason Sanford (M), Jack McDevitt, Ms Rosemary Claire Smith

Note: I used to be an archaeologist and have strong views on how that science is depicted in SF.

Magazine Group Reading - Apex

Saturday 3:00 - 4:00 p.m., 2504B (Kansas City Convention Center)

Our Magazine Group Reading Series continues with a special group reading that features authors from Apex Magazine.

Jason Sizemore (M), Ms Rachel Swirsky, Jason Sanford, Kate Elliott, Foz Meadows, Adam-Troy Castro

Hybridity in Comics

Sunday 10:00 - 11:00 a.m., 2503B (Kansas City Convention Center)

 "The hybrid constantly betrays the reader as it switches from one formula to the other, shocking and surprising us and breathing new vividness into the familiar" (Ada Palmer). As with any evolving genre, comics borrow some elements from elsewhere, cross thematic genres, and learn from their peers, both historical and contemporary. Our panel discuss some of the ways that hybridity benefits the genre, and helps it grow.

Ada Palmer (M), Jason Sanford, Jessica Guggenheim, Mr. Stephen Stiles, Ms. Lynne M. Thomas

Criticism in Speculative Fiction

Sunday 12:00 - 1:00 p.m., 3501F (Kansas City Convention Center)

More than just a review, criticism places a piece of literature in the overarching field of speculative fiction. Critics discuss works in relation to what has come before, perhaps even trying to establish the importance of an author or work beyond popularity. What is the role of a critic? What different types of critics are there, and do some hold more sway than others? 

Dr. Amy H. Sturgis, Dr. Tom Easton, Jason Sanford

My novelette “May Our Voices Sing Like Blood from Open Wounds" (with praise for Edmund Schubert)

Artwork for "May Our Voices Sing Like Blood from Open Wounds" created by Dean Spencer.

My first-ever vampire novelette, “May Our Voices Sing Like Blood from Open Wounds," has been published as the cover story for InterGalactic Medicine Show. The amazing artwork was created by Dean Spencer.

Robert L Turner III, reviewing the issue at Tangent Online, says "The story is well paced and extremely well written, hinting at deeper meanings while only occasionally becoming explicit. While not perfect, this is the best short story I have read in some time and deserves careful reading and perhaps award nominations."

Go check out the story.

Not only is this the 50th issue of IGMS, it's also Edmund Schubert's final issue as editor. I'll miss working with Edmund, who is a class act and one of those unsung heroes who make the SF/F genre what it is.

Last year Edmund was nominated for the Hugo Award for Best Editor, Short Form. While Edmund had long been on my ballot for a Hugo nomination, in 2015 he was also on the Rabid Puppies' slate, a fact which caused him a good bit of pain. He eventually withdrew from consideration. You can read his statement on why he did this — which proved yet again how classy Edmund is — here.

Prior to Edmund withdrawing I wrote the following, which I feel still really, really applies:

As editor of Intergalactic Medicine Show, Edmund has been extremely supportive of new writers no matter their politics or backgrounds or beliefs. The list of writers who've earned one of their early publishing credits through Edmund reads like a "who's who" of the new generation of SF/F authors, and includes Tony Pi, Saladin Ahmed, Aliette de Bodard, Nancy Fulda, Eric James Stone, Eugie Foster, and many more.

And yes, I'm biased about Edmund because he accepted my first-ever professionally published story. He also published my first short story collection Never Never Stories while working as the editor of Spotlight Publishing. And he commissioned this amazing artwork from fellow Hugo finalist Julie Dillon for my story "The Never Never Wizard of Apalachicola."

But despite IGMS being one of our genre's few professional-level magazines, Edmund has never appeared on the Hugo Award Best Editor ballot. Again, I'm not naive — I know it's because of two reasons. First, Edmund has never been among the trendy insiders in our genre. And it's also likely some people never considered him for the award because the full title of his magazine is Orson Scott Card's Intergalactic Medicine Show. That OSC name trips up people and they hold it against Edmund.

Which is a true shame. After all, OSC doesn't run the editorial side of the magazine. He merely supports the magazine. I am able to separate OSC's political views, which I disagree with, from his support of new writers. This is similar to how most people in our genre support the Writers of the Future contests and programs even though they were founded by L. Ron Hubbard and receive funding from Scientology-related ventures.

Edmund has a new SF short story collection out, so go read the book to learn more about his fiction. I wish Edmund the best in his life and his writing and all he takes part in during the years to come.

I also wish our genre would remember the common dreams and goals which bound us together in the first place, no matter our differences.

We should never forget to notice the good people all around us.

People like Edmund Schubert.

Chinese edition of The Ships Like Clouds, Risen By Their Rain

The Chinese edition of The Ships Like Clouds, Risen By Their Rain is now available as a stand-alone ebook on Douban Read.

So far I've been really impressed with Douban Read, which translates and publishes e-editions of genre works by a number of authors including Ken Liu and Aliette de Bodard.

Douban Read takes an innovative approach to translating foreign works. They have a "foreign works in translation page" where they allow different translators to post sample translations of upcoming books. The editors then review these translations and pick the best translator to go with the story. Among the books they're currently translating are The Waiting Stars by Aliette de Bodard, Help Me Follow My Sister into the Land of the Dead by Carmen Maria Machado, The Elephant and Macaw Banner by Christopher Kastensmidt, and my novella Sublimation Angels.

To purchase and read the Chinese edition of The Ships Like Clouds, Risen By Their Rain, go here.

By the gods it's another Jason Sanford ego post

Lots of ego notes in this post, so skip if you need.