Review of Under the Stone by Karoline Georges

One of the most exciting novellas I’ve read this year is Under the Stone by Quebec author Karoline Georges. The story focuses on a child born in cell number 804 on the 5969th level of a massive building containing all remaining humans in the world.

The child grows up both mentally and physically trapped by this cell while also learning to survive an abusive father and fearful mother, who are as trapped as the child and take their anger and disgust out on their offspring. The child's only escape — the possible movement of the incalculable amounts of concrete surrounding the cell and a crack which may bring about the ultimate transformation in the child.

This psychological and philosophical novella is beautifully written and reads like a modern-day version of George Orwell's 1984, presenting a claustrophobic view of life where society reduces humans to our most basic instincts and needs.

Originally published in French as Sous Beton in 2010, the novella was released in English a few months ago by Anvil Press, an independent publisher from Vancouver. I highly recommend people check it out. Under the Stone will definitely be on my shortlist of novellas for the major SF awards.

As a side note, I purchased the novella from Bakka Phoenix Books on a recent visit to Toronto. There was a misprint in my book and the staff at Bakka went above and beyond in making sure I received a new copy so I could finish reading the story. Many thanks to them. Be sure to check out their excellent SF/F bookstore if you're in the area.

Stop the Goodreads bullies ... stopped?

Who could have predicted that authors attacking readers would not end well?

It appears Stop the Goodreads Bullies (STGRB), a group of authors including Anne Rice who campaigned to punish readers who post multiple "bad" reviews on Goodreads and other sites, has shut down. Their website is now defunct, pulling up only a generic placeholder site by the domain hosting company.

For more on the inane history of this group, check out my post on STGRB from two years ago. I also suggest reading Foz Meadows' analysis or this Dear Author post. 

The circumstances of the STGRB site disappearing also suggest behind the scenes drama in the group. According to the Wayback Machine, the last post on the site was in December 2015. The site also experienced intermittent outages this year. 

But it now appears the site is down for good. Internic is reporting the STGRB site has a "ClientTransferProhibited" hold on their url, while the STGRB hosting company (see screengrab) says "The domain [stopthegrbullies.com] has been banned from being used on FastDomain."

What does all that mean? Did someone merely forget to renew the url when it expired or were more serious actions taken against STGRB? I have no idea, but either way it appears Stop the Goodread Bullies has been stopped. Much to the enjoyment of readers everywhere.

 

"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.