First draft of novel Plague Birds now complete

Art by Hugo Award winning artist Jim Burns for the second Plague Birds story "The Ever-Dreaming Verdict of Plagues." See below for more artistic interpretations of my Plague Birds universe.

Good news for fans of my Plague Birds stories: I've completed the initial draft of my first science fiction novel and it's set in that far future world of genetic manipulation and god-like AIs.

For those who haven't read these stories, the first one — "Plague Birds" — was published in the acclaimed British magazine Interzone, where it won the magazine's annual Readers' Poll. The story was subsequently translated into a number of languages (including Czech and Chinese) and was the subject of a well-received podcast on Dunesteef Audio Fiction Magazine.

The following year I wrote a sequel called "The Ever-Dreaming Verdict of Plagues," which was also published in Interzone. Translations of this story were published around the world while its podcast edition was named a finalist for the 2012 Parsec Awards.

My new novel is also titled Plague Birds and includes the original story (but not the "The Ever-Dreaming Verdict of Plagues," which functions as a stand-alone tale in the universe).

The coming months will see revisions of the novel. Then I’ll start submitting it around.

The original publication of the first "Plague Birds" story in Interzone. Cool art by Ben Baldwin, although there are artistic liberties. (Meaning no red leather skin-tight suits in my story or novel. Sorry.)

Artwork from the Chinese edition of the original Plague Birds short story. And no, the main character doesn't let her shirt fly up like that in the original story or the novel. Definitely artistic liberties at work again.

Eligible for Hugo Award for Best Fan Writer

A quick note that I'm eligible for nomination for the Hugo Award for Best Fan Writer. I write a weekly column called Genre Grapevine on my Patreon, along with publishing other original essays and commentary on both Patreon and my website.

In 2018 my original reporting on genre issues covered topics as diverse as issues with the Writers of the Future contest, problems with the contract offered by the now-defunct SF magazine Spectacle, and concerns with presses such as Left Hand Publishers.

The following are a sample of my genre-related essays published in 2018. All of these examples were released free to the public, making them eligible for Best Fan Writer consideration.

Thanks for considering me for a nomination. And if you like the samples of my Genre Grapevine column linked to below, consider backing my Patreon.

Samples of public Genre Grapevine columns

Samples of genre commentary and reporting

My ConFusion schedule, Jan. 17 to 20, 2019

I'm a participating author at ConFusion in Detroit, January 17 to 20. ConFusion is a wonderful genre convention which mixes a strong literary focus with a laid-back and accessible attitude.

Here are the panels I'm taking part in. I look forward to seeing everyone there.

Friday January 18 at 6:00 PM
The Future of Masculinity
Jason Sanford (M), Pablo Defendini, Michael R. Underwood, John Chu, David Anthony Durham
Masculinity and “manliness” are social constructs, and like all social constructs, they evolve and change over time. How will our definitions of masculinity evolve over time? How can we portray positive visions of masculinity in speculative fiction? This is a follow-up to last year's well-received ConFusion panel on "Visions of Positive Masculinity" featuring many of same people.

Sunday January 20 at 11:00 AM
Tense and Point of View in Fantasy Today
Theresa Nielsen Hayden (M), Jordan Kurella, Dyrk Ashton, Jason Sanford, Amy Sundberg
Aesthetic trends in genre writing are constantly evolving--and tense and point of view are no exception. The Princess Bride uses an omniscient viewpoint to excellent comedic effect, framing it inside a conversational first-person narrative. In the time since it was published, present-tense narration has grown in popularity, especially in Young Adult fiction. Where are fashions heading around tense and point of view? Which works are showcasing what the common viewpoints and tenses can contribute to a story?

"The Emotionless, in Love" eligible for Hugo, Nebula

It’s time to do one of those dreaded award eligibility posts. My novella "The Emotionless, in Love" was originally published in the March 2018 issue of Beneath Ceaseless Skies and is eligible for nomination for both the Hugo and Nebula Awards.

People can read read the story online for free.

Below are some reviews. Thanks to everyone who has told me how much they’ve loved the novella. I promise to return to this world in the near future.

Maria Haskins said:

"Wow. WOW. This novella by Jason Sanford is part of Beneath Ceaseless Skies’ science fantasy month, and it is an absolute stunner of a tale: dramatic, even brutal at times, but also an unlikely and unusual love story that showcases Sanford’s talent for world-building. It is set in the same world as Sanford’s 2016 story “Blood Grains Speak Through Memories” (a finalist for the 2016 Nebula Awards in the novelette category), but you can read the new story as a stand-alone (then go back and read the first story, just because it’s so darn excellent). Sanford weaves an epic tale with fierce and memorable characters fighting to stay alive in a hostile world."

Charles Payseur at Quick Sip Reviews said:

"In the end, the story for me thrives on the power of its characters and the strange and haunting beauty of its world. Colton is compelling but comes so much more alive with Ae and Mita and Sri Sa around him, teaching him in ways that he needs to be taught. It’s not always a happy story, or a traditionally pretty one. There are monsters and there is blood and there are wrongs done. For me, the story reveals a setting messy and real, full of agendas and the people caught between them. But it brings the characters to a place where they can move forward, where they can work at honoring the past and moving into a future where they don’t have to remake the same old mistakes. It’s a wonderful and complex novella that you should definitely check out!"

X Marks the Story at The Book Smugglers:

Being able to sink my teeth into a truly substantive fantasy offering at an online venue is fairly rare, and this story is a treat in terms of scale, scope, and setting. ... It’s a relentless read, tinged with darkness and blood, but also glowing with a hope that people can overcome their mistakes, and that the family you find for yourself can often end up meaning more than the one you were born into.

RocketStackRank called the novella "Hugo worthy and gave it 5 stars.

SF Magazines gave the novella 4 stars and added:

It is a gripping story. One for the ‘Best of the Year’ anthologies, and I will be interested to see how it does in the Nebula Awards.

And the novella is also receiving praise on Goodreads:

This story is one of the most original I have read in some time. The world-building is spectacular, the character development excellent and the story line itself is fascinating. A totally worthwhile read!

My weekly Genre Grapevine columns on Patreon

A reminder that I write a weekly Genre Grapevine column for my Patreon supporters. The column provides insider news and information for people in the science fiction, fantasy, and horror genres along with submission information on new and current markets.

The column is available for only $1 a month.

For a sample column, go here. Also check out my original reporting around genre issues, such as on Spectacle Magazine and Dream Foundry.

To back my Patreon and receive access to the weekly columns and much more, go to www.patreon.com/jasonsanford.