Just The Caffeine Talking

Very Sad News

Freeman Dyson has died. He had a long, productive, and apparently happy life, so it's not really sad news for him. It's sad news for the rest of the species, which will have to get by without one of the modern era's foremost intellects.

He was one of those scientists who are better science fiction writers than anyone in SFWA. Back in 1960 he invented the concept of the "Dyson Sphere" — a shell of artificial habitats and solar collectors completely harvesting the energy of a star. In the 1980s he tossed off the idea now called a "Dyson tree," a bioengineered space habitat rooted on a comet, spreading vast leaves to catch the light of the distant Sun. Both notions have become staples of SF, but Dyson got there first.

I'm afraid we shall not see his like again.

Signs of the Times

Things I've seen in the past few days:

• Disposable plastic gloves now get a listing on the supermarket aisle sign.

• Big displays of disinfectant wipes at the front of multiple stores.

• No dust masks at any hardware store.

What have you noticed?

On the Air!

If you have enjoyed reading my posts about The Initiate here on my 'blog, you can venture into another medium! Listen to an interview with me about the book on the Baen Free Radio Hour podcast, linked here. 

Initiate Events This Weekend!

This weekend my promotion tour for my new novel The Initiate comes to its exciting finish with a double-header of bookstore events.

This evening at 6:00 p.m. I'll be reading from the book and signing copies at the Lovecraft Arts & Sciences shop in Providence, Rhode Island. It's in the historic Providence Arcade, at 65 Weybosset Street. Rhode Island writers Catherine Grant and Daphne Host will be reading from their works as well, so it should be a very entertaining evening.

On Sunday, February 23, I'll be appearing at Flights of Fantasy Books and Games in Albany, New York. That event starts at 3:00 p.m., at 381 Sand Creek Road in Albany. All are welcome!

Initiate Reading in Providence!

This coming Friday, February 21, the Lovecraft Arts & Sciences shop will host an evening of fantasy and horror. I'll be reading from my new contemporary noir fantasy novel The Initiate, along with special guests Catherine Grant and Daphne Gem Host. The store is in the historic Providence Arcade, at 65 Weybosset Street, and the event starts at 6:00 p.m. You can also take the opportunity to shop at one of the country's best Lovecraft/Horror/Occult bookshops!

 

Meta-Political Post

No, I'm not talking about politics. I'm talking about talking about politics.

I recently read a couple of interesting essays. The first, by economist Robin Hanson, is "Respectable Rants" — his standards for good political rhetoric. Note that he's not trying to limit politicians to a Rain Man style recitation of facts, nor is he urging that everyone only say nice things about each other. But he is asking, a bit wistfully, that political discourse treat the listeners — which is to say, the voters — like adults.

The second, "My Former Life as a Radical," by an academic named Gerfried Ambrosch , describes the thought processes and belief structures of a political radical. In his case, he was a leftist radical, but people on the far right, religious extremists, and all types of "radicals" share many of the same habits of thought.

 

For a thrilling story about a rebel battling evil wizards, check out my new novel The Initiate, from Baen Books — at bookstores everywhere right now!

 

 

The Future of Star Wars — And An Initiate Reading!

Andrew Liptak at Tor.com asked some science fiction writers what they'd like to see from future Star Wars projects. You can read my answer here.

And if you're in or near Worcester, Mass., at 6:00 p.m. tomorrow, swing by Annie's Book Stop of Worcester, at 65 James Street on the west side of Worcester (take exit 10 off the Mass Pike and go north on Oxford St.), to hear a reading from my new book The Initiate and get a signed copy! I'll be giving away a bonus gift to one randomly-chosen attendee, so don't miss out!

The Initiate Arrives Today!

The wait is over, the stars are right, and all the necessary rituals are complete. My new modern-day noir fantasy novel The Initiate is officially released today. Pick up a copy in your local bookstore, or buy on line. Get Initiated!

And if you're going to be in the neighborhood of Easthampton, Massachusetts this coming Thursday, stop by the launch party! It's at Book Moon bookstore, 86 Cottage St., from 6:30-8:00 p.m. on February 6. Features readings by myself and Hugo award winner Suzanne Palmer, plus refreshments and more! The Apkallu command you to attend!

Polygon Gets Initiated!

Polygon's roundup of new fantasy and science fiction recommendations for February includes my new book The Initiate. Check out the article here. The official publication date is tomorrow, so get ready to hit the stores!

Happy Palindrome Day! Yad Emordnilap Yppah!

Today is, of course, 02/02/2020, so happy Palindrome Day!

What makes this one rather special is that it's Palindrome Day no matter where you live and what format you use for writing dates. In the month-day-year zone based on American practice, we had Palindrome Days on January 2, 2010 (01/02/2010) and November 2, 2011 (11/02/2011); and will have another one next year on December 2, 2021 (12/02/2021).

If you follow the benighted European day-month-year style (question: do the British have to switch now?) the last Palindrome Day was February 21 of 2012 (21/02/2012) and the next one will be February 12 of 2021 (12/02/2021).

But for this one day the world can unite in palindromity!

 

Although it contains no palindromes at all, my novel The Initiate hits the bookstores this Tuesday, February 4!