Weekend Words, 4/26

[will_couvillier]

slushmasterhas added a new poll for international writers to post views about email vs snailmail submissions.  These polls and comments have been interesting to follow, and I'd recommend a read over on them.

Today I went to a book sale hosted by a local organization, Friends of the Library.  I picked up 21 quite old paperbacks (well, not really that old for me) for.25c each.  2/3 of these were for my collection, but the others were titles I love, and since my shelf-bought copies are stored away I had no problem forking out a quarter for a reading copy for home.  These are also on my recommended reading list, and would have ended up posted here.  So, here they are:

1) The Shores of Kansas by Robert Chilson.  This book was SOOOO neat to me.  Admittedly, I've read tighter written books, but something about a person who can walk through time to a dinosaur era really pushes the right button for me.  And the fact that the character is very human and has a difficult time with being a celebrity -- well, even with heavy '70s influence, mild sexism and some weak prose, the theme is still so interesting that it keeps this one as one of my most influencial reads.  I think some of that influence peeked out in my Swamp Rat timewalker ("Atakapa Sunset", pub by Leucrota Press in Abaculus 2007), and although the time walking mode is quite different, in a subconscious back-thought sort of way my character is a tribute to Mr. Chilson's novel.

2) Ariel by Steven R. Boyett.  This one left an incredible image with me since it was first released of a sleeper being awakened abruptly and nearly killing the person waking him out of the reflexes he'd gained from training in the sword.  Oddly enough my impression of this book is very positive, but after nearly 20 years, that is the only image still there, however vivid it may be.  Therefore -- re-read time!

3) Worlds of the Imperium by Keith Laumer.  This is one of a trilogy, and for me it was the first foray into parallel world adventure.  It was a scientific verson of Zelazny's Amber, although not nearly close to Zelazny's worldbuilding, but just as fascinating a read for the voracious young reader I was at the time.  To this day I'll recommend this as an example in dealing with dimensional travel.  

These three were the nostalgic reads I found there.  Others were collections (Nebula Stories 1-6, odd 50's anthologies, etc), and a few paperbacks for my collection that were just in too outstanding a condition not to grab up.

Today, my Whatever Happened To has to be Robert Chilson.  The concept of his timewalker world is just so big that he could have written an universe of stories about what could happen there...

My recommended reading: see above.

Comments

[will-couvillier.livejournal.com]

Why, any time! Granted these are old (Chilson 1976, I think? Boyett around 83, and the Laumr title older still) that doesn't make them any less interesting -- maybe dated is all. I have a few like that...

Yea, I have to admit that the email vs snailmail dialog has been interesting. However, what he said there about the editor's preference is really the meat of it. As far as I can see is that it's all in the guidelines, people. One day paper will be a fond memory, sadly.

How's this for a eMag/Print -- Tropes, the magazine for those who can't get enough Unicorns, Werewolves and Vampires (amongst other cliche's and overworked themes.) Sorta serious thought, because everywhere you go you see to avoid this, but what about those who actually LIKE all this?

[southernweirdo.livejournal.com]

I agree, paper is ultimately going to go the way of the dinosaur. We rarely use it in my day job -- usually only for our more elderly or more rural customers. My last job in another industry did not use mail at all except for the occassional advertising mail-out. Most communications are electronic in industries these days -- when's the last time you got a paper memo from your boss? I imagine publishers will go the same way in time.

I think "Tropes" would do well...

I know you would get a lot of submissions, and there are some really good writers working with those "tropes" and still managing to do original things with them.

[will-couvillier.livejournal.com]

Honestly, I'd hate to see paper go. Being a collector, it is a pleasure to be able hold a magazine and turn pages, catching the occassional waif of print-scent rising. But Im not blind, and seeing the savings everywhere you turn with getting rid of paper -- a person can't buck the obvious.

The more I think of "Tropes" the more I like the ideas that I'm getting about it. Like, it could be a quarterly themed magazine, with say 1st quarter Unicorns, 2nd Werewolves, 3rd Vampires, and 4th Wicked Holidays (covering Halloween, Thanksgiving and Christmas. Perhaps an end of year antho with a "best of" sort of layout. the themes could also shift yearly, with others rotating in.

Well. Ideas are all fine and cool, but it would merely be ideas if the financing isn't there. As it happend to be at this time.