For the fifth and final episode of Eating the Fantastic recorded in Las Vegas during StokerCon, I headed out to Hash House A Go Go, one of my favorite restaurants—at least in its San Diego incarnation. My breakfast there is always one of my favorite Comic-Con meals. But alas, there turned out to be more than a 90-minute wait that Sunday morning in Vegas, so I moved on to Yard House at the recommendation of my guest, Gene O’Neill, who’d eaten there earlier that weekend.

Gene, with whom I attended the Clarion Science Fiction & Fantasy Writers’ Workshop when dinosaurs still roamed the Earth, has been nominated 11 times for the Bram Stoker Award, and has won twice, in the categories of Long Fiction and Fiction Collection.

We reminisced about our shared Clarion experience way back in 1979, our reaction upon seeing a stack of Jack London’s rejection slips, the personality trait he shares with Harlan Ellison, what he learned from Carol Emshwiller, what he and Kim Stanley Robinson taught each other during their eight-hour drives to Eugene, Oregon for workshops with Damon Knight and Kate Wilhelm, and much more.

Here’s how you can get a seat at the table— (more…)

My dreams have been diminishing lately—I’m still trying to figure out why—but that’s not going to stop me from collecting the tweets I’ve been sharing about them. Whenever I don’t, I get asked about it, which means some of you care, so … here you go!

Last month, I dreamt about Stan Lee, Don Draper, Frank Sinatra, Marie Severin, President Obama, and more.

June 2016


I dreamt I came upon one stuffed animal giving CPR to another, but it didn’t weird me out — because CANDY popped out with each compression! Jun 30


I dreamt I tried to phone people to let them know my father had died, but because tech never works for me in dreams, no calls got through. Jun 29

I dreamt I was setting up a new office with Don Draper, who was growing frustrated because I couldn’t decide where the furniture should go. Jun 29

I dreamt @IreneVartanoff and I managed to escape a cult compound, but when we returned and tried to steal back our possessions, were caught. Jun 28


I dreamt I took part in @LeVirtuPhila‘s La Panarda, and became so stuffed I dozed off, and so slept through the desert courses. Noooooo! Jun 26


I dreamt Stan Lee visited, and as we headed up to record a video, I thought, wow, he sure can take those stairs quick for a 93-year-old guy! Jun 25


I dreamt a snake racing away from me transformed into a large alligator and then a HUGE dragon, like something animated by Ray Harryhausen. Jun 24


I dreamt I was bitten by a zombie and begging my friends to take me out with a knife to the head before I turned. “Do it. Do it! DO IT!” Jun 21


I dreamt @BrianKeene showed up at a con with a long list of writers he demanded stop writing horror because they weren’t horrifying enough. Jun 21


I dreamt I was on a panel at a con, and at the far end of the table sat — Frank Sinatra. He was argumentative, contradicting EVERYTHING. Jun 16 (more…)

Readercon 27, which will run from July 7-10 at the Quincy Marriott in Quincy, Massachusetts, has just sent around a tentative program to the participants. While the dates and times of the following items in which I’ll participate might shift, with the con kicking off in only nine days, I thought it best to share the info now.

If anything changes, you can be sure I’ll let you know!

Thursday, July 7, 8:30 PM
Reading
I will read “The Man Without the Blue Balloon and the Woman Who Had Smiles Only for Him” … unless I see the audience filled with people who already heard me read an excerpt during Balticon.

Friday, July 8, 2:00 p.m.
Challenging the Coercive Muse
All writers have seen, and many have said, variations on the theme of “I write because I can’t not write.” Something mercilessly drives us to put words on the page even when we find the act of writing difficult, unpleasant, or onerous. If the muse were a real person who existed outside of the writer’s mind, we would call this behavior coercion and find it deeply troubling (as Stephen King so aptly depicted in Misery). In this open discussion, we will challenge the idea that our muses must necessarily be bullies, and explore other ways of experiencing and responding to creative urges and getting through the hardest parts of writing while valuing and prioritizing our own consent and happiness.
with Maria Dahvana Headley (leader), Marissa Lingen, Kate Maruyama, Gregory Wilson

Friday, July 8, 5:00 p.m.
Non-Explanation in Fiction
“Never complain, never explain,” said the Lady Mendl, and “Fuck the exposition,” said David Simon, “just be,” but as Junot Díaz said, “Motherfuckers will read a book that’s one third Elvish, but put two sentences in Spanish and they think we’re taking over.” What are the pleasures of writing for an audience that already gets it—and the dangers of assuming they’ll understand? What can you get from reading works that don’t cater specifically to you? And how can refusing to spell it out bring depth to the fantastic?
with John Chu, Kameron Hurley, Kenneth Schneyer (leader), Ann Tonsor Zeddies

I hope to see you there—after I survive Escape Velocity, of course!

For my fourth episode of Eating the Fantastic recorded during StokerCon, Linda Addison joined me at Yardbird, a Southern food restaurant inside The Venetian which Eater, a site I trust, promised that once you’re done, “you’ll feel like you just ate at your favorite Southern relative’s home.” Since I have no Southern relatives, I can’t attest to the truth of that statement, only that my Chicken ‘n’ Watermelon ‘n’ Waffles was excellent.

You may know Linda primarily as a four-time Bram Stoker Award-winning poet, but she is oh so much more, as you’ll learn should you give this episode a listen.

We talked of how someone who earned a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics transforms into a four-time Bram Stoker Award winning writer, the way a chance encounter with Grand Master Frederik Pohl during a New York is Book Country Festival helped her make her first sale to Asimov’s, why this acclaimed horror poet has now decided to go from micro to macro and write a science fiction trilogy, and much more.

Here’s how you can join us—though sadly, you’ll have to get your own Shrimp ‘n’ Grits. (more…)

I’ll be attending three conventions over the next two months—Escape Velocity, Readercon, and Worldcon—but before those roll around, I have a couple of things to share with you about the two most recent conventions in the rear view mirror.

First—I already shared pics of the remarkable suit I wore when the Horror Writers Association handed out its Bram Stoker Awards in Las Vegas last month. But would’t you like to see that suit in action?

Here I am with Weston Ochse, handing out the award for Superior Achievement in a Graphic Novel … and immediately becoming a punchline for one of Jeff Strand’s jokes. Wait for it!

In another video recorded last month, I was captured wearing clothes of a decidedly darker hue. Check me out as I read the opening to my story in the latest issue of PostScripts, “The Man Without the Blue Balloon and the Woman Who Had Smiles Only for Him.”

And if you happen to be at Readercon next month, you might hear me read the entire thing!

A new convention debuts in D.C. next month from the folks behind the Museum of Science Fiction, and they’ve dubbed it Escape Velocity.

They’re trying to make it more than just a con, but rather “a micro futuristic world’s fair.” Don’t worry, though—there’ll be plenty of the expected panels as well. And I’ll be on two of them—

Star Wars: Then and Now
Sunday July 3rd 12:30
An open-ended discussion on the Star Wars universe following the inclusion of The Force Awakens to the series. How has the universe changed? How has it stayed the same? How did the returning cast do after so many years away?

Strangers in a Strange Land: What is ‘Science Fiction’ and Where Is It Going?
Sunday July 3rd 3:00
A free-wheeling discussion between panelists and the audience about what does—or does not—count as science fiction. Are there common misconceptions about what qualifies? Or are we too limited in our thinking? What does the vox populi consider to be science fiction versus that of science fiction aficionados? Ultimately, who’s to say what is or is not science fiction?

If you make it to the Gaylord National Resort and Convention Center for Escape Velocity, be sure to say hi!

The livestream announcing the World’s 50 Best Restaurants for 2016 wrapped up about an hour ago, resulting in a surprise at the top, since the assumption was that #1 would go to one of the two restaurants which had been trading off that spot recently—either Noma or El Celler de Can Roca.

A personal surprise, though, was that I’d dined at more restaurants out of this Top 50 than any previous list. When the lists for 2013 and 2014 were announced, it turned out I’d already been to four of the Top 50 for those years, which rose to seven for 2015, and now for this year, that number has risen to eight …

And you can find out what I thought of each of those meals by clicking on the links below. (Note, though, that my visits took place on the dates of the individual posts, and not during the past 12 months.)

1. Osteria Francescana, Modena, Italy
2. El Celler de Can Roca, Girona, Spain
3. Eleven Madison Park, New York City, U.S.A.
4. Central, Lima, Peru
5. Noma, Copenhagen, Denmark
6. Mirazur, Menton, France
7. Mugaritz, San Sebastian, Spain
8. Narisawa, Tokyo, Japan
9. Steirereck, Vienna, Austria
10. Asador Etxebarri, Axpe, Spain
11. D.O.M., Sao Paolo, Brazil
12. Quintonil, Mexico City, Mexico
13. Maido, Lima, Peru
14. The Ledbury, London, United Kingdom
15. Alinea, Chicago, U.S.A.
16. Azurmendi, Larrabetzu, Spain
17. Piazza Duomo, Alba, Italy
18. White Rabbit, Moscow, Russia
19. Arpège, Paris, France
20. Amber, Hong Kong, China
21. Arzak, San Sebastian, Spain
22. Test Kitchen, Cape Town, South Africa
23. Gaggan, Bangkok, Thailand
24. Le Bernardin, New York City, U.S.A.
25. Pujol, Mexico City, Mexico
26. The Clove Club, London, United Kingdom
27. Saison, San Francisco, U.S.A.
28. Geranium, Copenhagen, Denmark
29. Tickets, Barcelona, Spain
30. Astrid y Gaston, Lima, Peru
31. Nihonryori RyuGin, Tokyo
32. Restaurant Andre, Singapore
33. Attica, Melbourne, Australia
34. Restaurant Tim Raue, Berlin, Germany
35. Vendome, Bergisch Gladbach, Germany
36. Boragó, Santiago, Chile
37. Nahm, Bangkok, Thailand
38. De Librije, Zwolle, Netherlands
39. Le Calendre, Rubano, Italy
40. Relae, Copenhagen, Denmark
41. Fäviken, Järpen, Sweden
42. Ultraviolet by Paul Pairet, Shanghai, China
43. Biko, Mexico City, Mexico
44. Estela, New York, U.S.A.
45. Dinner by Heston Blumenthal, London, United Kingdom
46. Combal Zero, Rivoli, Italy
47. Schloss Schauenstein, Austria Furstenau, Switzerland
48. Blue Hill at Stone Barns, Pocatino Hills, New York
49. Quique Dacosta, Deniam, Spain
50. Septime, Paris, France

I don’t think I’ll be able to get to any of the others before the 2017 list is announced … but I can always dream, can’t I?

Last month, I seemed to have fewer dreams than usual. Was it because of all the con travel, which included StokerCon and Balticon? Or because I spent more time writing and less time sleeping? Whatever the reason, in May I recorded fewer dreams than during any month since I began sharing them with you on Twitter back in 2009.

Which may also explain why it’s taken me this deep in June to harvest them for you.

In any case, last month I dreamt of Gary Gilmore, Lin-Manuel Miranda, Helen Mirren, Bill Gaines, and more.

May 2016




I dreamt I was at @Readercon, and saw Paul Di Filippo and Barry Malzberg in the distance … but I spent most of my time with Helen Mirren.
 May 28

I dreamt the U.S. Army recruited me to train a large, colorful South American parrot as a weapon of war … but we bonded … and rebelled.
 May 27

I dreamt I was with @Nalo_Hopkinson, in her library, surrounded by her books and awards, collaborating on a menu for a huge feast.
 May 25

I dreamt I was John Candy involved in a car chase through the streets of Los Angeles … but I woke before I caught whoever I was chasing.
 May 24

I dreamt I returned to my room after a long day at a convention, popped open a bottle of champagne, and sang Sondheim’s “Ladies Who Lunch.”
 May 24

I dreamt I was running from coast to coast across the U.S. without a break, constantly in motion with no rest or sleep. I was doing it, too!
 May 20

I dreamt @Lin_Manuel was thinking of adapting a story of mine about space gorillas into a musical and I was anxiously awaiting his decision.
 May 20

I dreamt I worked for NASA and missed something big in my mother’s life because I was in space. We were interviewed on TV when I returned.
 May 20

I dream it was NOW and I was writing a comics script in which Archie Andrews teamed up with Lenny Bruce to go on a wild road trip.
 May 19

I dreamt it was the ’70s, and I was in the Marvel Bullpen writing word balloons for an issue of the X-Men over art drawn by Barry Smith.
 May 19

I dreamt I showed up at @NextRestaurant with a huge wedding party, and they were able to seat us spontaneously. THAT’S an impossible dream!
 May 18

I dreamt I was walking with Al Feldstein when we spotted Bill Gaines. I asked Al if I could get a photo of them together — but he refused!
 May 18

I dreamt I helped @TimPratt clear out his house because of an approaching fire, and as flames neared, I suddenly paused to make egg salad.
 May 17

I dreamt I was visiting friends who lived next to a chemical plant when a poison cloud leaked, so we hid in the basement. Where I wrote.
 May 10

I had a complex dream in which Gary Gilmore was campaigning for Donald Trump … but remember little more than that. (And I should be glad.)
 May 3

I dreamt @John_Clute showed me a beautiful new book by @Liz_Hand which included woodcut frontispiece art and a blurb by Galway Kinnell.
 May 3

Are you up for lunch at a spot in Las Vegas once once dubbed “the best Thai restaurant in America” by Gourmet magazine? Then pull up a chair to the table at Lotus of Siam, where Mary Turzillo and I snuck away to during StokerCon for some great food—and great conversation. You can eavesdrop on the latter, but as for the former, the photos below will have to suffice.

I had the great honor of publishing Mary’s story “Mars is No Place for Children” when I was the editor of Science Fiction Age, and then the additional honor of being Toastmaster at the Nebula Awards banquet the year she walked away with a trophy for that very story.

We talked about whether there’s a Venn Diagram overlap between her horror and science fiction readership, how her Cajun Sushi Hamsters from Hell writers workshop got its name, why she won’t be self-publishing her unpublished novels, what Gene Wolfe taught her about revising her fiction, and much more.

Here’s how you can pull up a seat to the table— (more…)

Has it really been three years since I last shared any of my uke strumming? How did that happen? By now, you’ve probably forgotten I even own one of those weapons of mass entertainment.

Let’s remedy that, shall we?

I’ve been taking part in a local ukulele club here in the Eastern Panhandle since late last year, and Ernie Bradley invited us to join his Grassy Ridge Band at Orr’s Farm Market earlier today for the 10th Annual North Mountain Arts Festival. He asked each of us ukers to perform a song, and I chose a silly one I fell in love with when I was 10—“May the Bird of Paradise Fly Up Your Nose” by Little Jimmy Dickens.

Having some bluegrass pickers who know what they’re doing sure does make me sound a whole lot better that I actually am!