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Tag Archives: science fiction
2023 Quarry Farm Symposium: Twain and Sci-Fi Theme
I’m chairing the annual Quarry Farm Symposium at Elmira College, October 6-8, 2023, and we’re looking for folks to come talk about early science fiction, steampunk, basically any science/literature overlaps during Mark Twain’s lifetime (1835-1910). If you’re reading this and … Continue reading
Talking Twain at Truman (Virtually)
At the end of this month, I’ll be giving a Zoom lecture called “Mark Twain and American Science Fiction’s Legacy” at part of Truman State University’s Folklore Minor Colloquium Series. This is a version of the talk I gave last … Continue reading
Crime and Prisons in Science Fiction: First-Year Seminar
This winter, I’m teaching a new seminar for first-year students at UC Davis. It’s called “Crime and Prisons in Science Fiction.” (I couldn’t fit the word “Rehabilitation” into the course title without the online display cutting it off, and “Rehab” … Continue reading
New Mark Twain Article
Before putting 2021 behind me, I want to be sure to mention my article that came out in the Mark Twain Annual at the end of the year. It might interest anyone who wants to know more about Twain and … Continue reading
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Tagged A Marriage, A Murder, A Mystery, Jules Verne, Mark Twain, science fiction
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At Twain Museum for Big River Steampunk Fest
As I’ve noted before, Hannibal, Missouri hosts one of the biggest outdoor steampunk festivals in the Midwest. This year, I am coincidentally driving cross-country and will be in Hannibal for the event. So, on Sunday, Sept. 5 at 1pm, I’ll … Continue reading
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Tagged Big River Steampunk Festival, Hannibal, hollow earth, Jules Verne, Mark Twain, science fiction, steampunk
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More Gears and God Book Reviews
I’m pleased to share two great book reviews of Gears and God: Technocratic Fiction, Faith, and Empire in Mark Twain’s America that came out recently. Both do a fantastic job of covering the book’s focus on how dime-novel science fiction … Continue reading
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Tagged American Literary Realism, C19, dime novels, Gears and God, Mark Twain, Mark Twain Annual, science fiction
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Gears and God Signing at Avid Reader
I’m doing a reading/signing for my book, Gears and God, at the Avid Reader in Davis this Saturday night at 7:30 p.m. Please share with friends who like Mark Twain, science fiction, or U.S. history!
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Tagged Avid Reader, Davis, Gears and God, Mark Twain, science fiction, steampunk
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Mark Twain Center Hosts “Gears and God” Short Essay
A few months ago, Joe Lemak from the Center for Mark Twain Studies at Elmira College asked me if I’d like to write something to promote my book for their web site. Today, they’ve published that essay, along with some … Continue reading
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Tagged A Connecticut Yankee, Elmira College, Frank Reade, Gears and God, Mark Twain, science fiction
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There are Two James Gunns, but Nobody’s Confused
James Gunn had two great stories in Asimov’s last month, finishing a string of works he’s published there over the last year, all affiliated with his recent Transcendental series for Tor Books. But the author is not the same guy … Continue reading
My Book’s on Amazon Now
My publisher wrote to let me know that Gears and God is now available for pre-order at Amazon. It gives the release date as July 10, 2018 (so just in time for Worldcon). You can read the publisher’s summary, the … Continue reading
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Tagged amazon, american literature, dime novels, Gears and God, Mark Twain, science fiction, worldcon 2018
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Read My New Short Story at Sockdolager
I have a short story in the Summer 2017 issue of Sockdolager Magazine. It’s called “River Styx Leads to Athens: The Nearly Complete U.L.O. Story.” It’s probably better the less I say about it. Read it before you read the … Continue reading
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Tagged athens, ConQuesT, river styx, science fiction, sockdolager magazine, trolling for olives
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Juggling Fiction and Non-Fiction
As of this week, I’ve had interest from more than one university press for my non-fiction book proposal. My book manuscript is a study of 19th-century American fiction, tentatively titled Gears and God: Technocratic Fiction, Faith, and Empire in Mark … Continue reading
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Tagged Albert Bigelow Paine, Frank Reade, Mark Twain, science fiction, university press
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Rickman Rocked It (From Hogwarts to CBGB)
Today, news of Alan Rickman’s death flooded the internet, just days after David Bowie’s passing. He played in many sf/fantasy films, including Galaxy Quest and as Snape in the Harry Potter movies. He also did films that had a more magic-realist spin–including … Continue reading
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Tagged Alan Rickman, CBGB, Harry Potter, Hilly Kristal, Ramones, science fiction, Television
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2016 Kansas City Worldcon: Academics and Wonderment
I’m one of the organizers for the academic track at MidAmeriCon II, the World Science Fiction and Fantasy Convention in my hometown of Kansas City, MO, in 2016. We’re looking for many types of presentations, particularly ones that will appeal to Worldcon’s broad range of attendees … Continue reading
Mark Twain “Travel and Technocracy” Class at UC Davis
The course announcement for my UC Davis “Studies in an Individual Author” class on Mark Twain went live a few weeks ago. I’m posting the link and a screen clip here. We’re focusing on travel and technocracy, especially stories where … Continue reading
Joe Ely and the Question of “Sci-Fi” Country Music
There’s a great article by Dave Heaton of PopMatters about Joe Ely, one of the great Texas songwriters. Entitled “Do iPhones Dream of Boxcars”, it covers the recently re-released digital recordings Ely did in the 1980s (long after the Flatlanders … Continue reading
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Tagged country music, dave heaton, hogbitch, joe ely, legendary stardust cowboy, mekons, Sci Fi, science fiction, ziggy stardust
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Dime Novel Sci-Fi at “God and the American Writer” Symposium
At the end of February, I’ll be presenting a paper on the Frank Reade, Jr. dime-novel inventor series at a special symposium on “God and the American Writer” sponsored by the American Literature Association. What do those early science-fiction stories–best … Continue reading
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Tagged ALA, dime novels, Edisonades, Frank Reade, science fiction, steampunk
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Rediscovering Michael Moorcock: Rock Music, Multiverses, and Buckaroo Banzai Nostalgia
On the last day of 2014, The New Yorker published a piece on legendary fantasy author and editor Michael Moorcock. I’ve been rediscovering Moorcock this year, mostly due to connections in SF, music, and 80s nostalgia. As the NY article notes, … Continue reading
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Tagged Buckaroo Banzai, Jerry Cornelius, michael moorcock, rock music., science fiction
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Pop Songs in Science-Fiction Movies and TV Shows
This week, Tor.com posted a list of songs that did (and didn’t) work in SF and fantasy TV shows and films. Natalie Zutter, Emily Asher-Perrin and Leah Schnelbach compiled a fun list. Face it–if you grew up without cable TV and before … Continue reading
What Stories Were Most Popular in SF Course?
I’ve submitted final grades for my summer Science Fiction class at UC Davis. I will post some more info about the class in the coming weeks, including a lesson plan or two for any teachers out there looking for suggestions. … Continue reading
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Tagged bradbury, cadigan, e.m. forster, merill, russ, science fiction, simak, teaching science fiction, UC Davis
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New Flash Fiction – “Have You Seen Lucky?”
My short story “Have You Seen Lucky?” was recently published by Abyss & Apex. Dog lovers and Replacements fans should enjoy it. While you’re there, buy a copy of The Best of Abyss & Apex, Vol. 1 which features great short … Continue reading
Neko Case and Kelly Hogan’s “Droids” is Awesome and Snarky
One of my favorite musical memories is watching these ladies perform back-to-back sets at the legendary Grand Emporium in Kansas City in 2000. Now, they’re tackling science-fiction fandom and coming up with some pretty funny stuff. Some people are … Continue reading
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Tagged Kelly Hogan, Neko Case, nerd culture, Sci Fi, science fiction, sexism in SF
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KU Science Fiction: A Sketch of Pohl, Gunn, and Harrison
I’m going through all my notes from the Intensive Institute on the Teaching of Science Fiction at the University of Kansas. I found the sketch below in notes from the first Campbell Conference I attended. Fred Pohl, James Gunn, and Harry … Continue reading