Tag Archives: science fiction

Ad Astra Blog on Mark Twain

Posted on January 30, 2023 by nathanielwms

I wrote something about Mark Twain’s place in science fiction for the new Ad Astra Center for Science Fiction & the Speculative Imagination at my alma mater, the University of Kansas. The Ad Astra Center is doing some fantastic things … Continue reading →

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2023 Quarry Farm Symposium: Twain and Sci-Fi Theme

Posted on January 26, 2023 by nathanielwms

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 →

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Talking Twain at Truman (Virtually)

Posted on April 12, 2022 by nathanielwms

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 →

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Crime and Prisons in Science Fiction: First-Year Seminar

Posted on January 12, 2022 by nathanielwms

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 →

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New Mark Twain Article

Posted on January 3, 2022 by nathanielwms

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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At Twain Museum for Big River Steampunk Fest

Posted on September 3, 2021 by nathanielwms

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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More Gears and God Book Reviews

Posted on February 17, 2020 by nathanielwms

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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Gears and God Signing at Avid Reader

Posted on November 14, 2018 by nathanielwms

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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Mark Twain Center Hosts “Gears and God” Short Essay

Posted on September 27, 2018 by nathanielwms

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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There are Two James Gunns, but Nobody’s Confused

Posted on April 30, 2018 by nathanielwms

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 →

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My Book’s on Amazon Now

Posted on December 22, 2017 by nathanielwms

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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Read My New Short Story at Sockdolager

Posted on July 5, 2016 by nathanielwms

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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Juggling Fiction and Non-Fiction

Posted on March 31, 2016 by nathanielwms

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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Rickman Rocked It (From Hogwarts to CBGB)

Posted on January 14, 2016 by nathanielwms

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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2016 Kansas City Worldcon: Academics and Wonderment

Posted on January 1, 2016 by nathanielwms

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 →

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Mark Twain “Travel and Technocracy” Class at UC Davis

Posted on May 4, 2015 by nathanielwms

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 →

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Joe Ely and the Question of “Sci-Fi” Country Music

Posted on February 9, 2015 by nathanielwms

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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Dime Novel Sci-Fi at “God and the American Writer” Symposium

Posted on February 1, 2015 by nathanielwms

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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Rediscovering Michael Moorcock: Rock Music, Multiverses, and Buckaroo Banzai Nostalgia

Posted on January 9, 2015 by nathanielwms

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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Pop Songs in Science-Fiction Movies and TV Shows

Posted on December 5, 2014 by nathanielwms

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 →

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What Stories Were Most Popular in SF Course?

Posted on September 17, 2014 by nathanielwms

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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New Flash Fiction – “Have You Seen Lucky?”

Posted on July 15, 2014 by nathanielwms

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 →

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Neko Case and Kelly Hogan’s “Droids” is Awesome and Snarky

Posted on July 10, 2014 by nathanielwms

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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KU Science Fiction: A Sketch of Pohl, Gunn, and Harrison

Posted on June 10, 2014 by nathanielwms

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 →

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Jack Wright in D.C., Twain and Faulkner at ALA

Posted on May 22, 2014 by nathanielwms

I spent most of Wednesday reading two Jack Wright dime novels at the Library of Congress.  Both are great examples of proto-science fiction that imagines inventors making a difference in real-world affairs. In “Running the Blockade; or, Jack Wright Helping the Cuban … Continue reading →

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