First, a plug that at this moment, the NZ Spec Fic Blogging Week is taking place. More info here http://punktortoise.livejournal.com/21577.html
And second, another plug, for Saving Aussie Books, who have been working hard to have the Government decide to not repeal parallel importation restrictions on books http://savingaussiebooks.wordpress.com/
Sad news
We say goodbye to Shiny, the YA webzine from Twelfth Planet Press http://girliejones.livejournal.com/1463645.html
Oh, the horror, the horror:
Have you been reading Rob Hood’s website Undead Backbrain? You should. It’s full of zombie and giant monster goodness. http://roberthood.net/blog/
Following on from that thought, Chuck McKenzie gives us the list we’ve been dying for – the ten best zombie novels of the past year http://chuckmck1.livejournal.com/10865.html
To see how horror gets dealt with on the ABC, click here to watch Jennifer Byrne and luminaries such as Leigh Blackmore and Wil Elliot discuss it http://www.abc.net.au/tv/firsttuesday/video/jbp/2009.htm
And here’s last month’s wrap up of Aussie horror news http://taliehelene.livejournal.com/139101.html
Electronica:
Thoughts on ereaders – Justine Larbelestier http://justinelarbalestier.com/blog/2009/08/31/electronic-readers-post-the-second/, Jonathan Strahan http://syndicated.livejournal.com/coode_street/398678.html
Juliet Marillier talks about her new website and why and how she went about the redesign http://writerunboxed.com/2009/09/03/the-evolution-of-a-new-website/
Glenda Larke talks about some good uses of the internet, and the joy that good reviews can bring http://syndicated.livejournal.com/glendalarke/292862.html
Another good use of the internet – getting to see a friend a long-way-away, in this case an interview with Kaaron Warren http://girliejones.livejournal.com/1454344.html
The internet again triumphs (after an initial hiccup), this time in helping sell books overseas http://glendalarke.blogspot.com/2009/09/how-to-order-from-australian-bookstore.html
Some authors and publishers have been posting snippets (or actual entire works) up on the web to whet our appetites – here’s one from Keri Arthur http://www.deadlinedames.com/?p=1589, and here from HarperCollins the full text of Glenda Larke’s new novel The Last Stormlord http://browseinside.harpercollins.com.au/index.aspx?isbn13=9780732289294
Fannish stuff:
Reviews on Anticipation from Matthew Farrer http://matthewfarrer.wordpress.com/2009/08/27/anticipation-part-i/, http://matthewfarrer.wordpress.com/2009/09/11/anticipation-the-panels-part-i/
Photos appeared of last month’s Continuum convention http://www.flickr.com/photos/33453925@N00/sets/72157622137180971/
The Duff and Guff races are now on to see who will join us Down-Under next year http://community.livejournal.com/aust_sf_fan_fun/
Author news:
I know this is an Australian Spec Fic Carnival, but Dave Freer is about to become an Aussie (a resident at least), so have a look at his unique idea for helping to get his much loved pets over here - http://savethedragons.nu/
Marianne de Pierres launched her alter-ego, Mariane Delacourt, and the Tara Sharp series http://mariannedelacourt.wordpress.com/ as well as the new Marianne de Pierres, YA writer http://mariannedepierres.wordpress.com/ Marianne is apparently giving Sean Williams a run for his money in the productivity stakes.
In the windup to the whole Liar cover controversy, we learn that not only has the cover been corrected, but the book should still be out in time http://justinelarbalestier.com/blog/2009/09/05/us-edition-of-liar-will-publish-on-time/
Oh, and some chick that I kinda know announced her new novel deal http://nicolermurphy.com/post/The-good-news-e28093-trilogy-sold.aspx
Miscellaneous:
Where Mr Flintart manfully takes on the great questions of the universe and is thwarted by a small boy http://flinthart.livejournal.com/88123.html
Where Margo Lanagan tries to make sense of the English furor over Tender Morsels http://readersplace.co.uk/author-spotlight/margo-lanagan/
Where Amanda Pillar speaks on the current debate on the future of vampires http://amandapillar.livejournal.com/95311.html
Where the Queen of Kitsch, Cat Sparks, brings us the glory that is William Shatner in song, and is then trumped by Jason Fischer and his Leonard Nimoy contribution http://catsparx.livejournal.com/167613.html
Where Simon Petrie releases his inner-geek boy and waxes lyrical about Sean Williams http://punktortoise.livejournal.com/21138.html
Where Gillian Polack’s students delight us all with possible tshirt slogans http://gillpolack.livejournal.com/546765.html
Where Danny Oz shares his thoughts on some original Dr Who episodes http://dalekboy.livejournal.com/290188.html
More to come!