If you’re looking forward to the upcoming release of God Of War: Ragnarok, here’s some news for you.
Categories
Heroism in God Of War
Categories
Digital Heroisms
Unfortunately I won’t be attending this week’s CoNZealand, the first ever virtual Worldcon, due to family issues. However, a few days after, I will be appearing at the Digital Heroisms symposium, taking place on 5th August.
In the committee’s own words, “Digital Heroisms is an online conference exploring Fantasy, the digital and the concept of heroism”. I’ll be doing my part in ‘Breaking the Protection Stave: God of War as Critique of the Heroic Magic Circle’, which will see me share a little of my doctoral work into representations of toxic behaviour in speculative media, focusing on Sony’s 2018 masterpiece.
Digital Heroisms will be taking place virtually in Discord and in Runescape. More information can be found on the official facebook page. Tickets are still available from Eventbrite.
In recent months, the New Normal has grown from pandemic lockdown catchphrase to a DysUtopian* ideal, embodying restless anxiety and quiet reflection, the ideals of international cooperation and the nadir of nationalistic isolation, and both a future of terrifying uncertainty and an opportunity for change, as we try to conceive of life alongside this disease.
Many times in recent months, as I’ve exchanged cards and small gifts with struggling friends, or cleared my cupboards for charity donations, I’ve been put in mind of Professor Brian Attebery‘s 2019 lecture at University of Glasgow on the future of YA and Adult Utopian fiction, part of a series sponsored by the Leverhulme Trust. Leading off from the works of Ursula K. Le Guin, Professor Attebery spoke of how the most convincing utopias in fiction may not be the ones at the level of full societal change, but those at smaller scales – even those found embodied in the brief moments of kindness shared between two individuals.
So, this strikes me as an opportune moment to draw your attention to my review of Becky Chambers’ Record Of A Spaceborn Few (Hodder & Stoughton, 2018) in the latest issue of Fantastika journal, After Fantastika.
Things have been a little quiet around here lately, which is unsurprising, given the circumstances. In my case, those circumstances unfortunately include a relatively mild bout of COVID-19, which I’m still recovering from five weeks on from my first symptoms.
However, the reason for catching you up today isn’t about my ongoing health issues, but something a little more positive. Here’s a hint – the title is a massive spoiler.
Story news from me this week as the Glasgow SF Writers’ Circle launch their Flotation Device, a new charity anthology, plus some disappointing news about an upcoming event.