Scotland’s only dedicated SF magazine Shoreline of Infinity have just released issue #33, one I’m proud to share with T.L. Huchu, Benjamin C. Kinney, Brent Baldwin, Callum McSorley, David Lawrie, Juliette Lee, Liana Kapelke-Dale, Lucy Zhang, M Luke McDonell, M H Ayinde, Michael Teasdale,Thomas Piekarski, as well as the winner of this year’s flash fiction competition.
Just one more thing…
Shoreline of Infinity 29 is now up for pre-order, and features my latest column (deep breath), ‘Beyond UK Black History Month: The Self-Fulfilling Prophecy of the Fear of Being Awful’. This one tackles the somewhat taboo subject of why many white folks don’t explore the historical contributions of POC outside of the annual celebrations. I’m hoping this will encourage folks to dig into their motivations for doing the work and take a chance on themselves. And if you’re unsure of where to start your own journey, this column also includes some recommended reading.
Issue 29 also includes the first print publication of my GSFWC buddy E.M. Faulds‘ short story ‘A Flight Of Birds’, as well as work by Tim Major, Callum McSorley, Ida Keogh‘s stunning flash fiction piece ‘The Reminder’ and a new interview with Ken MacLeod about Beyond The Hallowed Sky, his latest novel.
Pre-order link: https://www.shorelineofinfinity.com/product/shoreline-of-infinity-29/
You can hear some of these stories, along with a brilliant reading by Eris Young and more, as part of Event Horizon’s takeover at Cymera‘s recent mini-festival. Check out the video below:
In other news, last week I had the privilege of dropping in to Newcastle University Law School to talk to students exploring “Emerging Technologies: Emerging Relationships” – part of an independent research module on the future of the Law. Here, I spoke on ‘Science Fiction and the Law of Relationhips’ and how genre can help explore our developing society, highlighting the work of authors such as Aliette de Bodard, Helen Sedgwick and Becky Chambers.
In return, I was delighted to hear the students working on projects exploring the Gender Recognition Act, Domestic Abuse, Social Media, Ghanaian legal approaches following R vs R (1991), and more. To see students even at an undergraduate level exploring the social responsiveness of the Law, especially with such timely topics, was particularly uplifting. I’ve attended courtrooms several times (either as court reporter or visitor) and sometimes come away rather disheartened – and so this research gives me hope for the future of the Law and courtroom decision making.
And that’s it! If I don’t post again before the holidays, here’s wishing you happiness and peace over the festive season, and all the hope and joy this new year deserves.
The 70th annual Eastercon, Ytterbium, has finally released its programme to the public! The Programme Committee for Ytterbium has been working their socks off to bring this year’s line-up to you, and we can’t wait to see you all over 19th – 22nd April at the Park Inn Hotel, Heathrow.
While I’m on Guest of Honour Helper duties this weekend, I will be taking a break for three panels. Click here for my full schedule on Grenadine, or check out the details below.
(15/04/19 – Now updated with the latest panel line-ups.)
Maps, Place, and Landscape in Fantasy
Saturday 2:00pm-3:00pm
Judith Mortimore [Mod], Ruth EJ Booth, John Clute, Frances Hardinge, Teresa Nielsen Hayden
I’m overjoyed to share a panel with not just Frances Hardinge and Teresa Nielsen Hayden, but John Clute, whose work in the Encyclopedia of Fantasy was instrumental in my Fantasy Masters thesis about Heroic Landscapes.
Beyond Studio Ghibli
Sunday 10:15am-11:15am
Ruth EJ Booth [Mod], Mad Elf, Jessica Meats, Sarah Ash, Zoe Burgess-Foreman
Like Studio Ghibli? Want to try other Anime but don’t know where to start? Bring your pens, paper, and preferences, as we’ll be easing you into Sunday with the best movies, great studios to watch out for, and more.
You can also click here find my full programme for the weekend.
I nearly forgot – there’s also this:
BSFA Awards Ceremony
Saturday 6:00pm-6:45pm
Ytterbium will also host the annual BSFA Awards, where my 2018 columns for Shoreline of Infinity are up for the Best Non-Fiction Award, to my utter delight! If you’re a voting member of the BSFA, you should have received the voting pack already, but if you’re attending Ytterbium, check the awards booklet in your registration pack to read some of my columns from 2018. If you enjoy them, please consider voting before midday on Eastercon Saturday. The results will be announced at the BSFA’s Official Awards Ceremony at 6pm on Saturday 20th April.
Talking of which, Ytterbium attendees will also have the chance to read my new column in the latest Shoreline of Infinity, if they drop by the stall in the Dealers Area! This issue features the first part of my new Noise and Sparks column on my visit to the Arctic Circle this winter, and how this experience has changed my perspective on writing goals. There are also stories from Cat Hellisen, Ken MacLeod, Eris Young, and the poetry of the inestimable Harry Josephine Giles. Click here for more on Issue 14.
Finally, if you’re in Scotland, don’t forget that Oliver Langmead and I are back at Edinburgh Science Festival this Saturday 13th April with our writing workshop ‘Discover New Worlds through Writing’. Whether you’re a beginner, returning to writing again, or you’d like to develop your SF worldbuilding skills, join us in exploring the solar system and beyond! The workshop kicks off at 2pm on Saturday 13th April at the Pleasance. Click here for tickets.
And if you’re planning on heading to CYMERA Festival in June, watch this space for more on that soon!