A cyberspace afterlife

With most people now online, creating facebook pages, twittering, banking online, emailing a dozen times a day...we are, in essence, building virtual lives. We have virtual conversations, store virtual money, buy virtual products, etc.

So, if you died today or tomorrow (here's to hoping you don't), what would happen to all that virtual property and life you've created? Would anyone be able to access and manage it (assuming they know it existed in the first place)? Would all those contacts and friends you've gathered over the years even know what happened to you?

As writers, a lot of us have websites and blogs, sometimes with sample chapters and photos, or short stories available for readers. If we get bumped off in a car accident one day, how will all that intellectual and creative property get managed?

One company is now offering a service for this kind of eventuality. Legacy Locker has created a program where you compile all of your accounts and passwords into a single file--something of a virtual will--that, in case of your demise, bequeaths all that info and access to a chosen person or persons. They can then decide whether to close down those sites you once ran, maintain them, or update them.

Kind of a morbid topic, I know, but in our rapidly digitalizing world, it may become a more vital issue to address. The more we start basing the real world on the virtual one, the more we will have to accept that our eventual deaths will leave a void in cyberspace as well.

What do you think? A valid issue? Something people are just trying to make money off of? Are you concerned with what happens to your online presence should you slip into the great beyond?

I see that smile.

How easily I forget

My new job begins today, and getting ready for it has been a clear reminder that I'm not a morning person. Ah well. At least I can take the light rail and read/write there and back. I'm thankful I got used to public transportation in NYC. If I had to battle the rush hour around here every day, I'd likely show up in the office a much grumpier individual.

Have a great day, all! I'm off to get my employee orientation packet.

I see that smile.

Advice for Sci-Fi Publishing

This link is to an article of advice on many aspects of getting published in the sci-fi genre. It comes from a WisCon panel made up of author Eileen Gunn, Tor Books senior editor James Frenkel, agent Shana Cohen, and author Jack McDevitt. These are some heavyweights in the industry, so I think they might know what they're talking about.

They hit topics ranging from what to do if your first book isn't selling, self-publishing, and how to interact with agents and editors. Some of this advice is pretty common, but I think you'll still learn a thing or two in reading what they have to say.

Here's one good note:

Be careful when a small press wants to work with you – make sure you're not dealing with a scammer. You can look them up on sites like Editors and Preditors, and scope them out to see how they've worked with others, advises Frenkel. If a small publisher wants to work with you, look at who else they publish, advised someone in the audience. Try to figure out if that's company you want to be included in.

I see that smile.

A Song of Ice and Fire at your fingertips

If this becomes a reality, I will gladly shell out for it. If anyone has read George R.R. Martin's A Song of Fire and Ice series, then you will understand how much of an undertaking will be required to make this video game. There are so many characters, factions, storylines and locales in this series that it would be a challenge to keep them all straight.

Nice thing is, though, the company making this game has already got the plot laid out for them. I just wonder how it will be done. Will you be able to play from a selection of characters, or will your participation be pre-chosen? Or perhaps you'll become a wholly new character inserted into the storyline to play alongside the rest. I'm expecting a good bit of swordplay, but I wonder if the more subtle magical elements will become an expanded system you can use.

Can't wait. But I guess I'll have to.

I see that smile.

Not here...over there

After wrangling with my computer for most of yesterday, I'm not wanting to stare at the screen any longer than I need to today. So let me do the infamous "Look thataway" post and present you with a Royalties seminar, composed by the Editorial Ass. (Check it out. You even get a reward for finishing.)

Enjoy!

I see that smile.

This computer doth be wiped clean of its sins

Or so I hope. Otherwise, next time, instead of formatting the hard drive, reinstalling Windows and all of the applications and drivers, restoring my backed up documents and pictures...I'll just dump it into a bucket of holy water and listen to the beautiful screams.

Computer, you have been warned.

I see that smile.

Oh, yes...

I see that smile.

Cover art for the next Wheel of Time book!

Brandon Sanderson reveals the cover art for The Gathering Storm, and gives his thoughts on it as well.


Now what do you think?


I see that smile.

The truth about AntiMatter

A great little clip from The Daily Show with Jon Stewart, where Tom Hanks explains why antimatter isn't as dangerous as most science fiction stories make it out to be. It's about 4:40 in.

The Daily Show With Jon Stewart	M - Th 11p / 10c
Tom Hanks
thedailyshow.com
Daily Show Full Episodes Economic Crisis Political Humor

I see that smile.

Are we chic?

This article cites a lot of examples on how the "geek" culture is now chic. Science fiction shows such as Chuck are incredibly popular. The latest Star Trek movie has been receiving raves from fans and non-fans alike. And there are many more examples of how being a geek is now a cool thing, rather than something to be teased about in high school hallways. (Though I'm sure it still happens.)

Anyways, do you think we're chic? "We" meaning anyone who counts themselves among the geek masses, and lets admit, most of us writing science fiction or fantasy fall into that definition at some point or another.  And if we are chic, is that a good thing? Or is this going to turn out to be some cyclical trend where geek falls in and out of fashion, runway models end up wearing dresses made out of computer chips, and reality shows are based on whether a geeky guy can actually win the love of a beautiful woman? Oh, wait. That already happened, sadly enough. And, you know, let's not give credence to the stereotype that beauty for women is the equal/opposite of intelligence for men. Right. 

I see that smile. 

It was only a matter of time

Remember that video I posted a few days back about the real life "superheroes"? Well, did anyone guess how long it would take before some real life villains stepped up to oppose them? Turns out...not long at all.

With a craigslist ad, this evil-doer has put out a bounty on one of the heroes' secret identity. Anyone know and want to make some quick cash?

http://io9.com/5241787/super-villain-attacks-cincinnatis-real-life-superhero-your-move-shadowhare?autoplay=true

I see that smile.

Wedding Anniversary

I am so not here today. For distraction purposes, watch this movie trailer for District 9, a fascinating look at human-alien relations.

I see that smile.

A Bestselling Author's Royalty Check

Most post today is a "look-thataway" notice. It's every author's dream to get on the NYT's bestseller list, right? That's when we start selling a gazillion copies, get on talk shows and make it big. We become rich and famous and never have another care in the world. 

Or is there something more down-to-earth in this kind of achievement? This article details the financial side of a NYT's bestselling author, namely, Lynn Viehl, and her sixth book in the Darkyn series. Not only does she list the number she got as a book advance, but she also has a link to the actual royalty statement. There are some fascinating numbers here, and hopefully it will help future authors more realistically prepare for how the business side of writing works. Just remember, don't quit your job the moment after you sign up with an agent, or even when that first book sells. It's a long road to financial freedom as an author, but hopefully some of us will make it there.

I see that smile. 

Anthology nominated

Fun news to pass on. My short story, Don't Read Them After Midnight, was published in the '08 horror anthology, Bound For Evil (from Dead Letter Press). The editor of Bound For Evil, Tom English, recently sent out word that the collection has been nominated for a Shirley Jackson Award for Best Anthology.

What are these awards for?

"In recognition of the legacy of Shirley Jackson’s writing, and with permission of the author’s estate, the Shirley Jackson Awards have been established for outstanding achievement in the literature of psychological suspense, horror, and the dark fantastic."

The Shirley Jackson Awards will be presented on Sunday, July 12th 2009, at ReaderCon. Good luck, Tom!


I see that smile.