More brief news from the world of fantasy and science fiction literature: The Hugo Awards, the oldest and most prestigious literary award within the genres, have been announced. You can see the results here. This year I'd actually read enough of the nominees to have a few favorites to root for including one of the … Continue reading 2020 Hugo Awards
Author: Tobias Backman
2020 World Fantasy Awards Nominees
Brief news from the world of science fiction and fantasy literature: The nominees for the 2020 World Fantasy Awards have been revealed (click here for the full list). The winners will be announced at this years World Fantasy Convention, which, due to Covid-19, will be virtual. I don't think I've read any of this years … Continue reading 2020 World Fantasy Awards Nominees
Story Recommendations June 2020
It's that time of the month again (which has apparently become a more or less arbitrary point around the midpoint). It's time for the monthly short story recommendations. I returned to doing a bit of flash fiction reading this month (aside from reading slush at Flash Fiction Online), and it more than paid off, with … Continue reading Story Recommendations June 2020
Story Recommendations May 2020
May marks another month where I've strayed away from my go-to sources for fiction. So there won't be any Flash Fiction Online or Daily Science Fiction in the recommendations this month, though they're always worth a read. In fact, there won't be any flash fiction at all. Instead, we're starting off far away from the … Continue reading Story Recommendations May 2020
2020 Pulitzer Prize Winner
Short news from the writing world: Colson Whitehead has just been revealed as the 2020 Pulitzer Prize winner in the fiction category. This is his second Pulitzer Prize. He also took home the award in 2017 for his novel, The Underground Railroad. He won the 2020 award for The Nickel Boys.
2020 Hugo Award Shortlist
If you, like me, didn't notice, the 2020 Hugo Award shortlist went up almost a month ago. Like so many other events, the 2020 Worldcon in New Zealand, where the Hugo's are being handed out, are cancelled due to Covid-19. However, a virtual con and award ceremony is being arranged instead. And like most other … Continue reading 2020 Hugo Award Shortlist
Story Recommendations April 2020
It's that time a month again, and I have very strong lineup waiting for you. I've been digging through anthologies and the dark corners of the web to give you some the best short fiction out there. So here goes. How to Talk to Girls at Parties by Neil Gaiman (Fragile Things): As always, Gaiman's … Continue reading Story Recommendations April 2020
Birdman: How to Develop a Theme
I finally, finally got around to watching Birdman. It's the kind of movie I felt like I really should watch, but at the same time I kept postponing it because, well... it looked artsy. I know. It's a dumb reason. Artsy/literary stories are no worse and no better than those of any other genre. Sturgeon's … Continue reading Birdman: How to Develop a Theme
Locus Award Voting
A heads up for anyone with an interest in speculative fiction. Voting for the Locus Award, one of the major awards within fantasy, science fiction, and horror, is open until April 15th. Anyone can vote, and, no, you don't have to have read every story already listed. You don't even have to vote for any … Continue reading Locus Award Voting
Story Recommendations March 2020
In the midst of the surrealistic event that is the Corona/Covid-19 pandemic, one good thing is happening: the monthly short story recommendations are out. So here's something to keep you occupied while you're stuck in quarentine. A Study in Emerald by Neil Gaiman (Shadows Over Bakerstreet anthology/Fragile Things collection): I'm almost certain I've recomended … Continue reading Story Recommendations March 2020
Toby Backman 