Interviewing Robert J. Sawyer

So, this week and last week I interviewed Hugo and Nebula-winning Canadian SF author Robert J. Sawyer for my column at Examiner.com. The link to my column is on the right side of this page but here's a direct link to the article... http://exm.nr/hTLkQn

Anyway, it's been a pleasure speaking with him (picking his brain). Fortunately, unlike some SF authors, he's NOT a technophobe or Luddite. We've been conducting the interviews via Skype. Logistically it would be difficult to meet in person. I hope to have that opportunity in the future when he visits New York, or if I'm in Canada, or at a Con, etc. Posted the second part of my first interview with him today. http://exm.nr/e3HYp0

Fortunately, I have plenty of good content for my column from the interviews. It just takes a while to sort it all out from the recordings. Oh, I'm recording the conversation from Skype with GarageBand. I'm sure there's a better way but it works for my purposes. I have lots to discuss with him in our ongoing series of interviews but if you, dear reader, have any suggestions I am open to them.

Trying to get caught up with stuff since returning from California. Didn't really help that I adopted a dog upon my return to New York. Still, I have no regrets. Sawyer, my dog (named after the LOST character, not Robert J.) was a lot of work initially. That's to be expected when you adopt a four year old dog who was abused and left in a high-kill shelter in Staten Island. Lucky for him and me, he was rescued by a nice lady in the Brooklyn (or was it the Bronx) and was living with a bevy of pit bulls, so he had to spend a lot of time in a crate. He's a small dog and after a lot of discipline on my part and Sarah's (my girlfriend) as well as a lot of patience and love he's really shinning. Very smart dog. Maybe too smart. Anyway, that's all the news about the two Sawyers for now.

Gateways

I just received an advance uncorrected proof of "Gateways," an anthology tribute to Frederik Pohl, edited by his wife Elizabeth Anne Hull. Pretty cool. I signed up for it and they sent it, straight from the Tor/Forge publicity department. I'll be posting a full review in my column Science Fiction Examiner and a write up on Goodreads.

Writers Groups

OK, I'm jumping into the water. I'm planning to attend my first writers critique group meeting, Writers of the Weird (WOTW), on Sunday. Also going to attend the general meeting for their parent organization, Science Fiction Affiliation of Bergen County (SFABC). Looks like a good group. As they are in Bergen County, NJ, I will be crossing the river. I'm also checking out NY Science Fiction Writers Meetup. Who knew I'd find such groups (or be found by them) by going on Meetup.com?

I've been spending a bit of time working on my Science Fiction Examiner column. I'll try to keep this blog more up to date. If you are reading this please subscribe or write a comment so I know you're out there! TIA.

Science Fiction Examiner vs. Sci Fi Pen

As I am now writing for Examiner.com as a Science Fiction Examiner the Sci Fi Pen will be changing focus to be more of a personal journal of my writing and so forth. My Science Fiction Examiner column will focus of science fiction news, technology and publishing. My first article on the Science Fiction Examiner is about the state of science fiction in 2010. I'll be posting links to new articles here on the Sci Fi Pen.