nice letters from authors

DK Latta, author of “Marking Time on the Far Side of Forever”, sent a note to Escape Pod saying he enjoyed my presentation of his story (which you can hear by clicking this awesome link).

It’s always nice to hear from an author who likes how I’ve interpreted his/her work.

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“The Mansion” by Henry van Dyke

I can now be heard narrating the Christmas story on “Journey Into…”, entitled “The Mansion” and written by Henry van Dyke. Listen here.

Journey #23 – The Mansion by Henry van Dyke

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“Fortitude” by David Brin

My performance of David Brin’s “Fortitude” is in this week’s StarShipSofa. Listen here.

Also, if you have a minute, check out Lewis Shiner. I read his novel Glimpses and really enjoyed it.

StarShipSofa No 217: David Brin, Lewis Shiner

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Lillian Cohen-Moore reviews “Survivor”

Some of the other stories that hit real high notes for me include Josh Roseman’s ”Survivor,” because he fucking kills it in that story. His protagonist Wen is a believable teenage girl. Sometimes whiny, sometimes brave, Wen is faced with a fight for survival on her own that could cripple an adult, and meets it head on. I threw the horns with both hands at the end.

Early review of the Fat Girl in a Strange Land anthology. She apparently enjoyed my story. The anthology will be released in February.

» Fat Girl in a Strange Land: Lillian Cohen-Moore

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“Marking Time on the Far Side of Forever” by DK Latta

My latest audio performance is “Marking Time on the Far Side of Forever” by DK Latta, for Escape Pod.

Escape Pod 323: Marking Time on the Far Side of Forever

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Book Review: “Bigfoot: I Not Dead” by Graham Roumieu

In beginning, Josh think it funny to write review of book Bigfoot: I Not Dead using Bigfoot style of writing. However, realize will get annoying fast and not want annoy readers. So will stop.

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Book Review: “11/22/63” by Stephen King

Book Review: “11/22/63” by Stephen King

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Anne R. Allen on Amazon Reviews

Anything less than 4 stars means “NOT RECOMMENDED.” Don’t expect an author to be pleased with 2 or 3 stars, no matter how much you rave in the text. Those stars are the primary way a book is judged. Without a 4 or 5 star rating, a book doesn’t get picked up in the Amazon algorithms for things like “also bought” suggestions. Giving 1 or 2 stars to a book that doesn’t have many reviews is taking money out of the author’s pocket, so don’t do it unless you really think the author should take up a new line of work.

I was not aware of this, and I’m a book reviewer… although not regularly on Amazon.

Anne R. Allen’s Blog: Amazon Reader Reviews: 12 Things Everybody and His Grandmother Needs to Know

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Movie Review: “In Time”

Amanda Seyfried, on the other hand, always seems to look like either a sex kitten or like she was just used as the clapper in an enormous bell. Her hair is too perfect, and her eyes are always wide and glassy.

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“The Gift” of Choice… Unless You’re a Borg

So, in the end, Janeway’s actions — which today I see at the very least as being misguided and at worst reprehensible — turn out to be “right”.

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“The Prize Beyond Gold” by Ian Creasey

My narration of “The Prize Beyond Gold” by Ian Creasey is now live on Escape Pod.
Narration: The Prize Beyond Gold

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Book Review: “Snuff” by Terry Pratchett

Pratchett’s customary humor and wit are present throughout, and the writing remains as wonderful as ever. My inner 12-year-old appreciated all the poo references, and if we’ve already done the goblin thing back when Vimes visited the Low King, at least it’s done well again.

Book Review: “Snuff” by Terry Pratchett : Escape Pod

There are some formatting errors that I’ve asked the editor to fix. Hopefully that’ll be done soon.

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Soundproof #13

My review of The Colorado Kid has been reprinted in this month’s Soundproof.

Soundproof #13

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First Anthology Sale: “Survivor”

The table of contents for Fat Girl in a Strange Land has been announced, which therefore means I can announce here that I have made my first sale to an anthology.

It will be released on 2/17/12. When it is, I’ll post links to where you can buy it.

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Book Review: “The Colorado Kid” by Stephen King

The concept of “based upon Book X by Author Y” is stretched pretty far these days. Sure, sometimes you get a Harry Potter or a Twilight, but other times you get a movie or TV show that is so loosely-based on the source material that, if the book was a person and the TV show was a pair of jeans, the combination of the two would violate the saggy-pants bans that are in effect in several states.

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Review of “The Big Trip Up Yonder”

I really enjoyed The Big Trip Up Yonder – it’s a great story and the narration was superb.

From the comment feed for “The Big Trip Up Yonder”, which I performed for StarShipSofa.

StarShipSofa No 207 Kurt Vonnegut

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“The Big Trip Up Yonder” by Kurt Vonnegut

My performance of Kurt Vonnegut’s “The Big Trip Up Yonder” is now live on StarShipSofa. Episode 207 is here.

“The Big Trip Up Yonder” on StarShipSofa

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Music and Magic: The Harry Potter Soundtrack Retrospective — Part 10 of 10: Conclusion

I think it’s really hard to do a soundtrack that completely misses the mark. I can’t remember a single one I’ve listened to that actually pulled that off. However, in re-listening to these eight soundtracks, I’ve come to the conclusion that a good soundtrack needs a few cohesive themes, not too much crazy orchestration, and the ability to make listeners re-enact the film’s scenes in their heads if they’re not actually watching the movie. Most of the Potter soundtracks do all three of those things — they all do at least two. I count that as a rousing success for the studio, the films, and the composers.

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“Playing Doctor” by Robert T. Jeschonek

As Dr. Medici throws her head down onto her folded arms on the table, I cross the lab and pick up the silver tray that she threw. I see myself reflected in its surface–thick glasses, big nose, bald head, pure geek…not her type. ”I thought you liked the crinkle-cut ones,” I say as I pluck chicken fingers and french fries from the floor and drop them onto the tray.

My latest narration, “Playing Doctor” by Robert T. Jeschonek, is now available for your downloading pleasure: EP313: Playing Doctor : Escape Pod
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Music and Magic: The Harry Potter Soundtrack Retrospective — Part 9 of 10: Deathly Hallows 2

This soundtrack is more about cycles than themes, though — I counted at least three of them. I approve of that style of orchestration — giving the major climactic sequence of the film its own series of specific themes and cues (all of them at least somewhat derivative of the other themes already established in the movie).

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