by Jason Fischer | Aug 26, 2010 | Announcement, Writing
Oscar Wilde, 1882, to US Customs: “I have nothing to declare but my genius”
Jason Fischer, 2010, to US Customs: “I have nothing to declare but my Tim-Tams”
So here I am, and barring the wonders of jetlag it’s AWESOME. I’m definitely going to have to do some retrospective blogging to cover our goings on, it’s quite the hectic schedule we’ve been given. KD Wentworth and Tim Powers are nothing but brilliant, and have been dishing out some life-changing advice.
Part of which was, don’t faff around on the internet, you have to hand in a complete story within 24 hours. So a quick gudday and seeya later! 🙂
The lovely folks organising the WOTF week are blogging both the workshops here, complete with photos:
http://www.writersofthefuture.com/blog
by Jason Fischer | Aug 20, 2010 | Announcement, Pimping, Publication, Writing
Well, the time is nigh, I have my greenbacks and courage in hand, and Writers of the Future awaits me. I’m taking it stateside for this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, to work with some jaw-droppingly awesome writers, attend the award gala, and finally meet my fellow contest winners (who seem like a lovely and talented bunch). The anthology containing the winning stories is now available for pre-order on Amazon:
http://www.amazon.com/Ron-Hubbard-Presents-Writers-Future/dp/1592128475/ref=sr_1_12?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1282279171&sr=1-12
I love the cover-art on this – absolutely gorgeous! Having collected a few of these anthologies, I can tell you that the essays from the judges are worth the cover-price alone. Years of wisdom is thus dispensed, sandwiched amidst stories that could launch many fruitful writing careers, jammed full of the excellent artwork from the sister contest, Illustrators of the Future.
Still can’t believe my writing is actually in one of these…this sure is a nice feeling, folks 🙂
I will try and blog the Writers of the Future week when I get the chance, but it looks like they keep a pretty hectic schedule. It may be a retrospective account of the workshop and other events, but it’ll all end up on here at some point.
Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’ve got a Future needs getting to 🙂
by Jason Fischer | Aug 19, 2010 | Announcement, Pimping, Winner!
Well, it’s been a week since I announced the Gravesend haiku competition, and it’s judging time. There’s been some great entries from a bunch of folks, and I’ve enjoyed them all. Still, I had to get down the serious business of judging these poems. I weighed up emotional resonance, usage of seasons, and sneaky Romero references, but mostly I counted syllables 🙂
Without further ado, the winners are:
Nature upended,
now snowflakes curl on undead
flesh; unmelting, still.
-Jess Irwin
Til death do we part;
chewing on my dear wife’s brains
silencing her screams
– Peter M Ball
Skulls are way too hard.
Softest way to get at brains:
through the eye sockets.
– Lisa Hannett
And a bonus winner, because it’s just too awesome, and captures perfectly the true angst of zombie haiku composition:
Brains brains brains brains brains
Brains brains brains brains brains brains brains
Brai- ai- ai-ai-ns
-Lee Battersby
Your zombielicious copies of “After the World: Gravesend” will be in the post shortly. Congratulations!
ETA: Because he’s a classy haiku-loving kind of guy, Peter M Ball has donated his prize back into the contest. Here’s a poem that narrowly missed out on a spot in the top 3, which I’m now pleased to add to the winner’s circle.
Roused to seek fresh meat
As winter freshens the air:
I shall hunt you; hide.
-Chris
by Jason Fischer | Aug 17, 2010 | Announcement, Interview
I’ve just been interviewed as part of the Drive-By series, over at Angela Slatter’s website:
http://angelaslatter.com/2010/08/17/the-undead-camel-drive-by-jason-fischer/
While you’re over there, why don’t you check out some of the other interviews she’s done – she’s rounded up some great authors and creative folk, and it’s well worth your time. Angela’s Drive-Bys include a tonne of Aussie talent, and folks such as Robert Shearman, Kelly Link, Gavin Grant, Aliette De Bodard, China Mieville, etc etc.
It will be an ongoing series of interviews (with a new one each working day) right up until World Con. That’s what I call a rock-star effort!
by Jason Fischer | Aug 12, 2010 | Announcement, Pimping
To celebrate the shortlisting of “After The World: Gravesend” in this year’s Ditmar Awards, Black House Comics are offering you the chance to win a copy of the book.
To enter, simply compose a haiku – the only catch is it must be zombie or apocalypse themed. Post your haiku in this comments thread (either at jasonfischer.com.au or on the LJ feed, it’s all good). As long as you meet the 5-7-5 rule, I’m not too fussed if you mention a seasonal reference – though if you mention winter and brains, it will earn you bonus points 🙂
The best three haikus as judged by me will win themselves a copy of the book. It’s that easy! Contest closes one week from today (Thursday 19th August)
(PS sorry, Australian residents only for this competition – overseas postage is too painful)
