Getting the Links Out

Here are things that are not here:

• Ben Peek on Australian fantasy and science fiction
  
• World Fantasy Convention report from Tobias Buckell, who absolutely glowed as he wandered around with a box full of galleys of his first novel, Crystal Rain.
  
• Lou Anders also has a convention report now, and it includes a picture of Hal Duncan beside a baby. Also includes a brief addition to the annals (anals?) of "What makes something science fiction?" discussions.
  
• And how would he expect me to answer? With an equation? I am 35% black and the rest is human?(via Tobias)
  
• A detailed, thoughtful comparison of strengths and weaknesses in novels by Justina Robson and Hal Duncan by Niall Harrison.
  
• Did Babylon 5 really suck? I remember thinking it was marvelous when I first watched it (or, rather, thinking the third and fourth seasons were marvelous), despite all the bad acting and silly writing. But that was in comparison to the rest of the SF shows of the time.
  
• Christopher Rowe has posted some news about the Say... zine
  
• "The Secret Language and Signs of Insecure Fandom"
  
• Graham Sleight just linked to this 2003 essay in Slate about the shoddiness of the paper and binding in many books from the U.K. I remember reading the essay when it first came out and thinking, "So it's not just me!", but couldn't remember where I read it, so I'm glad Graham resurrected it.
  
• "The Boy Who Was Born Wrapped in Barbed Wire" by Christopher Barzak. I shamefacedly must admit I haven't read this yet, but with a title like that and a writer like Chris, there's no way to go wrong.
  
• Maureen McHugh and Sarah Willis: Part 1, Part 2, Part 3
  
• Carson McCullers, authorial intent, satire, self-indulgence, etc.
  
• "Aesthetics of Walter Murch" (Murch being one of the great film editors of our time, in case you didn't know.)
  
• Literature Map.
  
• For anyone who thought the (perhaps mythical) venom cocks were the best bad reading around, do take a look at this excerpt from a book that might be the perfect match for the aforementioned dragon gadget. (via The Rake)
  
• A long, fascinating discussion of science fiction and cultural history. (via Cheryl)