Ellen Datlow's Blog, page 24
May 28, 2011
Yesterday
Well, just barely. Landline fixed after panic that I wouldn't have phone or internet over the long weekend because phone guy came early, checked line outside, reported it was a mess and he couldn't believe I was getting dsl service at all. Sooooo he fixed outside wires called in to office where they had to fix lines in the 18th street station (wherever that is) & he'd get back to me so he could ask for the auto message saying line was being repaired (on for a week) could be removed. What he forgot to mention was that my internet service would be disrupted while they were fixing the line in the...whatever station. Aighhh. It took four hours but hey, I spent the time inputting all the titles, etc of books I found in publishing catalogs that I want for review. Plus finished going through the catalogs I picked up at BEA that I hadn't had time to skim.
Watching Romance and Cigarettes directed by John Turturro. It's a goofy movie with a very fine cast. James Gandolfini is a middle aged construction worker (high steel) who is cheating on his wife (Susan Sarandon) with a flame haired Irish woman (I think her accent was Irish--Kate Winslet, who was initially unrecognizable to me). Daughters played by Mary Louise Parker, Mandy Moore, and Aida Turturro--which is weird as 2 of those 3 don't seem young enough to play Gandolfino and Sarandon's daughters). They burst out into song a lot --seems like a tacked on musical idea that doesn't quite work although the acting and energy pulls it off. And yes, I was moved by the end.
A Face in the Crowd written by Budd Schulberg and directed by Elia Kazan is indeed the masterpiece it's proclaimed to be. Out in 1957, the movie is prescient in many ways-- it's about an Arkansas hobo (Andy Griffith, who if you've only seen in The Andy Griffith Show is a must-watch-I can't believe that he wasn't nominated for an Oscar)picked up from jail by a radio producer (Patricia Neal) for her program A Face in the Crowd. "Lonesome" Rhodes as he's dubbed, has a homey personality with a touch for populism and a subtle dark streak. We learn that he's a womanizer from the get-go but there's a subtlety throughout that makes it difficult to know whether he's a bad egg from the start or develops into one as he gets into a powertrip as his ego runs away with him. Walter Matthau, Lee Remick, and Anthony Franciosa are also in it.
Watching Romance and Cigarettes directed by John Turturro. It's a goofy movie with a very fine cast. James Gandolfini is a middle aged construction worker (high steel) who is cheating on his wife (Susan Sarandon) with a flame haired Irish woman (I think her accent was Irish--Kate Winslet, who was initially unrecognizable to me). Daughters played by Mary Louise Parker, Mandy Moore, and Aida Turturro--which is weird as 2 of those 3 don't seem young enough to play Gandolfino and Sarandon's daughters). They burst out into song a lot --seems like a tacked on musical idea that doesn't quite work although the acting and energy pulls it off. And yes, I was moved by the end.
A Face in the Crowd written by Budd Schulberg and directed by Elia Kazan is indeed the masterpiece it's proclaimed to be. Out in 1957, the movie is prescient in many ways-- it's about an Arkansas hobo (Andy Griffith, who if you've only seen in The Andy Griffith Show is a must-watch-I can't believe that he wasn't nominated for an Oscar)picked up from jail by a radio producer (Patricia Neal) for her program A Face in the Crowd. "Lonesome" Rhodes as he's dubbed, has a homey personality with a touch for populism and a subtle dark streak. We learn that he's a womanizer from the get-go but there's a subtlety throughout that makes it difficult to know whether he's a bad egg from the start or develops into one as he gets into a powertrip as his ego runs away with him. Walter Matthau, Lee Remick, and Anthony Franciosa are also in it.
May 27, 2011
free Dreamwidth invite codes
I just got 5 to pass on if anyone's interested.
May 26, 2011
My BEA experience
To sum it up: I had a ball. It's one of the most exhausting yet productive 2 1/2 days I've ever spent at a professional function. I volunteered to help man the HWA (Horror Writers Association booth) as I have the past two years. Vince Liaguno, our point man for the past two years the event's been in NYC has been amazing at getting the booth looking attractive and organizing the volunteers and the members who wanted to hold in-booth book signings.
For those who don't know what BEA is, it's short for Book Expo America, a large trade show for book publishers and other related tradesmen to display their wares for the next selling season. So publishers were mostly pushing their fall 2011 books. Foreign publishers, children's book publishers, comic book publishers, small presses, booths looking to sell display cases or greeting cards to bookstores.
In addition to getting my entrance paid for the entire convention, HWA set up an in-booth book signing for me plus one in the main autographing area. Two of my publishers (HarperCollins for Teeth and Tor for Blood and Other Cravings and Haunted Legends) also got me slots for the main autographing area. It's wonderful to actually meet face-to-face an entirely new group of fans of my work--librarians and booksellers from around the country. Sometimes these meet-ups prove fruitful in ways one doesn't expect. Invitations to speak at a school or library, sign at a bookstore.
And then of course there's the dash whenever I had free time to pick up book catalogs so I can look for forthcoming books appropriate for review in my Best Horror of the Year. I TRY very hard to not take galleys or arcs (advance reading copies--usually a little nicer than galleys)unless I really want them. For those who regularly read my blog you know why--but it's not only space, but they have to be lugged home.
Anyway, I'd like to encourage east coast members of HWA to sign up to volunteer or at least to sign or send materials to give away next year. As a member, this is a fabulous marketing, networking tool that you need to take advantage of.
For those who don't know what BEA is, it's short for Book Expo America, a large trade show for book publishers and other related tradesmen to display their wares for the next selling season. So publishers were mostly pushing their fall 2011 books. Foreign publishers, children's book publishers, comic book publishers, small presses, booths looking to sell display cases or greeting cards to bookstores.
In addition to getting my entrance paid for the entire convention, HWA set up an in-booth book signing for me plus one in the main autographing area. Two of my publishers (HarperCollins for Teeth and Tor for Blood and Other Cravings and Haunted Legends) also got me slots for the main autographing area. It's wonderful to actually meet face-to-face an entirely new group of fans of my work--librarians and booksellers from around the country. Sometimes these meet-ups prove fruitful in ways one doesn't expect. Invitations to speak at a school or library, sign at a bookstore.
And then of course there's the dash whenever I had free time to pick up book catalogs so I can look for forthcoming books appropriate for review in my Best Horror of the Year. I TRY very hard to not take galleys or arcs (advance reading copies--usually a little nicer than galleys)unless I really want them. For those who regularly read my blog you know why--but it's not only space, but they have to be lugged home.
Anyway, I'd like to encourage east coast members of HWA to sign up to volunteer or at least to sign or send materials to give away next year. As a member, this is a fabulous marketing, networking tool that you need to take advantage of.
May 24, 2011
The Nebulas etc.
I had a wonderful time at the Nebula Awards in DC. I was only there Saturday evening to Sunday afternoon but a lot was packed into that brief time. I hung around with lots of people, drinking in the lobby bar, attending the pre-banquet cocktail party (not drinking because it was a cash bar), and then the banquet. The food was amazingly good. I ordered crab cakes and risotto, both of which were delicious. Wine was ordered for the table and photos (by me) were taken.
The award ceremony moved along at a good clip --I was disappointed that Terri and my two nominated stories from The Beastly Bride didn't win but we're very pleased that they made the final ballot. Afterward, more partying.
I had lunch the next day with Liza Trombi of Locus and then Ellen Asher, Shawna McCarthy, Rick Bowes, and I hopped a cab to Union Station (which is beautiful, Cathedral like in its size and ceilings). Our train was packed and we ended up leaving over an hour late as our train awaited a new engine. No air or light so we all went out on the platform, where RR employes passed out bottled water. Everyone was very good natured about the delay and once we finally got going, I think we gained a little time because we were just an hour late.
I changed my toe surgery (it's a torn ligament and so the toe will be broken and a pin put in--I think that's what my doc said) from June 3rd to the 10th as I've got a street fair at which I've got a table on the 4th.
June 11th is the TEETH event at the Jefferson Market Library but I figure it's later in the day, my foot probably won't hurt much and if it does I'll just take the painkillers prescribed for me.
Tomorrow BEA begins so I'll be up 8am, which for me is Hell (and haven't done so for three days in a row since last year's BEA). I won't be online much.
Friday my phone gets repaired (I hope). With BEA that's the first time Verizon is available that I'm available.
Signing off for now as I've gotta get to bed by midnight in order to get up at 8am -ugh.
The award ceremony moved along at a good clip --I was disappointed that Terri and my two nominated stories from The Beastly Bride didn't win but we're very pleased that they made the final ballot. Afterward, more partying.
I had lunch the next day with Liza Trombi of Locus and then Ellen Asher, Shawna McCarthy, Rick Bowes, and I hopped a cab to Union Station (which is beautiful, Cathedral like in its size and ceilings). Our train was packed and we ended up leaving over an hour late as our train awaited a new engine. No air or light so we all went out on the platform, where RR employes passed out bottled water. Everyone was very good natured about the delay and once we finally got going, I think we gained a little time because we were just an hour late.
I changed my toe surgery (it's a torn ligament and so the toe will be broken and a pin put in--I think that's what my doc said) from June 3rd to the 10th as I've got a street fair at which I've got a table on the 4th.
June 11th is the TEETH event at the Jefferson Market Library but I figure it's later in the day, my foot probably won't hurt much and if it does I'll just take the painkillers prescribed for me.
Tomorrow BEA begins so I'll be up 8am, which for me is Hell (and haven't done so for three days in a row since last year's BEA). I won't be online much.
Friday my phone gets repaired (I hope). With BEA that's the first time Verizon is available that I'm available.
Signing off for now as I've gotta get to bed by midnight in order to get up at 8am -ugh.
May 23, 2011
Book expo schedule
For anyone looking for me at Book Expo (aka BEA) at the Javits Center this week,here's my official schedule:
Tuesday, May 24th:
10:00 AM to 11:00 AM signing Teeth at the HWA booth 4480
1-3pm I'll be helping run the HWA booth (4480)
Wednesday, May 25th:
10:30-11 signing Teeth at the main autographing table 2
11:30-12:30 Blood and other Cravings(galleys) and Haunted Legends(books) , main autographing table 12
4-5pm helping run the HWA booth (4480)
Thursday, May 26th:
11-11:30 Blood and Other Cravings & Haunted Legends, main autographing table 2
12-2pm helping run the HWA Booth (4480)
I will have my cell phone with me if anyone needs to reach me.
Tuesday, May 24th:
10:00 AM to 11:00 AM signing Teeth at the HWA booth 4480
1-3pm I'll be helping run the HWA booth (4480)
Wednesday, May 25th:
10:30-11 signing Teeth at the main autographing table 2
11:30-12:30 Blood and other Cravings(galleys) and Haunted Legends(books) , main autographing table 12
4-5pm helping run the HWA booth (4480)
Thursday, May 26th:
11-11:30 Blood and Other Cravings & Haunted Legends, main autographing table 2
12-2pm helping run the HWA Booth (4480)
I will have my cell phone with me if anyone needs to reach me.
May 20, 2011
Photos from the May 18th KGB reading
Felix Gilman and Elizabeth Bear entertained with their readings. Here's some of the evidence: Felix Gilman and Elizabeth Bear
May 17, 2011
I see foot surgery in my future
So yes, after months of foot pain and a few doctor visits (with conflicting diagnoses) I'm having surgery on my left foot done by a different doc than the one I went to initially--and not for Morton's Neuroma (which the first foot doc & MRI said I have) but to have my second toe realigned with a pin so that it stays where it's supposed to and doesn't veer to the right, into my big toe. I've currently got three toes bandaged with gauze to place them where they should be temporarily plus a pad stuck to the bottom of my foot to relieve some of the pressure on the painful area.
The foot's been much better since 1) I was in a boot for three weeks and 2) got a steroid shot before leaving for Australia. It began to hurt again two days before I got home but hasn't hurt anything like it did before I initially went to a foot doc.
Long story short. The doc I went to for second opinion (and who I'd gone to about 20 years ago for hammertoe surgery) convinced me that I do not have MN despite what the MRI shows--because the pain isn't where the neuroma is...duh but just under my second toe.
It's minor surgery and I won't be under general anesthesia but likely be given that lovely valium drip that puts me into the best twilight sleep ever! Scheduled for June 3rd if the insurance co. approves (and there's a $750 co-pay--whoopie!)
I'm hoping to be getting back into high heels in time for the Stokers-we shall see.
The foot's been much better since 1) I was in a boot for three weeks and 2) got a steroid shot before leaving for Australia. It began to hurt again two days before I got home but hasn't hurt anything like it did before I initially went to a foot doc.
Long story short. The doc I went to for second opinion (and who I'd gone to about 20 years ago for hammertoe surgery) convinced me that I do not have MN despite what the MRI shows--because the pain isn't where the neuroma is...duh but just under my second toe.
It's minor surgery and I won't be under general anesthesia but likely be given that lovely valium drip that puts me into the best twilight sleep ever! Scheduled for June 3rd if the insurance co. approves (and there's a $750 co-pay--whoopie!)
I'm hoping to be getting back into high heels in time for the Stokers-we shall see.
May 16, 2011
And hereeeee's a rave for Naked City
Also from The Green Man Review: Naked City.
