The AFICTIONADO® Blog

The term hard sf (or hard science fiction) is used a lot but it seems to mean different things to different people.  To me, it is a story in which the author sticks within the confines of how the universe acts based on science, with as small a number of extrapolations as possible.  Some stories […]

There is a lot happening in the world today, but this blog was never designed as commentary on politics or pandemics.  Here, I will stick to writing and books. Closing in on getting the audiobook of Starman’s Saga ready.  I had never thought much about audiobooks before it was so strongly recommended to me.  I […]

Working on the first draft for the next book brought to mind a session I remember Salvatore Scibona running at the Wesleyan Writers’ Conference a couple of years ago.  He made the point, rather emphatically, that when you are writing a first draft, you should not stop to polish the words or try to make […]

COVID-19 dominates most discussions and most news right now and certainly occupies a lot of my thoughts.  I’m finishing the last day of a 14 day self-isolation after an exposure.  Saying thanks to all the health-care workers who are now the front line fighters in what is truly a war. It seems almost selfish to […]

On one hand, it seems presumptuous to think this blog is important in the midst of the COVID19 crisis, but, on the other, maybe it is truly important to find ways to adapt our activities and carry on.  We are pulling back into our shells here, one of the most important things we can do.  […]

Can’t believe it’s been almost a month since Boskone in Boston.  That was a great con and I hope everyone who worked to put it on feels really good about what they accomplished.  They should!  It may be a while before we can have a con like that again, and here I’m referring to COVID19, […]