Jonathan Bate is the author of Shakespeare: The Man from Stratford — a one man play to be performed by Simon Callow. In the Guardian this week he wrote about the continuing contemporary resonance of Shakespeare’s History plays, and Henry IV Parts 1 and 2 in particular. I still find the way that Prince Hal colonizes low culture the better to dominate it both fascinating and repellent. These days it reminds me of the way that Blair and New Labour wrapped themselves in Britpop in the 90s. Things can only get better, indeed.
Also in the Guardian, Iain Sinclair reviewed a new edition of The Unofficial Countryside, by Richard Maybe which was first published in 1973. Sinclair himself writes about the life, history, and landscape of England, in a voice that lies somewhere between the academic, literary and poetic. His most famous work is Lights Out for the Territory. This review is as fine a piece of writing as you’re likely to find in a newspaper, or on a newspaper’s Website.
The Paperback Writer blog detailed the submission policy for ten genre (mainly science fiction) markets. Interesting after my month of short stories.
In Write Anything, Jodi Cleghorn posted 21 tips for writers. These are largely related to attitude and motivation. I could certainly do with all the help I can get there.
Debbie Ridpath Ohi of Inkygirl.com was hacked recently by some of the unspeakable louts the internet seems to harbour in increasing numbers. So she underwent an enforced crash course in WordPress security. As a result she has posted some useful WordPress security tips and links.
io9 covered the launch of Lightspeed, a new online SF magazine. And a new magazine means a new market. That’s two wins in one.
A few weeks ago The Query Shark (who ordinarily savages readers’ submissions like so much chum) gave a positive review to a first time query. That’s unusual and therefore interesting in itself. It seems, though, that some commenters were confused by this particular win and so, even more unusually, the shark was back this week to clarify her thinking.
If you write SF then you know that the story world is more than just a backdrop for your character and plot. In io9 Beth Revis suggested you should treat your setting as a character. This rings true for me. The world of my WIP is something with which the characters must struggle and negotiate.
Also in io9 Annalee Newitz listed twenty SF Novels that will ‘change your life’. Those quotation marks are mine. Not that I don’t believe novels can change your life, it’s just any particular list will be controversial. Read the list, then scroll down to the comments for the controversy. Either way you’ll pick up some items for your must-read list.
Damn. No Doctor Who link. How about this? A free Doctor Who game. Looks a bit pants, but you never know.
