SpaceWesterns.com Sideshow

Bat Durston, Strange Horizons

nelilly — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 13:04:30 +0000

On the electronic frontier, my article “The Emancipation of Bat Durston” is now appearing on Strange Horizons. I began writing it shortly after SpaceWesterns.com launched in 2007, and it is just now seeing publication.

High Frontiers

nelilly — Sat, 28 Nov 2009 01:07:52 +0000

For anyone who is at all interested in writing “Hard Science Fiction Space Travel stories” I highly recommend reading the blog of Charles Stross. I’m not saying that he’s right that people will never travel among the stars, I’m just saying that he brings up valid objections to space travel that should be addressed. Specifically you should read The myth of the starship and The High Frontier, Redux (including all the comments).

Gastropods: feeding the hungry

nelilly — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 17:07:50 +0000

I have to give credit to Jason Andrew for his predictive powers in “Mathematics of Hunger,” one of the first works of fiction to appear on SpaceWesterns.com. We’re trying to solve the hunger crisis in Africa with Giant Snails.

Was the ‘Cowboy Universe’ Discovered?

nelilly — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 16:30:35 +0000

FRY: Far out! So, there’s an infinite number of parallel universes?
FARNSWORTH: No, just the two.

An article appeared on New Scientist today: Mystery ‘dark flow’ extends towards edge of universe. Some scientists speculate that we may have a neighborverse.

10 Greatest Sci-Fi Westerns by Topless Robot

nelilly — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 19:54:25 +0000

Topless Robot has put up a list of the 10 greatest Sci-Fi Westerns. I disagree with some of their picks, but who am I to argue with their definitions, I put Alien on the 10 Most Influential Space Westerns list

More Influential Space Westerns?

nelilly — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 21:06:20 +0000

Since running the 10 Most Influential Space Westerns article I’ve been contacted about a number of other works that should probably be included on the list (if not in the top 10, then at least in the top 20). Works have been recommended such as Heinlein’s Time Enough for Love, and Burroughs’ A Princess of Mars, as well as the movies Outland and Pitch Black, among others. So… if there were to be an expanded list of the Most Influential Space Westerns, which works would you nominate to be on it?

The Return of Fight Girl Battle World

nelilly — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 00:17:26 +0000

Fight Girl Battle World will be returning to the stage July 14-18, 2009. Read the our review of the original performance in our Fight Girl Battle World Two-headed Review with Darrell Schweitzer and N.E. Lilly.

Highly recommended, tickets are on sale HERE.

The News of My Death Has Been Greatly Exaggerated

nelilly — Sun, 21 Jun 2009 14:01:43 +0000

While the magazine has languished these past few months, we’re feeling much better.

We mean to clear out our old slush just as soon as we possibly can, and get back onto our weekly publishing schedule. To this end, we’re looking for a Deputy Editor, and an Art Scout. If you’re interested in one of these volunteer positions send an e-mail to the editor@spacewesterns.com with the following information: your name (full, penname, and/or online handles), your relevant experience, your 10 favorite Space Westerns (stories, novels, games, movies, etc.), and the answer to this question: What is a Space Western?

SpaceWesterns.com on a top 100

nelilly — Tue, 27 Jan 2009 14:51:11 +0000

Distance Learning Net has just posted their list of the Top 100 Science Fiction Blogs. SpaceWesterns.com finds itself at #25. Yay!

Babylon 5: Midnight on the Firing Line

nelilly — Tue, 27 Jan 2009 03:20:35 +0000

Almost a full year after the Babylon 5 pilot, the series premiered on this day, January 26th, 1994: “Midnight on the Firing Line” (on Hulu, with commercials).

When the Narn attack a Centauri colony, Londo and G’Kar nearly come to blows. Meanwhile, raiders are attacking transport ships near the station.

Notable quote:

Sinclair: We’ve had plenty of experience with sneak attacks. Pearl Harbor, the terrorist nuking of San Diego, the destruction of our first Mars colony. It’s a long and bloody history. Do you know what we learned from it? That the sneak attack is the first resort of a coward.

Thoughts?

[P.S. Don’t post about events that happen after the show that we're currently watching.]

[Next week’s episode: Soul Hunter]