Sci-Fi Storm

TheThunderChild writes “In 1963, Carl Sagan was “an astronomer at Harvard,” who sent his paper speculating about life on Jupiter to Isaac Asimov to see what he thought about the idea. Asimov in turn wrote about this theory in one of his essays for the Magazine of Fantasy and Science Fiction. That’s one of the joys of reading Asimov’s essay collections – they’re full of anecdotes about people we know, history we may have forgotten, and principles of various sciences that remain true to this day. The Thunder Child has just launced a project to analyze all of Asimov’s essay collections in chronological order, starting with Fact and Fancy in 1962. (All these books, while out-of-print, are available via interlibrary loan or through specialty used book stores.) By reading the essays chronologically we see the evolution of Asimov’s essay writing style, what was going on in the world while he was writing, and his attempts to speculate on what the world might be like in the future. A Is For Asimov is the link to the front page of the project that explains it all in more detail, and Fact and Fancy is the link to the first book we cover. You’ll also find links to the Asimov Quotebook and the ongoing index to Asimov’s essays.”

Everything must come to an end. And so passes the final installment of the Harry Potter series (and if rumors are true, the character), with the release of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows in the UK and US (at least, maybe others) on July 21st, 2007. Amazon is already taking pre-orders with a price guarantee, so if the price drops between now and then, you’ll get the lower price. Click on the link and help us out, and be one of the first to get the book. Read it quickly, too…spoilers will likely be unavoidable…P.S. there is a deluxe edition as well.

Scott writes “At AbeBooks we just opened two new rooms for science fiction and fantasy readers. There?s interviews with authors and experts, book picks, feature articles, a forum, event lists and a preview on Orwell’s new book 1985: Things are looking up. Take a look and tell us what you think.

http://www.abebooks.com/docs/ScienceFiction/

Or on our blog…

http://abebooks.wordpress.com/2007/01/30/check-out -our-new-science-fiction-and-fantasy-rooms/“

TheThunderChild writes “http://thethunderchild.com/Art/Sprayman.html is the URL for an interview with “Sprayman” – Mr. Janez Jevnikar.

I belong to a mailing list of fantasy and science fiction artists – artists who create everything from spacescapes to astronauts and alien creatures. I assumed they all did their work in water-colors or oils, etc. Little did I realize that there’s a technique out there called Aerosolgrafia (well, to give it its Slovenian name!) where artists create glorious spacescapes, in less than 20 minutes, using quick drying spray paint. I interviewed a Slovenian artist whose work sells throughout the world. He’s a ‘performance artist’ – an audience watches him while he works. These performances are available to view on the web and are fascinating to watch.”

contact@audioflik.com writes: “AudioFlik.com has launched! Along with the site, you can find the first production now available, ARCTIC INVASION. Check out the home-page for a 30 second sound bite, or here for the free first full chapter: ** www.audioflik.com/arcticinvasion_free.html. ** AudioFlik produces original entertainment that can best be described as an audio adventure. Combine an audiobook, radio drama, and film soundtrack, and you’re beginning to get the idea. Best of all, we’ve ditch special audio players and unique applications for the most ubiquitous digital delivery service on the planet, Email! AudioFlik was created to provide the growing community of over 300 million MP3 players with real, story-based entertainment set to arrive each and every week directly to your digital doorstep. Simple, easy, and entertaining. AudioFlik – It’s yours to explore!”