Among other things!

Forty Million Summers and Other Books Loren Eiseley, Ray Bradbury, and the Paleontology of Words on Paper

Here’s my new Substack post: some thoughts about my forthcoming novel Forty Million Summers, plus Loren Eiseley and Ray Bradbury.

Still free to read and subscribe, no paywall.

I’ve posted so sporadically here that I’m not sure who’s listening, but for those of you who might be interested, my first new novel in ten years is called Forty Million Summers and it’s been acquired by Tachyon Publications. So I’m doing my happy dance today.

I haven’t been especially active here, but I like the platform and might start posting more soon. Pleased to meet you, in any case, and thanks for the kind words.

Coincidentally, I saw this shortly after reading the first page of Three Miles Down. Now I have to put The Royal Scam on the turntable.

Homage to Pandora A Tiny Little Short Story

One of the first rules of professional writing I learned was “Never give away anything for free.” But I’m old enough to break the rules if the spirit moves me. This is a tiny little brand-new science fiction story, which I hope might make you laugh…or not, depending on the mood you’re in.

Why We Don't Ask Why Close Encounters, The Exorcist, And The Questions We Don't Ask

This might have been more appropriate for Halloween, but, like a pumpkin-spice latte on a hot September day, it arrived before its time.

Zodiac Carousel Bell, Book and Candle and the Hinges of American Culture

I haven’t been active here for a while, and I apologize to anyone who follows me. Part of the reason is that I’ve been busy setting up a Substack newsletter. This is the latest post—witches, beatniks, the Lavender Scare, and a movie I watch every Christmas. (Subscriptions are currently free.)

There was a bit of Tipler in there, as I recall—not that I necessarily endorse all of Tipler’s ideas.

Maybe different for aquatic creatures, since the planet is perhaps wholly oceanic? But I’m no expert—it’s an interesting (if purely speculative) question. Sentient life would surprise me, but even single-celled life would be an amazing discovery.

Scientists hail ‘strongest evidence’ so far for life beyond our solar system Astrophysics team say observation of chemical compounds may be ‘tipping point’ in search for extraterrestrial life

Extremely interesting, if far from conclusive. K2-18 wouldn’t be a comfortable place for human beings—more than twice as large as Earth and nine times as massive, orbiting a red dwarf star—but it’s fun to imagine a big watery world teeming with sentient seaweed or philosophically-minded jellyfish.

Very sorry to hear that.

If you want to support something reliably Canadian instead of products tainted by their connection to the US, choose:

—Laura Secord, not Hershey’s

—Maple Leaf, not Oscar Mayer

—Mark Carney, not Pierre Poilievre

Real Americans are all-in for our great neighbor Canada.

The more I see of Mark Carney, the better I like him. He’s smart, knowledgeable, at ease at the podium, and a perfect foil for the attacks on Canada’s sovereignty emanating from south of the border.

The opposite of Poilievre, whose shallow sloganeering is instantly tiresome.

March Madness

Blame Canada Our warmongering, drugged-out conspiracy theory

Best analysis I’ve seen yet, at least from a source outside Canada.

I’d kinda forgotten that this is the book’s 20th anniversary. Without question, the most popular and most commercially successful of all my novels.

Taking a little time for some vintage science fiction, especially the work of John Christopher, whose opus I somehow neglected. (I did read and enjoy his Tripod trilogy many years ago, and I’m looking forward to No Blade of Grass, The Long Winter, and The Ragged Edge.)

Definitely!

A Publishers Weekly article about the near-death of the mass market paperback, and you can spot a copy of my novel Spin in the photo that illustrates it. Sort of like coming across your own name on a tombstone.

Fellow Canadians! 🇨🇦

Consider signing the petition below asking the Prime Minister to consider revoking Elon Musk’s dual citizen status and revoke his passport immediately.

www.ourcommons.ca/petitions/en...

It's Nice To Be Disliked (By One Of Those)

Thanks, Rob!

Celebrating Flag Day today—and reclaiming the flag from the “convoy” quislings, at a time when we face an unprecedented threat from south of the border. (Also bracing for the winter storm heading for southern Ontario!)

An American draft resisters crew, Toronto.
4th from left is Mary M from Georgia. She was a spirit guide to my wife and I.
3rd is Phillip from Texas. He taught me to be a carpenter.
During Vietnam many young Americans came here, built lives, changed our politics.
Maybe we need that influx again.

Trump has backed down…for now, in exchange for some fairly trivial gestures from Ottawa. But we still have a gun pointed at us—the US administration is still hostile and shockingly authoritarian—and I’ll be buying Canadian and boycotting US products until that changes.

Pierre Poilievre is currently on the CBC trying to promote himself by lending credence to Trump’s ludicrous rationale for tariffs. “Tariffs are wrong, but…” But nothing. Quisling.

Trump’s “reasons” for imposing tariffs on Canada are so implausible that he obviously has a different motive—presumably to crush Canadian independence, economically or politically or both. Buy Canadian, boycott American. True north strong and free.