I was going to keep it short this week because I feel like I’ve spent the whole week doing nothing but curating links, and also because I have an Epic Post of Epicness coming up later tonight thanks to a blogging challenge, so I need to save my formatting strength. But then, you know, this happened.
Speaking of Epic, there’s some mighty coverage of the Australian SF/Fantasy scene in the Guardian today – looking particularly at the recent signings of Ben Peek and Rjurik Davidson with Tor, but thanks to substantial quotes with Jonathan Strahan and Cheryl Morgan as well, there’s also some discussion of what makes Australian SF/fantasy different, recent awards, and our many successful female writers. Hooray!
The Guardian, both UK and Aus, has been covering spec fic really well this week – I can’t tell you how many people told me about this post about YA and Gendered Covers, which I am especially fond of because, you know, it linked to my blog! But also it’s full of very sensible discussion of an issue that won’t go away any time soon.
I’ve been thinking a lot about female villains lately, and so has the Mary Sue – which looks at the disappointing lack of female villains in modern action/SF movies and a few reasons why filmmakers might be running scared of the concept. Lucky we have Game of Thrones, eh? And I have to say, the last season of Doctor Who did pretty well in this regard. Lena Headey, Celia Imrie and Diana Rigg, you rock!
The Jezebel has published an open letter to white male comedians by female comedian Lindy West, which lays out in no uncertain terms why rape jokes are unfunny, hurtful, damaging and (possibly most important) CONSERVATIVE RATHER THAN EDGY. A wonderful, funny and significant piece. I found it particularly interesting that the language used to defend rape jokes in the stand up comedy scene is similar to that used to defend, oh sexist language in the SF publishing community? (I see your thought police and raise you a humourless feminist!)
Speaking of feminism, I really enjoyed this Feminist Defence of Steven Moffat.
Foz Meadows has been at it again, this time talking about the perception that women bring “romance cooties” to SF in The Huffington Post.
Meanwhile, Judith Tarr follows her spectacular take on the last several decades of the publishing industry by sharing her own more personal experience with What Happens When the Contracts Dry Up, and how she has recovered from her career stalling. This stuff is not talked about enough.
Oh and speaking of spectacular bloggers who have been doing great work lately, check out Kameron Hurley talking about Unpacking the “Real Writers Have Talent” Myth, and why finding writing hard is okay
Jo Walton’s speech from Wiscon: on Characters, Complicity and Caring (or: the many ways in which writers manipulate readers).
Cheryl Morgan writes an important post that any writer thinking about writing magical gender transformations should read – she’s not suggesting there’s anything wrong with those stories, but wants to make it clear that if you think they reflect the actual trans experience, you’re wrong.
Anyone who wants to know what the hell that whole Game of Thrones fuss was about earlier this week, and doesn’t mind being spoiled for the story (sometimes it saves time, right?) should check out the controversial episode as told through the noble art of the Facebook status.
Bitch Magazine on What I Learned About Gender and Power From Sailor Moon.
The Finnish baby box, and why it makes such a great and equal start for all babies in Finland. Wow. That would have probably worked a lot better than the Baby Bonus, Australian politicians!
Just in case you thought I had forgotten about the sexism and SFWA Bulletin issue (as if!) I bring you a lighter take on the subject, courtesy of the very over-worked but still Tweeting Vice-President Rachel Swirsky: A brief survey of the accomplishments of chappie writers and editors.
You know how Jim C Hines made the point about gendered covers by switching the genders to show the ridiculous indignity people took for granted when it came to women? Yep, this is the equivalent of that. But with less of a need for a chiropractor afterwards…
In closing, SUFFRAGETTE SITCOM BY JESSICA HYNES! Giving parts to a whole bunch of Britain’s funny (and older) female actresses! What’s not to look forward to about THAT? (is it too much to request appearances by Celia Imrie and Diana Rigg?)