If this cover image looks familiar, it is because it made the list of cover illustrations that caught my eye for the April Cover Story post. If not, check it out. You are missing some great art.

At any rate, it is Friday and with that I am doing my weekly gig as an irregular over on SF Signal. Today I review the four original works of short fiction in the most current issue of Clarkesworld. This month’s stories were an interesting mix and worth checking out, particular if you are of the mind that too often alien races are depicted as not all that differentfrom humans. Trust me, you will never look at worms the same way again.

There are two classic reprint stories and some nonfiction articles, including one by popular author Daniel Abraham, so be sure to give it a look.

Hope everyone has a wonderful, story-filled weekend.

Welcome to the April 2014 Edition of Cover Story, the monthly feature showcasing genre cover art for works scheduled for publication within said month. I do judge books by their covers, at least on the first pass. It was the art on science fiction book covers that drew me in as a young reader, and I believe it is important to promote the artists and designers, and the book companies that employ them, for the efforts made to keep alive the grand tradition of eye-catching genre cover art.

(Monthly Disclaimer: I am not an art critic and have no formal artistic training. “Eye-catching” means exactly what it says, these images caught my eye and drew my attention to the works they grace, compelling me to search out more information about the book. Opinions contrary to mine, and suggestions for works that I missed that caught your eye, are always welcome.)

With those formalities out of the way, let’s get to the cover art, shall we? I have some really nice variety for you this month.

Continue reading Cover Story: April 2014 →

Well, the die is cast…or rather, my nominations are. It is official, I have participated in the nomination process for the Hugo Awards for the very first time.

I am excited.

I, Hugo.

In the interest of full disclosure, here are the categories and the nominees I chose in each category. Following that I have a few notes. If you’ve voted, and/or if you have an opinion about any of my nominees, I do hope you’ll share.

Continue reading The 2014 Hugo Award Nominations: Full Ballot →

(“Loss” by Ed Howard, click on image for larger version)

I don’t mind saying that the Hugo category for Best Fan Artist had me, and in some way continues to leave me, a bit puzzled. Ostensibly the designation between “fan” and “professional” has to do with the pay received for the work being created, and yet I’ve seen many Professional Artists making recommendations for the work of peers that do not quite neatly fit that definition.

In the end, it was no less difficult to make these choices.

With the deadline for nominations fast approaching, I have decided to make this an all-inclusive post, showcasing the work of the five artists I have chosen to nominate for Best Fan Artist.

Continue reading My Best Fan Artist Hugo Nominations →

The fifth slot in my nominations list for this year’s Hugo Award for Best Professional Artist goes to Dan Dos Santos.

I have been a fan of his work for many, many years now and his book cover illustrations are a consistent presence on my annual Favorite Science Fiction and Fantasy Book Covers posts.

I will point out here, as I have for other artists on my list, it is not my long-time fondness that has informed my choice to nominate Dan Dos Santos for a Hugo Award, but the results of his production over the course of the last year.

There is one particular image alone that inspires my nomination, but we will get to that soon enough.

Continue reading My Best Professional Artist Hugo Nominations: Dan Dos Santos →