Cambridge University Press has agreed to destroy all unsold copies of a 2006 book by two American authors, "Alms for Jihad," following a libel action brought against it in England, the latest development in what critics say is an effort by Saudis to quash discussion of their alleged role in aiding terrorism ( Read more... )

Some wonderful sarcasm from bellatrys last Wednesday:Silly fanperson! Don't you know that we mere lowly members of the Caste of Readers are not *allowed* to laugh at our professional betters of the Caste of Published Writers, that we don't have the *right* to point out their too-frequent tropes, literary faux-pas, and apparent obsessions, but are merely ( Read more... )

    No preamble today, still recovering fatigue points from Potter binge. I'd give details but GURPS doesn't have mechanics for mental fatigue points. Maybe they could be tied to general fatigue?

Subchapters: Bottle, Oryx, Birdcall

Summary    We left off confirming that Snowman is a petty, impulsive little shit; this subchapter is more ( Read more... )

    I don't think Atwood likes RTS games, since she gives them droll and dysphemistic names to show how trivial they are and how they trivialize man's inhumanity to man and isn't it awful how it warps the minds of The Children. I don't think my mini-rant misrepresents her, given the tone of the rest of this book. Sex slavers aren't the only ones ( Read more... )

    Some things that stand out to me ( Read more... )

I'm looking for a place specifically designed for "here's my fic, tell me what you think." To be precise, a place specifically for fanfic review and criticism. Where could I go?

No, ff.net doesn't count, smartass.

    reverie_shadow linked to an essay about flashbacks which basically states "don't do it, it mucks up character development." Flashbacks do seem appropriate for Oryx and Crake since they give an evocative contrast between the Then and the Now. Besides, cautionary tales usually can't get any worse, being more about puppets and propaganda than chareacters and ( Read more... )

    Time for more Oryx and Crake, by Margaret Atwood, who is not the author of Silent Spring. This means I won't have to worry about "ZOMYGODyour4DDT!" Yeah.

Subchapters: OrganInc Farms, Lunch, Nooners

Summary    Today we learn that Jimmy's dad works at OrganInc Farms. The first sentence and we've already touched on the most evil, vile ( Read more... )

I have carried through with my original threat and have written Bratz Sue-fic. I'm sure my prose needs work, so let me know where the rough edges are.

~ ~ ~

( Described in the First Paragraph )

    In the same vein of kippurbird's derisive summaries (hereafter called sporkings), I've decided to do some of my own. In particular, I'll be directing my ire at Oryx and Crake, by Margaret Atwood. Yes, that Margaret Atwood, the author of Silent Spring. Let me say right away that if I had to choose between DDT and mosquitos I'd choose the later since ( Read more... )