FB Report: Lots of Links on Speculative Fiction -- 12/20/10

Reading For the Future Via Valerie's Wall, who received it from Vonda McIntyre: Free ebook to be given away for a limited time in multiple formats.
Book View Cafe - McIntyre - The Starfarers Quartet
http://www.bookviewcafe.com/index.php/McIntyre-The-Starfarers-Quartet
www.bookviewcafe.com
Book View Cafe - Because you can never have too many ebooks
[12/19/10]

Reading For the Future In the Broad Universe science fiction catalog are numerous novels marked as YA suitable. These are listed in the Discussions thread for YA suitables.
All authors listed are members of the organization. Also, there is a catalog of fantasy works and children's literature. Visit the webpage
http://www.broaduniverse.org/catalog/science-fiction
for ISBN, publisher, pub. date, and also awards and award nominations.~Valerie
Welcome to Broad Universe - Broad Universe | Promoting science fiction, fantasy, and horror written.
http://www.broaduniverse.org/
www.broaduniverse.org
Broad Universe is an international organization dedicated to promoting, encouraging, honoring, and celebrating women writers and editors in science fiction, fantasy, horror and other speculative genres.
[12/18/10]

Reading For the Future Reading IN the Future?
Color E-Readers Open Way for Picture Books
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/12/15/business/media/15ebooks.html?_r=1&hpw
www.nytimes.com
The abilities of devices like the iPad and the Nook Color are leading publishers to produce illustrated e-books, particularly picture books for children.
[12/15/10]

Reading For the Future Evelyn Perkins, RN,MS, PMH-BC, NE-BC, is a nurse who is fascinated with the emerging science of nanomedicine. She has written the first book in a trilogy of children's si-fi books, Nanorobots and the Hunt for H1NO1. It introduces nanomedicine concepts in a thrilling adventure where 2 virologists and their 4 kids risk everything in their hunt for the killer virus, H1NO1 and the evil scientist who genetically engineered
Evelyn Perkins
http://www.facebook.com/profile
[12/15/10]

Reading For the Future Very interesting blog article about Mega-Scale Planet Engineering.
Dark Roasted Blend: Megastructures: Bigger-Than-Worlds
http://www.darkroastedblend.com/2010/12/megastructures-bigger-than-worlds.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+TheThrillingWonderStory+%28Dark+Roasted+Blend%29
www.darkroastedblend.com
Overheard in the future: "We already talked about how to add extra storage space to your continent by turning mountain ranges into bookcases, turning lakes into bath tubs, and continental shelves into decks (see also our popular Future Plate Tectonics article). Well, in this special episode we're go...
[12/15/10]

Reading For the Future I just found this site. I believe they are still working on it and are continually looking for updates. An excellent resource, even before it's finished.
The Internet Speculative Fiction Database
http://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/index.cgi
www.isfdb.org
The ISFDB is a community effort to catalog works of science fiction, fantasy, and horror. It links together various types of bibliographic data: author bibliographies, publication bibliographies, award listings, magazine content listings, anthology and collection content listings, and forthcoming bo
[12/13/10]

Reading For the Future I like both - separately or together
There's not that much difference between mysteries and science fiction, really.
http://io9.com/5711775/theres-not-that-much-difference-between-mysteries-and-science-fiction-really
io9.com
What's the difference between mysteries and science fiction? Not as much as you'd imagine, says Michael Marshall Smith who's written both.
[12/13/10]

Other Walls

via Valerie: Valerie Coskrey via David Brin: Reality games!
David Brin
Smash an asteroid into Earth on your computer – and calculate the resulting damage. Impact: Earth is an interactive website that allows you to enter the diameter, density & velocity of the incoming object, its angle of entry and target on Earth. Bam! Gives data on tsunamis, crater size, seismic effects, airblasts, ejecta, as well as global changes (will it shift earth’s axis?) Great for classrooms.
Impact: Earth!
http://www.purdue.edu/IMPACTEARTH
www.purdue.edu
Impact: Earth! written by Gareth Collins, H. Jay Melosh and Robert Marcus Developed by ITaP for Purdue University.View the text-only version. Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907 USA, (765) 494-4600© 2010 Purdue University. An equal access, equal opportunity unive
[12/19/10]

Valerie Coskrey via David Brin:
Darryl Cunningham Investigates: Climate Change
http://darryl-cunningham.blogspot.com/2010/12/climate-change.html
darryl-cunningham.blogspot.com
Wow, excellent. That's one smart penguin!One very small typo I found: "The Kochs want to pay less tax, keep more profits, and be retrained by less regulation." I'm pretty sure you meant "restrained" not "retrained".
[12/19/10]

Valerie Coskrey via Cie McCullough: Merry Christmas to all.

THE DIGITAL STORY OF NATIVITY - ( or Christmas 2.0 )
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vZrf0PbAGSk
www.youtube.com
To see other great viral videos visit my facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/viral.videos.nr1 How social media, web and mobile tell the story of the Nativity. Christmas story told through Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Google, Wikipedia, Google Maps, GMail, Foursquare, Amazon... Times change, the
[12/19/10]

Valerie Coskrey via Pamela Sargent: Pamela writes both YA and Adult sci fi. Each is an exciting read.
After decades, 'Seed' bears fruit - Times Union
http://www.timesunion.com/entertainment/article/After-decades-Seed-bears-fruit-904477.php
www.timesunion.com
Almost 30 years after science-fiction author Pamela Sargent introduced audiences to a faraway planet that a sentient starship had populated with people, animals and plants to resemble Earth, she has finished her "Seed" trilogy. A character named Nuy, the daughter of original settlers of the planet,
[12/19/10]

Valerie Coskrey via Lynda Williams: I reviewed a book in a saga I hope to read more of.
Valerie's Soapbox
soapboxbyval.blogspot.com
I recently discovered a new science fiction universe to explore. The deftly built Okal Rel Universe is visited through the books of the Okal Rel Saga by Lynda Williams and her proteges. The central character of the saga is introduced in The Courtesan Prince as Von who is, well, a popular gigolo of t
[12/19/10]

Valerie Coskrey Free ebook that is suitable for YA
The Punishment of Phoebus Apollo, an Ebook by Brenna Lyons
http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/8301
www.smashwords.com
Download "The Punishment of Phoebus Apollo" for free from Smashwords.com. From the ancient Greek myths... When Apollo forgets the tender art of mercy, his father arranges a lesson he'll never forget. Adapted by Brenna Lyons to expand on the original tale.
[12/18/10]

Valerie Coskrey via David Brin:
David Brin's Blog: Tomorrow Happens -
http://open.salon.com/blog/david_brin
open.salon.com
Tomorrow Happens - ...trends slamming at us from the dark
[12/18/10]

Valerie Coskrey via Bobby DuFault
Valerie Coskrey: sounds like a memorial for past fans and authors
The Celestial Convention - Star Ceremony
Location:RustyCon 2011
Time:12:
[12/18/10]

Valerie Coskrey I found this article when I was exploring criteria for children's literature. To me it is a humanistic approach to judging the multi-cultural value of a children's lit work. In other words, I personally agreed with it and and liked the way my values were expressed, even though I am not Jewish. It is an older article that I do believe is still relevant.

Assessing Children`s Literature
http://www.adl.org/education/assessing.asp
www.adl.org
Assessing Childrens Literature
[12/18/10]

Valerie Coskrey Found this item about 5 questions for evaluating your non-profit.
Charitable Advisors: Can Five Short Questions Change the Nonprofit World?
http://charitableadvisors.blogspot.com/2010/11/can-five-short-questions-change.html
charitableadvisors.blogspot.com
[12/15/10]

FB Report: Lots of Links on Speculative Fiction -- 12/15/10

Traffic Report

This is the traffic report for the page during the first week of December for Reading For the Future page on Facebook:

213 monthly active users; 20 since last week
286 people like this; 3 since last week
22 wall posts and comments this week; 10 since last week
58 visits this week 13; since last week

From the Wall

Reading For the Future I just found this site. I believe they are still working on it and are continually looking for updates. An excellent resource, even before it's finished.
href="http://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/index.cgi
The Internet Speculative Fiction Database
www.isfdb.org
The ISFDB is a community effort to catalog works of science fiction, fantasy, and horror. It links together various types of bibliographic data: author bibliographies, publication bibliographies, award listings, magazine content listings, anthology and collection content listings, and forthcoming bo...
[12/14/10]

Reading For the Future I like both - separately or together.
http://io9.com/5711775/theres-not-that-much-difference-between-mysteries-and-science-fiction-really
There's not that much difference between mysteries and science fiction, really.
io9.com
What's the difference between mysteries and science fiction? Not as much as you'd imagine, says Michael Marshall Smith who's written both.
[12/14/10]

Reading For the Future I personally doubt any son of Kurt Vonnegut could be 'average'.
http://www.timesunion.com/local/article/Life-with-a-dad-called-Kurt-875899.php
Life with a dad called Kurt - Times Union
www.timesunion.com
A shy and socially awkward boy, Mark Vonnegut lived in fear of being the target of the most withering question possible that could be lobbed by his father, the famous author Kurt Vonnegut: "Do you want to be average?"
[12/13/10]

Reading For the Future Give the gift of SF! I am. My son is getting Mike Resnick's "New Dreams for Old", a series of short stories. If there is a young person on your list, give a book. If not, find a young person to add to your list :D
[12/13/10]

Reading For the Future Here is the reference to an author post mentioned below. Robert J. Sawyer writes books suitable for teens.
http://rff-reflections.blogspot.com/2010/12/wake-far-seer-and-their-author-robert-j.html
Reading for the Future Reflections: Wake, Far-Seer and their author Robert J. Sawyer
rff-reflections.blogspot.com
[12/9/10]

Reading For the Future There are two new RFF Reflections articles this week. One is a book review; the other is a reference to an author and his books. Here is the latest post.
http://rff-reflections.blogspot.com/2010/12/book-review-krysia-andersons-misfit.html
Reading for the Future Reflections: Book Review: Krysia Anderson's Misfit Leaves Home
rff-reflections.blogspot.com
[12/9/10]



Reading For the Future I came across a review of RFF member Lynda Williams' book Avim's Oath today. Turns out that it is considered a teen or YA book.
Visit this link to read the review.
http://www.umanitoba.ca/outreach/cm/vol17/no8/avimsoath.html
In the review, Ronald Hore recommends Avim's Oath (The Okal Rel Saga, Part Six ) by Lynda William...s for ages 13 and up; grades 8 and up. ~Valerie C.
See More
http://www.umanitoba.ca/outreach/cm/vol17/no8/avimsoath.html
CM Magazine: Avim's Oath. (The Okal Rel Saga, Part Six).
www.umanitoba.ca
Lynda Williams. Calgary, AB: EDGE Science Fiction and Fantasy Publishing, 2010. 266 pp., pbk., $16.95. ISBN 978-1-894063-35-7.
[12/9/10]


Reading For the Future [in comment: posted by David-Glenn Anderson via the RFF Yahoo group]
http://www.facebook.com/notes/reading-for-the-future/have-you-given-away-a-book-today-by-kristen-lillvis/177651835595488
Have you given away a book today? by Kristen Lillvis
AboutSF Saving the world through Science Fiction   Have you given away a book today?...
[12/8/10]

Recent Activity:

Reading For the Future discussed Books Suitable for Youth on the Reading For the Future discussion board.
Reading For the Future discussed Books for Middle school on the Reading For the Future discussion board.
3 more similar stories
[12/8/10]

Reading For the Future A page of reviews of graphic novels.~Valerie C.
http://blog.patrickrothfuss.com/2010/12/delicious-webcomics-and-guest-appearances/
Delicious Webcomics and Guest Appearances
blog.patrickrothfuss.com
Before I talk about today’s donation, I need to mention that some of the auctions we’re running will be over soon. Most specifically, the signed ARC from Neil Gaiman and the signed collection of Girl Genius trades.
[12/8/10]

Reading For the Future A graphic novel give-away in support of Heifer International, a worthwhile charity.~Valerie C.
http://blog.patrickrothfuss.com/2010/11/worldbuilders-2010/
Worldbuilders 2010
blog.patrickrothfuss.com
Heifer International is my favorite charity. It helps people raise themselves up out of poverty and starvation. All over the world Heifer promotes education, sustainable agriculture, and local industry.
[12/8/10]

Reading For the Future [in comment: I have posted the entirety of my GeekMom article in the notes section, so there is a copy on hand for anyone who wishes to reproduce it.
~Cie]
Reading For the Future
http://www.facebook.com/notes/reading-for-the-future/reading-for-the-future-uses-scifi-to-spark-kids-sense-of-wonder/177002672327071
Reading for the Future Uses SciFi to Spark Kids’ Sense of Wonder
I love reading Science Fiction. Well, I love reading almost any type of Speculative Fiction, whether it be Science, Fantasy, Alternate History, Supernatural, maybe even a bit of Horror around Halloween...
[12/6/10]

Reading For the Future This is the first image ever taken of Earth from the surface of a planet beyond the Moon. It was taken by the Mars Exploration Rover Spirit one hour before sunrise on the 63rd Martian day, or sol, of its mission. (March 8, 2004)
From the website www.lightsinthedark.com/
The image is a mosaic of images taken by the rover's navigation camera showing a broad view of the sky, and an image taken by the rover's panoramic camera of Earth. The contrast in the panoramic camera image was increased two times to make Earth easier to see.The inset shows a combination of four panoramic camera images zoomed in on Earth. The arrow points to Earth. Earth was too faint to be detected in images taken with the panoramic camera's color filters.
Image Credit: NASA/JPL/Cornell/Texas A&M
Image: http://photos-e.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash2/hs611.ash2/156321_159513910759937_128034957241166_326773_1945219_s.jpg
[12/6/10]

Reading For the Future Now open for business. Large selection of -free- ebooks too :)
http://books.google.com/ebooks?uid=2278874564547928826&as_coll=1220&source=gbs_ws2_subj&as_brr=5
Science Fiction - Google eBookstore
books.google.com
* General * Adventure * High Tech * Military * Short Stories * Space Opera
[12/6/10]

Reading For the Future Many of the works of H. Beam Piper are available free as ebooks. His works are suitable for YA and can be used to support science concept lessons. For instance Fuzzy Sapiens is perfect for teaching response to environmental stress, carrying capacity, nutrients/nutrition, endangered species, and ecology for grades 6-10.
http://www.gutenberg.org/browse/authors/p
Browse By Author: P - Project Gutenberg
www.gutenberg.org
33000+ free ebooks online
[12/6/10]

Reading For the Future Baen Books has listed its books for young adults. It is primarily a list of adult sci fi that most consider suitable for youth. Maybe a couple of the books are actually YA. It is incomplete, as stated by the editor of the list and as I know because I have read several Baen books not yet listed. Check it out and maybe help Toni complete the list. ~ Valerie C.
http://www.baen.com/ya_list.asp
www.baen.com
[12/5/10]

Reading For the Future VOYA reports on a Scholastic report on what motivates children to read.
http://www.voya.com/2010/09/29/new-study/
New Study on Reading in the Digital Age
www.voya.com
Scholastic surveyed 1,045 children age 6-17 and their parents (for a total of 2,090 respondents) in an online survey in the spring of 2010.
[12/5/10]

From other Walls

David Brin A one-word interview: Science fiction authors respond in 50 or fewer words to the word SPARK. Here is my response, along with those of Orson Scott Card, Nancy Kress, Jay Lake, Larry Niven and others.
http://emunderwood.com/2010/12/13/one-word-interview-spark/
One Word Interview: SPARK
emunderwood.com
Spark is the seed of a story, a flash of an idea...
[12/14/10]

Valerie Coskrey Just finished reading Lynda Williams' The Courtesan Prince. Enjoyed it immensely. Will be writing a review in my blog soon.
http://www.edgewebsite.com/books/courtesanprince/cp-catalog.html
www.edgewebsite.com
[12/14/10]
In comment:
Valerie Coskrey: To RFF group: Unfortunately I would not, as a teacher, recommend this to YA due to adult sexual situations and abuse referenced, although not explicitly depicted.
As a parent, Yeah, read it and learn about human nature--but my kids read and watched whatever interested them. It is a rousing beginning to a space opera.
[12/14/10]

Julie Czerneda I had to share. Wow!
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-11988466
Voyager near Solar System's edge
www.bbc.co.uk
The most distant spacecraft from Earth, Voyager 1, returns new data suggesting it is very close to leaving the Solar System.
[12/14/10]

Bobbie DuFault RustyCon is getting closer. Have you checked out the Web page? RustyCon doesn't run all on it's own. We need... http://fb.me/xvtLdMju

Book Review: Krysia Anderson's Misfit Leaves Home

Princess Victoria is barely old enough to leave home, but her sense of identity is not what her family desires it to be. So she frequently slips out of the house to sneak off to the spaceport to watch a world beyond her reach. One afternoon her trip to the ports lands her in a brawl and introduces her to a prince who both complicates her life and offers her a chance to travel to another planet and become the person she dreams of being.

Teen author Krysia Anderson perfectly captures the emotional intensity of the confusion, sibling-rivalry, breakdown of inter-family closeness, social awkwardness, and everyday frustrations of a young adolescent in this pre-coming-of-age novella. The action is swift, the emotions real and intense; get ready to relive teen angst when you read this. Along the way, social issues like class and race are touched on and treated with humanistic sensitivity, all taking place in another time and another universe, constructed beautifully with a few deft descriptions and references.

Anderson writes in the Okal Rel Universe of author Lynda Williams. I chose to read this short novella before reading any of Williams' books. Yet I found myself comfortably inhabiting a world not Earth among a people not my own of a societal structure not quite like ours. Still there was just enough allusion to the complex Okal Rel Universe constructs to make me want to read other books in this series. I want to read them not to explain this one, it needed no additional background to be understood; but because the characters and world-building were sufficient to make the Okal Rel Universe come alive and become a place I now want to visit.

Personally, I am impatient to read the promised sequel(s) of this storyline. Krysia Alexander is a gifted storyteller, with just the right mix of human motivations, frustrated emotions, comic relief, and goal-oriented action that overcomes setbacks. I truly believe the middle school and young adult audience will enjoy this one.

Teachers, this book, being 71 pages, is most useful for a book report for those students who like short books yet rich enough to provide thought-provoking questions on motivation, customs, social issues of class, social expectations and friendship. There is mention of genotyping and space flight enough to provide stimulus for a few science questions on genetics, the ethics of publishing personal genotypes, and space flight compared to atmospheric flight. These topics are part of the story, but the science is only marginally part of the book. In all cases, a lesson on one of the topics might be introduced by referring to the instances in the book.

For more information about the Okal Rel Universe as well as any other stories and books by Krysia Anderson in the series, visit the website of Lynda Williams.

This book is a bit hard to find. I had to order it from Amazon.com. The major book stores Barnes & Noble and Borders will order it for you, but probably will not have it on the shelf.

Reviewed by Valerie Coskrey. 
Valerie Coskrey's Classroom Tools and Ideas and
Valerie's Soapbox

Previous mention of this book was made in another article of this blog.
Krysia Anderson can be visited on Facebook.

Wake, Far-Seer and their author Robert J. Sawyer

A Note from Valerie

Robert J. Sawyer

While on Facebook I joined in a dialog on the wall of Robert J. Sawyer. From the comments of his other Friends I became so intrigued that I decided to explore his websites to see just what books he has written. Since I have not yet read any of his books, the website, Facebook wall, and blog are all I personally have to go by. This is what I have discovered so far.~Valerie C.
This photo of Sawyer is from his Facebook Album and is a "Photo of Robert J. Sawyer by Christina Molendyk of Argent Dawn Photography, Calgary," says Sawyer.

The Science Fiction of Robert J. Sawyer

website | books | impressions
Why Sci Fi? | Share

Website

A visit to the website Robert J. Sawyer (Wake page) is a beautiful experience. The site and the book covers are all gorgeous and displayed creatively. The information is rich in useful content. The old and new blogs are not much of a visual feast, but the postings are all pure Robert: creative and informative (The old blog is a closer artistic match to the website, but is, I think, an archived page on the website itself.).

But we at RFF are more interested in the books, especially those that we can suggest for youth.

Books

Robert Sawyer's Wake has a main character that is 15. This, by some definitions, places the novel into the YA category, or at least the YA suitable category.  Also, "Wake is a current Hugo and Aurora Award finalist — and a Globe and Mail national bestseller!" claims the blurb on Sawyer's blog, http://sfwriter.com/blog.

A second Sawyer book for youth is Far-Seer, reviewed by "KLIATT: Young Adult Paperback Book Guide (Newton, Massachusetts) (starred review "highlighting an exceptional book"): 'This is a truly great piece of SF.'" [quoted from the review page: http://sfwriter.com/req1.htm]. I suspect that all 3 books in this trilogy will be equally suitable for YA and possibly younger.

Impressions

I explored Sawyer's website and discovered that this man who I had befriended on Facebook is much more prominent an author than I had expected. He has won numerous awards and is considered one of the top 30 in Canadian publishing according to the list produced by the publishing trade journal Quill & Quire.

But what got me interested in his books--which I must admit I have not yet read, although I have watched FastForward on TV--is a comment in a dialog on Sawyer's Facebook wall.

"Yochanan Urias
Before I actually met and talked with you, Robert I actually thought you were a believer, or at least a moderate agnostic from the thoughtful and kind way the characters in your novels approached religion. After discussing this with you at...Los Con a few years ago, I still find your writing to be thoughtful and respectful. Your wonderful character driven novels have characters that feel so real, that grapple with issues of faith and science. They neither ignore it all together or sweepingly dismiss it all. I appreciate that. I am a believer, but I do not celebrate Christmas in anyway. (I also collect all the Star Trek ornaments, but they sit beautifully on a shelf year round, the better to keep them mint-in-box, lol). I actually celebrate Hannukah. I am at peace and wish the same on all. Enjoy your celebrations no matter what you believe or not. And may you and your family have a wonderful time. Shalom!"

[Y. Urias, 12/6/10, quoted with permission, http://www.facebook.com/topic.php?topic=99&post=965&uid=128034957241166#!/robertjsawyer/posts/145658495485900]

Intrigued, I visited the website, blog, and forum of Sawyer. This is what I found:

1. Gotta read these books! The current book list is here: http://sfwriter.com/index.htm
   
2. There is enough information on the page on Wake to build lessons for a science or technology class. Maybe even enough to begin a unit plan on computer technology for a physical science or technology class.
   
3. After reading passages from his "fan fiction: Star Trek: Armada chapters, I like his writing style. One quickly enters the "universe" in which he writes and gets swept along emotionally into the story and its action.
   
4. I suspect many of his works will be suitable for YA.
   
   • 
     Far-Seer, the first novel in the Quintaglio Ascension universe trilogy (so far), tells the story of an dinosaur-alien scientist in a world of intelligent dinosaurs that is analogous to Galileo's story. In a collection of reviews, one called the book a "coming of age" novel and several reviewers claimed the characters were fun and the stories were exciting--perfect conditions for YA status.
     
   • 
     Again, the book's webpages have info rich enough for lesson development. And what a way to introduce the scientific methods and Galilean lessons in science classes!
     
   • 
     Additionally, he edited and wrote a story for the anthology Distant Early Warnings: Canada's Best Science Fiction, which includes a story by Julie Czerneda, who is famous in RFF for her lessons and books focusing on using science fiction in the classroom.
     
   • 
     And here is a quote from the Reviews page for Far-Seer  "KLIATT: Young Adult Paperback Book Guide (Newton, Massachusetts) (starred review "highlighting an exceptional book"): 'This is a truly great piece of SF.'"
     
5. I hope he keeps writing for a long time to come. I suspect many of you have already included his books on your book lists, but I am just discovering his works.

Why Sci Fi?

While exploring the links to Robert J. Sawyer, catch this essay The purpose of science fiction that Sawyer posted to his blog on 11/16/10.

Share

If you have suggestions as to which of Sawyer's books are suitable to youth, please list the book(s) in the comments. I will oversee getting the list added to the book lists in the discussion threads of the RFF page on Facebook.

FB Report: Lots of Links on Speculative Fiction -- 12/5/10

Reading For the Future VOYA reports on a Scholastic report on what motivates children to read.
New Study on Reading in the Digital Age;
http://www.voya.com/2010/09/29/new-study
www.voya.com
Scholastic surveyed 1,045 children age 6-17 and their parents (for a total of 2,090 respondents) in an online survey in the spring of 2010.
[12/4/10]

Reading For the Future [Writer's Workshop] Applications for 2011 workshop are accepted from December 1st, 2010 to March 1st, 2011.
Clarion Science Fiction & Fantasy Writers' Workshop;
http://clarion.ucsd.edu/
clarion.ucsd.edu
Established in 1968, Clarion is widely recognized as a premier training ground for aspiring writers of fantasy and science fiction.
[12/4/10]

Reading For the Future Protect your local libraries, everyone. This seems to be a growing trend.
A library without the books - The Boston Globe
http://www.boston.com/news/local/massachusetts/articles/2009/09/04/a_library_without_the_books/
www.boston.com
Instead of a library, the academy is spending nearly $500,000 to create a “learning center’’. In place of the stacks, they are spending $42,000 on three large flat-screen TVs that will project data from the Internet and $20,000 on special laptop-friendly study carrels. Where the reference desk was, ...
[12/3/10]

Posted by Dave Anderson: I have changed my one email to dander1938@q dot com DGA [SPACE dot SPACE ADDED BY BLOGMASTER]
[11/29/10]

Reading For the Future Walter Jon Williams, Nancy Kress, and special lecturer Jack Skillingstead
Taos Ski Valley, NM
Taos ToolBox, two-week Master Class in Science Fiction and Fantasy, July 10-23, 2011
http://taostoolbox.com
taostoolbox.com
Taos ToolBox, two-week Master Class in Science Fiction and Fantasy , July 10-23, 2011, taught by Walter Jon Williams, Nancy Kress, and special lecturer, Jack Skillingstead. Taos Toolbox will be a graduate workshop designed to bring your science fiction and fantasy writing to the next level....
[11/29/10]

Comments to this post:
Dave Anderson Nancy wrote one of the three publiswhed(sic)books in David Brin's Out of Time Series. I still would like db to write book zero and restart the series. DGA
November 29 at 7:13pm

Dave Anderson db is David Brin. He did say at one time that he could do a book zero. He is I think getting another book ready. DGA
November 29 at 7:44pm

Reading For the Future E-Books are great, but I really hope they never completely replace physical books. Especially not in institutions of learning.~Cie
http://blogs.houstonpress.com/hairballs/2010/11/lamar_highs_library_ousts_book.php>
Lamar High's Library Ousts Books
http://blogs.houstonpress.com/hairballs/2010/11/lamar_highs_library_ousts_book.php
blogs.houstonpress.com
Just adding a coffee shop to a neighborhood library so people can feel like they're in Starbucks and ultra hip was apparently too passe a trend for Principal James McSwain of Lamar High School. Finishing up a week ago, McSwain has thrown out nearly all the books and filled the space they were unnec...
[11/28/10]

[see also (Re: group emails):
Lamar High's Library Ousts Books, Re-Opens as Coffee Shop;
http://www.blogger.com/post-create.g?blogID=2571289882944855414]

Comments to this post:
Dave Anderson I still like the feel of a real book. Recommend Lane's It's a Book for all you ereaders. DGA
November 29 at 9:45pm

Reading For the Future "I prefer Sprague de Camp's old definition, that a science fiction story is merely a human story with a human problem and a human solution that could not happen without its scientific content. Now, if you just plug the word fantasy into the gaps, the cloak covers so much more of the ground that science fiction easily fits inside."
Diane Duane says all fiction—even scifi—is a subset of fantasy
http://io9.com/5700553/diane-duane-says-all-fictioneven-scifiis-a-subset-of-fantasy
io9.com
In an interview with io9, Young Wizards series author Diane Duane talks about her latest book, learning to build video games, and explains her love of science.
[11/28/10]

Comments to this post:
Dave Anderson I read speculative fiction. Fantasy is one neigborhhood. Does it matter what we call it? Yes, originally RFF supported stories like those written by the Killer Bs. That was 1995ish Reading tastes change. So RFF is going back to our roots and give the kid a good SF book. DGA
November 29 at 7:51pm ·

Reading For the Future Thank you Meg Turville-Heitz for leading to this Science-fictional Thanksgiving Grace
John Scalzi - Saying Thanksgiving Grace, the Science-fictional Way - Filmcritic.com Feature
http://www.filmcritic.com/features/2010/11/a-science-fiction-thanksgiving-grace/
www.filmcritic.com
John Scalzi - Saying Thanksgiving Grace, the Science-fictional Way - Dear Great and Gracious Lord,This Thanksgiving, we pause to reflect on all the bounty and good fortune with which you have graced us this year. Thank you, Lord, for this feast we have in front of us and for the family and friends w...
[11/25/10]

Comment to this post:
Reading For the Future and thanks Chris McKitterick too :)
November 25 at 8:51am

Reading For the Future In looking for "Science Fiction: the Classroom in Orbit. a Mini-Course Text From Educational Impact" by Beverly Friend, which Jan Howard Finder recommended, I found this interesting blog:
Biology in Science Fiction: Using Science Fiction to teach Science in India
http://sciencefictionbiology.blogspot.com/2007/06/using-science-fiction-to-teach-science.html
sciencefictionbiology.blogspot.com
We have tried to introduce following to lay people using tableaux based on sf stories.A. Cloning :Along with a mythological story sf dpictions on cloning very well explained the process and implications of the emerging technology to lay people.B. Biotechnology : The science fictional biotech tre...
[11/23/10]

Comment to this post:
Dave Anderson Beverly often does the more Academic track at sf cons. RFF does more SF in the classroom such as MilPhil 2001. Both support SFF literacy with RFF targeting the middle graders who really do not read anything. Boys Read has a handle on how Jon does this. DGA
[11/29/10]

Reading For the Future RFF member and author has posted lessons on her web site for teaching with science fiction.
Julie Czerneda Official Site
http://www.czerneda.com
www.czerneda.com
Julie Czerneda's Official Site,Science Fiction and Fantasy Author and Editor, Information on her Work, Stories, and Educator Materials
[11/23/10]

Comment to this post:
Dave Anderson Julie -- I need to go to AboutSF. Understand Scientific literacy is there. I was going to correct RFF url. Keep writing, DGA
[12/3/10]

Reading For the Future This link appeared in a comment to Cie's Geek Mom post listed below. (That is, it appeared on the Geek Mom site). Thought you might like it.~Valerie
Science In My Fiction
http://crossedgenres.com/simf/
crossedgenres.com
You have two friends, your two best friends, both witty, fun, and thoughtful. An hour or so spent with either one leaves your brain buzzing with new ideas and insights. “I gotta get these two together,” you think.
[11/23/10]

Posted by Jan Howard Finder A few, well maybe a little bit more than a few, years ago, I picked up the following boo from a friend of mine. I almost feel it should be reprinted.

Science Fiction: the Classroom in Orbit. a Mini-Course Text From Educational Impact
by Friend, Beverly
[11/23/10]

Comments to this post:
Reading For the Future Jan? You picked up a 'boo'?
~Cie
November 23 at 10:29pm

Jan Howard Finder Actually, a boo hoo, as the book is no longer available. :-)

I never said, I could spell. This is why I like dictionaries. I have several, including the OED in 2 volumes.
November 26 at 11:00am ·

Reading For the Future I am very happy to tell you that today there is an article at GeekMom.com about Reading For the Future :)
GeekMom » Blog Archive » Reading for the Future Uses SciFi to Spark Kids’ Sense of Wonder
http://www.geekmom.com/2010/11/reading-for-the-future-uses-scifi-to-spark-kids-sense-of-wonder/
www.geekmom.com
I love reading Science Fiction. Well, I love reading almost any type of Speculative Fiction, whether it be Science, Fantasy, Alternate History, Supernatural, maybe even a bit of Horror around Halloween.
[11/23/10]

Comments to this post:
Reading For the Future Good News - the article was also posted by the Gifted Homeschoolers Forum! (I had nothing to do with this)
~Cie
November 23 at 8:19pm ·

Reading For the Future So far this has been reposted by four friends and two groups - that I know of! :D
~Cie
November 24

Reading For the Future Science - For people who think reality is more interesting than anything they could make up.
[Shows an image of the cover of Science at this url] http://photos-h.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash2/hs488.ash2/76186_156269447751050_128034957241166_305363_4564335_s.jpg
[11/22/10]

RECENT ACTIVITY
Reading For the Future discussed sf for social studies on the Reading For the Future discussion board.

Reading For the Future Check out the new Reflections Collection that was posted to the Reading for the Future blog Reflections today.
Reading for the Future Reflections: Reflections Collections -- 11/22/10
http://rff-reflections.blogspot.com/2010/11/reflections-collections-112210.html
rff-reflections.blogspot.com
[11/22/10]

Reading For the Future From Dave Anderson, who does the day to day grunt work for RFF:
"I received the approved Articles of Incorporation from the State of Utah this last week. I am now working on 501(c)(3) status. Thank everyone who helped RFF to progress to this level in only 14 years. LOL Dave Anderson"
[11/21/10]

Comment to this post
Reading For the Future Please also remember, Talking RFF aka RFF @ yahoogroups.com is open and available to anyone. I encourage everyone with an interest in RFF to join.
[11/21/10]

Reading For the Future This sight lists awards given to children's books, but does not list the Golden Duck Awards. It does show images of the major science fiction award trophies, though. ~Valerie
AwardWeb: Literary Award Information and Photos
http://dpsinfo.com/awardweb/
[This page shows photos and more info: http://www.awardweb.info/~Valerie, rffblogmaster]
dpsinfo.com
Literary Award Information and Photos
[11/21/10]

Reading For the Future I also found this site. Both this site and the one below list the Golden Duck Awards.~Valerie
Science Fiction Awards Watch
http://www.sfawardswatch.com/
www.sfawardswatch.com
All about science ficiton awards
[11/21/10]

Reading For the Future I found this site for literary awards on the web today.
The Locus Index to Science Fiction Awards, compiled by Mark R. Kelly
http://www.locusmag.com/SFAwards/index.html
www.locusmag.com
Listings, indexes, and tallies of SF, fantasy, and horror awards.
[11/21/10]

Reading For the Future
Kurt Vonnegut Memorial Library Opens in Indianapolis
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/11/20/us/20vonnegut.html?_r=1&nl=todaysheadlines&emc=a23
www.nytimes.com
The author Kurt Vonnegut’s friends and family agree that his museum belongs in Indianapolis, the hometown with which he had a complicated and not always complimentary relationship.
[11/20/10]

Reading For the Future Teaching with Jules Verne
One of the great resources to be found at our Website!
Reading for the Future
http://www.readingforfuture.com/Jules%20Verne.htm
www.readingforfuture.com
Teaching with Jules Verne. Considered by some “The Father of Science Fiction”, in the 1800’s Jules Verne predicted many of the technologies that are reality today. Though Verne was not a scientist, he did have a passionate interest in it as well as a brilliant imagination. He was one of the few writ...
[11/20/10]

from Valerie's Wall

Lynda Williams
A funny video any published writer can relate to, shared to SF Canada by Élisabeth Vonarburghttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c9fc-crEFDw
[12/1/10]

Science Fiction Book Club
Speculation is high about the script for JJ Abrams' second Star Trek movie. EW.com muses over a recent LA Times interview with the film's screenwriters. Anyone have anything they'd love to see happen in the sequel? For me, it's less lens flares. ~Diana
'Star Trek' sequel: 'We're looking at a lot of old episodes for inspiration,' say writers | PopWatch
http://popwatch.ew.com/2010/11/30/star-trek-sequel-orci-kurtzman/
popwatch.ew.com
Screenwriters Alex Kurtzman and Roberto Orci are still in the early stages of writing the sequel to 2009′s Star Trek reboot (likely due in the summer o...
[12/1/10]

Bubonicon
In the spirit of returning levity to this page, I bring you the lost musical opening number of the Doctor Who (Matt Smith) episode of Craig Ferguson. It's pretty much the oddest thing I've seen in a while. Therefore, it's completely awesome.
See Craig Ferguson's Bizarre & Unaired Musical Opening For His DOCTOR WHO/Matt Smith Episode!! --..
http://www.aintitcool.com/node/47627
www.aintitcool.com
A few weeks ago we referenced Matt Smith's appearance on Craig Ferguson's LATE SHOW. Smith is, of course, the current "Doctor" on DOCTOR WHO - introduced on the now-concluded, mostly excellent fifth season of the series.
[12/3/10]

Chris McKitterick
A present to myself for publishing my first novel! Meade Lightbridge 16" Dobsonian reflector telescope. AWESOME.
Astro-stuff
[12/1/10]