Year / 2006

by Edward Champion

The Naughty Reading Photo Contest Finalists

Well, it took me about a year to get back to this. But I am a man of my word. I’m pleased to announce that the finalists of last year’s Naughty Reading Photo Contest have been announced!

They are:

1. Naughty Reading Entry #1
2. Naughty Reading Entry #4
3. Naughty Reading Entry #6

A poll has been set up on the sidebar for you to cast your vote. Which of these entries is the 2005 Naughty Reading Photo of the Year? The winner will, as promised, receive a $20 Powell’s gift card.

Vote smart, vote naughty. The polls close at 11:59 PM (or thereabouts) on Saturday, August 12, 2006.

Once we get this out of the way, I will begin proceedings for the Second Annual RotR Naughty Reading Photo Contest. Unlike my pals over at Galleycat, the contest will not be exclusive to the publishing industry. More to come!

In the meantime, congratulations finalists!

by Edward Champion

The Will Franken Podcast

I listened to the first installment this afternoon, and I have to say that local comedian Will Franken has a very promising comedy podcast. Alternating between lazy California social commentary to cultural obsession (perhaps too much, but he’s just starting out) to the crazed juxtaposition of a cheery guy working at a battered women clinic, Franken’s “Things We Did Before Reality” is a one-man sketch comedy that revives my closet hope that some podcasters out there might just revive old-style radio comedy for a new age of listeners.

by Edward Champion

A Boyle Manifesto

StorySouth: “But when you read Boyle’s fiction, you know the [Baby Boomer] generation for what it is: just a large number of individuals with individual stories and individual themes, all striving to live, love, and create something that will be remembered after they are gone. Thanks to the fiction of T. Coraghessan Boyle, the BB will be remembered in a much more truthful way than they could otherwise have any reason to hope for.” (via Dan Wickett)

by Edward Champion

Will They Get This Right?

Masters of Science Fiction.

Source material: Robert Sheckley, Harlan Ellison, Walter Mosley, and Robert Heinlein.

Thespians: Sam Waterson, Judy Davis, Malcolm McDowell, James Cromwell, and Brian Dennehy.

Sam Egan, who wrote many of the better episodes of the Outer Limits revival, is writing two of these. Stephen Hawking is providing introductions to each episode. This augurs well, but given the shaky quality of last year’s Masters of Horror, I still fear the worst.

by Edward Champion

Case for a Natural Alternative

London Times: “Small independent publishers are rarely reviewed in the broadsheets even though their books are frequently as good as those from the big publishers. It is hard, often impossible, for you to find out which books are coming soon and whether they are good, bad or indifferent. This dearth of support from the established media has led to some wonderful resources on the internet as disgruntled readers take it upon themselves to debate, discuss and enjoy new writing.”