The internet can be full of awesome things

For all you Twitter fiends and writers: Query in 140 words or less contest being run over at The Swivet.

The grand prize is a critique of your query and first chapter. Which I think is brilliant, and coming from Colleen, it's more than valuable. I was utterly blessed when she did a critique of the early draft of the Tower!Guy novel, and I can tell you that her comments pretty much helped me fix the book so that I could tell the story I needed to tell.

Also, if you need a little inspiration to make you dream of what could be, might I suggest The Book Cover Archive which has beautifully designed covers from all genres, including Science Fiction. Although, why is that only the classic works of speculative fiction (and all it's subgenres) seem to get the good cover art and the newbies get the Tramp Stamp of Doom. Not to mention the historical prevalence of sad cover art.

I will refrain from ranting about how I'd really love it if publishers of SF/F did away with some of the more ridiculous, cookie cutter and absurd covers that they have and are still coming out with. Writers may not have control over cover art, but the people at the publishing company bloody well do. Like I said, I will refrain.

Race, writing, links, and thoughts.

Wow, this turned into an epic internet hopping journey, but that's a really good thing.

To give you the story, matociquala wrote this post here about writing for the Other. After which there was debate, discussion and even disagreement. Including an open letter to her.

From there, I went on to read this really compelling, wonderful post by deepad. She is writing on her experiences in dealing with the effects of colonialism and cultural dominance in something as simple as what she reads. I think I was most struck by this: "The other argument that causes me to flinch reactively is the one which talks about writing the Other just like you would write any character—with respect for their individuality and uniqueness...I have spent a lifetime reading well-written books with nuanced characters that hurt me by erasing or misrepresenting me."

( A lot of links, commentary, questions, and thoughts beneath the cut. Links first, though. )