Author: Lawrence Person

Lawrence Person is a science fiction writer living in Austin, Texas. His short fiction has appeared in Asimov's, Analog, Postscripts, Jim Baen's Universe, Fear, and several anthologies. He also edits the Hugo-nominated SF critical magazine Nova Express, and runs the Turkey City Writer's Workshop. His non-fiction has appeared in National Review, Reason, Whole Earth Review, The Freeman, The World & I, Science Fiction Eye, The New York Review of Science Fiction, and Slashdot.org. He owns such a large library (mostly science fiction first editions) he had to buy a two-story house to put it in, and then adopted a golden retriever to drag him out of his house on a regular basis. He also makes a mean batch of salsa.

Halloween Horrors: Suicide’s “Frankie Teardrop”

For a Halloween Horror, how about a song from a band called Suicide actually blamed on causing real suicides? It’s Suicide’s “Frankie Teardrop,” about a working stiff who can’t make it, so he kills his wife and kids and then himself, and ends the song screaming in Hell. Just another feel good 1970s ditty. (Hat… Continue reading Halloween Horrors: Suicide’s “Frankie Teardrop”

Library Addition: Signed 1997 Ray Bradbury Christmas Greeting

Another signed Ray Bradbury Christmas broadsheet: Bradbury, Ray. Christmas Greetings 1997. Self-Published, 1997. First edition broadsheet of the poem “Witness and Celebrate,” a Near Fine copy folded in the middle and with a name and phone number for Bradbury biographer Donn Albright on the back, inscribed “IRMA!” and signed by Bradbury. Bought as part of… Continue reading Library Addition: Signed 1997 Ray Bradbury Christmas Greeting

Library Additions: Niven and Resnick PBOs, One Signed

Two more purchases from that ongoing library sell-off on Facebook: Niven, Larry. Ringworld. Ballantine Books, 1970. First edition paperback original (“First Printing: October 1970,” as per Currey), a Near Fine copy with just a start of spine creasing, traces of soiling to rear cover, and trace of wear at head and heel and tips, otherwise… Continue reading Library Additions: Niven and Resnick PBOs, One Signed

Library Addition: Signed, Limited Edition of Jack Dann’s The Fiction Factory

Another signed, limited edition bought off eBay at a bargain price. Dann, Jack (with Susan Casper, Gardner Dozois, Gregory Frost, Jack C. Haldeman II, Barry N. Malzberg, Michael Swanwick, Janeen Webb and George Zebrowski). The Fiction Factory. Golden Gryphon, 2005. First edition hardback, #65 of 100 copies signed by all the contributors (with wife Barbara… Continue reading Library Addition: Signed, Limited Edition of Jack Dann’s The Fiction Factory

Shoegazer Sunday: Charlotte Hatherley’s “Rejoice in the Sun”

This isn’t Shoegaze so much as Chillwave, but it’s Shoegaze adjacent and reminiscent of something like Mallory: Charlotte Hatherley covering Peter Schickele’s “Rejoice in the Sun” from the soundtrack to Silent Running. For comparison, here’s the original from the closing credits: Silent Running is still tree-hugging space hippie bullshit, and I’ve always found something off-putting… Continue reading Shoegazer Sunday: Charlotte Hatherley’s “Rejoice in the Sun”

Hallowen Horrors: Giant Spiders Horror Games

Let’s continue yesterday’s giant spider horror theme with a look at some recent video games. First up: Cassiculus, a game where you face giant spiders underground. Next up: Daz Games plays Jawbone Hollow, where you face… a giant spider underground. Finally, Daz also tackles giant spiders in Huntsman, where you face a giant spider…in an… Continue reading Hallowen Horrors: Giant Spiders Horror Games

Halloween Horrors: J’ba Fofi Giant Spider Cryptid

We’ve previously featured some giant movie spiders. How about a (theoretically) real life giant spider? Meet the J’ba Fofi. The J’ba FoFi, also known as the Congolese Giant Spiders, are a type of large arachnid cryptid which is said to inhabit the forests of the Congo, possibly representing a new species of Arachnida. Most of… Continue reading Halloween Horrors: J’ba Fofi Giant Spider Cryptid

Library Addition: Signed, Limited Edition of Larry Niven’s Time of the Warlock

Another signed/limited edition bought at a bargain price. Niven, Larry. The Time of the Warlock. SteelDragon Press, 1984. First edition hardback, #185 of 200 signed, numbered copies, a Fine copy in a Fine, Mylar-protected dust jacket. Includes all of The Magic Goes Away and additional stories set in the same universe. Supplements an unsigned copy.… Continue reading Library Addition: Signed, Limited Edition of Larry Niven’s Time of the Warlock

Library Addition: Signed, Limited Edition of Jack Vance’s Bad Ronald

I manage to fill one of the few gaps left in my Jack Vance collection. Vance, Jack. Bad Ronald. Underwood Miller, 1982. First hardback edition, #63 of 200 signed, numbered copies, a Fine- copy with a very small bump to top rear boards, in a Near Fine dust jacket with slight age darkening to top… Continue reading Library Addition: Signed, Limited Edition of Jack Vance’s Bad Ronald