Monthly Archive: April, 2013

April 29, 2013

Interview of Derek Newman-Stille about Speculating Canada on Lynda Williams’ Reality Skimming Blog

I have recently been interviewed by the Reality Skimming Blog, facilitated by the brilliant and wonderful Lynda Williams (author of the Okal Rel Saga). I was asked about what inspired me to create the Speculating Canada site, about the relationship between Canadian SF and mainstream Can Lit, about the role of SF to engage with questions of identity, the role...

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April 28, 2013

Quote – Humans Taking Things For Granted

“Taking things for granted is a core component of the human experience.” -Corey Redekop – Husk (ECW press, 2012)

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April 27, 2013

Spec Can made the short list for a Prix Aurora Award

Dear Readers, I have exciting news – Speculating Canada has made the short list for the Prix Aurora Awards. I am excited to see that Speculating Canada has made such an impact and that people are excited about the unique way that Spec Can explores Canadian SF. I want to thank everyone who has participated in various ways in shaping...

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April 25, 2013

Quote – People Are Part of the Problem, People Need to be Part of the Solution

“The system was people, and I was part of it, part of its problems, and I was going to be part of the solution from now on.” -Cory Doctorow – Homeland (Tor, 2013)

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April 24, 2013

Fear and Conquest

A review of Duane Burry’s Numbered (In Here Be Monsters: Tongues and Teeth: Issue Seven, 2012) Duane Burry’s Numbered presents humanity with an opportunity for interplanetary communication, a way of bridging the dark, silence of space. For a planet that has not discovered space travel, this is an incredible opportunity to speak to civilisations older and far distant than our...

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April 22, 2013

Academic Conference on Canadian Science Fiction and Fantasy – June 7-8

As many of you who have been following Speculating Canada know, I like to support research in Canadian Science Fiction, particularly when it is directed toward public access and public discussions. I have given papers at the Academic Conference on Canadian Science Fiction and Fantasy (ACCSFF) for the past few years and have enjoyed it both for the amazing quality...

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April 20, 2013

Quote – Can Bear Anything As Long As There Are Books

“I have books, new books, and I can bear anything as long as there are books.” -Jo Walton – Among Others (TOR, 2010)

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April 19, 2013

Paranoia, Power, Politics, Police, and Protest

A Review of Cory Doctorow’s Homeland (Tor Teen, 2013) By Derek Newman-Stille Marcus was known as m1k3y when he was younger, a web protestor and advocate of human rights who exposed government corruption. In Homeland, Marcus is a young adult, just beginning life outside of university. He has all of the regular issues facing a young person – searching for...

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April 18, 2013

Quote – Need People Not To Say It’s Someone Else’s Problem

“They need people to do the job… To stand apart from the mentality that says, ‘It’s someone else’s problem,’ and to do the thing that needs doing.” -James Alan Gardner – Expendable (Avon, 1997)

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April 17, 2013

The Disabled and Disfigured Have Become the “Red Shirt” Class

A review of James Alan Gardner’s Expendable (Avon Books, 1997) By Derek Newman-Stille Fans of Star Trek will recognise the term “Red Shirt”, but for those who haven’t seen Star Trek, “Red Shirt” is the term for people on away missions who die to provide plot fodder for the main characters to grow and develop. Generally these plot victims are...

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