Escape Pod | The Original Science Fiction Podcast
I was delighted to narrate the wonderful science fiction story “The Contrary Gardener” by Christopher Rowe. Both parts are now available from the Escape Pod podcast!
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On December 1, 1946, sophomore Bennington College student Paula Jean Welden vanished. Her disappearance remains an unsolved mystery.
I’m currently working on a book project that involves the Welden case. Today it feels especially important to say her name.
Note: If anyone would like a (very brief!) peek into my current book project, here is a video of my presentation “Missing Students and Their Fictional Afterlives: True Crime, Crime Fiction, and Dark Academia.“ I gave this talk earlier this year at the Popular Culture Research Network’s “Guilty Pleasures: Examining Crime in Popular Culture” conference.
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On my latest “Looking Back at Genre History” segment on the StarShipSofa podcast (Episode 745), I discuss the New Wave in science fiction and the Dangerous Visions anthologies, including the newly-published The Last Dangerous Visions.
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On my “Looking Back on Genre History” segment on the latest episode of the StarShipSofa podcast, I discuss the anniversary of the science fiction series Blake’s 7.
StarShipSofa 704 Ramez Yoakeim | StarShipSofa
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I was sorry to learn of the death of director He Ping last month. I’ve treated myself to a rewatch of his memorable wuxia/Western film Warriors of Heaven and Earth in tribute. (It’s pictured here with some of the other movies in my “films by or with Jiang Wen” collection.)
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Dark Academia novel: The Good Girls by Claire Eliza Bartlett (2020)
From the cover:
secrets and lies, then somebody dies
Quote:
The end of my life starts here.
A rainy, sodden autumn has turned the river below into a roaring monster. Rocks jut out like jagged teeth, jet black against frothy white. My blood sings as the weathered wood sags behind me—someone has followed me onto the tiny bridge over Anna’s Run….
Legends say Anna’s Run takes one unlucky sacrifice every year. The wind wraps around my neck like a cord.
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Dark Academia novel: The Cloisters by Katy Hays (2022)
Quote:
Death always visited me in August. A slow and delicious month we turned into something swift and brutal. The change, quick as a card trick.
I should have seen it coming. The way the body would be laid out on the library floor, the way the gardens would be torn apart by the search. The way our jealousy, greed, and ambition were waiting to devour us all, like a snake eating its own tail. The ouroboros.
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I am very happy to report that I will be presenting my paper “Missing Students and Their Fictional Afterlives: True Crime, Crime Fiction, and Dark Academia” at the Guilty Pleasures: Examining Crime in Popular Culture conference (May 2-3, 2024) sponsored by the Popular Culture Research Network. This talk is related to my current work-in-progress book project. I’m looking forward to it!
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Song: “Ghost of Norma Jean”
Quote:
When you see another cross
By the road where she is lost,
You’ll know that she has some company.
Listen to the Steep Canyon Rangers’ performance…
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I’ve been contributing my “Looking Back on Genre History” segments to the StarShipSofa podcast for 15 years now. All of my past segments are listed (with their topics and links!) on the “Podcasting” page of my website. (Scroll down to the “Looking Back on Genre History” section.)
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Song: “Little Omie Wise”
Quote:
Little Omie, little Omie, I’ll tell you my mind: My mind is to drown you and leave you behind.
Read the complete lyrics.
Listen to Doc Watson’s performance…
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I’m so excited to share STAR TREK: ESSAYS EXPLORING THE FINAL FRONTIER with the universe. More information will be coming very soon! ?
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Song: “The Ghost of Eli Renfro”
Quote:
Can’t you hear? Can’t you hear?
When the moon is bright and clear
From time to time,
It’s old Eli dragging chains
And moaning people’s names.
I just hope and pray he never thinks of mine.
Read the complete lyrics.
Listen to The Nashville Bluegrass Band’s performance…
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I’m delighted to share that both of my co-edited academic anthologies with Vernon Press are now available: STAR TREK: ESSAYS EXPLORING THE FINAL FRONTIER and STAR WARS: ESSAYS EXPLORING A GALAXY FAR, FAR AWAY.
They are both available at major bookstores and can be requested via libraries in hardcover or ebook formats. The coupon code CFC10822213C4 provides a 24% “new release!” discount for both at the Vernon Press website.
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Vernon Press - Authors
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I’ve taught at Signum University for years, but in addition to offering my classes, I’m now also joining Signum’s SPACE Program (Signum Adult Portals for Adult Continuing Education).
I have modules up for candidacy now that I am very excited about! Each will be one month long, with two one-hour meetings per week (one an interactive lecture by me and one a group discussion facilitated by me). All meetings are online. Everyone’s invited!
Here’s the schedule:
January 2024: The Haunting of Hill House by Shirley Jackson
February 2024: A Haunting on the Hill by Elizabeth Hand (the first work officially authorized by Shirley Jackson’s estate to respond to The Haunting of Hill House)
March 2024: The Last Man by Mary Shelley (a science fiction classic and the most relevant novel one can read while living in “unprecedented times”)
Everyone is invited! For more information, please check out this link: Amy H. Sturgis, Upcoming SPACE Modules
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Song: “Matty Groves”
Quote:
So Matty struck the very first blow, and he hurt Lord Orland sore. Lord Orland struck the very next blow, and Matty struck no more. And then Lord Orland took his wife, and he sat her on his knee, Saying, “Who do you like the best of us, Matty Groves or me?” And then up spoke his own dear wife, never heard to speak so free, “I’d rather a kiss from dead Matty’s lips than you or your finery.”
Lord Orland he jumped up and loudly he did bawl, He struck his wife right through the heart and pinned her against the wall. “A grave, a grave, ” Lord Orland cried, “to put these lovers in, But bury my lady at the top for she was of noble kin.”
Read the complete lyrics.
Listen to the performance of Alela Diane and Alina Hardin…
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