I just finished as a judge for a statewide creative writing contest. I judged the 3rd-5th grade category. Very happy that we chose a sci fi story as our third place winner. I think too often sci fi/fantasy gets lost in the shuffle in literature and doesn't get the respect it deserved. Plus it was well written and interesting/complex plot. I hope the kid keeps writing!

I have started reviewing books for a magazine and for a well respected graphic novel website. It's fun, but I don't talk about it much on twitter or online because I don't want to invite the wrath (or commentary in general) of authors.

However today I saw one of my reviews blurbed on a book (though not as me, but as the magazine). That was cool!

Aw shit, Fitzwilliam. At first Lizzy was all like, "Darcy's too gangsta," but now that you did her sister a solid when she got all man-crazy, she be all up on that 10,000 per anum.

New Escape Characters article, "Pain Wizards," July 6th, 2013.

Initiate super-shameless plug sequence...

For those who are avid readers, or just want to watch a 5 minute video:

http://youtu.be/169x9OSZCDY (youtu.be)

My friend Elle and I are starting up a Vlog (hoping to get picked up as regulars for Geek and Sundry). It's about books and everything related to books. Succinct huh!

Comments are greatly appreciated (we're compiling content for future episodes), and if you like us, please follow the link in the description to our voting page on G&S.

Super-shameless plug complete.

I have a blog (bornlibrarian.blogspot.com). Mostly it's for me. A few librarians read it. My most popular post is one containing storytime songs and fingerplays about pirates.

I wrote this entry (bornlibrarian.blogspot.com) about if a graphic novel could win the Newbery. And a very good graphic novel artist that I respect showed up in the comments to debate me.

While I was debating if/how to answer him, it got picked up by Comics Beat (www.comicsbeat.com)and then by The Mary Sue (www.themarysue.com).

Crazy? I'll probably do some responding tomorrow. Don't want to be the crazy person who goes nutso on the internet and over responds. Don't want to ignore. Very cool to get a tweet from a friend that I was featured though!

New Escape Characters article, "Seen and Shown," Feb 26, 2012.

New Escape Characters article, "Toolmakers," Jan 15, 2012.

New Escape Characters article, "Drowning," Oct 24, 2011.

New Escape Characters article, "We're not all so bad", Aug 5, 2011.

What the hell, English:

Sequel to the previously recommended "Name of the Wind," I just finished "A Wise Man's Fear," and I would recommend it highly as well.

http://www.amazon....738/thebookreport01 (www.amazon.com)

The book continues the first book's highly polished and entertaining fantasy narrative. At almost 1000 pages, it's quite the undertaking, but worth the price of admission.

I'm entering the blogosphere (cue drop in bucket clip).

You can find my literary themed endeavors here:

EverCritic.tumblr.com (evercritic.tumblr.com)

EverCritic

New Escape Characters article, "Everything in Moderation", April 15, 2011.

New Escape Characters article, "Project Management", Mar 28, 2011.

Much... much longer than I was planning. But maybe makes up for the fact that I didn't write anything in February.

New Escape Characters article, "In Which Josh Reads Twilight", Jan 22, 2011.

New Escape Characters article, "That Shit Doesn't Fly", Dec 26, 2010.

New Escape Characters article, "Pseudoscience", Nov 29, 2010.

New Escape Characters article, "Nervous Laughter", Oct 24, 2010.

For anyone looking for a decent fantasy read, I recommend Patrick Rothfuss' "The Name of the Wind."

http://www.patrickr.../content/books.asp (www.patrickrothfuss.com)

According to the author, the book was 14 years in the making. Based on the quality of writing and storytelling, I wouldn't doubt the claim.

It's probably one of maybe 2 books in the last 10 years I've been able to sit down for an entire day and read. It is consistently interesting, and very quick to read. The sequel is scheduled for March, 2011, which seems like a long ways away.

Talking to my mother about "I, Robot."

Josh: "Did you see the movie they made about it? It had Will Smith in it."
Mother: "I think so. Didn't it have a bunch of robots, and they were in a factory, and one of them had feelings?"

Oh, Mom.

New Escape Characters article, "Cargo Cults", Sept 2, 2010.

If we want, we can use this section for the "80's Teen Movie Ending" stories. I forget exactly what the prompt was, but essentially fictional short stories about our own lives set 5 to 10 years from now.