BlackFive

An informal group of writers (and avid readers) to which I belong have been discussing a number of issues within writing in general, and science fiction in particular.  A strong focus has been on the politics of SF, and the strangling of the field by political correctness.  That there is such has been clearly shown by direct empirical work and in anecdotal evidence by the dumptruck load as the purges beget purges begets the complete and utter sham that the science fiction writers of America has become.  I note for the record (and the stupid) that Sad Puppies did indeed succeed, and that no real effort was made to win the vote, as the purpose was completed with the nominations (and hysterical fits such entailed among the SJW/glittery hoo-haa brigades).  

For those not getting the references above, no worries as it is very much inside baseball type stuff. Suffice it say that there is a reason that much of the so-called "military science fiction" that comes out from major publishers sorta sucks.   That said, there is an excellent post that delves into the philosophy behind these issues, and I commend it toyou as food for thought.  Agree, disagree, or be mixed, there is much to think about and consider in the post.  

As a final note, and bit of food for thought, I will point out to the SJW/GHH crowd that much of what is considered classical literature today was yesterdays low-brow, frowned upon, popular literature.  In other words, what sold well became the classics, rather than what the elite literati and academics thought was good.  

Smaller post at my place, go read the link if you are up for a good meal in terms of food for thought. 

We've been fans of the trailers for the series for awhile now.  Posted up a few of their vids and heard that the series was coming to Spike or G4 but hadn't seen anything.

Saw this about ten days ago and should have posted it. I think it's better in Japanese than in English as the translation comes across straight out of Rambo II.  The trailer was better.  I think they lost something with the character interactions...

ALERT:  Extreme Bunny Commando on Camel Terrorist Violence plus Foul Language etc.

 

 

This is part of a series of interviews sponsored by Baen Books with some of today's top military science fiction writers. Links from here point to Amazon for those who want paper copies, while links at Baen point to their electronic webscription service.

Today's segment talks a bit about new authors and recommendations; the future of military fiction, from books to movies; and, a message from "Doc" Taylor to the troops.

Travis S. "Doc" Taylor is a formidable man. He's earned not only a Ph.D. in optical science and engineering, but Master's degrees in physics, aerospace engineering, and astronomy and a Bachelor's degree in electrical engineering as well. In his day job, he works on things such as advanced propulsion concepts, very large space telescopes, and future combat technologies systems (not to mention various ...INT studies). Add to that the title bestselling author and you have quite a package indeed. His fiction work includes Warp Speed, Quantum Connection, The Tau Ceti Agenda, and, One Day on Mars (forthcoming). He's also co-authored several books with John Ringo: Von Neumann's War, Vorpal Blade, Manxome Foe, and the recently released Claws That Catch. His non-fiction work includes Introduction to Rocket Science and Engineering and An Introduction to Planetary Defense

Part five of the interview can be found here.

Enjoy!

NOTE: This is the final interview for the first phase of this project. If you or your company are interested in co-sponsoring the second phase (Pournelle, Niven, Ringo, Ing, and -- maybe -- Zahn), drop me a line.

LW

This is part of a series of interviews sponsored by Baen Books with some of today's top military science fiction writers. Links from here point to Amazon for those who want paper copies, while links at Baen point to their electronic webscription service.

Today's segment looks at the brain as a quantum computer and why a positive attitude matters; how the news factors in and it applies to blogging and milblogs; and more on blogs, milblogs, and the future of blogging.

Travis S. "Doc" Taylor is a formidable man. He's earned not only a Ph.D. in optical science and engineering, but Master's degrees in physics, aerospace engineering, and astronomy and a Bachelor's degree in electrical engineering as well. In his day job, he works on things such as advanced propulsion concepts, very large space telescopes, and future combat technologies systems (not to mention various ...INT studies). Add to that the title bestselling author and you have quite a package indeed. His fiction work includes Warp Speed, Quantum Connection, The Tau Ceti Agenda, and, One Day on Mars (forthcoming). He's also co-authored several books with John Ringo: Von Neumann's War, Vorpal Blade, Manxome Foe, and the recently released Claws That Catch. His non-fiction work includes Introduction to Rocket Science and Engineering and An Introduction to Planetary Defense

Part four of the interview can be found here and Part six here.

Enjoy!

LW

This is part of a series of interviews sponsored by Baen Books with some of today's top military science fiction writers. Links from here point to Amazon for those who want paper copies, while links at Baen point to their electronic webscription service.

This segment starts with more on how his first novel came to be published by Baen, how he "met" John Ringo, a good bit on writing, and a bit on blogging.

Travis S. "Doc" Taylor is a formidable man. He's earned not only a Ph.D. in optical science and engineering, but Master's degrees in physics, aerospace engineering, and astronomy and a Bachelor's degree in electrical engineering as well. In his day job, he works on things such as advanced propulsion concepts, very large space telescopes, and future combat technologies systems (not to mention various ...INT studies). Add to that the title bestselling author and you have quite a package indeed. His fiction work includes Warp Speed, Quantum Connection, The Tau Ceti Agenda, and, One Day on Mars (forthcoming). He's also co-authored several books with John Ringo: Von Neumann's War, Vorpal Blade, Manxome Foe, and the recently released Claws That Catch. His non-fiction work includes Introduction to Rocket Science and Engineering and An Introduction to Planetary Defense

Part three of the interview can be found here and Part five can be found here.

Enjoy!

LW

This is part of a series of interviews sponsored by Baen Books with some of today's top military science fiction writers. Links from here point to Amazon for those who want paper copies, while links at Baen point to their electronic webscription service.

This segment discusses mountain biking and its influence on him and his work, how he became a character in a novel (and series), and the start of the tale of how his first novel came to be published. BTW, yesterday's segment seems to have hit a nerve with part of the moonbat horde, and the comments at YouTube are a hoot.

Travis S. "Doc" Taylor is a formidable man. He's earned not only a Ph.D. in optical science and engineering, but Master's degrees in physics, aerospace engineering, and astronomy and a Bachelor's degree in electrical engineering as well. In his day job, he works on things such as advanced propulsion concepts, very large space telescopes, and future combat technologies systems (not to mention various ...INT studies). Add to that the title bestselling author and you have quite a package indeed. His fiction work includes Warp Speed, Quantum Connection, The Tau Ceti Agenda, and, One Day on Mars (forthcoming). He's also co-authored several books with John Ringo: Von Neumann's War, Vorpal Blade, Manxome Foe, and the recently released Claws That Catch. His non-fiction work includes Introduction to Rocket Science and Engineering and An Introduction to Planetary Defense

Part two of the interview can be found here and Part four is here.

Enjoy!

LW

This is part of a series of interviews sponsored by Baen Books with some of today's top military science fiction writers. Links from here point to Amazon for those who want paper copies, while links at Baen point to their electronic webscription service.

This segment covers how fiction, and an encounter with the late Carl Sagan (all too typical IMO), shaped not what he did in life, but how he went about doing what he does. There is also some discussion on moral versus financial imperatives (and motivations).

Travis S. "Doc" Taylor is a formidable man. He's earned not only a Ph.D. in optical science and engineering, but Master's degrees in physics, aerospace engineering, and astronomy and a Bachelor's degree in electrical engineering as well. In his day job, he works on things such as advanced propulsion concepts, very large space telescopes, and future combat technologies systems (not to mention various ...INT studies). Add to that the title bestselling author and you have quite a package indeed. His fiction work includes Warp Speed, Quantum Connection, The Tau Ceti Agenda, and, One Day on Mars (forthcoming). He's also co-authored several books with John Ringo: Von Neumann's War, Vorpal Blade, Manxome Foe, and the recently released Claws That Catch. His non-fiction work includes Introduction to Rocket Science and Engineering and An Introduction to Planetary Defense

Part one of the interview can be found here and Part three here.

Enjoy!

LW

This is part of a series of interviews sponsored by Baen Books with some of today's top military science fiction writers. Links from here point to Amazon for those who want paper copies, while links at Baen point to their electronic webscription service.

Travis S. "Doc" Taylor is a formidable man. He's earned not only a Ph.D. in optical science and engineering, but Master's degrees in physics, aerospace engineering, and astronomy and a Bachelor's degree in electrical engineering as well. In his day job, he works on things such as advanced propulsion concepts, very large space telescopes, and future combat technologies systems (not to mention various ...INT studies). Add to that the title bestselling author and you have quite a package indeed. His fiction work includes Warp Speed, Quantum Connection, The Tau Ceti Agenda, and, One Day on Mars (forthcoming). He's also co-authored several books with John Ringo: Von Neumann's War, Vorpal Blade, Manxome Foe, and the recently released Claws That Catch. His non-fiction work includes Introduction to Rocket Science and Engineering and An Introduction to Planetary Defense

This first segment provides an introduction to "Doc" and a bit on his childhood, his studies, and how Hooters came to be the headquarters for the defense/salvation of Earth. Part two of the interview can be found here. Enjoy!

LW

This is part of a series of interviews sponsored by Baen Books with some of today's top military science fiction writers. Links from here point to Amazon for those who want paper copies, while links at Baen point to their electronic webscription service.

Part 11 covers more on the military and social engineering, milblogging and comsec/self-editing, milblogging and costs versus benefits, dialog and its place in same, media as enemy, and a message from David to the troops.

Discussion of David Weber usually begins with a very good quetion: Where to start? Should you start with the first book in his hugely popular Honor Harrington series? Or should it be with the first book in his fantasy series where the god of war is also the god of justice? Perhaps his Empire from the Ashes series? Hmmm, wait, maybe the first book in his latest series? Or the first book with Linda Evans in the Hell's Gate series? His first collaboration with Eric Flint in the hugely popular 1632 series? No, no, no, wait -- his first book in collaboration with John Ringo in the Empire of Man series? Maybe his work in the Bolo universe of Keith Laumer?

Ultimately, it really doesn't matter where you start. No matter what you choose, you will be starting a good book and quite likely a good series. Almost no matter your taste, there is a book or series by David Weber that is likely to appeal to you. His work on combat, battle, and some of what lies beneath is recognized and highly praised for its accuracy -- yet, David Weber has never served in uniform or in combat. Some of his work in the Honor Harrington series has even been used in class discussion(s?) on military leadership. David's works explore that which lies behind leadership, justice, and loyalty. This series of interviews will explore a bit of that which lies behind his explorations of what lies behind, and with a certain amount of detail as he was kind enough to give Blackfive TV almost two hours of his time.

Part 10 can be found here.

Enjoy!

LW