This week has been a roller coaster of different moments. 

Brian Stableford 

At the start of the week, I learned that Brian Stableford had passed away. When I first started as a university lecturer at Buckinghamshire New University, I took over the Writing Science Fiction, Fantasy and Horror module from Andrew Butler, who was leaving the university for places new. One of the books he left me was Brian's Writing Fantasy & Science Fiction and Getting Published.

This book, and Lisa Tuttle's excellent Writing Fantasy and Science Fiction were my constant companions for the next three years. I read everything in them and then went hunting for more. I was a young teacher learning my subject and trying to stay a few steps ahead of my students. 

I next encountered Brian's work as a Ph. D. Student when I was studying with Andy Melrose. It turned out Brian had taught at Winchester University,earlier known as King Alfred's College. I took my undergraduate degree there between 1996-1999. I never met him. I wish I had.

My next encounter with Brian's work was when I agreed to write the second edition of the Historical Dictionary of Fantasy Literature for Rowman and Littlefield. Brian had written the first edition, originally back in 2004/2005. His work on this was amazing. The amount of research and reading he did to ensure he was able to comment on every author and fantasy writing concept included in the text. I was able to use his work as a guide for my own.

Brian's portfolio in science fiction and fantasy is prodigious. He wrote a huge collection of academic and critical works as well as a massive amount of fiction in both genres. His bibliography listing in the Science Fiction Encyclopaedia is formidable. He also wrote under several pseudonyms, with early Warhammer novels among his output. By all accounts his reading and research of the genres was just as extensive, indeed it must have been to produce such an detailed portfolio of so many writers.

British Science Fiction Awards

On Tuesday evening, the BSFA newsletter went out, announcing the short lists for works published in 2023. 

This is the first year the BSFA has had such a large slate of awards. Motions at the AGM last year passed an expansion of the categories and this provides extra opportunities for the association to highlight some of the amazing work being done in the genre. Members have embraced this, recommending an amazing selection of work in the long lists, published in January.

For me, a specific personal highlight is to see one of my Fractal Series Episodes, Europa , make it to one of the short lists! I am absolutely delighted and humbled by this.Thank you so much to everyone who voted for the book.

In practical terms this means as Chair of the BSFA, I am recused from the voting process from this point onwards. This is an established process we have applied when any member of the BSFA team has a work nominated to the short lists. In fact, if you go through this year's lists, you'll see several BSFA officers appearing. Congratulations to all of them and to all of our other nominees.

If you would like to read Europa, it can be found on Amazon for free. Flame Tree Press released the story as an alternative introduction to the Fractal Series. In fact, because the episode stories are standalone, but connected, you can start with any of them and then continue with Fearless, Resilient and the forthcoming Vigilance.

Speaking of Vigilance, the cover and publishing date have been announced. Once again, Flame Tree Press have knocked it out of the park with the cover. We are in the process of arranging a book launch at Glasgow Worldcon (which will be amazing), with a general publishing date at the start of September. 

I have really enjoyed writing these books.Vigilance needed a lot of work in December. I was a long way behind reaching the deadline to get the draft finished, but it got done and the edits were turned around very quickly. Some amazing work from my two editors, Don D'Auria and Imogen Howson.  

From here, the series will continue with more stories. I'm looking forward to working on them.

The rest of my week was busy too. Work meetings, teaching, and a masterclass delivered on writing and designing games. I really enjoyed all of the different activities, discussing a variety of new projects and explaining some of my work to new audiences. I think one of the things that has renewed my enthusiasm for university lecturing and research is that I'm seeing a pathway for myself again. That pathway is very much about clearing the route as I walk it, but people are being very supportive and appreciative, which is lovely.

Being a Healthy Writer

One of the things that I need in my life is to make space to spend time out and enjoying good company. Occasionally, I need a nudge. Thursday night brought together a few of the writers from Emily Inkpen's Discord group, and we got to chat about all of our current projects. I was also very fortunate that Alex Cochran decided to arrange a little social in Cambridge on Friday night. This was a lovely opportunity to get out and see people. A lovely little group wiled away the evening in the Blue Moon pub. I hope there will be many more gatherings in the future.