Category Archives: On writing…

Skyrim shenanigans and Game of Thrones geekery, plus interviews with some really cool people

Posted on February 26, 2014 by J.L. Hilton

It’s been a few months since my last update, and in that time I’ve attended the Geek Gala, taken my family to Disney World, suffered a long spell of bronchitis, and dealt with Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year and Valentine’s … Continue reading →

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It’s all a bit silly… and that’s OK

Posted on November 10, 2013 by J.L. Hilton

This post originally appeared November 3, 2013, on the Contact – Infinite Futures SF blog. Every single person reading this has a ridiculous skeleton somewhere in their closet. Whether it’s a complete collection of Batman Forever trading cards lovingly stored in … Continue reading →

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Dear romance authors

Posted on October 22, 2013 by J.L. Hilton

I enjoy a good romance novel. I’m especially fond of anything in a kilt. Yes, Highland Romance is a cheesy genre, peppered with “dinnas” and “aye, lassies.” It typically pairs a sassy heroine who doesn’t fit the time period with a Muscles … Continue reading →

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Why would aliens menace Earth?

Posted on July 21, 2013 by J.L. Hilton

This post originally appeared July 14, 2013, on the Contact – Infinite Futures SF blog. If habitable planets and resources are abundant in the Milky Way, then why would aliens attack us? To serve man. Resistance is futile. Mars needs women. … Continue reading →

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Cogs and Captains at Contemporal 2013

Posted on June 30, 2013 by J.L. Hilton

I had a great time this weekend at ConTemporal, the 2nd annual steampunk convention in North Carolina. SO. MANY. COSTUMES. And I love costumes, but the highlight for me was meeting musician, artist, author, Dr. Strange impersonator, and award-winning stop-action … Continue reading →

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We live in the world we imagined

Posted on June 22, 2013 by J.L. Hilton

This post originally appeared June 16, 2013, on the Contact – Infinite Futures SF blog. The Buzzfeed article “27 Science Fictions That Became Science Facts In 2012” illustrates a topic I’ve written about before: The future is now. When German mathematician … Continue reading →

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SF, SFR, SFWA and SEX

Posted on June 7, 2013 by J.L. Hilton

Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America (SFWA) appears to have some issues of sexism within its ranks. (More links here.) Then Stuart Sharp set off a bit of brouhaha when he disparaged the SFR genre. The blogosphere’s been busy, … Continue reading →

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Is it science fiction, sci-fi or SF?

Posted on May 22, 2013 by J.L. Hilton

I’m a published science fiction author but I still don’t grok the difference between “science fiction,” “sci-fi” and “SF.” As with religion, I’ve been warned to choose the right one or else. I’ve been told that “science fiction” refers to the real … Continue reading →

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Guest: B.V. Larson on his self-published success

Posted on May 7, 2013 by J.L. Hilton

My cousin Brian is also an author. He’s a self-publishing success story, reaching as many as a thousand downloads a day and over a million copies sold since 2010, which led to contract offers from publishers. His most recent book, … Continue reading →

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Aliens who are what they eat

Posted on April 24, 2013 by J.L. Hilton

This post originally appeared April 21, 2013, on the Contact – Infinite Futures SF blog. When inventing space aliens, I look for inspiration right here on Earth, such as the Elysia chlorotica. This green sea slug steals chloroplasts from the algae it … Continue reading →

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