isitors to Neil Gaiman's weblog won't find Dream or Death or any of the rest of his Endless. Nor will they find questing Norse gods or lost underground cities. What they will find is an author freely conversing with his fans on a wide variety of subjects, news about current and upcoming projects, and occasional posts about life in the modern age.
Aspiring writers will find plenty of advice and commentary from Gaiman, who frequently comments on the industry, and what it takes to become a professional scribe. Topics have included the value of master's-level writing programs, life as a mid-list author and the pathetic nature of plagiarists. He covers a variety of other subjects as well, including comic books, theater and even The Muppet Show.
Elsewhere on the site, fans will find an "Exclusive Material" section featuring essays by Gaiman, including "I, Cthulhu," a amusing ode to Lovecraft's work; "Where Does Neil Get His Ideas?" in which he describes his writing process; and even an essay about cities written for SimCity 2000. There are also essays about Gaiman's work by other authors, including the very useful "Sandman Summary," which provides a comprehensive overview of the series. "The Stories" is a bibliography of his work, while "Message Boards" provides fans a place to chat about the author. Finally, the site includes an extensive archive of Gaiman's postings, dating back to his original 2001 entries in support of his novel American Gods.
— Ken Newquist
Site of the Week—March 29, 2004
ired of hearing that old cliche about virtue being its own reward? Looking to change life paths in the most radical way possible? Perhaps it's time to take a quick surf past So You've Decided to Be Evil, a Web page that outlines a host of opportunities to serve the forces of darkness.
The brainchild of author Neil Zawacki, this Web page seeks to lure potential lunatics into the evil lifestyle. It is an in-depth treatment of evil issues, from villainous motivations (should a newbie evildoer focus on being power-hungry, greedy or vengeful?) to the best place to locate a secret hideout. While acknowledging that many would-be villains aspire to be criminal masterminds, this site also reminds visitors not to neglect the possibilities inherent in career tracks like Cult Leader or Horror Movie Villain.
So You've Decided to Be Evil has a straightforward design and few graphics, focusing on getting its message across through its essays. Each piece provides whimsical reading to anyone who has wished, even momentarily, to escape all life's responsibilities by turning to the Dark Side. That is not to say just anyone can become a villain: The site's Evil Quiz determines a visitor's aptitude for wickedness. For those who pass muster, though, the page goes on to offer advice on evil fashion and managing henchmen. It also has more specialized tactical information on thwarting the forces of good, for example, and formulating deathtraps and evil schemes.
For SF fans who enjoy seeing the genre's conventions lampooned, or any Web surfer who had not realized that the Army of Darkness recruits, So You've Decided to Be Evil will brighten even the bleakest of days.
— A.M. Dellamonica
Site of the Week—March 22, 2004
he next Worldcon may seem far away now as winter recedes from the land, but anyone interested in attending Noreascon Four should already be thinking about travel arrangements and other plans for the 2004 Labor Day weekend. That's when the 62nd World Science Fiction Convention will take place
in Boston. With guests of honor Terry Pratchett, William Tenn, Jack Speer and Peter Weston, it is sure to be an unforgettable event.
Noreascon's site is already packed with critical information that con-goers will want: data on hotels, contact addresses, volunteer opportunities, Hugo Awards info (a heads-up for those who are eligible to make Hugo nominations—the deadline is March 25), a con FAQ and publications from press releases to progress reports.
The site also highlights the events and programs that separate this particular Worldcon from those that have gone before. Noreascon Four will sponsor a Student Science Fiction and Fantasy Contest, for example, and is holding a Taste of Worldcon evening. Billed as an alternative activity for guests who don't wish to attend the opening ceremonies, this event comes complete with a parade and fair. Another innovation—for Worldcon sites, at least—is a weblog that is the natural first stop for reading up on late-breaking convention events.
This is one of those sites that will get progressively more interesting and useful as the summer progresses, so fans should be sure to check back frequently for updates.
— A.M. Dellamonica
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