ReaderCon is coming!
Before we start this admittedly lengthy email I wanna get out of the way that I’m… I’m not happy, people. The Supreme Court’s decision in Mahmoud v. Taylor just dropped. It’s one of many bad decisions lately and I’m just angry at people who are afraid, in the words of a vampire in one of my favorite movies, “of their own f******g imaginations.”
But first, a word from your local public library
The Thomas Crane Public Library, the bestest public library I’ve patronized in the last 20 years, hosted a reading and Q&A with yours truly on June 12th. I know a bunch of you couldn’t get there, so here’s a link to the video of the event, courtesy of the local public access channel. I’m a local celebrity now, babe. Let’s hope it doesn’t go to my head.
The schedule for ReaderCon is finalized, and I am on it
ReaderCon is happening July 17-20 in Burlington, MA. It’s an annual convention of speculative fiction, focusing on the written word. It’s the home of the Shirley Walker Awards and this year I’m on the program. The final schedule just dropped, so here’s where you can find me:
Friday, July 18, 2025
13:00: Why the Fantastical is Fantastic for Musicals
Saturday, July 19, 2025
11:30: Reading: Jessica Levai
12:00: Autograph Session: Jessica Levai
Sunday, July 20, 2025
13:00: Speculative Egypt
Now I just need to follow up with a bookseller to make sure my stuff is available for sale when people get there.
Meanwhile, the state of the world…
I went with my family to a local rally on June 14th, aka No Kings day. I admit one reason I went was to make a sign with an incredibly niche joke:
Believe me, that joke killed on BlueSky, which may be the liberal-est thing I’ve ever said.
It felt good to be out among like-minded people. I hope more people take more action. People like you. Yes, you! Put 5calls.org, or at least your elected officials’ numbers, on your phone and call. Call a lot. Even if you think they’re doing good stuff. If you’re shy, do what I do: call early in the morning or at night, when the office is closed and you’ll be sent straight to voice mail. Just make your voice heard! Why are we doing this? Who else do you want doing it?
I hear you asking if I’ve calmed down since the beginning of this newsletter. Clearly, no. Remember that scene in A Christmas Carol when the Ghost of Christmas Present reveals Ignorance and Want, the two evils hidden under his festive cloak? Not to knock the Ghost, but the two evils getting me maddest aren’t even hiding: Disingenuousness and Uncuriosity. This is what leads to disasters like Mahmoud or Skrmetti, and Tennessee trying to ban Calvin & Hobbes, for cryin’ out loud. (I would direct you to Elie Mystal for comments on these and more.) We have to fight this by being curious, being informed, and being sincere.
So read books. Listen to real people. And speak up passionately for what you care about. Or you’re gonna lose more of it.
Stuff to read and watch
Lazarus, by Greg Rucka and Michael Lark, is back after nearly three years off, and the issue is a scorcher. Lazarus is a sci-fi dystopia in which family corporations have taken over the world. Our main character is a genetically-engineered supersoldier who has learned the truth and is blowing up the system. Also, she can’t die. Also, she has a sister. Best to start at the beginning. If you like that, the whole series is on Hoopla.
Want something to arm you to survive our political climate? I mentioned Elie Mystal earlier. I recommend to you his two books: Allow me to Retort, and Bad Law. He’s funny, angry, and nerdy as hell. I’ll read anything the man writes.
Now, if you’re looking for something to take you away from current events and just have fun with, I’m gonna recommend my newest obsession: Riverdale. Yes, the CW series based on Archie comic characters, currently on Netflix. My kid and I started watching it because we had no better ideas and my friends, I am pleased to report that the show is completely bananas. It’s like Buffy meets Glee meets Disney’s Descendants with a little Twin Peaks and DC’s Legends of Tomorrow thrown in. We’re in Season 3 and so far there’s been a serial killer, gang fights, a hot trio of dads, mass hysteria, musical numbers, an entire arc recreating The Shawshank Redemption, cults, and more musical numbers. We’re having a blast. But what’s gonna happen to Archie’s dad?
Well, that’s all from me for now. Stay cool, stay safe, stay curious, everybody. We’re gonna need to.