Elaine's Q2 2024 Report ☀️
Hello friends! In my part of the world summer’s here and school’s out. Farmers markets and outdoor food festivals are flourishing, as are my allergies. The air quality is still okay, unlike last summer in Toronto, and fingers crossed that lasts.
No news this quarter; I’ve been head-down in novel revisions.
Looking back
The highlight of the last quarter was “seeing” Martha Wells at an event at the Lillian H. Smith library. (I put “seeing” in quotes because I was at the back of a very packed room and did not, in fact, actually see her until she signed my copy of All Systems Red.) Of course someone in the audience brought up the casting of Alexander Skarsgård in the upcoming Murderbot TV series. Many fans are disappointed by the casting of a white man as Murderbot, as it’s easy for folks with marginalized identities to identify as everyone's favourite rogue SecUnit. Wells reassured us the character is still genderless, and said to consider the TV adaptation fanfiction, which I think is a great way to think of any screen adaptation of a written work.
Things I loved last quarter
- Legendary filmmaker Werner Herzog’s memoirs Every Man For Himself and God Against All. I recommend the audiobook; Herzog reads in his trademark Bavarian-accented monotone and as if there are no paragraph breaks, but it’s absolutely riveting.
- Monkey Man. Come for Dev Patel’s gritty Mumbai fisticuffs, stay for the kick-ass hijiras.
- Exhuma is now on Shudder in US and Canada. This Korean folk horror film does that Asian 4-act structure thing where just when you think the story is wrapped up, it goes a little deeper. I liked that the shaman rituals are presented matter-of-factly, as opposed to most Western folk horror where you have modern people grappling with ancient traditions. The performances are also excellent, especially from the two young actors playing shaman exorcists. Bonus: Choi Min-sik from Oldboy.
- Talk to Me. I’m late to this Australian horror film, and absolutely loved it. Of course teens are going to goof off with a dangerous paranormal artifact and stream it all on their phones. Like Exhuma, this film is bolstered by the excellent performances from its young actors.
- Challengers original score. I haven’t seen the movie, but I’ve mentioned my love for working to Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross soundtracks before. There’s something very energizing about this one. (The remix by Boys Noize is good too.)
- Doctor Who Series 14. The episodes occasionally veer too much into camp and melodrama for my taste, but I suppose the show’s always done that. Still, it’s a delight as always. Ncuti Gatwa’s charisma is off the charts and he has wonderful chemistry with Millie Gibson, who plays his companion Ruby. It brings to mind the Tenth/Fourteenth Doctor and Donna episodes, where you got the sense they were best friends palling around the universe together.
Looking forward
- The kid and I will be heading out next month for a summer vacation trip. But most importantly, I will be testing my new iPad bluetooth keyboard on the road.
- Fan Expo Canada is coming to Toronto at the end of August, and the HWA Ontario chapter might be doing a horror-related panel discussion or two. If you're attending, come support local authors in between gawking at cosplayers and celebrities.
- KT Bryski’s Lovely Creatures is now out from Psychopomp!
- Suzan Palumbo’s sci-fi novella Countess will be out in September from ECW!
- I’ve started edits on my pandemic gothic novella I Could Be Your Family Too, forthcoming from Interstellar Flight Press, so stay tuned for publication date news.
Hope you’re all staying cool this summer (if you’re on this side of the globe) and I’ll see you in three months!
Elaine