Here are some book club discussion questions for Semiosis, specifically the study guide for the Apocalypse Book Club, which has graciously allowed me to share it. This club, in Oregon, attacks books with extreme ambition. Its meetings feature not just discussion, but costumes, arts and crafts, and meals based on the book its members have … Continue reading Book club study guide

On Saturday, March 23, I’ll be at C2E2, the Chicago Comic and Entertainment Expo, at the McCormick Place. It’s famous for its huge “Artist’s Alley” where you can meet famous and up-and-coming comic book artists, for its amazing cosplay — and there’s plenty more to do involving games, anime, and family fun. It really is … Continue reading I’ll be at C2E2

The novel Semiosis is now available as a trade paperback. You can buy it at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Powell’s, Books-A-Million, and at your local independent bookstore — find the closest one to you at IndieBound. Also available in digital audio, e-book, and hardcover.

Semiosis has been nominated for the Kitschies Golden Tentacle Award. I am honored — and awed by the other nominees. Perhaps it will impress the judges that the cover art of my book features genuine tentacles. The Kitschies, a British award, describes itself as a way to reward “the year’s most progressive, intelligent and entertaining … Continue reading Kitschies nomination for “Semiosis”

I didn’t invent the fippokat, a small, green, intensely cute creature that plays an important role in Semiosis. As it says in the acknowledgements, my sister-in-law lent me her childhood imaginary animal to use in the novel. Kathy conceived of the fippokat in grade school, when she also named it. She no longer recalls why … Continue reading The invention of the fippokat

  At Stack Exchange, in the Science Fiction and Fantasy website, someone asked which if any of the plants and animals mentioned in the book came from Earth. Many have Earth names: eagles, tulips, bats, pineapples, corals, cactus, lettuce, etc. The answer: None came from Earth. But I imagined that Pax colonists would do what … Continue reading Earth names for Pax plants and animals

This weekend I’ll be at Capricon 39, a science fiction convention held February 14 to 17 in Wheeling, a suburb of Chicago. This year’s theme is “Strange Beasts Arise.” If you’re there, say hi. In addition to wandering around and having fun, I’ll be on four panels: Friday, 10 a.m. – Book Reviews vs. Literary … Continue reading Where to find me at Capricon 39