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Beta readers?

By liv.dreamwidth.org
Published On :: Tue, 10 Mar 2020 10:12:22 GMT

ETA: You guys are amazing. I was really not expecting to get so many volunteers! I have more than enough people for now. I'm happy to add any additional names to the list for future opportunities. I can't add any more volunteers for this course, otherwise it would end up being all my friends which isn't great for diversity.


My awesome job involves creating free online courses about genomics. The first course I've been fully in charge of is about to go live, and it needs some final quality checks. It's quite exciting IMO: it's about using genomics to identify and avoid antibiotic resistance.

We need people who can put in a couple of hours in the next week, and just play around with the course and see if there are any obvious problems, whether that's technical issues like display problems for your particular hardware and software, or conceptual problems like confusing instructions or something that doesn't make sense. We are definitely not expecting any one individual to go through the whole course in detail, and we're not looking for copy editing or proofreading. I mean, if you have the sort of brain that can't help spotting typos, we don't mind reports of those, but we're mainly looking for something more general than that.

We want people from all backgrounds, so a mix of people who know something about microbiology and genomics, and people who have no idea. I will say that the course is fairly technical, though, so you probably don't want to volunteer if sciencey stuff is hateful or scary to you. We are especially happy to have beta readers who aren't completely fluent in English to be more representative of our target audience.

Other than doing some good for the world, what you get out of it is a £25 Amazon voucher. So in order to get paid you need to be in a position to receive and spend an Amazon voucher. We might possibly be able to acquire vouchers for other countries' versions of Amazon, or else I can informally arrange to swap to something more locally useful. But it's not employment, it's a volunteer thing with a small token of appreciation.

Feel free to ask questions in the comments, but if you actually want to sign up you need to interact with my work persona, so I'll ask you to PM me about arranging that. You're also welcome to pass the request on to anyone else who might be interested. The number of available slots is somewhat flexible, probably in the range of 3-5.

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Links — September 1

By rivikah.wordpress.com
Published On :: Mon, 02 Sep 2019 00:38:24 +0000

Rituals of childhood (content note: gun violence, mass shooting) The Stump That Didn’t Die Growth mindset lessons had no impact The Costs of Reliability Everyone I know is mostly going about their days right now slightly dazed with horror about the detention camps on the southern border. Piece of string? I’m a frayed knot (Included … Continue reading Links — September 1


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Links — October

By rivikah.wordpress.com
Published On :: Sun, 29 Sep 2019 21:16:53 +0000

When the Public Feared That Library Books Could Spread Deadly Diseases The Difference Between Happiness and Joy Who’s Considered Thin Enough for Eating Disorder Treatment? The Cost of Next Day Delivery Attending Burning Man or Parenting a Toddler? Not having kids is nothing new. What centuries of history tell us about childlessness today. Prehistoric Parents … Continue reading Links — October


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Strawberry Fields Forever

By radar.spacebar.org
Published On :: Fri, 27 Sep 2019 17:33:45 -0400

Happy 40th birthday to me! I'm currently in Connecticut visiting with the whole family, which is only somewhat coincidentally on my 40th birthday weekend. The main thing is the pizza! Two quick updates from this month, strawberry-related:

One of my all-time favorite games, Celeste, just got a new free 9th chapter (which is sized more like three chapters). This was a mixed blessing since over a year ago I finished all its hardest levels (all achievements) and then managed to pry myself from it. So I felt compelled to get the two new achievements to get back to 100%, but it was a somewhat hypnotizing and RSI-inducing grind. (Especially since I had gotten pretty rusty. I even forgot that you can hold onto walls, which made the first few levels much harder...) The worst part was that the final level was rumored to be kinda ridiculous, and the "WOW" achievement even moreso, so I was feeling worried about that the whole week it took to get through the prior 99. All told it was pretty worthwhile; the level design is really admirable as usual, and it stays true to the signature difficulty curve. I recommend it.

Second is a font sighting sent by a friendly Internet stranger. This one is from a fairly popular (18M views this month) music video called Fresa, which features Columbian Reggaeton artist Lalo Ebratt. A sighting in such a video would be interesting, but the wildest thing is where it is:


Lalo Ebratt's "THUGGER" neck tattoo


Yes, that is Action Jackson used on his highly permanent neck tattoo that reads "THUGGER" (presumably short for "Tree Hugger"). It seems to be a fairly new tattoo, but you can find many more images of it to verify. I hope it ages well!


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It’s okay to not be okay

By thebloggess.com
Published On :: Thu, 30 Apr 2020 19:29:48 +0000

I feel bad that I haven’t written anything funny here in awhile.  I know you can tell that I’ve been up and down but I think that’s pretty common for everyone going through this.  I have a million things I … Continue reading →


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At Least a Decade, Maybe Two

By maryannemohanraj.com
Published On :: Fri, 08 May 2020 09:04:06 +0000

Heh. K Tempest Bradford happened across an old photo of me and Neil — I’m in a sari, so I’m guessing this was at the Hugos. We look very young, so at least a decade ago — maybe two. 


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There Will Be Dragons

By maryannemohanraj.com
Published On :: Fri, 08 May 2020 11:03:05 +0000

Packed up the first of the local Mother’s Day treat packages — lily-of-the-valley soap and bath salts, baked goodies and confections. And locals get a little potted lily-of-the-valley too. Supplies limited — I think I can do 4 more before I run out of cookies. I’m done with baking for a bit…need to get back … Continue reading "There Will Be Dragons"


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“shoulda taken a before picture…”

By www.jessamyn.com
Published On :: Thu, 01 Aug 2019 03:13:03 +0000

I had a small dip in productivity this week. I think I mentioned that at the end of last summer I had shingles. It was a super mild case, but I wound up with something called “post-herpetic neuralgia” which is basically nerve pain. It’s super well-controlled with gabapentin, which also has some positive effects on […]


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South Kingstown Beach House

By uncrate.com
Published On :: Fri, 08 May 2020 14:00:19 -0500


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Dues Relief for O.T.O. Members

By oto-usa.org
Published On :: Wed, 08 Apr 2020 23:35:49 +0000

Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the Law. Greetings on the First Day of the Writing of the Book of the Law! Due to the ongoing economic impact of the Coronavirus pandemic, the International Supreme Council of Ordo Templi Orientis, in consultation with the Grand Lodges, is implementing the following measures to …

Continue reading


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2017 Best Music: Slenderbodies

By feedproxy.google.com
Published On :: Fri, 26 May 2017 14:28:58 +0000

musicisart magazine 2017 Best Music: Slenderbodies

Los Angeles-based duo Slenderbodies create music that feels like your watching the ocean. Slenderbodies recently released their brand new project fabulist out now via Majestic Casual Records. The five-track collection is full of whispers of sensuality found within falsetto vocals accompanied with vibrations of soft guitars melted into funky and soulful bass-lines that collide together […]

The post 2017 Best Music: Slenderbodies appeared first on musicisart magazine.


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2017 Best Music: Jacques Greene

By feedproxy.google.com
Published On :: Fri, 26 May 2017 14:50:35 +0000

musicisart magazine 2017 Best Music: Jacques Greene

Jacques Greene is blessed with the ability to create music that not only makes you feel good but makes you want to move. This spring Jacques Greene released his debut album “Feel Infintite” on March 8th, 2017 via LuckyMe Records. The Montreal native has always had a knack for being a DJ and music tastemaker mixing artists and beats that were energetic and unique. By […]

The post 2017 Best Music: Jacques Greene appeared first on musicisart magazine.


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Bed

By radioactiveart.blog
Published On :: Tue, 28 Apr 2020 20:37:26 +0000

When your memory holds a bed of nails you never truly rest. Once you think you’re comfortable a single adjustment of your back or even elbow brings forth blood. You get up and sit by the window pretending you are loved as you try to wipe away the red that only you can see but which […]


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Where The Great Work Begins

By radioactiveart.blog
Published On :: Sat, 02 May 2020 09:27:10 +0000

We were all bone-tired before this exaltation of humility came upon us. We may have looked more madcap, more animated from a distance, but if you’d looked into  our eyes, you would have seen years of restless sleep and no true relaxation, regardless of what  yoga magazines told us we’d gained. Scoff as you want. Had […]


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The boat is being floated

By feedproxy.google.com
Published On ::

The boat is being floated



View Comic!





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A snail in the hand is better than 10 on the roof

By feedproxy.google.com
Published On ::

A snail in the hand is better than 10 on the roof



View Comic!





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[review + recipe] On Wings of Words by Jennifer Berne and Becca Stadtlander

By jamarattigan.com
Published On :: Fri, 01 May 2020 10:00:06 +0000

  Each bird, bee, blossom, butterfly — was a source of joy and wonder for young Emily Dickinson. In this beautiful new picture book biography, aptly illustrated with a butterfly motif, we witness her singular metamorphosis from a keenly observant child into one of the most original and innovative poets in American literature. On Wings … Continue reading [review + recipe] On Wings of Words by Jennifer Berne and Becca Stadtlander


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Would fundamental rights in Malta be better off under British sovereignty?

By maltaobserver.blogspot.com
Published On :: Tue, 28 Feb 2012 08:46:00 +0000

Once more, one does not know if to cry or laugh; no, of course one should not laugh at the tragedy that Malta is causing many of the people in this country. In the former communist states, people were kept in prison without a trial. In Malta the state does exactly the same, see article in todays The Times. As stated before, the judicial system in Malta has collapsed and a thought has come to The Observer’s mind: In this sense may be Malta should be better off under British sovereignty. It is obvious to a foreigner that the government of Malta cannot live up to the most fundamental requirements for democracy, namely the one that a democracy do not keep people in prison without fair trials.


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Are some members of the clergy horny and/or greedy?

By maltaobserver.blogspot.com
Published On :: Sat, 14 Apr 2012 08:01:00 +0000

The Observer is well aware of that this article might upset religious people especially members of the clergy, but it is an interesting subject that is well worth discussing. Many of The Observer’s Maltese friends say the same thing: Many Catholic priests in Malta have “girlfriends” and many priests ask for kickbacks from the undertakers.

The Maltese people the Observer has spoken to say that it is a well-known secret that many Catholic priests have girlfriends. It is also said that this is very natural since priests have the same sexual desire as every other men. Since the Catholic Church does not allow priests to marry, the priests have no other option (at least not such pleasant ones) but to have girlfriends in secret. Some of the people The Observer have spoken to also claim that it is not unusual that the priests meet women during confession and then learn about the women’s moral character and then can make their move. True or not true? We know that Catholic priest in many cases have taken advantage of young boys so why should this not be even more possible?

Many of The Observer’s Maltese friends also claim that priests advise funeral directors about recently deceased and then ask for kickbacks for the tip. The reason why this is possible for priests is that priests are often called to death-beds to give last rites and often know very soon that someone has passed away. It is also said that priests in such situation take advantage of the situation when a person is very vulnerable and asks for a donation to the Catholic Church. AlphaIf this is true, it is extremely offensive and immoral, especially the custom of taking kickbacks.

It would be interesting to hear what the readers of this blog think in this subject.


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Strategic oil storage to be full by mid-May: Dharmendra Pradhan - Livemint

By news.google.com
Published On :: Fri, 08 May 2020 17:24:07 GMT

  1. Strategic oil storage to be full by mid-May: Dharmendra Pradhan  Livemint
  2. India's fuel demand nearly halves in April amid national lockdown  Hindustan Times
  3. Dharmendra Pradhan hints at new gas policy, says low oil prices no answer  Zee News
  4. India has ample crude oil reserves: Pradhan  The Tribune India
  5. India's Fuel Consumption Falls 46% To Lowest Since 2007  NDTV Profit
  6. View Full coverage on Google News


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Shah slams Bengal govt for 'not allowing' migrant trains; Centre lying, says TMC - Times of India

By news.google.com
Published On :: Sat, 09 May 2020 15:56:15 GMT

  1. Shah slams Bengal govt for 'not allowing' migrant trains; Centre lying, says TMC  Times of India
  2. Not Allowing Migrants' Trains "Injustice": Amit Shah To Mamata Banerjee  NDTV
  3. TMC releases 'proof' after Centre alleges blockade of migrant transport in West Bengal  TIMES NOW
  4. News updates from Hindustan Times: Have 7-stage plan to bring back migrants, says TMC on Amit Shah’s...  Hindustan Times
  5. Bengal Says 8 Trains to Bring Back Migrant Workers Scheduled as Amit Shah Writes to Mamata on 'Injustice'  News18
  6. View Full coverage on Google News


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When Queens Becomes Kings (Tiger King)

By imeanwhat.com
Published On :: Tue, 31 Mar 2020 16:19:34 +0000

When Queens Becomes Kings (Tiger King)

The hysteria around the Netflix show "Tiger King" has been very eyeopening. What is it about this low-rent animal abuser has Jared Leto, Cardi B, and the many other celebrities peacocking their obsessions with his unforgivable shenanigans?

I Mean…What?!?


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Viroloog Marion Koopmans: 'Als het misgaat, hebben we echt een megaprobleem' - AD.nl

By news.google.com
Published On :: Sat, 09 May 2020 01:00:00 GMT

  1. Viroloog Marion Koopmans: 'Als het misgaat, hebben we echt een megaprobleem'  AD.nl
  2. Ook Nederlandse viroloog verwacht tweede coronagolf | Buitenland | Nieuws  Het Laatste Nieuws
  3. Viroloog: “Nieuwe coronagolf verwacht, alles staat of valt met hoe we ons gedragen”  Oog TV
  4. BLIJF BANG! Viroloog Marion Koopmans waarschuwt: 'Die tweede coronavirus-golf komt er'  De Dagelijkse Standaard
  5. Viroloog: 'Er komt een tweede coronagolf die mogelijk nog krachtiger is dan de eerste'  ThePostOnline
  6. Hele verhaal bekijken via Google Nieuws


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Kans op 2e golf, maar contactopsporing moet 2e lockdown vermijden: bekijk de beste fragmenten uit "Het coronadebat" - VRT NWS

By news.google.com
Published On :: Sat, 09 May 2020 13:43:00 GMT

  1. Kans op 2e golf, maar contactopsporing moet 2e lockdown vermijden: bekijk de beste fragmenten uit "Het coronadebat"  VRT NWS
  2. Het Corona Debat met Marc Van Ranst, Erika Vlieghe, Maggie De Block (Open Vld), Bart De Wever (N-VA) en anderen  De Morgen
  3. 'We moeten tijd winnen tot vaccin er is'  De Standaard
  4. Het grote coronadebat: “We moeten tijd winnen tot vaccin er is”  Het Belang van Limburg
  5. Hele verhaal bekijken via Google Nieuws


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Waasland-Beveren dropt bom, Club Brugge dreigt titel te verliezen - Voetbal24.be

By news.google.com
Published On :: Sat, 09 May 2020 16:00:00 GMT

  1. Waasland-Beveren dropt bom, Club Brugge dreigt titel te verliezen  Voetbal24.be
  2. Waasland-Beveren wil niet zakken: "1A met 18 is logische oplossing"  sporza.be
  3. Waasland-Beveren heeft uitstekend nieuws voor Beerschot en OHL  VoetbalNieuws.be
  4. Waasland-Beveren-voorzitter Dirk Huyck over de strijd om in 1A te blijven - Voetbalnieuws  Voetbalkrant.com
  5. Voorzitter Waasland-Beveren: “Wij zullen nooit akkoord gaan met degradatie”  Het Laatste Nieuws
  6. Hele verhaal bekijken via Google Nieuws


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Remco Evenepoel: "Vandaag had een heel belangrijke dag moeten zijn" - sporza.be

By news.google.com
Published On :: Sat, 09 May 2020 16:38:10 GMT

  1. Remco Evenepoel: "Vandaag had een heel belangrijke dag moeten zijn"  sporza.be
  2. Remco Evenepoel verkiest Giro boven Luik-Bastenaken-Luik | Wielrennen | Sport  Het Laatste Nieuws
  3. Contador over 20 minuten-test Evenepoel: “Als die klopt, kan hij nu al de Giro winnen”  WielerFlits.be
  4. Patrick Lefevere bevestigt dat Remco Evenepoel de Giro gaat rijden  Wielerkrant.be
  5. Remco Evenepoel rijdt Giro in het najaar: "Intriest dat hij Luik niet kan rijden"  sporza.be
  6. Hele verhaal bekijken via Google Nieuws


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173 gestrande Belgen eindelijk thuis na quarantaine in Tenerife: “Regering liet ons aan ons lot over. We hebben twee maanden op ons terras moeten doorbrengen” - Het Laatste Nieuws

By news.google.com
Published On :: Fri, 08 May 2020 18:45:00 GMT

  1. 173 gestrande Belgen eindelijk thuis na quarantaine in Tenerife: “Regering liet ons aan ons lot over. We hebben twee maanden op ons terras moeten doorbrengen”  Het Laatste Nieuws
  2. 173 gestrande Belgen eindelijk thuis na quarantaine in Tenerife: “Regering heeft te weinig gedaan!”  Het Laatste Nieuws
  3. Na quarantaine in Tenerife: 173 Belgen eindelijk weer thuis  De Morgen
  4. Belgen die vastzaten op Tenerife charterden zelf vliegtuig naar huis  De Standaard
  5. West-Vlaming regelt repatriëring gestrande Belgen  Focus en WTV
  6. Hele verhaal bekijken via Google Nieuws


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76 nieuwe overlijdens in de afgelopen 24 uur, evenveel ziekenhuisopnames - Het Belang van Limburg

By news.google.com
Published On :: Sat, 09 May 2020 09:09:03 GMT

  1. 76 nieuwe overlijdens in de afgelopen 24 uur, evenveel ziekenhuisopnames  Het Belang van Limburg
  2. OVERZICHT. Dalende curve zet zich voort. 76 overlijdens, 210 patiënten naar huis en 76 nieuwe opnames  Het Laatste Nieuws
  3. Coronavirus: 76 overlijdens, 210 patiënten ontslagen uit het ziekenhuis  newsmonkey
  4. Minder patiënten in onze ziekenhuizen  Het Nieuwsblad
  5. OVERZICHT. 76 nieuwe ziekenhuisopnames en overlijdens, 585 nieuwe besmettingen | Binnenland | Nieuws  Het Laatste Nieuws
  6. Hele verhaal bekijken via Google Nieuws


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Remember…

By www.joegage.com
Published On :: Fri, 08 May 2020 11:35:44 +0000

Sunday is Mothers Day Streaming Love


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Book Review: THE BEST OF BOTH WORLDS

By hellnotes.com
Published On :: Wed, 29 Apr 2020 17:07:16 +0000

The Best of Both Worlds S.P. Miskowski Trepidatio Publishing May 1, 2020 Reviewed by Elaine Pascale  The Best of Both Worlds is a sequel to The Worst is Yet to Come in the sense that the plot runs parallel and the characters’ story arcs intersect in subtle yet important ways. The Best of Both Worlds […]


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Free National Theatre: FRANKENSTEIN (Cumberbatch Version)

By hellnotes.com
Published On :: Sun, 03 May 2020 17:26:22 +0000

A new play by Nick Dear, based on the novel by Mary Shelley. Watch Danny Boyle’s monster hit Frankenstein with Benedict Cumberbatch as the creature and Jonny Lee Miller as Victor Frankenstein. Frankenstein with Benedict Cumberbatch as the creature is streaming for free from 7pm UK time on Thursday 30 April. Available on demand until […]


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The Devil's Bestiary

By floggingbabel.blogspot.com
Published On :: Wed, 08 Apr 2020 19:26:00 +0000

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Marianne Porter's nanopress imprint, Dragonstiars Press,  has just announced its latest chapbook!

The Devil's Bestiary, a dark, brooding, and occasionally scabrous piece of fun composed by your truly, will be made available for purchase tomorrow, Thursday April 9, at noon Philadelphia Time (that's 4 p.m. Greenwich Mean Time) at the Dragonstairs Press website, www.dragonstairs.com.

But not a minute before then.

Here's the official announcement:

The Devil's Bestiary is Michael Swanwick's cynical,whimsical take on twenty nine creatures of myth and fables.  It is 5 ½ inch square format, with an outer wrapper of hand-dyed kozo paper, hand-stitched, numbered, and signed by the author.  It is published in a limited edition of 45, of which 40 are available for sale.   

The signed and very limited edition chapbook will go for $12 in the USA and $14 elsewhere, postage included. (When I tell Marianne she's not charging enough, she just glares at me.)  Which means that it will sell out pretty much immediately.

It's a lovely thing and I'm proud, as the content provider, to own a copy.


And rather than buy a pig in a poke with a blind horse . . .

Here are a couple of typical entries from The Devil's Bestiary:


A thousand years ago, a demon grew tired of his existence and came down to Earth to surrender himself to the first saint he encountered. He’s still looking.


A ghoul was caught in the act of anthropophagy by a camera crew from the local Action News, who needed something sensational for sweeps week. He was tried by an ambitious D. A. and defended by a lawyer from the ACLU. The jury was hung, asnd he got off. But afterward? Afterward, it was lean times for him indeed. He was not allowed near graveyards and he could not stomach non-human flesh. Vegetarianism was out of the question. He almost starved to death before an innovative mortician offered him honest work.

Today he’s the picture of affluence. Respectable people pay extremely well for his services, for he returns the remains of their loved ones to the earth in the most environmentally responsible way imaginable.


Those, at the low-rez pic above, should tell you right away whether you need a copy or not.



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The Best (and Simplest!) Writing Advice You Will Ever Receive

By floggingbabel.blogspot.com
Published On :: Sat, 11 Apr 2020 14:54:00 +0000

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Over on Facebook, Samuel R. Delany, answering a question in a post, offered the best and most succinct writing advice anyone has ever codified. Here, in its entirety, it is:

Writing advice: Read and reread. Think of a story you have never read but wish you had; then write it as carefully as you can. Finish it, and send it around till it's published.

The third sentence, as Chip noted at the time, was a condensation of advice that Robert A. Heinlein offered. So what you have above is the combined wisdom of two of the greatest careers science fiction has ever seen.

I could unpack that brief paragraph at enormous length. But, honestly, there's no need. You read it and you understood it. Now you only have to live it.


Above: The photo by James Hamilton was lifted from The Nation, where it illustrated a typically thoughtful and enlightened interview with Chip. You can find it here.


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