Margaret's March Nearly Monthly News (2023 Edition)
Welcome new subscribers! I was all set to open this month's newsletter by talking about how rainy it's been in Los Angeles lately, but then I checked the archives and apparently that's how I started the February newsletter. So, yeah. It's still raining. A lot. According to an LADWP spokesperson this is, "more than likely the wettest year in history." A phrase which I have to respect for managing to be equally bold and bet-hedging.
In between building our arks, the hot topics for Hollywood gossip these days are: "Do you think the WGA is going out on strike?" (Answer: no one is sure, but everyone has an opinion.) And: "Is AI coming for all our jobs?" (Answer: No one knows that either, but somewhere in town an AMPTP executive is frantically asking GPT-4 if it is willing to cross picket lines.)
And so, with the hopes that we aren't all about to wash into the Pacific and that writing will continue to be a viable way for me to make my living, on to the news!
From my Desk
Another short story sale! "Remember This When They Find You," will be appearing in an upcoming issue of The Deadlands, details to come when I have them.
A sale is always reason to celebrate, but this marks the first time I've sold two stories to the same market. (The first was "L'hiver est assis sur un banc.") I'm also excited to work with Deadlands editor E. Catherine Tobler, again, not least because she was my editor for my first ever short story sale, "Jane" for Shimmer, now sadly closed.
Speaking of short fiction, Hugo nominations are open! If you're a Worldcon member, I'd be honored to have you consider my work. A list of my eligible works is available in the December 2022 edition of this very newsletter!
What I'm Watching and Reading
I know, I know, I'm behind. But the buzz around Picard Season 3 (Paramount+) finally inspired me to go back and get caught up on season 2. While I liked season 1, as a fan of TNG, I heartily approve of the 1000% increase in Star Trek references in subsequent seasons.
Side Note: I know Picard season 2 doesn't get a lot of love, but I adore Alison Pill's performance as Dr. Agnes Jurati. It's so rare to see a female character who is both scarily competent and also a hot mess, and Pill is excellent at both. Plus, as an LA resident who goes to the Anaheim Convention Center and Center Theater Group with some regularity, I enjoyed playing spot the local landmark.
(The Mark Taper Forum in downtown LA, photo credit: Tom Bonner)
On the book front, I'm a bit more than halfway through the excellent Station Eternity by my Bookburners colleague, Mur Lafferty. Did you ever watch Murder She Wrote and wonder why Jessica Fletcher's nieces and nephews didn't beg their dear Aunt not to come visit because whenever she did, someone ended up dead? Well, this is the book about the person who stumbles into murders wherever she goes and then ends up solving them... in space. The book is a delight and Mur just revealed the cover for Book 2: Chaos Terminal. (Available for pre-order!)
From the Cutting Room Floor of the Duolingo Dystopia
Junior weighs in on current WGA negotiations:
Let's hope not, but I'm not putting down money either way yet.
And That's the Nearly Monthly News!
The year marches on and we march with it. I hope that this finds you safe and well. Questions? Comments? Drop me a line. Otherwise, I'll see you in April!