Today’s writing links include news about Japan’s proposed space elevator (and a counterpoint to the plan), news about JK Rowling’s next book, new literary agents on the scene and a list of successful adaptations of “unadaptable” books.
I have to admit, although I’m not a huge fan of long elevator rides, Japan’s space elevator plan sounds cool in concept. Although the argument against why it won’t be ready by 2050 includes an incredibly relevant point (the technology to tether the supposed “ribbon” configuration has not been invented yet), it would still be very exciting to see the thing erected during my lifetime, even though I’d be 66 by the time it goes up. I can’t hide a little bit of disappointment that it’s going to take that long, but I guess if I want to get to the moon before then, I’ll have to do it the old fashioned way. With the relative decline of NASA, the old fashioned way seems to have defaulted into hiding in Buzz Aldrin’s luggage or being Richard Branson’s butler.
It’s also nice to hear that J.K. Rowling will be returning to writing soon, with the announcement that she will be publishing a new book in the near future with her newly acquired publisher, Little, Brown. Although the subject matter of her next novel is unknown, it will be interesting to see what she will write her first adult novel about. Are we looking at an adult fantasy book or a David Foster Wallace like entry into her literary cabinet? I guess we’ll have to wait and see.
In other news, links!
Links:
– Japan Plans Snail-Paced Space Elevator For 2050 (cnet)
– Why Japan Won’t Have A Space Elevator By 2050 (io9)
– 10 Great Magical Books For Adults (flavorwire)
– New Literary Agent Alert: Kat Salazar Of Larsen Pomada (guidetoliteraryagents)
– J.K. Rowling To Publish First Novel For Adults (flavorwire)
– 17 Successful Adaptations Of “Unadaptable” Books (avclub)
– SF Signal Reviews Hitchers By Will McIntosh (sfsignal)
– The Opportunities Of Self Publishing (writersdigest)
– Flavorwire’s Reading Picks For February (flavorwire)
– Who Controls Your Amazon E-book Price? (sfwa)
– Science Fiction Or Fact: Could a ‘Robopocalypse’ Wipe Out Humans? (yahoo)