The Greatest Show In The Galaxy #4
Category: Science Fiction
published September 22nd, 2006
Table of contents for greatest-show-in-the-galaxy
The Greatest Show In the Galaxy hits its first month anniversary with the fourth edition of the Sci-Fi Carnival. I'm afraid we're light on submissions again this week, though a couple of regular contributors have come up with some strong posts. I've taken the unusual step this week to include something that wasn't actually submitted to the Carnival. I did this on the grounds that it's relevant to two of the posts that were submitted and also it's interesting in its own right.
The result is the first ever Greatest Show In the Galaxy themed edition…
Written Word
Ironically both the submissions this week are actually referencing the same issue, though from slightly different perspectives. I've been partially following the discussions and tend to come down in favor of "if you don't like it, don't read it". However, in the interests of fairness I thought I should present the original article that caused all this commotion and let everyone judge for themselves.
Gabe Chouinard presents A Reviewerfesto posted at Gabe Chouinard's Willy-Nilly House of Written Words. In his reviewerfesto, Gabe laments the lack of what he considers quality reviewing on the internet.
Now I fundamentally disagree with his definition of a good review, but I think a lot of it comes down to what you're looking for from a book and how you approach it. I'm a science guy who is lucky enough to have enough basic ability with the English language to string blog posts together in a coherent fashion. I'm not a an English Lit guy. Gabe is a very different beast indeed and I'm all for him encouraging people to produce the sort of things he likes to read. I'm not so keen on his dismissal of everything that doesn't suit his definition of review though.
Paul raven / Armchair Anarchist presentsClimbing free of the online book review sinkhole posted at Velcro City Tourist Board saying, "Gabe Chouinard caused a stir with a 'reviewerfesto' castigating the quality of online book reviewing in the science fiction field; he's quite right in some respects, but why keep drinking sour wine?"
Writing on the same subject, John D. presents Book Reviewer Backlash posted at John D.
If you've visited SFSignal you'll know that John writes quite a lot of reviews. Writing from the perspective of an active reviewer he gives us some alternative views on why people might choose to review on how they might approach it.
As always I’m going to finish by highlighting one of my own posts. Mine is not related to the Reviewerfesto I'm afraid, but I hope you find it interesting. 6 Steps to Writing a Fantasy Blockbuster, a humorous (I hope) look at some of the more common and irritating traits in commercial fantasy.
Again I'd like to call for opinions and suggestions.
- Do you like me adding in good posts that weren't specifically submitted?
- Do you have a favorite blogger I should approach and ask for submissions from?
- Is weekly too frequent? Should I drop it down to bi-weekly?
Submit your blog article to the next edition of The Greatest Show in the Galaxy using our carnival submission form.
The Greatest Show In The Galaxy Carnival Archive
- The Greatest Show In The Galaxy, A Sci-Fi Carnival
- The Greatest Show In The Galaxy #1
- The Greatest Show In The Galaxy #2
- The Greatest Show In the Galaxy #3
- The Greatest Show In The Galaxy #4
- The Greatest Show In The Galaxy #5
- The Greatest Show In The Galaxy #6
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3 Comments ... Have Your Say!
September 22nd, 2006 -
The SFSignal screwup may have been my mistake. I had two tired 19 month old children fussing round me while I was editing this one. 
I also need to make an effort to contact some more blogs and make them aware of this. I’ve been saying that for a couple of weeks now but it never quite seems to make it to the top of my list.
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September 23rd, 2006 -
Weekly is fine, as is adding in extras - more range is good for readers, and no blogger objects to getting unsolicited linkage (in my experience, anyhow).
As for hitting up celebloggers for posts, you’ve got nothing to lose. Try some of the ones who already blog about stuff other then their own personal work, perhaps. Worst they can say is ‘no’, and I suspect there are a few who might be up for it. After all, if they’re already putting out the material, the submission will take them all of a few minutes, and get them a few more readers. Give it a whirl, old chap! 
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September 22nd, 2006 -
Personally, I think weekly is fine. I just need to remember to submit the article to the carnival. (And figure out how to fill out a simple web form such that “at SF Signal” appears where it says “at John D. :)) Ultimately, though, it depends on two things, I think:
(1) How often people post on their own blogs, and
(2) How many of those posts they consider worthy
Oh, and the remembering thing.