A few months ago, TEDx Canberra had an open mic night. This is my talk presented on that night… Good evening. TedX talks affect change via …
Essays
Rajith Savanadasa on equity and representation
Recently I interviewed Rajith Savanadasa about his debut novel; we also discussed equity and representation. (See the full interview in video or listen in podcast …
Different definitions of success: exclusivity vs achievement
By Nalini Haynes I watched The Social Network on the weekend because I’m working my way through everything Aaron Sorkin has ever written. TSN got …
Will Kostakis on equity and representation
Recently I interviewed gay Greek Australian author Will Kostakis who had quite a bit to say about his books, Shakespeare, being gay and equity. I’ve been …
“I’ve been practicing my transgender face”
Comedian Rebel Wilson presented a BAFTA award this year. She commented that she’s not invited to the Oscars because ‘they’re racist’, evoking images of a …
Impact Comics and a girl called ‘Jason’
by Nalini Haynes Yesterday I pilgrimaged to a geek shrine in Canberra: Impact Comics. The minion had been summoned via a text informing him that …
Life and Death. Thoughts from the past week.
My condolences to David Bowie and Alan Rickman’s families, friends and fans. I’ve been reading people’s thoughts on their passing, comments on mortality and suffering. …
Accessible conventions: what SFWA forgot
Here’s a SFWA (Science Fiction Writers of America) Lee Martindale talking about some of her frustrations with lack of disability access at conventions. This is awesome: …
Overtly ignored yet progressing towards equity
Recently an SFF personality wrote a blog congratulating the community on being inclusive. Apparently she hadn’t done her research and, after all, she doesn’t identify …
PAX Australia: Actually it’s about ethnics in games journalism
I mis-read the title. I thought this panel was about ETHICS in games journalism and expected a panel about GamerGate and real ethics. This panel …
Self-congratulations by the able-bodied community are premature
Recently I read a blog by a prominent SFF personality congratulating the SFF able-bodied community for being inclusive of people with disabilities. I responded to …
PAX Australia: Sick Heroes “Explore representation of illness”
One of my favorite features of PAX Australia is the panel stream. I attended a few panels this year and this one stands out in …
Where should I publish an SFF novel? an essay by Nalini Haynes
Introduction This essay will look at publishing houses and small presses who support science fiction and fantasy (SFF) with a view to publishing my novel. …
Rabid Puppies vs Equity Advocates
You may have heard about a group of people who called themselves the “Sad Puppies” allegedly because they’re sad that they’ve been excluded from voting …
While you were sleeping… changes to Dark Matter Zine
You may have noticed that Dark Matter Zine has generally dropped down to 3 posts a week. I still love all my readers, I just …