Friday Finds

After the internet-explosion over the last few days, how could I not start this FF with Julia Gillard's address? There is a lot to love about this, and whilst people are (rightfully so) pointing out her hypocrisy regarding the  GLBT community, this still means so, so much politically in Australia right now. This is a balls on the table take-down of a pretty nasty man, and given the recent influx of misogynistic attitudes politically and socially, this was an owning well-deserved. There's a really great round up of all of this stuff (and a whole lot more) over at The Wheeler Centre site by Clementine Ford, and it's definitely worth checking out. 

- On a completely different note, the most recent AWM Speakeasy interview is with literary agent Sophie Hamley. It's a great insight into where agents see themselves in the industry and what she herself looks for in a work and, maybe more importantly, in the authors she chooses to represent. Things to take away seem to be a) don't be too precious and b) don't be too crazy.

- 10 Tips for Generating Killer Science Fiction Story Ideas. I'm always a fan of io9's writing tips, but this list is a particularly good one. Tip 7 is especially great:

 7. Get into a fight with a famous science fiction author

Not literally. Do not go punching Vernor Vinge in the face and then claim I told you to do that. But sure, get into a fight with Vernor Vinge with your stories. Find something about how Vinge depicted cyberspace everting in Rainbows End, and write a story that shows how you think he should have done it. Don't like how Max Barry depicted cybernetic enhancements in Machine Man? Stick it to Max Barry by writing your own take on the subject. A lot of how science fiction has advanced, as a field, is authors trying to one-up each other and responding to each other's takes on the same basic ideas. Even if you don't prove everybody else wrong, you might get a really great story out of it. (Again, do not actually get into a fight with anybody.)

 - I'm basically in-love with this article on Angry Nerds & Sex, written by Siobhan Rosen.

- This really cool infograph on revealing the business of ebooks. 

- Another great list (I swear this is the last), a woman in my crit group mentioned this, and it really is the best. The Different Kinds of People There Are

- Also, I am contemplating making these Saffron-Vanilla Snickerdoodles over the weekend, because holy shit, saffron-vanilla snickerdoodles. 

- Just to take you out, my most recent column is live on LipMag Online. It's on nudity in television. You can check it out over here.