Author: Bjorn Munson

Various and Sundry

Supporting your friendly local bookstores…

By Bjorn Munson | by Bjorn Munson

So many industries are being shaken by the coronavirus pandemic, the retail section overall is suffering, but specifically, small retail businesses are hurting. What with coming from a family of librarians and book-lovers, I’m especially keen to see independent book shops weather this latest storm, so I was happy to see an article earlier this month about how one online outfit, Bookshop.org is helping brick-and-mortar operations have an online footprint too. My “unread” bookshelf is…

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Various and Sundry

Life? Don’t talk to me about life! RIP, John Conway

By Bjorn Munson | by Bjorn Munson

I hope this doesn’t become too frequent, but I had to post something about one of the recent victims of the pandemic. As is being reporting in multiple outlets, John Conway has died at the age of 82. I know Conway the same way so many people know him: from his game of Life. No, not the family board game with the impressive spinner in the middle of the 3-D board. Conway’s game was abstract…

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Acting

Typecast During Holy Week

By Bjorn Munson | by Bjorn Munson

I’ve played a wide number of characters over the years, including henpecked husbands, Shakespearean fools, and villainous muleteers (I know, is there any other kind?). But one character type I seem to have gotten several times is that of the well-intentioned jerk (an invaluable archetype in a number of training videos I’ve been a part of). So perhaps it’s only fitting that, for a modern, social media kind of passion play, I get to be…

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Producing

Behind-the-Scenes Show Biz Superstars

By Bjorn Munson | by Bjorn Munson

I’ve been pleased to see all the memes on social media reminded everyone that they’re taking solace in the output of artists, whether it’s books, music, or films. So many of my friends are not only creative freelancers, but ones involved with film, theater, and television: creative pursuits where they have to go someplace to do their gig and get paid. And those places are, by and large, now closed (film and TV production has…

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Writing

Successful Self-Publishing Case Studies

By Bjorn Munson | by Bjorn Munson

Given the sheer numbers of self-published books, it statistically unlikely that someone will make a living via self-publishing… except that given the sheer number of self-published books there’s a non-trivial number of writers who make a living via self-publishing. So with that caveat in mind, take a look at Sam Haysom’s article on Mashable about three self-published authors who have succeeded.

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Writing

Roll for Initiative… at a distance

By Bjorn Munson | by Bjorn Munson

I’ve been compiling the various resources and freebies that people are posting daily on the Interwebs as ways to combat the coronavirus isolation. One activity I sorely want to try in the coming weeks is delving back into some role playing games (RPGs)… and, in fact, it’s possible that might be an activity to do with my kids. So Paul Darvasi’s article for KQED is a treasure trove of ideas about how one can use…

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Various and Sundry

Tips on Isolation from Astronauts

By Bjorn Munson | by Bjorn Munson

It’s week two of a lot of us Americans staying at home. Per historian and librarian recommendation, I am keeping a journal during this time. Lesson plans and activities are set up for the kids. We’re doing our best to make sure Jabberwocky Audio Theater continues as planned for this year. And of course, there’s some home projects that are rearing both their practical and sanity-based heads. In the face of all this, it can…

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Various and Sundry Writing

Science Fiction Tropes, Ranked (Barnes & Noble Edition)

By Bjorn Munson | by Bjorn Munson

I’ve posted about science fiction tropes before, but as we’re now deep into the Era of Social Distancing, at least some writing has got to happen, right? So here’s another list ranking tropes via Ross Johnson for Barnes & Noble. I might quibble with the ranking of the top 5 (dystopian governments and time travel would be my 2 and 1 respectively), but everything on the list should give you a knowing nod or a…

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Various and Sundry

In the face of global pandemic? Muppets.

By Bjorn Munson | by Bjorn Munson

Much of this week has been adjusting to the very new reality of self-quarantining (well, with the fam). My social media feeds are now almost exclusively news and reports about the coronavirus striking the globe and memes to try and help with it. Replicating the social media feed seems quite pointless, but I’ll certainly post links to resources or other fun things as relevant. For now, one recommendation, which I heartily endorse, was for families…

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