I don't do political stuff on this particular page -- I have my blog and Twitter for that, if that's what you want from me -- but I will take a moment here to encourage each of you who can, to vote in this US election, whether it is through early voting (as I did today), by mail, or by showing up at your local polling place on November 8. Read up, be informed, and then cast your vote. It's important.

And then, after you've voted, have churros, or something else to celebrate. Because you'll have earned them. 

I've just completed the writing on The Collapsing Empire, the beginning book of a new space opera series, which will arrive in stores on March 21, 2017. I think it's good. I'm also a little exhausted.

I wrote a little bit about it on my site, so if you would like to know more, check it out there: http://whatever.scalzi.com/2016/10/05/the-collapsing-empire-done

I'm writing in the Los Angeles Times today about Alan Moore's new 600,000+ word novel Jerusalem, and how despite the length of time he and other writers of Very Large Novels take to write them, their pace is not all that far off from that of writers of shorter novels who put out a book every year (like, uh, me). Something to think about the next time you're griping about George RR Martin taking his sweet time between installments.

http://www.latimes.com/books/jacketcopy/la-ca-jc-alan-moore-scalzi-20160914-snap-story.html

Today is the 18th anniversary of my blog, Whatever, and also the 10th anniversary of that time I taped bacon to my cat. Truly an auspicious day all around. I hope it has been a good day for you. I've certainly enjoyed mine. 

Here's the cover to Miniatures, my upcoming collection of (very) short stories from Subterranean Press, art by Natalie Metzger. I like it a whole lot. If you're interested in ordering the print edition (the signed edition of which is limited to just 1,500 copies), follow this link.

http://subterraneanpress.com/store/product_detail/miniatures

This is a nice thing to have happened: My audio novella The Dispatcher was the #1 audiobook on Audible in the last week. I'm really happy so many people enjoyed it (and of course, the price point helped, I'm sure). If you haven't downloaded it yourself yet, it's still available to you for free through November 2. Try it and see what you think. And if you did download it: Thank you!

http://www.audible.com/pd/Sci-Fi-Fantasy/FREE-The-Dispatcher-Audiobook/B01KKPH1VA/

Today's the day: The Dispatcher is out! It's an audio novella narrated by Zachary Quinto (Spock in the new Star Trek movies), and it's available for free through November 2nd on Audible. I'm really very happy with this work, and with Quinto's narration of it. I think you will be too.

Here's the link to it: http://www.audible.com/pd/Sci-Fi-Fantasy/FREE-The-Dispatcher-Audiobook/B01KKPH1VA?source_code=AUDORWS0825169I0W

The first review of "Miniatures," my collection of very short stories, is in, and it's positive. It's apparently "quite amusing," which is an assessment I'm happy to agree with. Remember it's available to pre-order through Subterranean Press, and if you pre-order it with them, they'll throw in a free electronic version as well. I'll add the SubPress pre-order link in the comments.

https://www.kirkusreviews.com/book-reviews/john-scalzi/miniatures-scalzi/

Proud to reveal the cover to The Dispatcher, my upcoming audiobook novella from Audible, read by Zachary Quinto. It'll be out October 4, and if you get it before November 2, you can get it for free. Which is, you know. A pretty good deal. You can pre-order it right now at the link in this post. Enjoy!

http://www.audible.com/pd/Sci-Fi-Fantasy/FREE-The-Dispatcher-Audiobook/B01KKPH1VA/

My big news for the day. If you follow the link, it has all the details plus a link to pre-order the audio novella. I also answer a couple other questions on my own site; I'll put the link in the first comment. I'm SUPER EXCITED about this, folks.

http://www.ew.com/article/2016/08/30/john-scalzi-dispatcher-zachary-quinto

I received my first byline from Rolling Stone yesterday. I'm pretty geeked about it. The story is good, too.

http://www.rollingstone.com/culture/news/no-mans-sky-author-john-scalzis-suicidal-journey-w435240

Here's a nice bonus for the folks who pre-order my upcoming short story collection Miniatures: If you order the limited print edition from Subterranean Press directly, you also get a ebook edition for free. Details: http://subterraneanpress.com/news/get_yer_free_john_scalzi_ebook_here