Early Science Fiction (A Medievalist on the Chemical Wedding)

Last week The Guardian had a piece on the “first science fiction book,” an alchemy fantasy from 1617. I haven’t read The Chemical Wedding (though there’s a Kickstarter, now funded with 60k, that’s producing a new edition), but I was instantly skeptical of the “first” claim, so took to Twitter to ask for ideas of precursors. Juliet O’Brien, … Continue ReadingEarly Science Fiction (A Medievalist on the Chemical Wedding)

Mercy Killing Watch: Article Explores Murderer’s Justification for Killing Disabled Daughter

I need to read more murder journalism. Does non-disability-related murder spend as much time exploring how killers justify their crimes? Here’s WaPo on Bonnie Lilitz, who killed her daughter: Bonnie Liltz, it seemed, had reached a desperate moment. At home in a Chicago suburb late last spring, Liltz penned a final note to her family, … Continue ReadingMercy Killing Watch: Article Explores Murderer’s Justification for Killing Disabled Daughter

Adventures in Universal Design: A Farewell to In-Class Tests

I have decided to stop giving in-class tests under any circumstances. Here’s my essay, from the Chronicle: I’ve been inching away from the blue book for years, but it’s time to go cold turkey and match my praxis to my principles. Whatever pedagogical gains the in-class test might bring — and I’ll argue they are … Continue ReadingAdventures in Universal Design: A Farewell to In-Class Tests

Transphobia and the Middle Ages

Every year, Western Michigan University, in Kalamazoo, hosts about 3000 medievalists for a giant, sprawling, conference that I call MedievalCon. It has its significant academic context, but it’s also embraced seriously fannish elements (or had them thrust upon it). On Saturday nights, there’s a panel hosted by the “Pseudosociety,” in which academics deliver humorous satirical … Continue ReadingTransphobia and the Middle Ages

Adventures in #MedievalTwitter – Racists and Swans

I was going to post this yesterday, but was too sick. Below is a tweet from former graduate student in medieval literature, responding to a petulant tweet by a racist UKIP (right-wing English political party) about an actress of color playing Queen Margaret of Anjou. Hi @CllrChrisWood that’s a lovely medieval image you have there. … Continue ReadingAdventures in #MedievalTwitter – Racists and Swans

Baseball and Brothers – Good Journalism on a Celebrity and a Disabled Sibling

The celebrity with disabled sibling genre of story tend to be pretty awful. The celebrity is asked about their sibling and, in response, the celebrity says things like overcome, inspiration, and other usual platitudes. This is partially because that’s how we’ve learned to talk about disability, partially because celebrities sell clicks and so interviewer isn’t … Continue ReadingBaseball and Brothers – Good Journalism on a Celebrity and a Disabled Sibling

EVENT: Live interview with Ada Palmer at her Book Launch, 5/16, 57th St. Bookstore, Chicago

Next week, I’ll having a conversation with the brilliant Ada Palmer about her debut novel, Too Like the Lightning (from Tor). Her scholarship on Renaissance reception of Classical knowledge is impeccable, but she’s also the author of a complex, innovative, work of speculative fiction, the first of four books, just released last week. Instead of … Continue ReadingEVENT: Live interview with Ada Palmer at her Book Launch, 5/16, 57th St. Bookstore, Chicago