basletum dropped me an email this morning that made me go squee. The Escape Pod podcast of “My Friend is a Lesbian Zombie” has been nominated for a Parsec Award in the Best Speculative Fiction Story (short form) category.
Congrats also go out to the fabulous jackzodiac for his nominations in both the Best Speculative Fiction Story (long form) and Best Audio Drama categories for Mister Adventure.
And it’s been brought to my (belated*) attention that “Lesbian Zombie” has been targeted by Shelley the Republican in “Podcasts Part 2: Science Fiction or Satanic Fiction?” (and there’s a mirror site here). She singles both Escape Pod and my story out for her special brand of frothing censure.
Re: Escape Pod:
‘It turns out there is a lot wrong with this series: This podcast is nothing short of depraved filth. It’s [sic] content is frequently outlandish. Their stories have resolutions which are often amoral and deliberately designed to evoke messages contrary to the teachings of Christ.’
Re: “My Friend is a Lesbian Zombie”:
‘For example the episode entitled “My Friend is a Lesbian Zombie” is a prurient exploration of the occult, and homosexuality. These are both practices offensive to God.’
Re: Escape Pod, “My Friend is a Lesbian Zombie,” and science fiction in general:
‘This disturbing story is typical of the unsettling themes embraced by the perverse “science-fiction” authors. Eager for the next fix, science fiction dealers know that they have to provide ever more disturbing “fixes” in order to keep their drug-addicted reader’s attention. This “Escape Pod” is actually the start of a slippery-slope towards eternal damnation.’
It goes without saying, or perhaps it doesn’t, since I’m saying it, but Shelly the Republican is also of the opinion that science fiction and science fiction writers are all evil, eeeviiiiil. Interestingly, she and/or her followers seem to consider fantasy to be even worse.
I posted a reply to the post, but as Shelley seems to be prone to censoring feedback, I’m not expecting it to appear or linger for long. So herein my serious and thoughtful rejoinder:
Hi Shelley,
I’m the author of “My Friend is a Lesbian Zombie,” and I want to thank you for the publicity, censure, and amusement you’ve provided. As a science fiction writer, proud of my craft and profession, I’m delighted whenever something I pen elicits a response, positive or negative, because it means I’m doing something right.
If you’re looking for more fuel in your anti-podcasting and anti-science fiction rant, consider listening to Escape Pod’s “The Life and Times of Penguin” (http://www.escapepod.info/2005/09/01/ep017-the-life-and-times-of-penguin). I wrote that one as well, an homage to the wonderful and controversial classic by Voltaire, CANDIDE. I think you’ll hate that one too.
Enjoy! And keep up the vitriol!
Love,
Eugie Foster
Science Fiction AND Fantasy Writer
*This apparently aired in May, so I’m a bit bummed that I only caught wind of it recently. [Edit: secritcrush and sfeley have enlightened me to the fact that shelleytherepublican.com is actually a satirical site. Alas, I’m still not controversial.]
You do know that’s a satire site, right?
Is it? Aww, pook.
Yeah. From its terms of service:
You understand that by using the Web Site, including its Forums, comment pages and chats, you may be exposed to Content that is offensive, indecent or objectionable. ShelleyTheRepublican.com is a satırıcal web site that should not be taken seriously. If you feel offended by the content or parts of the content you have to leave.
Slightly disappointing. But it’s still publicity.
The scary thing is, it’s so hard to tell the difference! The actual far-righters are so over-the-top sometimes, they sound like they can’t possibly be serious. And yet they are.
*shudder*
I know! I’ve heard and read sincere sentiments in a similar vein, which is why I had such an easy time buying that Shelley was legit, I suppose.
I know! I’ve heard and read sincere sentiments in a similar vein, which is why I had such an easy time buying that Shelley was legit, I suppose.
Definitely understandable. The Christocrats are so empowered right now, they don’t shirk from broadcasting their ugliest and cruelest views. It’ll backfire on them eventually, I think.
People read the TOS???? They don’t even do that when they play World of Warcraft!
AHHHH! I’m going to Hell! Oh, well, I can think of worse people than your lovely self to have as company, because that’s where you’re going too.
Is that site a satire, or is she for real? People like that frighten me.
It’s right on the line, isn’t it? But it seems from their Terms of Service (buried in section 4 with the word “satirical” disguised as “satırıcal”), that it is indeed a satire. Drat.
The scary thing is that I have no trouble believing people can express that sort of sentiment for real, because I’ve heard similarly rabid statements written in complete sincerity.
Err, that should probably be “spoken” in complete sincerity . . .
My ex-boss was an extreme fundamentalist Christian. He used to tell me all the time I was going to Hell because I played M:TG and D&D and various other role playing games. He stopped reading SF and fantasy because he decided it was satanic, and won’t let his kids read Harry Potter. Our new boss is also a Christian, but has no problem with speculative fiction, and used to roleplay himself. Like me, he gave it up because life took over.
So like you, I had no problems thinking at first Shelly was for real. Seems we are both still going to Hell, along with most (if not all) of our LJ friends.
You forgot to mention to her how you’ll be eating her soul while you hang out in the fiery underworld below. Ya know, with all those genre writers.
That’s insane. Sheesh, but bad publicity is good publicity. I love that story of yours though I do enjoy “Penguin” a bit more. 🙂
I remain amused (and a little confused) that “Lesbian Zombie,” a fluffy bit of story written with no agenda or theme, seems to have gotten the most notice of anything I’ve written.
Enjoy! And keep up the vitriol!
::laughing:: You win. Best Fundie Response, EVER.
Notice, though, that she finds them morally repugnant, but she keeps reading them.
I guess she would love my Interview with the AntiChrist story I am doing then for the escape pod… if they pick it up I am going to have to make sure she listens to it…
D
“My Best Friend is a Lesbian Zombie” is a terrific story and I loved the Escape Pod presentation. Congrats!
Thank you!
Well done! I’ll see you in hell. 🙂
Yay! I’m thinking hell is underrated . . .
You should know — the Shelley the Republican blog is a parody site. The guy running it is actually a friend of Escape Pod. I was fooled by it for a while too… More details in my intro to this episode.
Great work on the award nomination, BTW! It’s a fun piece.
Hee! Yeah, alerted me to the satirical nature of the site after I posted this entry. Ah well, I’m still beneath the notice of the true loons. It’ll give me something to aspire to 
.
“This “Escape Pod” is actually the start of a slippery-slope towards eternal damnation.'”
Sign me up!
Yay! More denizens to populate the depths of fiery damnation!
Man, she is gonna HATE my cyber-angel/Satan’s bastard daughter story… I’ll have to send her a copy when Issue 2 of Forgotten Worlds comes out. 😉
*snerking into my coffee*
ROFLMAO!!!!!!!!!!
congrats on the nomination. and in regards to shelley the evil republican, i think you handled her with the utmost class and respect.
also, i’d be curious as to what her thoughts are on both tolkien and c.s. lewis?
after all they were two fantasy/science fiction writers who were also christians.
You rock, Eugie!
Thankfully, shelleytherepublican.com is a satire site; however…
It certainly brings back memories of what a certain “pastor” told me. Being as young as I was back then, I felt pretty crushed. But knowing what I know today, my reply would be more along the lines of, “I can’t go to Hell. Satan’s too afraid I’ll take over. MWAHAHAHAHA!”
OMFG, Eugie. That was hilarious. It’s not any less funny that it’s a satire site. I was going to say wOOt! free publicity! But alas, not so. Funny nonetheless.
How do you feel about slaving away at the panelist/author grindstone at D*C this year? I’ve got a few panels for which you would be perfect.
“How do you feel about slaving away at the panelist/author grindstone at D*C this year? “
I’d love to! Your track is always beaucoup fun, and I’m delighted you want me back. Definitely count me in!
LOL! What a fun story, Eugie, and congrats on the nomination! Woot!