uthor David Gerrold may have won the Hugo and Nebula awards for his 1994 novelette "The Martian Child," but within SF fandom he will probably always be best known as the writer of one of the most popular TV episodes of all time. In 1967, Gerrold wrote "The Trouble with Tribbles," for Star Trek, becoming the youngest member ever of the Writer's Guild of America in the process and launching a long career as a professional screenwriter and novelist.
This is just one anecdote available for the reading on the author's official Web site. A wry mix of blog, bibliography and bookstore, the site keeps curious readers up to date on Gerrold's writing, public appearances, hobbies and daily life. There is plenty to keep track of: new installments in SF series such as The War Against the Chtorr, Tales of the Star Wolf and The Dingilliad, not to mention reissues of classics like The Man Who Folded Himself. Gerrold has also written a quartet of nonfiction books, including one on writing, two on Star Trek (one of which discusses the making of "The Trouble with Tribbles" and is available for download as a free e-book) and, finally, a history of computer games called Fatal Distractions.
For readers who are curious about what a successful writer's life is really like, Gerrold's blogs cannot be beat, offering family photos, reading recommendations, a warm, chatty biography, details about his charity fundraising efforts, and even data on the family dogs. The site lists Gerrold's upcoming convention appearances, so that fans can attend a reading or meet him face to face.
This Web page is everything an author site should be—informative, easy to navigate and packed with factoids and images that make it lots of fun to explore.
— A.M. Dellamonica
Site of the Week—September 13, 2004
ctor Jet Li has been making films since he was 16 years old, and a fair proportion of them have had at least a toe in the SF or fantasy genre. Now, with the visually gorgeous Hero finally enjoying wide theatrical release, interest in the already popular star is sure to increase. For curious fans seeking news or information on Li, there's only one place to start: his official site.
Two things make this Web page different from those of other celebrities. One is Li's extensive involvement in creating its content. He has written and posted no fewer than 14 autobiographical essays so far. These intriguing pieces tell the story of his early childhood and training in Wushu martial arts, various sports injuries, a 1974 U.S. tour that culminated in Li's meeting president Richard Nixon, and a 1979 tour of Great Britain. For readers more specifically interested in Li's films, there are equally in-depth articles about the movies and how they were made.
The other element that hoists this page a notch above its peers is the glimpse its essays give into areas beyond what moviegoers see on the screen: Li's life in 1960s Communist China, the nature of the filmmaking community, the evolution of martial arts films, even the actor's thoughts on spirituality.
Given his international fan following, it is no surprise that Li's site offers translations into French, Russian and other languages, all while building links to Jet Li fan organizations around the world. The page also has the beginnings of an online store, a few downloads—wallpaper, mostly—chat areas, discussion forums and a list of frequently asked questions. For visitors who don't want to spend their surfing time reading essay after essay, it provides a massive photo gallery and a long list of video clips.
This site shines with a genuine desire on Li's part to touch the fans who enjoy his work. As a result, it is comprehensive and intriguing, providing insights into his life, philosophy and—of course—his films.
— A.M. Dellamonica
Site of the Week—September 7, 2004
he Anime News Network is the obvious place to go for any Web surfer hungry for the latest details about a favorite anime or manga program ... or, of course, about the industry as a whole. New or old, obscure beyond knowing or freshly released on DVD—if it's about anime and it's worth knowing, ANN will have the facts.
Up-to-the-minute news and spirited editorials are only a fraction of the content available on this outstanding and informative site. There are convention write-ups, interviews, reviews and lots of features—pieces on everything from the future of anime to upcoming show lineups. Columnists with names like Ms. Answerman and The Encylopedist tackle topics like the Japanese storytelling style, best anime soundtracks, ethical fansubbing and what makes a good or bad voice actor.
ANN also provides an extensive reference section, complete with a lexicon of anime and manga terminology. Its encyclopedia of shows offers in-depth information (though the level of detail does vary from program to program) on hundreds of shows. A typical entry usually features episode titles, crew credits and listings of Japanese cast members as well as their voice-over counterparts in other countries. Some of the actor profiles go so far as to include birthday and blood type! There is also a calendar of events that covers conventions and film festivals across North America.
This is a highly interactive site, with polls, discussion forums, an IRC chat room and even the occasional contest. With its deep wells of information and the ANN's staff's steadfast devotion to all things anime, this is one web page that utterly deserves its cadre of loyal regular readers.
— A.M. Dellamonica
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