The Offworld Report: October 2004
01/11/2002 . Source: Stephen Hunt 

The chance of finding life on Jupiter's moon, Europa, goes up a notch, the Washington-based editor of SciFi.com muses about living life in the shadow of the sniper's crosshair, and author Jack Williamson gets interviewed about his long brilliant life in the SF world. All this and more in our round-up of the best SF offworld the 'Nest.

Life on Europa?
A sea of what could be water on Jupiter's moon, Europa, has Earth-like characteristics, boosting the chance of life existing there.

Martin's Game, but are You?
Hugo winning fantasy author George R.R. Martin's 'A Game of Thrones' novels is given a new lease of life as a Magic The Gathering-style card game.

Jack's Back
Classic SF author Jack Williamson - first published in 1928 and still going strong - sits for another interview.

Birds That Don't go Tweet
In the new TV series Birds of Prey, Dina Meyer, Ashley Scott and Rachel Skarsten leave Batman behind, grouping together to battle Gotham City's supervillains.

Who will rid me of this Troublesome Priest?
John Clute turns his educated gaze on publishing world of SF author Christopher Priest.

The Quality of Pity is Not Folded
Robert Silverberg puts his point of view across in this online article.

Flying with the Firefly
Set in the 25th century, this new SF television series looks at the voyages of the Serenity, a small tramp freighter starship and her crew, trying to make a living shortly after the end of an immense civil war.

Walking on Mars
Human explorers will walk on Mars, but not for many centuries, predicts one of the lunar astronauts.

John Meaney - How Mean Is He?
The author of the strange but amenable SF novel Paradox puts his life and works under the spotlight.

Worlds Glimpsed, Worlds Lost
The 'Save Farscape' campaign continues apace, as this cry of rage testifies.

Dan Simmons Interviewed
Hyperion author Dan Simmons talks about his work and life. Just in time for his new book releases too.

Jeff VanderMeer
The gorgeous Mr VanderMeer looks at Precious Ambergris, whatever the heck that is?

Robert L. Forward Dies
Robert Lull Forward, the author of Dragon's Egg, Starquake and other science fiction novels, dies of brain cancer at his home in Washington.

Cutting the Cards
Orson Scott Card in fine form for this interview

The Centre of the Galaxy is Evil
Scientists ponder the existence of a colossal black hole at the core of the Milky Way.

Who's on the Web?
Not who's on the web - but Who is on the web - as in Martin Sketchley goes looking for Doctor Who material on the internet. He finds a few interesting things too.

Shoot the Damn Stars
Astronomers are just itching to use their new powerful 'scopes to take a photograph of the first extra-solar world. And in the process, they are helping the hunt for extraterrestrial life.

Ansible goes Professional?
Dave Langford on why Ansible must, according to the Hugo rules, be a semiprozine (and other related fan news). One for the fans with a very large 'F'.

Warner Breathe - real - Life into the Classic Anime Movie 'Akira'
Can Warner Brothers make a live-action version of Japan's classic anime movie Akira (in English, of course), without reverting to Flintstones and Scooby Doo terrirory?

Life In the Cross-Hairs
Scott Edelman, editor of Science Fiction Weekly, finds a little comfort from science fiction as a crazed sniper stalks his home town, Washington.

Below. Below What?
Director David Twohy (he who created Vin Diesel in Pitch Black), talks about his new film, Below. Ghosts in U-boats? The real thing was scary enough.

The Strange Mr Kelly
James Patrick Kelly, the author behind the excellent 'Strange but not a Stranger', jumps into the interview hotseat.

The Planet Behind Pluto
It is just under half the size of Pluto - the largest object discovered in the Terran System for 72 years. But is it a world, or something else?