Swan Song???

As mentioned on Facebook yesterday, I've given this a lot of thought and I'm wondering if the time has come to stop blogging. . .

After 6 years, a couple of millions of visitors from over 100 countries, 263 book reviews and counting, many fun and interesting interviews, and countless giveaways and related SFF material, maybe it's time to hang 'em up. . .

Funny thing is, I wasn't even supposed to last more than a couple of weeks. Six years is pretty much like a lifetime on the web. And needless to say, the Hotlist went far beyond what I ever envisioned. Pat's Fantasy Hotlist's mission has always been to help spread the word about all that's good in the SFF genres, something I've been striving to uphold since its beginning in January of 2005. And I feel it's mission accomplished.

Though I have my detractors (and yes, they are many), I was nonetheless able to establish myself as a fair and honest (one can only hope) online reviewer over the years. The Hotlist's ever-growing popularity is probably a good sign that there are a lot of people out there who have come to trust me. And although I've never taken myself very seriously, it's nevertheless heart-warming to realize that I have earned the respect of so many people, both in and outside the industry. For you see, respect is never deserved. It has to be earned. And the fact that so many people visit the Hotlist in droves every day means that I've done a few things right.

Being on a first name basis with most editors-in-chief and big-name editors on both sides of the Atlantic means something, no question. But one of the most rewarding aspects of running this blog for so long is that I'm now on a first name basis with some of the SFF authors I've admired the most for years and years. People like Guy Gavriel Kay, Robin Hobb, L. E. Modesitt, jr., George R. R. Martin, and many others, have helped me enjoy this adventure on a more personal level.

In my own small way, I helped launch the careers of new SFF writers such as Scott Lynch, Naomi Novik, Brandon Sanderson, Joe Abercrombie, Brian Ruckley, Patrick Rothfuss, Carrie Vaughn, Peter V. Brett, and many more. The beauty of running this blog remains that it allowed me to discover so many talented authors and bright new voices in both the fantasy and science fiction genres. No, I don't deserve much credit, but I'm glad of the exposure I was able to provide for each of them.

I'm also quite proud of my unflagging promotion of Canadian talent, and will continue to support authors such as R. Scott Bakker, Steven Erikson, Guy Gavriel Kay, and Peter Watts until they put me under.

There were some unexpected surprises along the way, things I never would have thought could become a reality. And yet, a character based on me (kind of a prick, I'm told) will be brutally killed in GRRM's A Dance With Dragons. Even better, Speculative Horizons, an anthology compiled and edited my Yours Truly, will soon be available.

I'm not going to lie; I loved every moment of the last couple of years. Yes, there were a few pissing contests and flame-ups, especially early on. It wouldn't have been as much fun otherwise. But all in all, we've managed to keep things civil enough, the GRRM haters' spam bomb notwithstanding. Hence, turning my back on all this wouldn't be easy. But sooner or later, every good thing must come to an end. . .

God knows I'm not about showmanship, but it's always better to go out on top. And as one of the premier SFF bloggers in the world, maybe it's time to say goodbye to Pat's Fantasy Hotlist. . .

Jon Sprunk left this very nice and probably underserved comment on my Facebook page: "I consider you a voice of reason in a wasteland of useless chatter." It appears that quite a lot of people echo the sentiment.

As I mentioned in response to those Facebook comments, I haven't made up my mind yet. But I will do so soon enough. For if I do decide to hang 'em up, it will probably be at the end of December, right after my year-end awards.

Whether or not I elect to keep the Hotlist running, I owe a debt of gratitude to all of you. Authors, editors, agents, publicists, marketing people, the SFF online community, and all the SFF readers out there, you made it happen. Indeed, it would be no fun without an audience and you guys have been awesome!

Pat's Fantasy Hotlist would never have been the same without each and everyone of you! =)

84 commentaires:

Anonymous said...

Please sont stop i love your blog

Blodeuedd said...

Oh no, don't go :(

Anonymous said...

thank you for everything pat. you dont owe me anything (obviously) but i would love for you to keep this blog running
thanks

Neth said...

well, if you do decide to move in another direction. Best of luck and don't be a stranger.

logankstewart said...

Man, it's hard to imagine SFF reviews without the Hotlist. Hopefully, if you do go, you at least offer occasional reviews. Whether you stay or not, I've loved your blog. Good luck.

Dream Girlzzz said...

It saddens me to read this.:(

With Gabe Chouinard, Jay Tomio, and William Lexner gone, you and Rob are the only remaining "original" SFF bloggers and Rob has always concentrated on sffworld.com.

It's hard to imagine the SFF blogosphere with you pat. Because in a sense you did a whole lot to create that particular niche in the blogosphere. Your absence would be felt too. Readers couldn't really rely on the new generation of bloggers to pick up the slack. What you and the other original bloggers had that is sorely lacking these days is passion.

Hope you reconsider and we can continue to read and enjoy Pat's Fantasy Hotlist for a long while yet.

Unknown said...

It's your call, but I really enjoy reading your blog. Thanks to you and your work, I've discovered many authors I wouldn't have known about (Steven Erikson, Brent Weeks, etc.) and I'm really grateful for this.

Indeed, I would like to be able to continue reading your blog, but I cannot even start to imagine the amount of time needed to keep it running, so hoping you keep on posting, but wouldn't mind you if you stop! :)

Anyway thanks for Pat's Fantasy Hotlist!

Anonymous said...

You may believe it or not Mr. Pat, but you are now my only link with what is going on in the Fantasy market. I stopped going to conventions, discussing books in forums and now I almost don't read SFF anymore. But I guess everybody has to grow up sometime.

Giada M. said...

I read your blog every day and I have to thank you for all the interesting posts and new authors I have discovered. I hope you'll continue with your blog, but in any case good luck with everything and really THANK YOU! :D

aminahsmail said...

Please don't stop your blog Pat!
I have always enjoyed your posts...you have introduced me to several authors I would never have heard of otherwise.
PLEASE don't let haters get you down...as evidenced by the others posting here...there are TOO MANY of us who NEED YOU! :)
Thank you for all you do :)

Neth said...

Pat, as a football fan, you'll probably appreciate this:

http://www.bushleaguecritic.com/2010/09/14/pats-fantasy-hotlist-announcement-news-or-just-testing-free-agency-waters

Fran Terminiello said...

Hi. Sorry to hear this. If you do give up on the blog please leave it open so that we can read back over the last five years of stuff - it would be a shame for it to just disappear.

Amanda said...

What no?!?! I understand and thank you!!!

Jim Martin said...

I've only just discovered this blog in the last few months. I'd love for you to continue.

Luke said...

If you do, I suggest you bring in a team of people to maintain the blog. Just the fantasyhotspot url is a central place for a lot of even casual SFF fans--including ones who learn about it from blurbs on books and such.

Just keeping the blog up and running in some form will be for the benefit of the genre, I think.

Anonymous said...

Wait. You run a blog? Where is it?

JeffV

Anonymous said...

When I first visited this blog years ago I had stopped reading fantasy altogether. You renewed my interest in SFF and (very) rarely led me astray. I've enjoyed reading your blog, and I would hate to see it end. If you do decide to end it, good luck in all of your future endeavors.

Adam Whitehead said...

As I've said before Pat, your support and endorsements helped my blog get off the ground and opened a fair few doors to publishers and so on. You have my thanks for that, and the promise of a beer the next time you make it to London!

I hope you do choose to carry on. None of us are working for anyone, or being paid, or on some kind of time schedule. If you want to take a few weeks or months off and then come back when you feel like it, nothing is stopping you, after all :-)

At the very least I'm hoping you polish off the last two ASoIaF books and THE CRIPPLED GOD before you go. That'd really be a swansong to bow out on :-)

Anonymous said...

Maybe just take a couple months off. Please dude, your work is awesome and appreciated, don't quit.

Heath said...

Regardless of what you decide, thanks for taking the time to do the Hotlist. I've really enjoyed reading your reviews and travelogues over the past couple of years. You've introduced me to a lot of great new authors and I will always appreciate that.

Todd said...

Pat, this is hands down the best, most informative, down-to-earth blog/website I've had the honor of visiting over the past few years. And not just because I won 2 contests :)

I especially love the fact that besides the reviews and interviews contests, I get to take vacations across Europe, watch random music videos, or read an inspiring quote or two. It's always been a joy to click the site and see what I get that day!

Not today's though...I'll be extremely saddened to see the blog close, if you choose to. But going out on top (and you would be) is never a bad thing. I was shocked to see this news but real life comes first, so I wish you luck in the future if you do decide to leave.

Thanks for the fun!

-Todd

Ken from Langley, BC said...

Would be a shame to see you go Pat. I have been reading your board pretty much daily since the very beginning and it is a bright journalism spot in a bleak landscape. I know your decision wont be easy no matter what you decide but thanks for everything you have done for SFF.

ediFanoB said...

After six months of blogging I still can't imagine what it means to run and maintain a blog for six years.
I appreciate your blog a lot.
Best of luck for whatever you will do in future.
KUDOS!

Dutchy said...

Sorry to read this, you have been an inspiration. You still have time to reconsider...

Anonymous said...

I never appreciated the work of a reviewer until I tried actually reading as many SFF novels published in the current year as I possibly could. It takes tremendous resolve just to stick to the reading, much less come up with something to say about it all. And I've been glad to follow your blog as a partial guide.

IMO, it'd be a shame to throw away the audience you've built--you have 1900 subscribers via Google Reader alone. Why not go the mostly-one-dude team-blog route like Fantasy Book Critic and gradually taper your own contributions until they're at a point you're happier with and your audience is still getting a feed of content developed partially at your direction?

Anyway, good luck with whatever you do next.

Anonymous said...

If not for your blog, I would not of read and enjoyed half the fantasy novels that I have.

From my point of view I enjoy sitting at the computer after work and amongst other things, reading this blog, so, should you choose to bow out you would be sorely missed, plus, who else is there that is as good as you for sff reviews?, nada.
Well, thank you for your blog thus far, may it still continue, cheers, martin

Jebus said...

Yeah I say bugger off, you've done enough. Wert and Spec Horizons are the kings now.

:P

Besides, it really is much more fun, the majority of the time, to "finish" when on top. Ah ha...

Anonymous said...

no,no,no!

This is one of my few daily visits sites!

But I understand.....

Like Chris Rock of OJ Simpson...."I don't agreed with what he did to his wife and Ron Goldman but I understand....."

Take care,
Troy

Dave said...

nooooo this is my fav blog i check it all the time :(

Kenny Cross said...

I came to this party rather late it seems but every day I'm here checking for new reviews, your awesome pictures from your recent trip, and I'm still giddy about getting one of THE DERVISH HOUSE copies. Thank you thank you thank for your hard work and just plain awesomeness. I hope you stick around but if not this place was a sane quiet pool where I could dip my toes in and relax.

alabrava said...

Wert's is the only other blog I read regularly as you 2 update most often, don't force me to read Aidan man.

Elfy said...

It's your decision, Pat, but I personally hope you keep the blog going. I get more than enough out of it to keep me coming back.

Mike said...

Not permitted.

You can't leave. I check and enjoy this blog daily! It's part of my after work routine to help me unwind from a hard's days work.

No. You cannot. Sorry, you put yourself in this spot for running such a great blog. :)

-Mike/Keyoke @ sffworld

Steve MC said...

Dang. If you gotta go, you gotta go. But heck, sure going to miss the reviews, interviews, cover art, random thoughts, and tunes.

Anonymous said...

Ok.

I'll bite. (But sheesh if you're not getting worse than GRRM with the whole "need for praise" thing)

"Oh, PLEASE don't go!"



(name dropper)

Matthieu C said...

Hey Pat,
You'll do what you want but you are the voice I found to know more about those interesting new authors, all said in a simple, traight and no bullshit kind of way.
Maybe sometimes it feels like this blog became your own frabnkenstein monster but keep it going, please.
Lache pô mon pit!

Zafri Mollon said...

Love your blog Pat. I've always appreciated the honesty of your reviews, and while we seem to disagree with regards to a number of books (based on the ones posted on amazon.ca) I still have to give props for what you do! I'd love for the hotlist to live on, but I wish you the best in whatever choice you make.

Anonymous said...

Thanks Pat, I wish the best for you what ever you decide to do.....

Bubba

Anonymous said...

Pat,

Of course, do what's best for you, but I REALLY REALLY hope you don't stop. This is THE site for me to get my news, reviews and interviews on fantasy and scifi. There is none better!!!

Brad M Saenz

Josh said...

I remember as a young kid -- maybe 10 years old -- exploring the dark, dusty isles of a rundown old thrift shop in Ft. Huachuca, Arizona. It was the sort of place that looked like a condemned building from the outside, and the inside wasn't much better, full of cobwebs and the floor was actually dirt.

I hadn't even wanted to go into the place, but my mom handed me a dollar and pretty much forced me through the door.

In the back they had a small bookcase. It had maybe 30 books on it. One of them was called The Eye of the World. The only "books" I read were comics in those days, and I'm not really sure what made me pick it up. Maybe because it was 25 cents and I only had that lone dollar. Whatever it was, I went home with it and read cover to cover without pause ... but to my dismay I realized it wasn't the full book. Looking at the cover again, it said something like "The first part of book one of the Wheel of Time."

It was a promotional book with maybe the first 18 chapters.

I was heartbroken that it wasn't the full book, but that day sparked what became a 20 year (and counting) relationship with the Wheel of time, and all these years later I found your blog. It was an odd path that led me here and I'm sad to say that I've only just discovered it this year, but I just wanted to let you know that as many long-time readers as you have, you also have folks like me who have just arrived.

This quickly became one of the few pages that I visit daily. You and your page would be sorely missed, and I say that as a fan of your work here as well as a fan of the genres you cover.

Derek M. Koch said...

I can think of a good reason for you to stop - my wallet would be incredibly grateful!

Seriously though - the site has opened my eyes to so many new books and added so many novels to my To-Read pile. Thank you so much for all your hard work . . . Obviously, if you need to bring it to an end, we'll understand and support you . . . and, of course, miss you as well.

Brad said...

I just finished the First Law books and during a search tonight found this blog, pretty much on the same day you quit. You must be kidding, I finally find a resource with a welcomed lack of BS and a get to the point attitude and, well...you just missed the point.

So I am going to offer some unrequested advice AND reply to a blog (two things I rarely give a damn enough to do). I like fiction and good fantasy because I live the battles in the real world that most people just read about. Sometimes a great story helps me get outside of the bounds of my own ego or the constraints of the limited world views of those around me. It helps me be better at making a difference. It even occasionally reminds me that hope isn't always easy to see but it's power, even in the hearts of bad people, can be a change agent of no equal. And yes, sometimes I just need a fucking break as far from earth as I can get.

I am a former platoon Sgt, broken and scarred. I am the CEO of a social media company and I run a foundation and end up having a stack of "save the community" bureaucratic screwed up crap dumped on my plate weekly. From gang cops across the US to helping local kids get their moms off meth. Fulfilling and frustrating.

So my point is this Pat, whoever you are, sometimes the fight picks you buddy.

Even if its not always the joy it could be getting to where you are now in the new media world we live in doesn't usually happen unless it makes a real difference somehow.

I read your last post and you don't want to quit, I could read that in the first paragraph. So don't. Go find a beach. Chop some wood. Have a few beers. Then get over it and get back to it.The world is a mess Pat. People are afraid. There aren't many heroes. Truth as a definition is under an assault like never in history.

The world needs good stories Pat. Id say it looks like it might need you. Unless you quit.

Regardless, good luck and nice work.

Anonymous said...

O, Pat, it will be a sad day, if you stop blogging! Generally I do not follow blogs, but yours has been more than great and, frankly, quite helpful, when it comes to finding new books and writers! You will be greatly missed! Still, the last years have been a blast, so... Thank you! :)

Unknown said...

As someone commented earlier, I can't imagine the SFF blogosphere without you. I enjoy reading many of your posts, and if you do decide to lay low for a while, I will miss your thoughtful reviews and intermingled interesting posts about circuses, vacation hot-spots, random musical interludes :-) (and, and football scores).

Whatever you decide, I just wanted to let you know that I am a fan.
Cheers
-Khaled

GreetingsFromHungary said...

I would be very sorry to see your blog go, Pat. Every day, this is the first site I check for news on SFF, and based on the above comments I would say I'm not the only one. This has become a daily routine for me, I've even made the Hotlist my home page on my browser! :)

Ultimately, of course, it's your choice. But whatever you decide, please know that your work has been and will be appreciated. Not just on the coasts of the Atlantic, but even in faraway Central Europe. Kudos, and good luck!

Roland said...

I just discovered this blog a few months ago and I love it! I'd be sad if you were to stop blogging Pat, but I understand if don't want to.

Anonymous said...

Please keep this blog running.

Murf61 said...

Six years is almost a lifetime in the blogosphere so well done for your hard work. Yours was one of the first review blogs I read and through the Hotlist I found loads of new SFF books to read. Now I am reviewing myself I appreciate the commitment and dedication it takes to run a successful blog. Good luck in your future endeavours, whatever you choose to do.

ssgorik said...

It's your choice of course and I'd greatly miss the Hotlist if you did.

There's this story I love to tell whenever The Shadow of the Wind comes up about how it's my fiancee's favorite book and she was always trying to get me to read it. However, it didn't sound that interesting to me so I never bothered... Then one day I see my favorite reviewer read the book and gave it a 10/10. So, I turn to her and say "Pat gave The Shadow of the Wind a 10/10 and he rarely gives a 10/10! I gotta read that book!" Her reponse is of course: "Oh so you'll read it cause he likes it, but not me huh?"

If I may make one request of you Pat before you close up shop if you do... Another of her absolute favorites is Haruki Murakami's "Kafka on the Shore" which you had on one of your "what to read next" polls, so I'd love it if you reviewed that one so I could perhaps be able to say "Pat just read Kafka on the Shore and he loved it! I gotta read that book!"

I hope you stick around or perhaps just take a long break, but it's been great no matter what!

The Fantasizer said...

Well hopefully you won't quit. I like Adam's idea take some time off if you like and then come back?

Anonymous said...

Pleas stay

Charice said...

No!!!

Why do you want to have a swan song? Why not enlist some help in running this blog. An assistant maybe?

I always appreciate what you have to say Pat and I would be pretty sad if you and this blog disappears. At least wait until Erikson has finished his series and better yet wait until Dance with Dragons comes out.

Amanda Makepeace said...

The day you go will be a sad day in the blogging world. There just are not that many blogs that can stand next to yours in quality.

I'm not a big commenter, but I'm a reader. I've been coming to your blog everyday since I found it 2 years ago. If you don't have time to blog as much as you have been might I suggest bring on two more bloggers? You could be a team and then still have time to move in other directions in your life.

Just a thought...

Anonymous said...

Nooooo please don't go, i base so much of what i read on your blog!

Anonymous said...

This is my first stop for reviews... please don't go

Anonymous said...

In the few years that I have been reading your blog, it has directed me to many new authors and wonderful books. It also introduced me to the Subterranean Press, where I purchased my first signed edition. As a fellow Canadian, I am proud of your accomplishments as a reviewer and in your efforts to highlight our talented authors. I will be very sorry if you decide to stop this blog, but respect your decision to do so.

Anonymous said...

Oh no you bloody well don't ...

http://forum.malazanempire.com/index.php?showtopic=19724

Marco said...

this is all my last stop of all the blogs I read! the best is always the last

but you can`t go, I still want to win one of your giveaaways :)

Patrick said...

Wow! I'm a bit overwhelmed, I must admit. And I see that you guys have decide to make an already tough decision even harder for me! ;-)

Received this from a UK publisher this morning:

"I checked the blog this morning and was flabbergasted to read your latest post. I fully respect your thoughts about moving on but wanted to let you know that your discerning eye would be greatly missed among the world’s genre book blogs. Your reviews have come to be a badge of honour for writers new and established, we’re always delighted to include your quotes on book jackets, to sell-in books to the retailers, to talk about the buzz around a title – it would be a real loss to me, my colleagues and our stable of authors. Not to mention the site is a tremendous resource for us all, a great read and a terrific place to take the temperature of the industry, to choose my next book and for insight into the lives of my favourite authors! I hope you won’t mind me being so candid. You shouldn’t feel under pressure to carry on – I’m sure I am like many others, just wanting to let you know the high esteem in which the blog is held."

Beats the cock pump emails, that's for sure! :P

No but seriously, thanks for the kind words. It means a lot to me.

Just want to clarify certain points:

- Pat's Fantasy Hotlist will not disappear from the web if I di decide to quit blogging. The site will remain live and its entire content will continue to be widely available on Blogger goes to shit. So no worries on that front.

- While I don't mind guest bloggers (and I have an idea I want to run with if I do stay in business), I've always said no to permanent collaborators. I believe on the factors that made the Hotlist as successful is the fact that there's one voice behind it. So it's easier to get to know me and trust me as a reviewer and all that. I can't really see myself handling the reins to someone else...

- If I do hang 'em up, you will still have to put up with me on the various SFF message boards I frequent. Don't think you could get rid of me this easily! :P

- Don't see myself taking a break and coming back. While running the Hotlist is time-consuming, I'm not "tired" of the whole process behind it. I just kind of feel that I've done basically all I can possibly do with this blog (and then some!), and maybe it's time to leave while I'm on top and not overstay my welcome...

- It's not about money. God knows I make very little cash out of blogging (feel free to buy things through my Amazon links, everyone!). The Hotlist has been somewhat of a labor of love from the start, my own way to giving something back to the genres I've been enjoying for about 25 years...

As I mentioned, I'm giving myself a couple of weeks before making my decision. Understandably, I'd love to review the new Esslemont, Erikson, and Bakker offerings before calling it a blogging career, SFF-wise anyway! And I'm waiting to hear back from GRRM for a little project regarding the HBO TV series.

So I'm not out of the race yet... =)

Blend said...

Please don't leave, I depend on you for all my SFF news. You're one of the only bloggers out there who doesn't take himself TOO seriously, and who actually seems to have an almost identical taste in SFF as I do. I would be devastated if my biggest source for SFF news just up and left! :P

Albertosaurus Rex said...

For what it's worth, I would be sad to see the Hotlist go.

tomas said...

Yo! Stop playin'.

Massimo said...

Nooooooo!, please don't goooooooo!!!!!

Cathy Palmer-Lister said...

I only just discovered you, don't quit now!!!

Cathy
Chair of Con*Cept 2010
Oct 1-3

Anonymous said...

Too many people depend on you, Pat! You can't quit on us now! Look at all the love people are sending you!

Lots of people discussing your announcement on twitter last night...

Graham

JoanD said...

I'm with everyone above - please don't go! I have come to rely on you for insightful reviews which almost always point me in the direction of books I enjoy, even if I thought they would not be the thing for me at first. Whatever you decide to do though, thanks for what you've done!

Pete said...

It would be kind of sad, but to be honest half of your stuff these days is just travelogues and inexplicable "Top City Lists". There's newer, more focused SFF blog. So while I'm miss this blog I'd say, if you're feeling burnt out, maybe it really is time to hang it up.

bascule said...

Preferably no, but at least let me win Brayan's Gold before you go.

Anonymous said...

Dear Pat
I cannot stay unaffected by your "swan song", and it's with sadness, a great sadness and tears

in the eyes that I read your article and these comments.
In france on some forums people told me go to "le blog de pat" to have interesting articles on

fantasy and SF, I searched, there was no "blog de pat" at last I learned the true name was

"Pat fantasy hotlist".
And now, it's been a year and a half that I discovered your blog and enjoyed it every day,

every time I connect to the internet, it's a real pleasure to sometimes re-read some of your

work so many years later.

I imagine the time consuming task you perform every day, and cannot ask you to continue

forever, you have done so much already, made us discover new authors, made us wait for a next

book, but it's hard to imagine that one day I would connect to your blog and see a white page

with " page error 404- Not found" on my screen.
If you stop, it' s understandable.... but give us a great finish, "un bouquet final" ( a final

flourish ? ) as in fireworks.
Don't forget us, give us your reviews of A dance with dragons, The crippled god, the wheel of

time, and some others final chapters of series you made us like !
Thanks Pat !
Mormegilmarseille, FRANCE.

Anonymous said...

I wasn't in on the first several years of your blog, and I would very much miss it if you retire it. I check you for the latest releases, and I've gotten a lot of good recommendations for new authors. If votes count, I say, keep it going! (On the other hand, I've got so many books to read on shelves and lists that if I never get another good book suggestion, I'll still have too much to read before I exit this world. . . .)

ablacklo said...

Pat - I just wanted to let you know that as over a 30 year SF&F fan, I only read a few blogs out there rarely commenting and I find your among the very best out there and the one I enjoy the most. Just wanted to thank you for the last couple of years and hope that you keep going but totally understand why you would want to stop. Thanks again.

Patrick said...

@Graham: So I've heard. But I'm not on Twitter, so all I have to go by is hearsay...

It seems that announcing that I might call it quits is bad form, at least according to some people. I feel that stopping blogging altogether out of the blue would be much worse. Heck, if one of my favorite blogs just disappeared one day with a simple post explaining that it was time to go, I'd feel more than a little cheated. Which is why I just came out in the open and told people I might kiss the Hotlist goodbye.

Why at the end of the year. Well, I have a couple of advertising deals which end on December 31st, so theiming would be good.

Attention-whore? You really believe that this punk is big enough to warrant attention from people outside of the usual suspects who hang around here? If you, I got this fully legal pyramid scam I'd like you to become a part of.

Having said that, I have to concede that I never thought I'd get thisind of support from both readers and SFF people in the publishing industry. It does make me feel good about myself and the Hotlist.

Yeah, some people don't like me. They're entitled to their opinion, and it's all good if they think I'm an asshole. Personally, I don't believe the world will be a poorer place without Pat's Fantasy Hotlist. The blogosphere lost many "big names" over the last couple of years and the world hasn't stopped turning. We miss them, but life goes on...

It will be the same if I retire. And as much as the Brett Favre anthology made me laugh, how could anyone believe that I'm doing this to raise the stakes? It's not like tor.com has been waiting for that and will offer me a multi-year deal worth millions!

Though the blogosphere isn't what it used to be a few years back, I'm still enjoying running Pat's Fantasy Hotlist. There's a lot more shit flying around (especially on Twitter, if I can believe what some readers report) these days, but what can you do? I realized early on that I could never please everyone and I never tried. I've been doing more or less the same thing for nearly 6 years now. People should know by now what to expect -- except for my musical tastes, that's true! :P

Those who don't care much for me and the Hotlist should know that there is certainly something for them in the SFF blogosphere. Why they keep turning up if I suck so badly, I'll never know. Actually, they should be happy that I'm considering retiring. I'd stop being such a blight on the intrawebs!

In any case, I'll make my decision in a few weeks' time...

Sandra said...

I've been a reader since 2 or 3 years and Pat has always struck me as a friendly all-around guy. I only read the Hotlist and Werthead's blog, so I don't know what's going on around the internet. I don't do message boards because I don't have time.

A friend directed me to Roland and Larry's blogs and I was shocked by the vitriol that's been flying around. Based on what I've always read on this blog, Pat has always come across as a good person. Does he behave differently elsewhere to warrant such a response???

If that's the kind of crap people say about him on Twitter, it's no wonder he's considering leaving all this behind.

For what it's worth I want hum to continue blogging. But if this is the kind of thing he must put up with then I can understand why it may not be as much fun as it used to be...:(

Anonymous said...

Hi Pat,

I'm from Ireland. Been reading your blog now for a few years. It's the only place I go to go up to date news on the new and best fantasy releases. It'll be a pretty depressing day if you call it quits. I think you have done something you can really be proud of with this blog.

WyzWmn© said...

however will I find new stuff to read if the Hotlist ain't there?

dood...don't go!

Anonymous said...

Am I the only who finds Larry's passive aggressiveness towards Pat ridiculous??

That post of his is so stupid!

Eric

Simeon said...

This is not the right place to start flaming, but since my name was mentioned for some reason, I just wanted to clarify that I can't see any vitriol - either in my post on the subject or in Larry's. I write what I see, and what I see is a conflict between the stated purpose and its expression. It might be - and probably is - unconscious. But it's what I see, and so I called it. I could be wrong. But I don't think that I am.

Also, Pat, announcing that you might call it quits is not bad form. Using the opportunity to make yet another full list of your accomplishments however is - at least in the manner that you've gone about it here - and so is bending facts so that they are more convenient to you (regarding your last comment here). Please try to not misquote people when acting the victim, ok? Again - personal opinion, to which you'd be the first to agree that I'm entitled.

As an aside: surprising as it may be to you (provided you even care enough about my opinion), I, personally, would be sad to see you go. I read the Hotlist daily, and even if I rarely find anything like what you once used to write, I still enjoy reading your posts.

http://rolandscodex.blogspot.com/

Dynalisia said...

You haven't given any reason why you should stop blogging other than it might seem like a good thing to do after 6 years of success. I imagine the reason might be something more personal and difficult to put out here or discuss, so I'm just going to wish you good luck with making that decision. From day one, you've been in my favorite blogs dropdown list and I never considered moving you somewhere else.

Thanks.

Anonymous said...

be very disappointed if you close your blog. As an avid fantasy fan your reviews have brought new and brill authors for me to read. And i've enjoyed yr travel. U would be greatly missed. thanks

Dave de Burgh said...

Hey Pat,

Man, I have to say I'm surprised and a bit saddened, but I totally understand where you're coming from. Whatever decision you make, I thought I'd let you know that since I discovered SFF blogs (this would be in 2005/6) yours has been the go-to for anything SFF-related, and I'm in awe of what you have achieved; your blog is one of the many important reasons that I began my own blog, so you've been a great influence.

Just know that you won't be forgotten, and always thanked, for your contributions to getting news about SFF out there.

Much respect!

Anonymous said...

Can't really say anything about Roland's post as he's quite new to the scene. But Larry's passive-aggressive posts against Pat are nothing new.

There seems to be some jealousy at the heart of his bone to pick. Pat seems to have contacts and resources most bloggers can only dream of. He's friends with some of the biggest names in the genre, yet Larry only seems to be tight with Vandermeer. Pat got an anthology deal and got some big names to contribute and Larry's gig was cancelled.

Aidan and Larry have slammed him on twitter on numerous occasions so it's not all that surprising that Larry would mock his post like that.

For my money, this blog rocks. I'd be sad to see it go...

Mike

Pipedreamergrey said...

I'm really sorry to hear that! Your site inspired me to begin expanding out my own blog's coverage of sf&f. In fact, your site is right at the top of my RSS Feed list. I check it every weekday.

Have you considered promoting yourself to editor - just dialing your involvement back and bringing someone else aboard to deal with the day to day blogging? There are plenty of bloggers out there who would love to share in all that traffic you generate, and Blogger makes it pretty simple to give other users access privileges. Think about it!

Dream Girlzzz said...

Yeah, it's nothing new or surprising coming from Larry. Given how much he's ripped into Pat these last few months, I'm surprised that Pat still invites him for interviews and stuff.

As far as Roland goes, I'm speechless by his take on what is happening here. I guess it's a matter of interpretation. But for the life of me I can't figure how he would see all this as mental masturbation and attention-whoring. The way I see it, this was just a case of Pat stating the facts. As if to say, "Look, I've done all this, so what else is there for me to do?" To my mind, this is a case of someone realizing that he's peaked up and wants to leave on top before things start to fall apart.

It's really strange that this post could have engendered such a reaction from Roland and a few others...

Ran said...

Pat,

You've done good work, Pat, and have done much to be proud of in the past years (and some things to not be so proud of -- your opinion on what constitutes chick lit, for example *shakes fist*).

But if it's cramping your style or is starting to feel more like a duty than a pleasure, I'd say take a bow and gracefully exit before you burn out on it.

Good luck in your future endeavors.