The Life and Times of Phil D'Amato

I was pleased to find out today that my novel The Consciousness Plague - second novel in my Phil D'Amato series - is referenced in Damien Broderick's recently published Consciousness and Science Fiction.

Phil's had a pretty exciting life, since he first appeared in my novelette, The Chronology Protection Case, published in Analog Magazine in September 1995, and reprinted six times.   Here's a complete list of exploits, followed by a podcast episode, and photos and videos:

• 1995: "The Chronology Protection Case," Analog Magazine, nominated for Nebula and Sturgeon Awards, reprinted six times in: The Mammoth Book of Time Travel, 2013; The Best Time Travel Stories of All Time, 2003; Nebula Awards 32: SFWA’s Choices for the Best Science Fiction and Fantasy of the Year, 1998; Infinite Edge (online magazine), June-July 1997; Supernatural Sleuths, 1996 
• 1996: "The Copyright Notice Case," Analog Magazine, nominated for Nebula Award 
• 1997: "The Mendelian Lamp Case," Analog Magazine, reprinted four times in: The Hard SF Renaissance, 2002; Ikarie (translated, Czech Republic), 2002; Science Fiction Theater, 1999; Year’s Best SF3, 1998
• 1999: The Silk Code, Tor Books, winner of Locus Award for Best First Science Fiction Novel of 1999 
• 2002: The Consciousness Plague, Tor Books 
• 2002: Jay Kensinger's short film of "The Chronology Protection Case" 
• 2002: Mark Shanahan's radio play of "The Chronology Protection Case," nominated for the Edgar Award 
• 2003: The Pixel Eye, Tor Books, nominated for Prometheus Award 
• 2007: The Silk Code podiobook, performed and produced by Shaun Farrell, in Top 20 Podiobooks of 2007 
• 2012: "author's cut" Kindle and Nook ebook editions of The Silk Code published by JoSara Media 
• 2013: "author's cut" Kindle and Nook ebook editions of The Consciousness Plague published by JoSara Media 
• 2013: new version of “The Chronology Protection Case” short film, with extended ending written by Paul Levinson and Jay Kensinger; on Amazon Prime Video 
• 2014: "author's cut" Kindle and Nook ebook editions of The Pixel Eye published by JoSara Media
• 2016: Rita Ora uses The Silk Code in her Tezenis campaign (see video).

Check out the Phil D'Amato page on Facebook.

The Crossing 1.8: The Cure

As seems to happen all too often when an announcement comes down that a series won't be renewed for another season, the remaining episodes just get better and better.   If episode 1.8 on tonight is any indication, that's just what's happened with The Crossing.

We already knew that Apex antibodies could cure and banish all kinds of ailments fatal to humanity.  Tonight we get a hint that Reece's antibodies can do something much more amazing.  It was something that Naomi said about coming back from the dead.  Maybe she was speaking metaphorically.  But it got me thinking (always a dangerous proposition): could Apex antibodies bring people back to life - people who had recently died?   Like, for example, Emma - whose body, in pretty good shape albeit dead, turned up tonight?

Even Jude pointed out that her body sure didn't look like it had been buried for days, and I had the feeling, when Emma was killed, that this wasn't the last we'd be seeing of her.  Well, we did see her again tonight - unfortunately, dead - but now it's less of a leap to see her revived.  All that Jude has to do is get some of the infusions that Dr. Forbin will be preparing, get them into Emma, and ... well, who knows?

At very least, this biological science fiction - of which my own Locus-Award-winning 1999 novel The Silk Code has been said to be an early example - is becoming almost as important in The Crossing as the time travel, and maybe more so.   Which makes it all the more unfortunate that it's not being renewed.




So I'll join the chorus - or say it solo, if need be - hey, ABC, renew The Crossing.  Or, if not, let some other network do this. Bring it back to life!  It deserves a shot.

See also The Crossing: Lost Again, But OK ... The Crossing 1.2: Calling for More Time Travel ... The Crossing 1.3: The Missing Inventor ... The Crossing 1.4: Hofstra ... The Crossing 1.5: Migrations in Conflict ... The Crossing 1.6: Apex Antibodies ... The Crossing 1.7: The Locket

Rita Ora does The Silk Code

Here's something that every author would love to come across - a big pop star does a video, and it's emblazoned with the title of one of your novels.

In this case, Rita Ora, one of the biggest pop stars in the world, just did a little video for the British fashion line Tezenis, for a campaign to start on November 1.  And all over it is the title of my first novel - in fact, winner of the Locus Award for Best First Science Novel of 1999 - The Silk Code.

Here's the vid -

What's The Silk Code?

Here are blurbs from some of the many reviews -

"As a genre-bending blend of police procedural and science fiction, The Silk Code delivers on its promises." -- Gerald Jonas, The New York Times Book Review

"As twisted as a double helix. " -- Wired

"D'Amato is an appealingly savvy character, and Levinson brings a great deal of invention to the endeavor." -- San Francisco Chronicle

"It is hard to put down, easy to pick up again, and an interesting read. " -- San Diego Union-Tribune 

"sheer conceptual verve" -- Robert K. J. Killheffer, The Magazine of Fantasy and Science Fiction

"cerebral but gripping" -- Booklist

"Combining Neanderthals and mechanical looms, cantaloupes and coded butterflies, Levinson's debut novel ... offers a flurry of amazing prehistoric technologies, demonstrating that the mysteries of our past can be just as fruitful as those of our future ... Levinson creatively explain gaps in both ancient history and biology... providing more wonders than many a futuristic epic." -- Publishers Weekly

"well-informed and imaginative" -- Kirkus Reviews

"spins an ingenious web of genetic manipulation and anthropological evidence" -- Library Journal

"A rare thriller that actually achieves its goals as a detective tale and a work of boldly speculative sf." -- Gary K. Wolfe, Locus Magazine

more about The Silk Code here