Allow me to start with the news: I will be publishing:
WHAT I HAVE AGAINST RELIGION: THE ATHEIST WRITINGS OF HP LOVECRAFT
Edited with an Introduction by S.T. Joshi, with a foreword by Christopher Hitchens.
It was a fast process, arranging this book with these mighty intellectual atheists. Both have their own books on God and religion, both have edited readers on atheism and religion, and both are highly visible in this small world. Both men have been extremely helpful in guiding me through this process. Mr. Joshi enthusiastically told me about the project when I asked him whether he would be interested in working with me on a book. Hitchens quickly agreed to write a foreword. It would have been hard to imagine, as a meager blogger quoting Hitchens, that such a coup would be possible.
The book is slated to be published in Winter, 2009 (a ways, away, I know), but I’ve read it, of course, and it is amazing to read Lovecraft taking up major points in religion and science. Joshi’s introduction is enlightening re: Lovecraft’s life in atheism. I am pleased to say, that is, that although this blog may not have seen in update in a year, there are big news on the horizon.
FURTHER:
No, I’m not dead.
About a month ago last year, I posted a last post regarding AA, and moved forward. I knew this blog wouldn’t last forever: maintaining and updating a blog (a blog without research, let alone one that attempts some responsibility to outside sources) is a time-consuming, life-consuming affair.
Around December I began my second semester as a professor of literature. I started another blog exclusively for the class. With that blog, my blog-count was up to three active and running blogs. One, or three for that matter, was destined to get out from under me.
Believe it or not, I didn’t feel too much blog-guilt. I really enjoyed collecting my thoughts, I found a measure of success in being recognized by other atheists and theists, and it was more productive than talking others’ ears off, reading, and doing nothing else. Any thinking, doubting man or woman is on a spiritual journey, but not all step out to try their hand at communicating with others about their ideas. It felt good, and I commend those who continue pressing on in raising consciousness. I want to thank all of those who have bothered to read these essays, and especially thank all of those who took up the gauntlet and argued with me.
But, it should be said, I’ve changed in this past year. When I reflect upon ritual and religion, I tend to think it almost moot, and I meditate more on issues now a bit challenging to me: civil rights and constitutional freedoms. Also, I began refocusing on my creative work. I self-published a book of poems, and founded a small press to publish others.
My life thusfar has been one more focused on books- it seems, and I have returned to this blog to let all of you know that I have not finished contributing to this on-going debate re: religion. WHAT I HAVE AGAINST RELIGION will be another massive contribution to the growing literature on atheism. Look for it in Winter, 09. Check back here in a few months. Maybe I’ll update!
I probably won’t, but I’ll be sure to post when this great book sees print.
I hope you enjoy our new President.
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2 Comments
March 18, 2009 at 1:19 am
Looking forward to hearing more about the book!
May 20, 2009 at 6:33 am
Fantastic!
Hitchens never struck me as a Lovecraft fan…but then I read The Portable Atheist. I’m glad such a brilliant, high-profile scholar took the time to write the foreword. And it almost goes without saying that anything Joshi has to say about Lovecraft is worthwhile. I can’t wait for the release!