He Charges What?!

With the death of Arthur C. Clarke, the last surviving Grand Master of science fiction from the genre’s Golden Age is Ray Bradbury. I enjoyed a large number of Bradbury’s more poetic, small town and humanistic works. And I think The Martian Chronicles is one of the greatest books of fiction ever written by an American.

But the man barely understands science, which makes me a tad uncomfortable to list him as an SF Grand Master. But what do I know? Nothing, that’s what.

I was also none too impressed when Bradbury got upset that Michael Moore modified the title of a Bradbury classic, Farenheit 451, for his documentary, Farenheit 911. Um… Mr. Bradbury… you yourself stole Something Wicked This Way Comes from Shakespeare!

Anyway, I was intrigued to find out that Bradbury’s speaking fee is a whopping $50,000! Interestingly, Steve Wozniak charges a whopping 65K. Who the heck is paying to hear Wozniak?

Out of curiosity, Canada’s top science fiction writer, Robert Sawyer, charges under $5000 per appearance. So everything in Canada is cheaper.

Me? I speak for food. Or adoration. Or just because I lead a sad, lonely life and standing before a podium gives me the illusion of having friends!

Apropos of nothing, I leave you with this: