Blog Without A Name

OffWorld Designs Closing

I have in this morning’s mail a letter from Barb VanTilburg of OffWorld Designs.
 
Short form: Barb and Ray have looked about them and — they’ve decided to retire. This means that OffWorld Designs is closing (unless someone buys it. If you want to buy the business, contact Barb or Ray).
 
As all of us know who have made the decision to close a business that deals in real goods, the next step is to empty the warehouse.
 
Starting at noon Central time today, EVERYTHING in the Offworld Design Warehouse will be 50% off. That’s convention goods, Liaden stuff, bags of holding and bags of book, t-shirts — Da Works.
 
Do pass this news on.
 
Here’s the link to the Offworld Designs webpage.

Award Eligibility Post

This is the Annual Exercise in Futility.  You may avert your eyes if you don’t care for the topic; this is for those who are interested — you know who you are.

Lee and Miller saw a few things published in 2020 that are eligible for various awards.

Trader’s Leap, by Sharon Lee and Steve Miller, Baen, December 2020.  The 23rd novel in the Liaden Universe® series.

“Preferred Seating,” Sharon Lee and Steve Miller, Baen.com, November 2020.  Short story.

“Ambient Conditions,” by Sharon Lee and Steve Miller, Pinbeam Books (aka self-published by the authors), October 2020.  Novelette.

“The Gate that Locks the Tree:  A Minor Melant’i Play for Snow Season,” by Sharon Lee and Steve Miller, February 2020.  Novella.

The entire Liaden Universe®, now at 23 published novels and counting, plus dozens and dozens of shorter works, is eligible for the Series Hugo.  Here is the Correct Reading Order.  Here is the Wikipedia entry.

. . .and I think that’s the Awful Whole.

We now return you to your regularly scheduled blog.

I can see a new horizon, underneath a blazing sky

So, that was 2020.

Moving on. . .

Here at the Cat Farm and Confusion Factory on this snowy second day of January 2021, we’re settling down to work.  The cats have taken up their work stations — Trooper in the ustabe manuscript box on my desk, Sprite in the copilot’s chair next to me; Steve’s back in his office, Belle on lap.

Winter has officially arrived.  We expect to see about 7 inches of (thankfully fluffy) new snow on the ground today, then more snow Monday and Tuesday.  This will catch us up to the Proper Seasonal Look — after a modest start, the weather had turned warm, a nor’easter dropped a couple inches of rain, instead of snow, and there was grass and mud and downed sticks for as far as the eye could see.  Snow is prettier, especially if you don’t have to shovel it.

In and around Everything, I lost 20 pounds last year (per doctors’ orders; the theory is that less thick people have a reduced chance of cancer recurrence).  I guess I ought to lose another 10, just to show the doctors that I’m in the game, but I really don’t think I want to go any lower than 160 lbs/11 stone, and maybe not that low.

As previously mentioned, I’m working on an Archers Beach story.  I hope that today will reveal if it’s a novel or something shorter.  If it’s a novel, I’m about to be in hot water, but — we’ll see.

I did have a Bad Moment yesterday, when I discovered that I had thrown away my maps and other notes for the first three Carousel books, in a Fit of Despond.  I do try not to throw stuff away when I’m in the grips of a Fit, but it doesn’t always work.  Happily, I did NOT throw out the year 2000 edition of the Arrow Street Atlas of 133 Maine Cities and Towns, including!  Old Orchard Beach.  Also the OOB Chamber of Commerce has one of those silly little promotional maps on the web, pinpointing the location of various “attractions.”  Work!  can go forward with many less FIND THIS’s in the text.  Also, in Balance for the Bad Moment, an Exhilarating One, when I found via the map that the street name I had pulled out of my head (at random) — Burdette Street — was actually the correct street, and yes, there was a small wood at the bottom of the street, where it intersects with Foote Street.

I have not forgotten about the Authors’ Spoiler Discussion of Trader’s Leap.  This will not be a daily thing, but I’m shooting for once a week.  In the meantime, if you have questions, you can ask them here.

Hope every one of you is having a reasonably pleasant day.

Stay safe.

Today’s blog title brought to you by John Parr, “St. Elmo’s Fire.”

Books read in 2020

100 Caressed by Ice, Nalini Singh (read aloud with Steve)
99  A Flight of Magpies (A Charm of Magpies #3), KJ Charles (e)
98  A Case of Possession (A Charm of Magpies #2), KJ Charles (e)
97  The Magpie Lord (A Charm of Magpies #1), KJ Charles (e)
96  Murder on Cold Street, Sherry Thomas (e)
95  Practical Magic, Alice Hoffman (e)
94  The Gimmick Oracle, Caitlin Like (graphic short story)
93  Over My Dead Body, Rex Stout (read aloud w/Steve)
92  The Princess Diarist, Carrie Fisher (e)
91  Not the Girl You Marry, Andie J. Christopher
90  Visions of Heat, Nalini Singh (read aloud w/Steve)
89  Network Effect (Murderbot 5), Martha Wells (e) (re-read)
88  Exit Strategy (Murderbot 4), Martha Wells (e) (re-read)
87  Rogue Protocol (Murderbot 3), Martha Wells (e) (re-read)
86  Artificial Condition (Murderbot 2), Martha Wells (e) (re-read)
85  All Systems Red (Murderbot 1), Martha Wells (e) (re-read)
84  Maybe This Time, Jennifer Crusie (read aloud w/Steve)
83  Crazy Rich Asians, Kevin Kwan
82  Return of the Thief, Megan Whalen Turner
81  A Night in the Lonesome October, Roger Zelazny (annual read w/Steve)
80  Dorothy Parker:  What Fresh Hell is This?, Marion Meade
79  Slave to Sensation, Nalini Singh (read aloud w/Steve, re-read for me)
78  Trust Me on This, Jennifer Crusie (read aloud w/Steve)
77  Divergence, C.J. Cherryh (read aloud w/Steve)
76  Junkyard Cats, Faith Hunter (e)
75  The Mad Miss Mathley, Michelle Martin (read aloud w/Steve)
74  Cotillion, Georgette Heyer (e) (re-re-re-&c-read)
73  Emerald Blaze, Ilona Andrews (e)
72  The Ragged World, Judith Moffett (re-read) (e)
71  Alpha Night, Nalini Singh (read aloud w/Steve)
70  The Liar’s Dice, Jeanine Lin (e)
69 The Cinderella Deal, Jennifer Crusie (Steve read to me)
68  The King of Next Week, E.C. Ambrose (e)
67  A Wizard’s Guide to Defensive Baking, T. Kingfisher (e)
66  Too Many Cooks, Rex Stout (read aloud w/Steve)
65  Maskerade, Terry Pratchett (read aloud w/Steve)
64  The Masqueraders, Georgette Heyer (e) (re-re-re-&c-read)
63  What the Lady Wants, Jennifer Crusie (read aloud w/Steve)
62  Black Dog, Rachel Neumeier (e)
61  The Red Box, Rex Stout (read aloud w/Steve)
60  Court of Fives, Kate Elliott (e)
59  The Rubber Band, Rex Stout (read aloud w/Steve)
58  Ruddy Gore, Kerry Greenwood
57  Manhunting, Jennifer Crusie (read aloud w/Steve)
56  Nobody’s Perfect, Donald E. Westlake (e)
55  Charlie All Night, Jennifer Crusie (read aloud w/Steve)
54  Paladin’s Grace, T. Kingfisher (e)
53  Wolf Rain, Nalini Singh (read aloud w/Steve)
52  Slippery Creatures, KJ, Charles (e)
51  Star Rogue, Susan Grant (e)
50  The Black Mountain, Rex Stout (re-read) (e)
49  The League of Frightened Men, Rex Stout (read aloud w/Steve)
48  The Trouble with Jenny’s Ear, Oliver Butterworth (re-read)
47  Tooner Schooner, Mary Lasswell (re-read) (e)
46  Fer-de-Lance, Rex Stout (read aloud w/Steve, re-read for me; first time for him)
45  Lake Silence, Anne Bishop
44  Getting Rid of Bradley, Jennifer Crusie (read aloud w/Steve, re-read for me; first time for him)
43  Mort, Terry Pratchett (re-read) (e)
42  Network Effect, Martha Wells (e)
41  Lord and Ladies, Terry Pratchett (read aloud w/Steve, re-read for both)
40 Trouble in Triplicate, Rex Stout (e)
39 The Outlaws of Sherwood, Robin McKinley (e)
38 Agnes and the Hitman, Jennifer Crusie and Bob Mayer (re-read aloud w/Steve, because Steve had a Notion about alligators, specifically Moot; the Talmadge Bridge, and Savannah in general)
37 Warprize, Elizabeth Vaughan (e)
36 Who Speaks for the Damned, C.S. Harris
35 Don’t Look Down, Jennifer Crusie and Bob Mayer (read aloud w/Steve)
34 Blood and Circuses, Kerry Greenwood
33 The Cat Who Came to Breakfast, Lilian Jackson Braun (Steve read to me)
32 One Fell Sweep, Ilona Andrews (e)
31 Sweep in Peace, Ilona Andrews (e)
30 Clean Sweep, Ilona Andrews (e)
29 Getting Rid of Bradley, Jennifer Crusie (e)
28 Raven Heart, Murphy Lawless (e)
27 Iron Kissed, Patricia Briggs (re-read)
26 The Cat Who Said Cheese, Lilian Jackson Braun (Steve read to me)
25 Blood Bound, Patricia Briggs (re-read)
24 Moon Called, Patricia Briggs (re-re-read)
23 War for the Oaks, Emma Bull (re-re-re-re-&c read)
22 The Widow of Rose House, Diana Bill (e)
21 False Value, Ben Aaronovitch
20 Charity Girl, Georgette Heyer (read aloud w/Steve re-read for both)
19 Minor Mage, T. Kingfisher (e)
18 The Green Mill Murder, Kerry Greenwood
17 Tell Me Lies, Jennifer Crusie (read aloud with Steve)
16 Murder at the Brightwell, Ashley Weaver
15 Crazy for You, Jennifer Crusie (read aloud with Steve)
14 A Conspiracy of Kings, Megan Whalen Turner
13 The Thief, Megan Whalen Turner (re-read)
12 Ocean Light, Nalini Singh (read aloud with Steve)
11 Nerdy, Shy, and Socially Inappropriate, Cynthia Kim
10 Witches Abroad, Terry Pratchett (read aloud with Steve)
9  The Kiss Quotient, Helen Hoang (e)
8  Fall into Spring, Amy Lane (e)
7  Resurgence, C.J. Cherryh (read aloud with Steve)
6  2K to 10K: Writing Faster, Writing Better…, Rachel Aaron (e)
5  Unmasked by the Marquess, Cat Sebastian (e)
4  Jimmy the Kid, Donald E. Westlake (e)
3  Wanted, A Gentleman, KJ Charles (e) (read aloud with Steve)
2  The Book of Atrix Wolfe, Patricia McKillip (e) (re-read)
1  Proper English, KJ Charles (e)

Books read in 2020

98  A Case of Possession (A Charm of Magpies #2), KJ Charles (e)
97  The Magpie Lord (A Charm of Magpies #1), KJ Charles (e)
96  Murder on Cold Street, Sherry Thomas (e)
95  Practical Magic, Alice Hoffman (e)
94  The Gimmick Oracle, Caitlin Like (graphic short story)
93  Over My Dead Body, Rex Stout (read aloud w/Steve)
92  The Princess Diarist, Carrie Fisher (e)
91  Not the Girl You Marry, Andie J. Christopher
90  Visions of Heat, Nalini Singh (read aloud w/Steve)
89  Network Effect (Murderbot 5), Martha Wells (e) (re-read)
88  Exit Strategy (Murderbot 4), Martha Wells (e) (re-read)
87  Rogue Protocol (Murderbot 3), Martha Wells (e) (re-read)
86  Artificial Condition (Murderbot 2), Martha Wells (e) (re-read)
85  All Systems Red (Murderbot 1), Martha Wells (e) (re-read)
84  Maybe This Time, Jennifer Crusie (read aloud w/Steve)
83  Crazy Rich Asians, Kevin Kwan
82  Return of the Thief, Megan Whalen Turner
81  A Night in the Lonesome October, Roger Zelazny (annual read w/Steve)
80  Dorothy Parker:  What Fresh Hell is This?, Marion Meade
79  Slave to Sensation, Nalini Singh (read aloud w/Steve, re-read for me)
78  Trust Me on This, Jennifer Crusie (read aloud w/Steve)
77  Divergence, C.J. Cherryh (read aloud w/Steve)
76  Junkyard Cats, Faith Hunter (e)
75  The Mad Miss Mathley, Michelle Martin (read aloud w/Steve)
74  Cotillion, Georgette Heyer (e) (re-re-re-&c-read)
73  Emerald Blaze, Ilona Andrews (e)
72  The Ragged World, Judith Moffett (re-read) (e)
71  Alpha Night, Nalini Singh (read aloud w/Steve)
70  The Liar’s Dice, Jeanine Lin (e)
69 The Cinderella Deal, Jennifer Crusie (Steve read to me)
68  The King of Next Week, E.C. Ambrose (e)
67  A Wizard’s Guide to Defensive Baking, T. Kingfisher (e)
66  Too Many Cooks, Rex Stout (read aloud w/Steve)
65  Maskerade, Terry Pratchett (read aloud w/Steve)
64  The Masqueraders, Georgette Heyer (e) (re-re-re-&c-read)
63  What the Lady Wants, Jennifer Crusie (read aloud w/Steve)
62  Black Dog, Rachel Neumeier (e)
61  The Red Box, Rex Stout (read aloud w/Steve)
60  Court of Fives, Kate Elliott (e)
59  The Rubber Band, Rex Stout (read aloud w/Steve)
58  Ruddy Gore, Kerry Greenwood
57  Manhunting, Jennifer Crusie (read aloud w/Steve)
56  Nobody’s Perfect, Donald E. Westlake (e)
55  Charlie All Night, Jennifer Crusie (read aloud w/Steve)
54  Paladin’s Grace, T. Kingfisher (e)
53  Wolf Rain, Nalini Singh (read aloud w/Steve)
52  Slippery Creatures, KJ, Charles (e)
51  Star Rogue, Susan Grant (e)
50  The Black Mountain, Rex Stout (re-read) (e)
49  The League of Frightened Men, Rex Stout (read aloud w/Steve)
48  The Trouble with Jenny’s Ear, Oliver Butterworth (re-read)
47  Tooner Schooner, Mary Lasswell (re-read) (e)
46  Fer-de-Lance, Rex Stout (read aloud w/Steve, re-read for me; first time for him)
45  Lake Silence, Anne Bishop
44  Getting Rid of Bradley, Jennifer Crusie (read aloud w/Steve, re-read for me; first time for him)
43  Mort, Terry Pratchett (re-read) (e)
42  Network Effect, Martha Wells (e)
41  Lord and Ladies, Terry Pratchett (read aloud w/Steve, re-read for both)
40 Trouble in Triplicate, Rex Stout (e)
39 The Outlaws of Sherwood, Robin McKinley (e)
38 Agnes and the Hitman, Jennifer Crusie and Bob Mayer (re-read aloud w/Steve, because Steve had a Notion about alligators, specifically Moot; the Talmadge Bridge, and Savannah in general)
37 Warprize, Elizabeth Vaughan (e)
36 Who Speaks for the Damned, C.S. Harris
35 Don’t Look Down, Jennifer Crusie and Bob Mayer (read aloud w/Steve)
34 Blood and Circuses, Kerry Greenwood
33 The Cat Who Came to Breakfast, Lilian Jackson Braun (Steve read to me)
32 One Fell Sweep, Ilona Andrews (e)
31 Sweep in Peace, Ilona Andrews (e)
30 Clean Sweep, Ilona Andrews (e)
29 Getting Rid of Bradley, Jennifer Crusie (e)
28 Raven Heart, Murphy Lawless (e)
27 Iron Kissed, Patricia Briggs (re-read)
26 The Cat Who Said Cheese, Lilian Jackson Braun (Steve read to me)
25 Blood Bound, Patricia Briggs (re-read)
24 Moon Called, Patricia Briggs (re-re-read)
23 War for the Oaks, Emma Bull (re-re-re-re-&c read)
22 The Widow of Rose House, Diana Bill (e)
21 False Value, Ben Aaronovitch
20 Charity Girl, Georgette Heyer (read aloud w/Steve re-read for both)
19 Minor Mage, T. Kingfisher (e)
18 The Green Mill Murder, Kerry Greenwood
17 Tell Me Lies, Jennifer Crusie (read aloud with Steve)
16 Murder at the Brightwell, Ashley Weaver
15 Crazy for You, Jennifer Crusie (read aloud with Steve)
14 A Conspiracy of Kings, Megan Whalen Turner
13 The Thief, Megan Whalen Turner (re-read)
12 Ocean Light, Nalini Singh (read aloud with Steve)
11 Nerdy, Shy, and Socially Inappropriate, Cynthia Kim
10 Witches Abroad, Terry Pratchett (read aloud with Steve)
9  The Kiss Quotient, Helen Hoang (e)
8  Fall into Spring, Amy Lane (e)
7  Resurgence, C.J. Cherryh (read aloud with Steve)
6  2K to 10K: Writing Faster, Writing Better…, Rachel Aaron (e)
5  Unmasked by the Marquess, Cat Sebastian (e)
4  Jimmy the Kid, Donald E. Westlake (e)
3  Wanted, A Gentleman, KJ Charles (e) (read aloud with Steve)
2  The Book of Atrix Wolfe, Patricia McKillip (e) (re-read)
1  Proper English, KJ Charles (e)

Books read in 2020

97  The Magpie Lord, KJ Charles (e)
96  Murder on Cold Street, Sherry Thomas (e)
95  Practical Magic, Alice Hoffman (e)
94  The Gimmick Oracle, Caitlin Like (graphic short story)
93  Over My Dead Body, Rex Stout (read aloud w/Steve)
92  The Princess Diarist, Carrie Fisher (e)
91  Not the Girl You Marry, Andie J. Christopher
90  Visions of Heat, Nalini Singh (read aloud w/Steve)
89  Network Effect (Murderbot 5), Martha Wells (e) (re-read)
88  Exit Strategy (Murderbot 4), Martha Wells (e) (re-read)
87  Rogue Protocol (Murderbot 3), Martha Wells (e) (re-read)
86  Artificial Condition (Murderbot 2), Martha Wells (e) (re-read)
85  All Systems Red (Murderbot 1), Martha Wells (e) (re-read)
84  Maybe This Time, Jennifer Crusie (read aloud w/Steve)
83  Crazy Rich Asians, Kevin Kwan
82  Return of the Thief, Megan Whalen Turner
81  A Night in the Lonesome October, Roger Zelazny (annual read w/Steve)
80  Dorothy Parker:  What Fresh Hell is This?, Marion Meade
79  Slave to Sensation, Nalini Singh (read aloud w/Steve, re-read for me)
78  Trust Me on This, Jennifer Crusie (read aloud w/Steve)
77  Divergence, C.J. Cherryh (read aloud w/Steve)
76  Junkyard Cats, Faith Hunter (e)
75  The Mad Miss Mathley, Michelle Martin (read aloud w/Steve)
74  Cotillion, Georgette Heyer (e) (re-re-re-&c-read)
73  Emerald Blaze, Ilona Andrews (e)
72  The Ragged World, Judith Moffett (re-read) (e)
71  Alpha Night, Nalini Singh (read aloud w/Steve)
70  The Liar’s Dice, Jeanine Lin (e)
69 The Cinderella Deal, Jennifer Crusie (Steve read to me)
68  The King of Next Week, E.C. Ambrose (e)
67  A Wizard’s Guide to Defensive Baking, T. Kingfisher (e)
66  Too Many Cooks, Rex Stout (read aloud w/Steve)
65  Maskerade, Terry Pratchett (read aloud w/Steve)
64  The Masqueraders, Georgette Heyer (e) (re-re-re-&c-read)
63  What the Lady Wants, Jennifer Crusie (read aloud w/Steve)
62  Black Dog, Rachel Neumeier (e)
61  The Red Box, Rex Stout (read aloud w/Steve)
60  Court of Fives, Kate Elliott (e)
59  The Rubber Band, Rex Stout (read aloud w/Steve)
58  Ruddy Gore, Kerry Greenwood
57  Manhunting, Jennifer Crusie (read aloud w/Steve)
56  Nobody’s Perfect, Donald E. Westlake (e)
55  Charlie All Night, Jennifer Crusie (read aloud w/Steve)
54  Paladin’s Grace, T. Kingfisher (e)
53  Wolf Rain, Nalini Singh (read aloud w/Steve)
52  Slippery Creatures, KJ, Charles (e)
51  Star Rogue, Susan Grant (e)
50  The Black Mountain, Rex Stout (re-read) (e)
49  The League of Frightened Men, Rex Stout (read aloud w/Steve)
48  The Trouble with Jenny’s Ear, Oliver Butterworth (re-read)
47  Tooner Schooner, Mary Lasswell (re-read) (e)
46  Fer-de-Lance, Rex Stout (read aloud w/Steve, re-read for me; first time for him)
45  Lake Silence, Anne Bishop
44  Getting Rid of Bradley, Jennifer Crusie (read aloud w/Steve, re-read for me; first time for him)
43  Mort, Terry Pratchett (re-read) (e)
42  Network Effect, Martha Wells (e)
41  Lord and Ladies, Terry Pratchett (read aloud w/Steve, re-read for both)
40 Trouble in Triplicate, Rex Stout (e)
39 The Outlaws of Sherwood, Robin McKinley (e)
38 Agnes and the Hitman, Jennifer Crusie and Bob Mayer (re-read aloud w/Steve, because Steve had a Notion about alligators, specifically Moot; the Talmadge Bridge, and Savannah in general)
37 Warprize, Elizabeth Vaughan (e)
36 Who Speaks for the Damned, C.S. Harris
35 Don’t Look Down, Jennifer Crusie and Bob Mayer (read aloud w/Steve)
34 Blood and Circuses, Kerry Greenwood
33 The Cat Who Came to Breakfast, Lilian Jackson Braun (Steve read to me)
32 One Fell Sweep, Ilona Andrews (e)
31 Sweep in Peace, Ilona Andrews (e)
30 Clean Sweep, Ilona Andrews (e)
29 Getting Rid of Bradley, Jennifer Crusie (e)
28 Raven Heart, Murphy Lawless (e)
27 Iron Kissed, Patricia Briggs (re-read)
26 The Cat Who Said Cheese, Lilian Jackson Braun (Steve read to me)
25 Blood Bound, Patricia Briggs (re-read)
24 Moon Called, Patricia Briggs (re-re-read)
23 War for the Oaks, Emma Bull (re-re-re-re-&c read)
22 The Widow of Rose House, Diana Bill (e)
21 False Value, Ben Aaronovitch
20 Charity Girl, Georgette Heyer (read aloud w/Steve re-read for both)
19 Minor Mage, T. Kingfisher (e)
18 The Green Mill Murder, Kerry Greenwood
17 Tell Me Lies, Jennifer Crusie (read aloud with Steve)
16 Murder at the Brightwell, Ashley Weaver
15 Crazy for You, Jennifer Crusie (read aloud with Steve)
14 A Conspiracy of Kings, Megan Whalen Turner
13 The Thief, Megan Whalen Turner (re-read)
12 Ocean Light, Nalini Singh (read aloud with Steve)
11 Nerdy, Shy, and Socially Inappropriate, Cynthia Kim
10 Witches Abroad, Terry Pratchett (read aloud with Steve)
9  The Kiss Quotient, Helen Hoang (e)
8  Fall into Spring, Amy Lane (e)
7  Resurgence, C.J. Cherryh (read aloud with Steve)
6  2K to 10K: Writing Faster, Writing Better…, Rachel Aaron (e)
5  Unmasked by the Marquess, Cat Sebastian (e)
4  Jimmy the Kid, Donald E. Westlake (e)
3  Wanted, A Gentleman, KJ Charles (e) (read aloud with Steve)
2  The Book of Atrix Wolfe, Patricia McKillip (e) (re-read)
1  Proper English, KJ Charles (e)

What’s doing at the Cat Farm and Confusion Factory

Let me say upfront that the cats are well.  Sprite in particular has been very much enjoying our serial viewing of “Lucifer.”  I think she has a crush on Maize.  In order to put back the weight she lost in the autumn, Belle has been getting a serving of gooshy food every day.  First, we tried giving this to her in Isolation, but she refused to eat it.  This made us realize the error of our way, and we now feed all three cats gooshy food at once (Trooper and Sprite getting a lesser amount), and now Belle eats with good appetite.  Maine coon cats are social eaters; they even come in and have a bite with us when we sit down to a meal (the cat bowls being in the dining room.  Yeah, it’s a strange house.).

In author news — we’re also well.  I’m still coming to terms with some of the results of having had cancer, and cancer therapy, and toothy new meds — but that’s going to be the story of my life for the next five or ten years, and therefore comes under the Umbrella of Well.

Because of the situation with my health, we did miss the deadline for the next book.  We have an extension from Madame the Publisher, and Steve is on the case, but, there will probably not be a new Liaden book for you in 2021.  We’re sorry about that, honest:  I would have much rather stayed on the planned timeline, where we handed the book in on time, had two weeks in Lubec, fulfilled our duties as Guests of Honor at AlbaCon, and seen Janis Ian in concert at Rockport, Mass.

I’m returning to writing somewhat more slowly.  Right now, I’m working on a story, or perhaps it’s a novel, set in Archers Beach.  I’m also making notes for a Liaden novel, because contracts exist, after all.

I do have a side project going at the moment — I’m talking about Trader’s Leap from my point of view.  Spoilers abound, but for those interested, the discussion starts here and continues here.  Also!  There is a spoiler discussion here, where people can ask me about Trader’s Leap.

And that’s the news that’s fit to print.

Everybody stay safe.

 

Books read in 2020

96  Murder on Cold Street, Sherry Thomas (e)
95  Practical Magic, Alice Hoffman (e)
94  The Gimmick Oracle, Caitlin Like (graphic short story)
93  Over My Dead Body, Rex Stout (read aloud w/Steve)
92  The Princess Diarist, Carrie Fisher (e)
91  Not the Girl You Marry, Andie J. Christopher
90  Visions of Heat, Nalini Singh (read aloud w/Steve)
89  Network Effect (Murderbot 5), Martha Wells (e) (re-read)
88  Exit Strategy (Murderbot 4), Martha Wells (e) (re-read)
87  Rogue Protocol (Murderbot 3), Martha Wells (e) (re-read)
86  Artificial Condition (Murderbot 2), Martha Wells (e) (re-read)
85  All Systems Red (Murderbot 1), Martha Wells (e) (re-read)
84  Maybe This Time, Jennifer Crusie (read aloud w/Steve)
83  Crazy Rich Asians, Kevin Kwan
82  Return of the Thief, Megan Whalen Turner
81  A Night in the Lonesome October, Roger Zelazny (annual read w/Steve)
80  Dorothy Parker:  What Fresh Hell is This?, Marion Meade
79  Slave to Sensation, Nalini Singh (read aloud w/Steve, re-read for me)
78  Trust Me on This, Jennifer Crusie (read aloud w/Steve)
77  Divergence, C.J. Cherryh (read aloud w/Steve)
76  Junkyard Cats, Faith Hunter (e)
75  The Mad Miss Mathley, Michelle Martin (read aloud w/Steve)
74  Cotillion, Georgette Heyer (e) (re-re-re-&c-read)
73  Emerald Blaze, Ilona Andrews (e)
72  The Ragged World, Judith Moffett (re-read) (e)
71  Alpha Night, Nalini Singh (read aloud w/Steve)
70  The Liar’s Dice, Jeanine Lin (e)
69 The Cinderella Deal, Jennifer Crusie (Steve read to me)
68  The King of Next Week, E.C. Ambrose (e)
67  A Wizard’s Guide to Defensive Baking, T. Kingfisher (e)
66  Too Many Cooks, Rex Stout (read aloud w/Steve)
65  Maskerade, Terry Pratchett (read aloud w/Steve)
64  The Masqueraders, Georgette Heyer (e) (re-re-re-&c-read)
63  What the Lady Wants, Jennifer Crusie (read aloud w/Steve)
62  Black Dog, Rachel Neumeier (e)
61  The Red Box, Rex Stout (read aloud w/Steve)
60  Court of Fives, Kate Elliott (e)
59  The Rubber Band, Rex Stout (read aloud w/Steve)
58  Ruddy Gore, Kerry Greenwood
57  Manhunting, Jennifer Crusie (read aloud w/Steve)
56  Nobody’s Perfect, Donald E. Westlake (e)
55  Charlie All Night, Jennifer Crusie (read aloud w/Steve)
54  Paladin’s Grace, T. Kingfisher (e)
53  Wolf Rain, Nalini Singh (read aloud w/Steve)
52  Slippery Creatures, KJ, Charles (e)
51  Star Rogue, Susan Grant (e)
50  The Black Mountain, Rex Stout (re-read) (e)
49  The League of Frightened Men, Rex Stout (read aloud w/Steve)
48  The Trouble with Jenny’s Ear, Oliver Butterworth (re-read)
47  Tooner Schooner, Mary Lasswell (re-read) (e)
46  Fer-de-Lance, Rex Stout (read aloud w/Steve, re-read for me; first time for him)
45  Lake Silence, Anne Bishop
44  Getting Rid of Bradley, Jennifer Crusie (read aloud w/Steve, re-read for me; first time for him)
43  Mort, Terry Pratchett (re-read) (e)
42  Network Effect, Martha Wells (e)
41  Lord and Ladies, Terry Pratchett (read aloud w/Steve, re-read for both)
40 Trouble in Triplicate, Rex Stout (e)
39 The Outlaws of Sherwood, Robin McKinley (e)
38 Agnes and the Hitman, Jennifer Crusie and Bob Mayer (re-read aloud w/Steve, because Steve had a Notion about alligators, specifically Moot; the Talmadge Bridge, and Savannah in general)
37 Warprize, Elizabeth Vaughan (e)
36 Who Speaks for the Damned, C.S. Harris
35 Don’t Look Down, Jennifer Crusie and Bob Mayer (read aloud w/Steve)
34 Blood and Circuses, Kerry Greenwood
33 The Cat Who Came to Breakfast, Lilian Jackson Braun (Steve read to me)
32 One Fell Sweep, Ilona Andrews (e)
31 Sweep in Peace, Ilona Andrews (e)
30 Clean Sweep, Ilona Andrews (e)
29 Getting Rid of Bradley, Jennifer Crusie (e)
28 Raven Heart, Murphy Lawless (e)
27 Iron Kissed, Patricia Briggs (re-read)
26 The Cat Who Said Cheese, Lilian Jackson Braun (Steve read to me)
25 Blood Bound, Patricia Briggs (re-read)
24 Moon Called, Patricia Briggs (re-re-read)
23 War for the Oaks, Emma Bull (re-re-re-re-&c read)
22 The Widow of Rose House, Diana Bill (e)
21 False Value, Ben Aaronovitch
20 Charity Girl, Georgette Heyer (read aloud w/Steve re-read for both)
19 Minor Mage, T. Kingfisher (e)
18 The Green Mill Murder, Kerry Greenwood
17 Tell Me Lies, Jennifer Crusie (read aloud with Steve)
16 Murder at the Brightwell, Ashley Weaver
15 Crazy for You, Jennifer Crusie (read aloud with Steve)
14 A Conspiracy of Kings, Megan Whalen Turner
13 The Thief, Megan Whalen Turner (re-read)
12 Ocean Light, Nalini Singh (read aloud with Steve)
11 Nerdy, Shy, and Socially Inappropriate, Cynthia Kim
10 Witches Abroad, Terry Pratchett (read aloud with Steve)
9  The Kiss Quotient, Helen Hoang (e)
8  Fall into Spring, Amy Lane (e)
7  Resurgence, C.J. Cherryh (read aloud with Steve)
6  2K to 10K: Writing Faster, Writing Better…, Rachel Aaron (e)
5  Unmasked by the Marquess, Cat Sebastian (e)
4  Jimmy the Kid, Donald E. Westlake (e)
3  Wanted, A Gentleman, KJ Charles (e) (read aloud with Steve)
2  The Book of Atrix Wolfe, Patricia McKillip (e) (re-read)
1  Proper English, KJ Charles (e)

Books read in 2020

95  Practical Magic, Alice Hoffman (e)
94  The Gimmick Oracle, Caitlin Like (graphic short story)
93  Over My Dead Body, Rex Stout (read aloud w/Steve)
92  The Princess Diarist, Carrie Fisher (e)
91  Not the Girl You Marry, Andie J. Christopher
90  Visions of Heat, Nalini Singh (read aloud w/Steve)
89  Network Effect (Murderbot 5), Martha Wells (e) (re-read)
88  Exit Strategy (Murderbot 4), Martha Wells (e) (re-read)
87  Rogue Protocol (Murderbot 3), Martha Wells (e) (re-read)
86  Artificial Condition (Murderbot 2), Martha Wells (e) (re-read)
85  All Systems Red (Murderbot 1), Martha Wells (e) (re-read)
84  Maybe This Time, Jennifer Crusie (read aloud w/Steve)
83  Crazy Rich Asians, Kevin Kwan
82  Return of the Thief, Megan Whalen Turner
81  A Night in the Lonesome October, Roger Zelazny (annual read w/Steve)
80  Dorothy Parker:  What Fresh Hell is This?, Marion Meade
79  Slave to Sensation, Nalini Singh (read aloud w/Steve, re-read for me)
78  Trust Me on This, Jennifer Crusie (read aloud w/Steve)
77  Divergence, C.J. Cherryh (read aloud w/Steve)
76  Junkyard Cats, Faith Hunter (e)
75  The Mad Miss Mathley, Michelle Martin (read aloud w/Steve)
74  Cotillion, Georgette Heyer (e) (re-re-re-&c-read)
73  Emerald Blaze, Ilona Andrews (e)
72  The Ragged World, Judith Moffett (re-read) (e)
71  Alpha Night, Nalini Singh (read aloud w/Steve)
70  The Liar’s Dice, Jeanine Lin (e)
69 The Cinderella Deal, Jennifer Crusie (Steve read to me)
68  The King of Next Week, E.C. Ambrose (e)
67  A Wizard’s Guide to Defensive Baking, T. Kingfisher (e)
66  Too Many Cooks, Rex Stout (read aloud w/Steve)
65  Maskerade, Terry Pratchett (read aloud w/Steve)
64  The Masqueraders, Georgette Heyer (e) (re-re-re-&c-read)
63  What the Lady Wants, Jennifer Crusie (read aloud w/Steve)
62  Black Dog, Rachel Neumeier (e)
61  The Red Box, Rex Stout (read aloud w/Steve)
60  Court of Fives, Kate Elliott (e)
59  The Rubber Band, Rex Stout (read aloud w/Steve)
58  Ruddy Gore, Kerry Greenwood
57  Manhunting, Jennifer Crusie (read aloud w/Steve)
56  Nobody’s Perfect, Donald E. Westlake (e)
55  Charlie All Night, Jennifer Crusie (read aloud w/Steve)
54  Paladin’s Grace, T. Kingfisher (e)
53  Wolf Rain, Nalini Singh (read aloud w/Steve)
52  Slippery Creatures, KJ, Charles (e)
51  Star Rogue, Susan Grant (e)
50  The Black Mountain, Rex Stout (re-read) (e)
49  The League of Frightened Men, Rex Stout (read aloud w/Steve)
48  The Trouble with Jenny’s Ear, Oliver Butterworth (re-read)
47  Tooner Schooner, Mary Lasswell (re-read) (e)
46  Fer-de-Lance, Rex Stout (read aloud w/Steve, re-read for me; first time for him)
45  Lake Silence, Anne Bishop
44  Getting Rid of Bradley, Jennifer Crusie (read aloud w/Steve, re-read for me; first time for him)
43  Mort, Terry Pratchett (re-read) (e)
42  Network Effect, Martha Wells (e)
41  Lord and Ladies, Terry Pratchett (read aloud w/Steve, re-read for both)
40 Trouble in Triplicate, Rex Stout (e)
39 The Outlaws of Sherwood, Robin McKinley (e)
38 Agnes and the Hitman, Jennifer Crusie and Bob Mayer (re-read aloud w/Steve, because Steve had a Notion about alligators, specifically Moot; the Talmadge Bridge, and Savannah in general)
37 Warprize, Elizabeth Vaughan (e)
36 Who Speaks for the Damned, C.S. Harris
35 Don’t Look Down, Jennifer Crusie and Bob Mayer (read aloud w/Steve)
34 Blood and Circuses, Kerry Greenwood
33 The Cat Who Came to Breakfast, Lilian Jackson Braun (Steve read to me)
32 One Fell Sweep, Ilona Andrews (e)
31 Sweep in Peace, Ilona Andrews (e)
30 Clean Sweep, Ilona Andrews (e)
29 Getting Rid of Bradley, Jennifer Crusie (e)
28 Raven Heart, Murphy Lawless (e)
27 Iron Kissed, Patricia Briggs (re-read)
26 The Cat Who Said Cheese, Lilian Jackson Braun (Steve read to me)
25 Blood Bound, Patricia Briggs (re-read)
24 Moon Called, Patricia Briggs (re-re-read)
23 War for the Oaks, Emma Bull (re-re-re-re-&c read)
22 The Widow of Rose House, Diana Bill (e)
21 False Value, Ben Aaronovitch
20 Charity Girl, Georgette Heyer (read aloud w/Steve re-read for both)
19 Minor Mage, T. Kingfisher (e)
18 The Green Mill Murder, Kerry Greenwood
17 Tell Me Lies, Jennifer Crusie (read aloud with Steve)
16 Murder at the Brightwell, Ashley Weaver
15 Crazy for You, Jennifer Crusie (read aloud with Steve)
14 A Conspiracy of Kings, Megan Whalen Turner
13 The Thief, Megan Whalen Turner (re-read)
12 Ocean Light, Nalini Singh (read aloud with Steve)
11 Nerdy, Shy, and Socially Inappropriate, Cynthia Kim
10 Witches Abroad, Terry Pratchett (read aloud with Steve)
9  The Kiss Quotient, Helen Hoang (e)
8  Fall into Spring, Amy Lane (e)
7  Resurgence, C.J. Cherryh (read aloud with Steve)
6  2K to 10K: Writing Faster, Writing Better…, Rachel Aaron (e)
5  Unmasked by the Marquess, Cat Sebastian (e)
4  Jimmy the Kid, Donald E. Westlake (e)
3  Wanted, A Gentleman, KJ Charles (e) (read aloud with Steve)
2  The Book of Atrix Wolfe, Patricia McKillip (e) (re-read)
1  Proper English, KJ Charles (e)