28. Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day, Winifred Watson (re-re-re-read)
27. Star Well, Alexei Panshin (read aloud with Steve; re-read for both)
26. The Cat Who Wasn’t There, Lilian Jackson Braun (read aloud with Steve)
25. The King of Attolia, Megan Whalen Turner (re-read)
24. The Queen of Attolia, Megan Whalen Turner (re-read)
23. The Goblin Emperor, Katherine Addison (re-read)
22. Maiden of the Machine, Volume 1, Caitlin Like
21. The Sandman: Preludes & Nocturnes, Neil Gaiman
20. The Franchise Affair, Josephine Tey (read aloud with Steve)
19. City of Whispering Stone, George C. Chesbro (read aloud with Steve)
18. Allegiance of Honor, Nalini Singh (read aloud with Steve)
17. Storm Cursed, Patricia Briggs (e)
16. Who Slays the Wicked, C.S. Harris
15. The Warlock in Spite of Himself, Christopher Stasheff (re-read)
14. The Cat Who Knew a Cardinal, Lilian Jackson Braun (read aloud with Steve)
13. Wild Ride, Jennifer Crusie & Bob Mayer (read aloud with Steve; re-read for me; first read for him)
12. Shadow of a Broken Man, George C. Chesbro (read aloud with Steve)
11. How Much for Just the Planet?, John M. Ford
10. Brat Farrar, Josephine Tey (read aloud with Steve; re-read for me; first read for him)
9. Spinning Silver, Naomi Novik
8. Lies Sleeping, Ben Aaronovitch
7. The Luckiest Lady in London, Sherry Thomas
6. Release the Virgins, Michael A. Ventrella, editor (read aloud with Steve)
5. Becoming, Michelle Obama
4. Agnes and the Hitman, Jennifer Crusie & Bob Mayer (read aloud with Steve; re-read for me; first read for him)
3. the unbeatable Squirrel Girl, Ryan North, Erica Henderson
2. Alliance Rising, CJ Cherryh & Jane S. Fancher (read out loud with Steve)
1. A Shilling for Candles, Josephine Tey (read out loud with Steve)
Category: Blog
New Liaden Universe® story in upcoming anthology
“Dark Secrets,” a brand-new Liaden Universe® story will appear in Infinite Stars: Dark Frontiers coming from Titan Books in November. Contributing authors include: C.J. Cherryh, Brenda Cooper, Tanya Huff, Susan R. Matthews, Seanan McGuire, Jack Campbell — and more! Edited by Bryan Thomas Schmidt.
Here’s a press release, revealing all the contributing authors.
Books read in 2019
27. Star Well, Alexei Panshin (read aloud with Steve; re-read for both)
26. The Cat Who Wasn’t There, Lilian Jackson Braun (read aloud with Steve)
25. The King of Attolia, Megan Whalen Turner (re-read)
24. The Queen of Attolia, Megan Whalen Turner (re-read)
23. The Goblin Emperor, Katherine Addison (re-read)
22. Maiden of the Machine, Volume 1, Caitlin Like
21. The Sandman: Preludes & Nocturnes, Neil Gaiman
20. The Franchise Affair, Josephine Tey (read aloud with Steve)
19. City of Whispering Stone, George C. Chesbro (read aloud with Steve)
18. Allegiance of Honor, Nalini Singh (read aloud with Steve)
17. Storm Cursed, Patricia Briggs (e)
16. Who Slays the Wicked, C.S. Harris
15. The Warlock in Spite of Himself, Christopher Stasheff (re-read)
14. The Cat Who Knew a Cardinal, Lilian Jackson Braun (read aloud with Steve)
13. Wild Ride, Jennifer Crusie & Bob Mayer (read aloud with Steve; re-read for me; first read for him)
12. Shadow of a Broken Man, George C. Chesbro (read aloud with Steve)
11. How Much for Just the Planet?, John M. Ford
10. Brat Farrar, Josephine Tey (read aloud with Steve; re-read for me; first read for him)
9. Spinning Silver, Naomi Novik
8. Lies Sleeping, Ben Aaronovitch
7. The Luckiest Lady in London, Sherry Thomas
6. Release the Virgins, Michael A. Ventrella, editor (read aloud with Steve)
5. Becoming, Michelle Obama
4. Agnes and the Hitman, Jennifer Crusie & Bob Mayer (read aloud with Steve; re-read for me; first read for him)
3. the unbeatable Squirrel Girl, Ryan North, Erica Henderson
2. Alliance Rising, CJ Cherryh & Jane S. Fancher (read out loud with Steve)
1. A Shilling for Candles, Josephine Tey (read out loud with Steve)
Holding pattern
So, I don’t know whether it’s better to write a blog entry when, really, nothing is happening worth talking about, and therefore annoying the adrenaline junkies amongst us; or to not so post, and distress the worriers.
Well.
Steve’s version of the Vile Cold turned to pneumonia, and he’s been taking prescribed meds and getting some rest. My version — decided to come back again, though not as drippy this time, and heavier on the coughing. The coon cats are still on the case. Work is going forth, albeit slowly. The people in charge of sorting out the possible professional engagement in October have reshuffled themselves one! more! time! so no news on that front, then.
We will be doing an interview with Tony Daniels of the Baen Free Radio Hour later this afternoon, which will no doubt be fun. Our plan is to change off hacking our heads off, so we’ll see how that works out.
If I am candid, I’d allow that, really, the biggest news right now, is the back yard. We have, like, six cardinals living in the back yard, a fair mess of chickadees and goldfinchen, a few morning doves, a nice married couple of grosbeak, purple finches, downy woodpecker, and his cousin, red-bellied woodpecker, house sparrows, and the ever-popular flying fish — aka, the ruby-throated hummingbird. We’re still feeding, so the action is up close and personal.
Especially thrilling has been the resident flyers’ discovery! of the birdbaths. Mind you, I put them out months ago, wipe down and refill them every day, but the discovery happened only this week. Now the things are littered with goldfinchen, and I’ve gone from thinking that putting out two saucers was too many to thinking that I might to install two more.
Down the bottom of the garden, the sea rose is going gangbusters. I had hoped this year to place another up nearer to the house, but that went the way of planting the butterfly garden — between the Incredibly Rainy Spring and Life. . .well, next year will have to do.
On the subject of other wildlife, we had a skunk scoping the place out for a few days a couple weeks ago, but she finally decided we wouldn’t do, and moved on, leaving us the grey squirrels and the woodchuck, and perhaps the fox, though I haven’t seen her this year.
So, there you are — a surfeit of excitement, to be sure. I hope I haven’t overwhelmed anyone’s capacity for thrills.
Here, have a picture of Trooper and Belle, overlooking the hummer bar.
Even more updatery
So, Steve has caught the Vile, Drippy Cold. While I could have wished it would have skipped him, you really can’t fault the timing. The coon cats are on medic duty in the living room; I am covering House, and getting back seriously to the manuscript. I see many twelve hour days in my near future, if we’re going to turn this thing in on time, which!
I have foot surgery scheduled for October, with 6-8 weeks blocked out to heal. While I don’t expect to goof off for an entire 6-8 weeks, I’m planning according to Worst Case Predictions, so any surprises will be pleasant.
Anyway, the book clearly needs to be done and handed in by the end of September, latest, so that’s what will happen.
In other news, I ordered a tambour clock for the living room, so I can know what time it is when I’m in the living room and have failed to count the hours rung on the mechanical clock situated on the wall around the corner. It is. . .not as large as I had anticipated (remembering my grandmother’s tambour clock — aka, the “mantle clock”), but, positioned properly, I can see it from the couch, and, because I can tell Analog Time, all I really need to see is the position of the hands.
To be fair, I did not pay Actual Mechanical Tambour Clock $$ for it. While it is made out wood, it is battery operated, and it doesn’t chime (two competing chiming clocks would not do) and! I didn’t have to buy another Stoopid Plastic Digital Clock that will die in two years. I’ve purchased ‘way too many of those in my lifetime and I — just couldn’t do it again.
Today’s Game Plan, for those who are coaching at home — Steve resting (which is to say, not sitting at the computer. A Very Savvy Doctor once explained to me that sitting at the computer, even doing “nothing” is not resting. Resting is resting. As in so many things, she was correct.)
So, Steve resting. Coon cats on duty. Sharon with manuscript until it’s time to get lunch on the table. More resting and working, after lunch, until it’s time for ice cream. Resting and working until it’s time for supper, and being read to, and so to bed.
Yeah, it’s a tough schedule, but we’re going to do our best to keep up.
Everybody stay healthy.
Books read in 2019
26. The Cat Who Wasn’t There, Lilian Jackson Braun (read aloud with Steve)
25. The King of Attolia, Megan Whalen Turner (re-read)
24. The Queen of Attolia, Megan Whalen Turner (re-read)
23. The Goblin Emperor, Katherine Addison (re-read)
22. Maiden of the Machine, Volume 1, Caitlin Like
21. The Sandman: Preludes & Nocturnes, Neil Gaiman
20. The Franchise Affair, Josephine Tey (read aloud with Steve)
19. City of Whispering Stone, George C. Chesbro (read aloud with Steve)
18. Allegiance of Honor, Nalini Singh (read aloud with Steve)
17. Storm Cursed, Patricia Briggs (e)
16. Who Slays the Wicked, C.S. Harris
15. The Warlock in Spite of Himself, Christopher Stasheff (re-read)
14. The Cat Who Knew a Cardinal, Lilian Jackson Braun (read aloud with Steve)
13. Wild Ride, Jennifer Crusie & Bob Mayer (read aloud with Steve; re-read for me; first read for him)
12. Shadow of a Broken Man, George C. Chesbro (read aloud with Steve)
11. How Much for Just the Planet?, John M. Ford
10. Brat Farrar, Josephine Tey (read aloud with Steve; re-read for me; first read for him)
9. Spinning Silver, Naomi Novik
8. Lies Sleeping, Ben Aaronovitch
7. The Luckiest Lady in London, Sherry Thomas
6. Release the Virgins, Michael A. Ventrella, editor (read aloud with Steve)
5. Becoming, Michelle Obama
4. Agnes and the Hitman, Jennifer Crusie & Bob Mayer (read aloud with Steve; re-read for me; first read for him)
3. the unbeatable Squirrel Girl, Ryan North, Erica Henderson
2. Alliance Rising, CJ Cherryh & Jane S. Fancher (read out loud with Steve)
1. A Shilling for Candles, Josephine Tey (read out loud with Steve)
Books read in 2019
25. The King of Attolia, Megan Whalen Turner (re-read)
24. The Queen of Attolia, Megan Whalen Turner (re-read)
23. The Goblin Emperor, Katherine Addison (re-read)
22. Maiden of the Machine, Volume 1, Caitlin Like
21. The Sandman: Preludes & Nocturnes, Neil Gaiman
20. The Franchise Affair, Josephine Tey (read aloud with Steve)
19. City of Whispering Stone, George C. Chesbro (read aloud with Steve)
18. Allegiance of Honor, Nalini Singh (read aloud with Steve)
17. Storm Cursed, Patricia Briggs (e)
16. Who Slays the Wicked, C.S. Harris
15. The Warlock in Spite of Himself, Christopher Stasheff (re-read)
14. The Cat Who Knew a Cardinal, Lilian Jackson Braun (read aloud with Steve)
13. Wild Ride, Jennifer Crusie & Bob Mayer (read aloud with Steve; re-read for me; first read for him)
12. Shadow of a Broken Man, George C. Chesbro (read aloud with Steve)
11. How Much for Just the Planet?, John M. Ford
10. Brat Farrar, Josephine Tey (read aloud with Steve; re-read for me; first read for him)
9. Spinning Silver, Naomi Novik
8. Lies Sleeping, Ben Aaronovitch
7. The Luckiest Lady in London, Sherry Thomas
6. Release the Virgins, Michael A. Ventrella, editor (read aloud with Steve)
5. Becoming, Michelle Obama
4. Agnes and the Hitman, Jennifer Crusie & Bob Mayer (read aloud with Steve; re-read for me; first read for him)
3. the unbeatable Squirrel Girl, Ryan North, Erica Henderson
2. Alliance Rising, CJ Cherryh & Jane S. Fancher (read out loud with Steve)
1. A Shilling for Candles, Josephine Tey (read out loud with Steve)
So, what’s been going on, you say?
Well, first — I’ve been sick with a particularly implacable cold. Two weeks in, and I’m finally starting to show signs of achieving wellness, which is?
Right. Steve’s cue to catch the same nasty little bugger.
Needless to say, not much — which is to say, not any — writing has been done, which is not good news for the various projects in process, but best not to break them by going in with half-a-brain. We will hope, rather, that the back-brain has been working onward, and indeed, there are signs that this may be so. I was just yesterday offered up a germ of a short story — which, in this case, actually is useful, since we’re under contract for a short story.
I’m going to drag all the various pieces of the novel onto the couch with me after lunch and try to see if I’m able to brain. Wish me luck.
We do have a couple bits of actual writerly news to impart, for those who actually stop by for writerly news.
- Liaden Universe® Constellation Volume IV, by Sharon Lee and Steve Miller, published on June 4 by Baen Books, hit Number 17! on the Bookscan national bestseller list its first week out. So! Thank you all!
- Those who preordered signed and/or personalized copies of this same Liaden Universe® Constellation Volume IV from Uncle Hugo will be pleased to know that all copies have been shipped to you!
- For those of you who read Science Fiction Romance, there’s a new resource in town: SFR Station, a catalog of science fiction romance.
- In case you’ve been out of town, two new Adventures in the Liaden Universe® chapbooks — numbers 28 and 29 — were recently published. Fortune’s Favors, number 28, in April; and Shout of Honor, number 29, in May. Available at your favorite ebook vendor, including Baen, BN, Kobo, Amazon.
- The chapbooks referenced in Number 4, above, are available in paper editions, from Amazon only. I note this because we are participating in a Beta program at Draft2Digital, which may result the entire run of Adventures in the Liaden Universe® chapbooks being available in paper from multiple vendors. Watch the skies.
I think that mostly catches us up.
Hope everyone’s doing well.
Books read in 2019
24. The Queen of Attolia, Megan Whalen Turner (re-read)
23. The Goblin Emperor, Katherine Addison (re-read)
22. Maiden of the Machine, Volume 1, Caitlin Like
21. The Sandman: Preludes & Nocturnes, Neil Gaiman
20. The Franchise Affair, Josephine Tey (read aloud with Steve)
19. City of Whispering Stone, George C. Chesbro (read aloud with Steve)
18. Allegiance of Honor, Nalini Singh (read aloud with Steve)
17. Storm Cursed, Patricia Briggs (e)
16. Who Slays the Wicked, C.S. Harris
15. The Warlock in Spite of Himself, Christopher Stasheff (re-read)
14. The Cat Who Knew a Cardinal, Lilian Jackson Braun (read aloud with Steve)
13. Wild Ride, Jennifer Crusie & Bob Mayer (read aloud with Steve; re-read for me; first read for him)
12. Shadow of a Broken Man, George C. Chesbro (read aloud with Steve)
11. How Much for Just the Planet?, John M. Ford
10. Brat Farrar, Josephine Tey (read aloud with Steve; re-read for me; first read for him)
9. Spinning Silver, Naomi Novik
8. Lies Sleeping, Ben Aaronovitch
7. The Luckiest Lady in London, Sherry Thomas
6. Release the Virgins, Michael A. Ventrella, editor (read aloud with Steve)
5. Becoming, Michelle Obama
4. Agnes and the Hitman, Jennifer Crusie & Bob Mayer (read aloud with Steve; re-read for me; first read for him)
3. the unbeatable Squirrel Girl, Ryan North, Erica Henderson
2. Alliance Rising, CJ Cherryh & Jane S. Fancher (read out loud with Steve)
1. A Shilling for Candles, Josephine Tey (read out loud with Steve)
Books read in 2019
23. The Goblin Emperor, Katherine Addison (re-read)
22. Maiden of the Machine, Volume 1, Caitlin Like
21. The Sandman: Preludes & Nocturnes, Neil Gaiman
20. The Franchise Affair, Josephine Tey (read aloud with Steve)
19. City of Whispering Stone, George C. Chesbro (read aloud with Steve)
18. Allegiance of Honor, Nalini Singh (read aloud with Steve)
17. Storm Cursed, Patricia Briggs (e)
16. Who Slays the Wicked, C.S. Harris
15. The Warlock in Spite of Himself, Christopher Stasheff (re-read)
14. The Cat Who Knew a Cardinal, Lilian Jackson Braun (read aloud with Steve)
13. Wild Ride, Jennifer Crusie & Bob Mayer (read aloud with Steve; re-read for me; first read for him)
12. Shadow of a Broken Man, George C. Chesbro (read aloud with Steve)
11. How Much for Just the Planet?, John M. Ford
10. Brat Farrar, Josephine Tey (read aloud with Steve; re-read for me; first read for him)
9. Spinning Silver, Naomi Novik
8. Lies Sleeping, Ben Aaronovitch
7. The Luckiest Lady in London, Sherry Thomas
6. Release the Virgins, Michael A. Ventrella, editor (read aloud with Steve)
5. Becoming, Michelle Obama
4. Agnes and the Hitman, Jennifer Crusie & Bob Mayer (read aloud with Steve; re-read for me; first read for him)
3. the unbeatable Squirrel Girl, Ryan North, Erica Henderson
2. Alliance Rising, CJ Cherryh & Jane S. Fancher (read out loud with Steve)
1. A Shilling for Candles, Josephine Tey (read out loud with Steve)