It's our last week of work before the kids' school holidays begin...and of course, we're also frantically gift-shopping at this time of year! In case you are, too, it seemed like a good moment to start posting my totally subjective, personal lists of favorite books I read this year. (Also, I just like looking back on them!) So here is my first list ( Read more... )

Thanks so much for the lovely feedback I've gotten for "Flying Magic" on Facebook, email and elsewhere! It really, really means a lot to me ( Read more... )

Hey! Would you like to get a signed ARC of The Dragon with a Chocolate Heart (complete with gorgeous chapter header illustrations by Freya Hartas) AND help refugees at the same time? You can bid here to do that - and also check out all the other fabulous offerings (from manuscript critiques to books and CDs and more) at the Authors for Refugees ( Read more... )

Have you guys all already heard of the Con or Bust auction? Con or Bust is a nonprofit organization that helps fans of color attend f/sf conventions around the world, and right now they're raising money with a fabulous auction. If you look through, you'll find all sorts of amazing offerings, from the chance to name a character in a Naomi Novik book ( Read more... )

Today, Toddler X and I went to playgroup, where he was very busy with a variety of important toys. Then Patrick picked us up and we headed off to our local polling station to vote in the UK election. Now Toddler X and I are relaxing from a morning of good work on both our parts with eggy bread (made by Patrick!)...but I had to take time out to ( Read more... )

Have you guys all already seen the wonderful Authors for the Philippines auction going on right now? It's raising money for the Red Cross's Typhoon Haiyan appeal, and it closes in just a few days. Not only are a lot of amazing authors (from Armistead Maupin to Debi Gliori, Neil Gaiman, John Barrowman and Steve Cole) offering up stuff for auction, ( Read more... )

I think I was 14 when my dad passed me his copy of War For the Oaks, by Emma Bull. At the time, I was planning to be a historical romance writer. I'd just finished my first "novel" (OK, it was 56 pages single-spaced, but still), a Regency-era Gothic novel of great drama, romance and suspense called The Mystery of Castle Clew. I was all set to write ( Read more... )

Thanks, everybody, for all the sympathy and support yesterday when I was in mid-panic! It really, really helped. I sent off the edits exactly on time...here's hoping I can repeat the process (minus the panic) this coming week for the UK edition ( Read more... )

Today poor MrD is still sick, and he (and I) woke up at about 5am. Sigh. Still, I was determined to have a productive Monday anyway. After all, why not get some work done while he slept on my lap?

Well, maybe because my brain is in a state of zombie sludge today. After I'd sent off a freelance query with a glaring typo and posted the wrong info ( Read more... )