Dispatches since 2005
The journal
Announcements, new editions, travel, diving, cooking and the working life of a novelist — 133 entries, all of them here in full.
December 11, 2019 · 168 words
Volodya Again Raises His Balding Head
It’s nearly New Year, and once again I’m in competition with Vladimir Putin for the world’s most admired wall calendar. Putin’s calendar features photos of the President of the Russian Federation meeting with statesmen and world leaders. There’s not a single photo of him with his shirt off! It’s like he’s not even tryi
Read entry →December 2, 2019 · 69 words
Ready Those Manuscripts!
December 1 was the first day for submitting applications for Taos Toolbox, the master class for writers of science fiction and fantasy, which will run June 7-20, 2020. Nancy Kress and I will be teaching, assisted by George R.R. Martin and indiepub guru E.M. Tippetts. Every year we have a record number of submissions, s
Read entry →November 28, 2019 · 147 words
Snow Day
We awoke this morning to a beautiful carpet of snow covering everything in sight. Unfortunately this meant that our Thanksgiving guests were snowed in, and couldn’t come, and so we’re faced with the prospect of dealing with a 22-pound turkey, bacon and sausage stuffing, and other trimmings all on our own. We did, howev
Read entry →November 25, 2019 · 331 words
Day 76
It’s 76 days since my hip replacement surgery, and my recovery continues at its usual slow pace. I wake up to pain in the mornings, because lying down causes my legs to stiffen, and then I hobble around, take some ibuprofen along with coffee and a piece of fruit, and wait till I feel better. […]
Read entry →November 21, 2019 · 76 words
Interview’d
I will be interviewed at the Jean Cocteau Cinema in Santa Fe on November 24, at 4pm. This will be followed by a signing at the brand-new Beastly Books, right next door, which specializes in the works of anyone interviewed at the Jean Cocteau. There will be food available, and alcohol, and probably a special cocktail [&
Read entry →November 13, 2019 · 50 words
Lo! I am to be seen!
I will be signing Quillifer the Knight, and any other of my books you bring or buy, this Saturday at 4pm, at Page One Books in Albuquerque. I will take questions, do a brief reading, and maybe there will be food. There often is. Attend! It should be fun.
Read entry →November 13, 2019 · 65 words
Speak Swordfish, and Enter
The public Borsalino reveal took place at a culturally appropriate venue, a speakeasy, where I enjoyed my long-delayed birthday dinner. The bookshelf behind me is a secret door. The password was not “Swordfish.” Vernon’s Speakeasy cooks a damn good meal, but a degree of romance is lost by the fact of alcohol now being
Read entry →November 10, 2019 · 146 words
Ring in the Toolbox Time!
Taos Toolbox, the master class for writers of science fiction and fantasy, will take place June 7-20, 2020, in Angel Fire, New Mexico. Chief writer-wranglers will be Nancy Kress and Walter Jon Williams, aided by special guests George RR Martin and indiepub guru EM Tippetts. George continues to fund the Terran Award, pr
Read entry →November 6, 2019 · 272 words
Barefoot Knight With Cheek
Quillifer the Knight has been released! And we’ve got flap copy if you want it! Rogue. Joker. Lover. Reluctant conspirator. The ambitious young Quillifer was knighted for services to the crown, but then was banished from court by a queen who finds him obnoxious. Now, after a two-year voyage to improve his fortunes, Qui
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