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And putting things in perspective - rozk tells us they're killing queers in Iraq.

More happily, though, I got to talk to Roz -in-London on Skype that night. I'm a Skype near-virgin, and had that Near Tech Experience unaparalleled since Mr. Graham wanted Mr. Watson. OMIGOD!!! I shrieked to Delia. IT'S ROZ! HER VOICE IS COMING OUT OF MY COMPUTER!

It was a thrill, I can tell you. Especially as it was sitting on my lap.

* * *

The August edition of Mythic Passages is just out and you'll love it: art by Charles Vess, articles by Phil Cousineau (Pilgrimage), Terri Windling (Cinderella), Brenda Sutton (Mt Fuji), Wm. Doty (Neil Gaiman's "1602"), Thomas Fortson ("Trading the Center of the World:Dante's Inferno
and the Underworld Journey of September 11th"), etc ad gloriam.

For anyone who has ever wondered why packing to move is quite as bad as it really is, I recommend my wonderful Cousin Els' lateset, Notes from the Malevolent Heart of Packing, including such pearls (and commentary on them) as "1) IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO PACK AND LIVE AT THE SAME TIME." and "4) PACKING IS IMPOSSIBLE BECAUSE IT REQUIRES YOU TO PREDICT WHAT YOUR LIFE WILL BE LIKE AFTER YOUR MOVE. WHICH IS IMPOSSIBLE UNLESS YOU ARE PSYCHIC."
(If anyone has a library job in Vancouver they'd like to offer her, please do! Also, check out her kidlit reviewzine, bookbookbook.)

World Fantasy Convention 20007

Many thanks to all for your generous congratulations on the World Fantasy Award nomination of TPOTS for Best Novel. I had always thought this award was something of interest only to the cognoscenti; but either it's gotten bigger, or there are a lot of cognoscenti out there!

If you're interested in attending the convention, my pals on the committee tell me not to be too put off by the rumored scarcity of hotel rooms: over the coming weeks, people who booked rooms early but have decided not to come are cancelling, so keep checking back to see if rooms are now available.

I've gotten a sneak peek at the proposed panels - don't they look great? If you want to be on one, be sure to register in time to get your Qualifying Panelist Invitation.