Open letter to my readers

Please remember, I'm finishing the third book about Felix and Mildmay right now and plotting the fourth--which I've had in my head since 1998 or so. I already know what's going to happen to these characters, the ways in which they're going to change--and the ways in which they're not.

So while I fully support people talking about my books and analyzing and speculating, my personal blog is not the right forum. Because I can't join in the conversation. (Well, I can say, "Yes, you're right!" and "No, you're wrong!" but that kills conversation rather than encouraging it.) And because it makes me very uncomfortable.

Also, please understand that there are legal issues here. Terry Pratchett's example is one that all authors are painfully aware of, and the internet being what it is, I cannot afford to trust that none of you would behave in that fashion. And I'm sorry for that.

I am flattered and delighted by how carefully y'all are thinking about my characters, and I don't in any way, shape, or form want to shut down discussion. But I am going to ask that you not have that discussion here.

cassandraterra has started the_mirador. Which I do not and will not read. So, please, if you want to talk about my books, take the conversation over there.

Murphy's Law? Check.

It's raining today, very hard and very straight up and down, and it is very clear from the evidence of the mail that my postal carrier was caught out in it.

So, of course, today is the day my Campbell nomination certificate arrived.

I had to peel it out of the envelope, like peeling a very soggy banana.

Fortunately, between the outer envelope, the cover letter, the inner envelope, and the backing cardboard, the certificate itself¹ is a little warped and water-blistered, but actually dry. And the ink didn't run.

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¹Which is prettier and less Scroogish² than my Ph.D. diploma.

²In the manner of Ebenezer Scrooge, pre attitude transplant. My diploma is like the ring from a Las Vegas wedding, where the gold comes off after a week and it turns your finger green.<sup>3

3</sup>I've been infected by the Bulwer-Lytton Fiction Contest's results for 2006.<sup>4

4</sup>Curses upon Thanks to matociquala for the link.<sup>5

5</sup>Okay, I'm done now.