Ah, at last - another entry. Yes, my profuse apologies for the ginunga-gap-like intervals in these updates, but, gentle readers, it has been a most singular summer.

First item - I am at the very juncture writing the last pages of the epilogue of Shadowmasque. What a strange and drawnout writing journey it has been, full of the usualy writerly delights and frustrations, not to mention a variety of odd byways which turned out to be boulevards of fruitful exploration. I have tried to write something a bit different from the usual 3rd-book-in-a-fantasy-trilogy, which some of you might have guessed from the progressions of book 2 (although I am still reminded of the sniping remarks one reader stuck on Amazon for all to see - what a joy it was to read! He is, of course, utterly wrong, as were some other reviewers who seem to have been reading another book entirely from the one I wrote. Heh - so it goes).

Anyway, the projected publication date at the mo` is June/July next year, which would be pretty groovetastic, placing it in the months running up to the Glasgow Worldcon - niiicce! I am of course hoping, deeply and manfully, that the talented Steve Stone will be the one commissioned to come up with the cover illustration; I`ve provided a basic brief idea for it, and if all goes according the Masterplan Steve`s creation could be something special.

Item the Second - I have just recently signed contract for publication of bk 2, Shadowgod, in Russian by the Moscow publishing house Azbooka. I really liked the job they did on bk1, and am looking forward to the next with great antici...pation. Also recently agreed, a contract for the entire trilogy to be published in Germany by Heine. Which, I`m sure you`ll agree, is pretty damn spiffing!

Item the Third - my visit to Moldova was a tremendous success, had a great time, visited the massive market, and the amazing wildlife sanctuary known as the Kodru, went for long drives in the wonderful countryside, paused for photos by Soviet-era monuments, oh, yeah, and lost my passport (and a whole lot of stuff) but was lucky enough that friends of my host found and returned it. Honestly, you have no idea.....
And there will be more Moldovan matters in an upcoming entry.

Item the 4th - Hooray for Chavez!

Item the 5th - Will someone please tell me just what the hell we`re doing in Iraq, because they don`t want us there!

Item the 6 - was part of the glory crew at a Scottish SF writers panel at Ottakars in Glasgow last month, in the sparkling company of Debbie Miller, Grant Morrison and Richard Morgan, staunch hero (in) es one and all. Thoroughly enjoyed myself, and had a good toandfro with the audience as well. Upcoming on the event front, myself and Debbie M will be attending and talking at Edinburgh University`s SF Society`s freshers week do on, I think, the 17th of September. More detailed info is available on the Alien Online site (where you`ll be seeing a review of my collection Iron Mosaic in a coupla weeks).

Music recently listened to includes, Prokofievs Romeo and Juliet, Zdob si Zdub (which is Moldovan for `Beat the Drum`) and their CD `450 de Oi`, meaning 450 Sheep (love this band, totally off the wall and mixing up all kinds of influences), Public Image, Evergrey, Fall of the Leafe - oh, and Franz Ferdinand who I kinda sniffed at when their first stuff came out, thinking `sigh, another weedy alt.rock band` but no, they do have something - loved a track called `Shopping for blood`, and the newie `Michael` for other than the obvious reason. Music I`m waiting for - the new Judas Priest (yeah, so sue me), the Budgie remasters, the recent Orange Goblin, new stuff from the Porcupine Tree guys, the new Tad Morose....ee bah gum, there`s so much great stuff out there that there ain`t no time for it all!
So thats all for now - but more in a few days, I reckon.