(Mood - optimistic/sore shoulder; music - in me head; book - The Final Adventures of Sherlock Holmes)

Yes, well, thought it was about time I posted some news for my LEGIONS of fans (wonder what to call you all? Shadowfans? The Children of Twilight?)(or should that be singular ;-)

Have just moved house, hence the soreness in the shoulder area what has been pulled quite comprehensively. `Ouch` doesn`t begin to describe it, and coughing and sneezing is NO fun. Anyhoo, after much carrying and hauling it is done, and the Cobley creation den is taking shape even as I type (well, later really). I can reveal that the paperback of Shadowmasque should be hitting the shops in August, delectably jacketed with Steve Stone`s masterly evocation of the conflict contained therein. Current projects are in development (and the masterlist of future projects continues to grow - boysangirls, have I got some stories for YOU in the years ahead!).

But Easter is almost upon us, bringing with it Eastercon, the British national SF convention, held this year in Glasgow. And as you might expect, I`m on a panel or three, sounding off and making intellectual merry with peers and all comers. The panel items are:

Fri, 1800-1900, Argyll 1 - "War of the Wells"
The Defence Secretary has predicted that the UK will soon be intervening in resource conflicts. How soon will wars over oil become wars over water?

Sat, 1700-1800, Argyll 3 - "Sword Blades and Poppy Seeds" - Where Does Your Inspiration Come From? Amy Lowell felt that your muse always came with a price to pay. What are the wellsprings of inspiration for writers and artists?

Mon, 1200-1300, Argyll 3 - "Return of the Robinsonade"
'Lost', 'Battlestar Galactica', the small community stranded and trying to survive is a concept that seems to be making a comeback. But is an excuse for formulaic plots, info-dumping and libertarian fantasy?

Yep, sounds like some interesting stuff to bandy bon mots about, and I`m definitely looking forward to it.

Hopefully see some of you there.

Adios.