I’ve just been trying to work out what I need to do in the next week or so if I’m going to actually meet my deadlines and other commitments. In addition to playing my part in getting things ready for Sophie’s birthday party (cleaning up, doing some gardening, organising etc), I’ve got a bit to do.

First, I’ve finished the story notes for Science Fiction: Best of 2004 and have done most of the notes for Fantasy: Best of 2004. I need to finish those, and write the main volume introductions, by the end of the weekend. I also need to follow up on permissions for the books.

Second, I’ve got to deal with some financial stuff. It’s tax time here, and I need to keep on top of that.

Third, I’ve got to send out email reminders to all of the potential contributors to The Starry Rift. I wrote to all of them a while ago, but a follow-up now seems about right. This is only slightly complicated by having sporadic email problems. I also need to get in touch with Sharyn (hi Sharyn!) to discuss the book.

Fourth, I’ve got to finish proofing the December Locus, edit the columns that are coming in for the January issue, and get a real start on recommended reading. It’ll run in the February issue, but we do all of the to-and-fro-ing between now and the end of December. Charles is flying out to Perth for New Year’s and we’ll finalise all of the lists then.

Fifth, I’ve got to do some follow-up emailing for review material for myself, some of the review staff and the magazine.

Sixth, I’ve got to do some reading. I’m half-way through the January F&SF, finished the Gwyneth Jones novel (which was excellent) and am currently toying with a few other choices. I also need to read a bunch of potential contenders for recommended reading listing.

Seventh, get some new tyres for the car.

Once that’s all done – and most of it must be done before month’s end – I can get on to some general pre-Christmas house organisation, help my mother with her soon-to-arrive visitors, write a couple long-overdue book proposals and generally try to get my act together before summer gets here. I tend to slow way down in the hot weather, so I need to be on top of my schedule by New Year’s. Also, I need to get our computer problems dealt with before then, because as the weather heats up, the computer tends to die more often.