there aren’t many things i dislike about the freelance editing thing. the brainstorming is great, the proposal stage is all good, the getting the stories is the best part, and even getting the final book is a huge kick. the one thing i don’t like is waiting for contracts and such. right now i’m waiting for the go-ahead on a set of projects and its stressful and not happy making. i’m eager to get on with things, but don’t feel like i can start without the publisher’s go ahead. sigh. this is not made better by being woken at 3am and not getting back to sleep.

I’m very happy to announce that Gary Wolfe and I will be co-editing an anthology of the year’s best non-fiction writing about science fiction, fantasy and horror for Chris Roberson at Monkeybrain Books. Tentatively titled Best New SF Writings: 2005, it’s a book I’m really excited to be doing. I love the idea, and I really like the books Chris has been publishing. If you have anything you’ve read that you’d like to recommend, we’d love to hear from you.

…brand new spanking blog. after two years of musing, she’s now blogging. so, check it out. blogging in lowercase, justine has posted the cover for magic lessons. we here at the coode go “oooh”. i loved the first book, so did marianne. can’t wait to read the new one. on blogging lowercase: i like it, but doesn’t writing “i” lowercase look odd to you?

Many people are, but if you want to know all there is to know about Vinge’s neato idea and what it’s doing to SF, check out Charlie’s Tough Guide to the Singularity.

This is that music thing what’s going around.

1. The person (or persons) who passed the baton to you.
   Took it from Tim, who offered…

2. Total volume of music files on your computer.
   None. I’m still a 20th century guy, I guess. Soon, though.

3. The title and artist of the last CD you bought.
   Man-made by Teenage Fanclub

4. Song playing at the moment of writing.
   “Marrakesh Express”, Crosby, Stills & Nash

5. Five songs you have been listening to of late (or all-time favorites, or particularly personally meaningful songs).

   “Shipbuilding”, Elvis Costello
   “Redemption Song”, Bob Marley
   “Brown-eyed Girl”, Van Morrison
   “Jungleland”, Bruce Springsteen
   “Jackie Wilson Said”, Dexy’s Midnight Runners

6. The five victims to whom you will ‘pass the musical baton.
   I think any five people can take it from here…