I have notes going back ten years, to some time in 1997, for a book to be called The New Space Opera. It was going to be completely different than it turned out to be, and my dear friend Simon Brown was originally going to co-edit, but today it all came to fruition. I went to the post office box on the way home from work and there were two bright, sparkling copies of the Australian edition of The New Space Opera. I literally could not be happier. It’s been a real trip working with Gardner, all of the authors, Stephanie in Australia, Diana in the US, Marianne (who proofed it beautifully), and literally everyone else. A big shout out to Stephan Martiniere for the cover, and to the folk at Harper for such great design. I’m pleased as punch! It should be in the shops in three weeks or so. I hope you all like it as much as I do!