There are some days when working in the science fiction field, however peripherally, is a joy, a challenge and a privilege. There are other days when, however much of a privilege it is, I ask myself what the heck I’m doing. I could simply poke my eye out with a stick for fun, which would at least have the advantage of taking less time.

Well, I try to keep up with what’s being published in the world, but this one almost slipt past me. Susanna Clarke, author of the amazing Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrel, has her first short story collection, The Ladies of Grace Adieu, due from Bloomsbury in October this year. There’s not much information about the book around, but I’ve read a number of her short stories (several published in Patrick Nielsen Hayden’s fine Starlight anthology series), and I’m confident it should be a lovely book.

The winner of the 2006 Arthur C Clarke Award has been announced. Out of a field of terrific books, the judges have chosen to present the award to Geoff Ryman for his novel Air. While I like almost everything on the shortlist, I’m particularly pleased Ryman has won for his astoundingly wonderful book. You haven’t read it? Go, now, buy a copy. It comes from the quietest part of the bleeding edge, but is essential science fiction nonetheless.

Oh, and before I forget, can we also give it up for Gordon Van Gelder, who I believe was the original commissioning editor for the novel. He did some great work for St Martins.

Via Ian McDonald, John Crowley has a blog. Yes, that John Crowley. Check it out!

It’s only a few days after the announcement of this year’s Locus Awards finalists, and something interesting has fallen through the mailbox. Earlier this year there was some talk about a Dutch edition of The Locus Awards, and I just received my contributor’s copy. I know copies are making their way out to all of the contributors via the good folk at HarperCollins, and other business stuff will get there soon too, but the main thing is the book exists! How weird and cool that I did some onder redactie-ing on De Locus Awards, which includes 30 jaar van de beste science fiction en fantasyverhalen. Who knew?