Dwelling in Probabilities

Got the great news this week that Queen of Swords Press title Wireless and More Steam-Powered Adventures by Alex Acks is a MIPA Midwest Book Awards Finalist! The first book in this set of linked steampunk stories, Murder on the Titania and Other Steam-Powered Adventures was a 2019 Colorado Book Award Finalist, so we're all pretty pleased that Wireless is getting its shot too.They are terrific stories so I'm hoping they get their due this year.

In other news, our contractor had some space on his schedule. RIght Now. As in: if we waited 2 weeks, the window would vanish, so he and his various helpers, plus electricians and soon, roofers, are all over the place and there is all the banging and pounding and questions and stuff, and more stuff, while we both try to work from home. The cats are thoroughly miffed and there is insulation and tools and so forth to contend with. But...the bathroom looks much better now that the giant HVAC pipes are covered up and the hole in the ceiling and the accompanying cracks are all patched up and the attic is getting properly insulated for the first time ever and when they're done, I can have a Queen of Swords Press office with storage space. So another week or two or so before we get to emotional pay off.

And then there's the squirrels that took up nesting in the porch roof. Our handyguy stopped by for the third time to try and block them out today; here's hoping it works, because if not, we'll have to see what nonlethal pest control can do. They have, of course, been gnawing their way into the wood somewhere over my head in the office, which has been a whole 'nother level of stress.

So trying to focus and get stuff done, with mixed results, but trying to be easy on myself and not expect an enormous amount to get done while all this is happening

 We shall begin with a lovely review of Alex Acks's Murder on the Titania from reviewer James Davis Nicoll. Can I just say how great it is to see other people love this book as much as I do? I'm really glad that Alex decided to entrust Queen of Swords Press with this book so I'm hoping we can do them proud, as it were. :-D

As part of the Great Possessions Purge of 2018 (I'm downsizing like a mad thing because I really need to), I posted two previously unworn Tiptree Award t-shirts, a steampunk butterkeeper from Aegean Goods Pottery and a stack of feminist sfnal reading materials at the Con or Bust Auction. I've also posted a Queen of Swords Press print book package. Bidding opens 4/9!

I'm planning for Clexa Con in Las Vegas next week, where I'll be tabling with the awesome gals from Blind Eye Books and doing a panel. And I'm turning 55 on Friday so I'm trying to raise $550 for SAGE, a nonprofit that serves LGBTQ+ seniors, in lieu of gifts. (If you're local and want to attend some portion of my bday weekend festivities, feel free to message me here).

Other than this, I've got two short stories out the door, am making progress on novel edits and am wrangling a lot of stuff and am trying to find time to rest, go to movies and read. We'll see how that goes.