The obligatory January thing

It seems to have become the custom that in December I do a round up of the year, and in January I follow it up with a plans-and-expectations spiel. Sometimes I compare the one at the end with the one at the beginning, sometimes I know not to bother. Anyway, welcome to 2016’s now-obligatory January post.

So, what can I tell you? Well, the biggish news is there will be a new book-shaped thing. Hopefully I’ll be able to divulge actual official details very soon, but it’s all looking very good and I’m working on the last bits and pieces for that now.

After that I have three stories original stories to send to anthologies that have asked for them, and then I can get back to finishing off Queen Of Clouds. Really this time. Done. We’ll see what happens to it after that. I’m just keen for other people to read it more than anything.

And when those things are taken care of?  Well, I have that rare thing: no firm plans. I’ve got novel ideas to start doing things with and I’d really like to write a bunch of new stories and send them out on spec and see what I can make of them.

Also writing related: I’ve got a couple of speaking appearances coming up in the next few weeks. First off, on January 26th Hal Duncan and I are going to be talking to the Glasgow University MLitt in Fantasy course on the subject of The Borders of Fantasy. Should be an interesting night. And on February 3rd I’ll be back at Glasgow Uni to talk to their SF group, IO. If you see me at either of these things, come and say hi.

Oh, and as if that weren’t enough, 2016 is the 30th anniversary of the Glasgow SF Writers’ Circle, and we plan to publish a celebratory anthology later on in the year. A project which I’m honoured to be one of the editors for (with Elaine Gallagher and Cameron Johnstone). I’m really looking forward to presenting to the world a selection of stories that reflects the breadth and eclecticism of a group that has played such a vital part to so many writers over the last three decades.

So, as promised in the December round up, things are happening. As always, watch this space. Or, if you get bored, watch the skies instead. Or, you know what’s really worth your time? Season two of Fargo. Just don’t forget to check back here from time to time for news.