Sorry...

I'm going to have to bail on posting anything new, interesting, or even coherent, at least until tonight, probably until tomorrow. I tried to go to bed, really I did; but illness, insomnia and the new Pern book by Todd McCaffrey kept driving me out of bed.  Today I feel like death warmed over.  I have payroll to do at work, and 1 1/2 papers to write for school by tomorrow.

While you're waiting for me to get my act together, you may want to check out that journaler baby gallery over at Jeannette's Jottings. Nice job, Jeannette!

The good news is that I did think of an appropriate prize for our Holiday Trivia winners.  Jeff, please shoot me an email with your snail mail address.  I'll get those prizes prepared and sent out in the next week or two.  I know--pretty slow, but you know how it is with me right now.

8 days left to finish my degree!

Karen

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I got the following in email today on another screen name (see? I'm trying to be good!). Basically, it's info on a charity auction to help keep the Clarion SF Writer's Workshop going. This long-running, important workshop helped to launch the careers of many sf and fantasy writers, and is now in serious danger of being shut down due to funding cuts. On a personal note, it's important to me because it's where I met John in 1977.  Here's the info:

Greetings to all!

In just two days, the Clarion Midnight Auction will begin! The excitement is building here at the Clarion office as the opening of the auction--12:00 am EST on Friday, January 28--draws near.

At this time, we would like to express our gratitude to the many generous donors who have given so freely to support Clarion. We truly appreciate all the time and effort that each of you has put forth. Thank you.

We would also like to urge everyone to take a look at the fabulous items that are available for bid beginning on Friday. Photos and descriptions of the items on offer are up on the auction preview page: www.msu.edu/~clarion/auction/auctionpreview.html.

Items up for bid include:
~Signed limited editions from Neil Gaiman, Howard Waldrop, and Kate Wilhelm!
~Signed first editions from  David Brin, Michael Bishop, Joe Haldeman, and Martha Wells!
~Signed anthologies from Ellen Datlow, Al Sarrantonio, and Delia Sherman!
~Signed galleys from Cory Doctorow and Jeff VanderMeer!
~Critiquing/coaching time from Bruce McAllister!
~Original comic book art from Leonard Kirk!
~Mars Rover memorabilia AND MUCH MORE!!!

Bidding will open at 12:00 am EST on Friday, January 28, 2005. Bids will be accepted until 11:59 pm EST on Saturday, January 29, 2005. Bids will be taken via email, addressed to clarion@msu.edu. Winners will be contacted on Monday, January 31, 2005.

We hope that each of you will take a moment to explore the auction as well as visiting some of the other areas of the Clarion website. Exciting things are happening here at the Clarion Workshop and we are glad to be able to share them with you!

Those who would like more information on the auction may wish to read the attached press release, which has been widely distributed online. Please feel free to share this release with anyone you know who may be interested in the auction and/or the Clarion Workshop.

Thank you for your continued support of Clarion. We hope all is well with you and yours. Have a wonderful day!

All best wishes,

Lister, Mary, and Sarah