It’s Friday—and as we have a “lull” in the F-SF Guest Author Series I thought it could be time for an update on what’s happening around the “… Anything, Really” traps.

Firstly, about that Guest Author Series—I know that both I and the guest authors are delighted that so many of you are visiting to read their posts on the topic of  “Why F-SF Rocks My World” and that some of you are even writing in through my website to say so: thank you! Nice, too, to see that the series is being picked up in other places, such as this post on the ACC Library Blog.

Draw to Give Your Name To A Character in The Wall of Night, Book Two—And don’t forget that so long as the F-SF Guest Author series is running, any comments you post will qualify you for the Draw to Give Your Name To A Character in The Wall of Night, Book Two. Just in case you’ve forgotten, here’s the details:

Provisos:

• Each time you comment on a post by an F-SF guest author (in the series starting tomorrow) your name will get an additional entry into the draw (only 1 new entry per F-SF author post, however);
• The name included in the book is to be your real name;
• I reserve the right to adapt your name to best fit a fantasy character, e.g. “John the Miller” as opposed to “John Miller”, but your full name and the winning of this competition will be included in the “Acknowledgments” section of the book.
• Note: If you don’t want your name included in the draw, just write “n.i.d.” (not in draw) after your comment.

Speaking of Libraries: Christchurch City libraries have posted a new author interview with me where the discussion covers many things, including The Heir of Night and Thornspell.

Armageddeon, Saturday 23 October—I’ll be at the Armageddon Expo in Auckland on Saturday 23 October, joining the Whitcoulls team (Stand 45) at 11.30 am to talk about the genesis of The Heir  of Night and why I love—and most particularly write!—epic fantasy. So if you live in Auckland or are visting over the Labour weekend break, I would love to see you there.

What Else Have I Been Up To This Week? Fired by your enthusiasm for the next instalment in The Wall of Night series I’ve been working very hard on WALL2 (Working Title: The Gathering of the Lost) with over 8000 words under my belt so far this week. My goal for the month—to see if I can’t knock off 60,000 words, which should just about see the book done.  I’ll keep you posted on how I’m going—and btw: inducements may be offered!

And today I’ve drafted my Big Idea post—on the Big Idea behind The Heir of Night and The Wall of Night series—for 21 October, when I’ll post as a guest on John Scalzi’s Whatever blog. So do put that date in your diaries and come on over to support me with a comment on the day. You know I’d love to see your friendly faces there!