Short story from author of Poison Study

If you enjoyed Maria V. Snyder's Poison Study or Magic Study, you may want to check out MIRA's online reads -- a short story titled Assassin Study, which appears to be set between the two or maybe at the beginning of the second book (which I haven't read yet; I'm hoarding it, since Fire Study won't be out for a while). One chapter a week will be released; right now just the first chapter is up.

( Blurb behind the cut. )

( Related only because it came in the same email... )

Interim Report: Lover Revealed

Okay, I'm about two-thirds of the way through Lover Revealed. It has turned out to be a bit more work to read than earlier Ward books, I think in part because I didn't feel engaged by Butch & Marissa as characters at the outset. But the books is growing on me.

I've been resisting the urge to read sarahf's thoughts on LR; I know she'll have lots to say that will make me think and want to re-read, but I want to get through it once without outside influence.

( No major spoilers, but I'm still using a cut )

New column at Readers Gab

Tara has posted a follow up column at Readers Gab.

Austen & Int'l Women's Day

I bounced around via a bunch of links to this BBCNews piece on Jane Austen's continued popular appeal.

And I listened to yesterday's episode of Democracy Now! Which was utterly demoralizing. Goodman focused on women in the American armed forces as part of International Women's Day. She interviewed a researcher and several women who were or still are in the armed forces and served in Iraq. Transcript is here. Or you can use the link on that page to download the podcast or listen/watch online. ( Be prepared to be saddened and disturbed. )

Doing the Snoopy dance

Yes, I'm pretty posty today. Except I had to post this -- I have tickets to The Colbert Report! Woo hoo!