Now, I mentioned a little while ago I've been trying to beat Spider Solitaire 4 Suit.

Today, I did it.

I checked the stats - it only took me 259 goes to do it.

Who says persistence doesn't pay off?

I haven't really been online much since my grandmother passed away. We put her to rest on Monday, and it was devastating to see my father and grandfather in so much pain.

It was good to come back to some fantastic news though! Grants Pass has made the preliminary ballot for the Stoker awards. It's amazing to find my name on a list next to Ellen Datlow's.

Superior Achievement in a Anthology:
MIDNIGHT WALK edited by Lisa Morton (Dark House)
POE edited by Ellen Datlow (Solaris)
HARLAN COUNTY HORRORS edited by Mari Adkins (Apex Publications)
HE IS LEGEND: AN ANTHOLOGY CELEBRATING RICHARD MATHESON edited by Christopher Conlon (Gauntlet Press)
LOVECRAFT UNBOUND edited by Ellen Datlow (Dark Horse Books)
DARK DELICACIES 3: HAUNTED edited by Del Howison and Jeff Gelb (Running Press)
BUTCHER SHOP QUARTET 2 edited by Frank J. Hutton (Cutting Block Press)
GRANTS PASS edited by Amanda Pillar and Jennifer Brozek (Morrigan Books)
MIGHTY UNCLEAN edited by Bill Breedlove (Dark Arts Books)
BRITISH INVASION by Chris Golden, Tim Lebbon and James Moore (Cemetery Dance Publications)

See the full list here.

Thank you everyone for your thoughts and wishes. x

My paternal grandmother passed away last night. She had cancer in her throat, lungs, liver, kidneys and bones. She passed away in her sleep.

May she rest in peace.

I haven't been having a good week. My CFS has been nasty, which isn't fun. Had a late night catching up with gillpolack, but I was suffering before and suffered a lot afterwards.

I then went and tripped up the single stair we have into the lounge. I now have a wood-burned arm and a foot that is swollen and blue on the top. I smacked it right where I bruised the bone a few years ago, so having fun.

Right now, despite the fact I had a good night's sleep, my eyes are sore and gritty and I could really do with a few more hours of snoozle.

All in all, not a productive week.

Dear F***tard,

Thank you for ripping the wind-screen wiper off the rear window of my car. Clearly, it was an added extra that had no use. I'm glad you probably found the act enjoyable and no doubt had a good laugh about your prank. I'm glad you thought that I needed to spend the extra money (that I don't really have) on buying a replacement one for my car just so you could have a good time.

Sincerely (and with the desire to rip off more than your rear wiper),

Amanda

Saxon has a love for books. He can't help it; takes after his mother in that regard. However, Saxon's problem is that he tends to show his approval and disdain in more...visible... ways.


As a result, Saxon would like to offer one special copy of Voices for sale at a discounted price (of $9 AUD + postage). As Saxon enjoyed Voices, he only nibbled at the edges.

The Morrigan goddess represented all three to the ancient Celts. Journey with our authors as they tell stories of love, war, hatred, revenge and mortality - each featuring the Morrigan in her many guises.

Re-visit the world of Deverry, and of Nevyn, with a previously unpublished tale by Katharine Kerr, watch the Norse gods meet their Celtic counterparts with Elaine Cunningham, meet a druid who dances for the dead with C.E. Murphy and follow the path of a Roman centurion with Anya Bast.

These are but a few offerings from the stories collection in The Phantom Queen Awakes. If you are searching for a rich blend of dark fantasy, then this is a collection perfect for you.
N.B.: The Phantom Queen Awakes will be released 14th February 2010 in the US.

UK, Australian and European release dates to follow.

US: $20 + shipping

 

Another great review for Grants Pass - this time from Alana Abbott at Flames Rising.

Check it out here.

"I highly recommend the book to readers who enjoy post-apocalyptic fiction in general, and to those who find the complex morality of human decision making in the face of everything falling apart in particular."

Grants Pass will be available on Amazon.com soon.

I hate Courier/Courier New font.

I.

Hate.

It.

I know most sub guidelines request it - Morrigan Books does, for one. Every time I get a story set in Courier New, I have to change it to TImes so I can read it.  I don't know if it's because it makes the whole MS feel longer, or if it is because it just takes up too much space.

Either way, a big 'thumbs down' for Courier.

What font do you hate the most?