I’m kind of embarrassed that this is my first post of 2012. So let’s see what been going on so far this year, and what there is to look forward to …

• I finally got a new camera! Remember how I’m always bitching about how crappy my phone camera is? Well, I broke down and bought this little beauty on an after-holiday sale. OK, so it’s not the most top-of-the-line camera one could ever own, but it takes way better pictures, especially in low light, than either my phone camera or my other crap-ass digital camera. Compare and contrast! I will be taking a lot more pictures this year, I think.

A shot of Sugar with my old camera, taken in lowish-light conditions.

Same light conditions, same long-suffering dog, new camera. See the difference in awesomeness!

• December/January must be book-blurbing month, because I’ve received no fewer than 3 blurb requests over the past three months. I have already completed GOD SAVE THE QUEEN, by Kate Locke, which is coming out from Orbit in July–and wow, you guys, this one was a real treat. I don’t know how she did it, but Locke was able to hit just about every “steampunk” button in the book while still keeping the story completely fresh and original. Just … wow. Now I’m diving into IRONSKIN by Tina Connolly, and  already loving it. And furthermore, I’m told Jaime Lee Moyer‘s debut from Tor, DELIA’S SHADOW, will be winging its way to me soon … this book’s 1915 San Francisco setting sounds quite intriguing. Man I love my job.
• Speaking of my job, it also sometimes includes me writing stuff that I hope other people might be interested in reading. To that end, I am going on a writing retreat over this upcoming long weekend which should be pleasantly productive. I will be pushing ahead on revising the first draft of THE WARLOCK’S CURSE, which I hope to have completed by March. Just as a side note, I will be putting these next two books out on my own, so watch this space for more details. There are also several other side projects that I’m flirting with, including a steampunk self-help book. That would be fun.
• Other stuff that I’m doing this year.  On the weekend of March 10, I will be Amtrak-ing it down in San Francisco to take part in Writers with Drinks. And then on October 28 I’m back in the Bay Area to see the West Coast premiere of Einstein on the Beach, Philip Glass’ seminal opera. That means no World Fantasy for me this year, but I didn’t expect to go anyway, given that it’s in Toronto and that’s a bit too much of a hike for me. I will, of course, be attending Orycon and I’ve already got my tickets for Kumoricon … but I think those are going to be it.

Well, that’s it for now. It is to be hoped that I will suck less at updating my blog this year.