….but Robin Hobb is releasing a new book on Jan 26th – two days after my birthday! (How’s that for a birthday gift?) She’s one of the foremost writers of fantasy, and after I read her Liveship trilogy, I’ve been desperate for more about the Rain Wild. My wishes are granted, because this new book is ALL ABOUT the Rain Wild. It’s called Dragon Keeper. Here’s a youtube video with Robin Hobb talking about the new book and writing in general:
Also truly exciting in book news is the just-barely-released copy of The Gathering Storm by Robert Jordan and Brandon Sanderson. I’d be even MORE excited by this, except that by now I feel Brandon Sanderson is wasting his talents on The Wheel of Time. He’s so much better than Robert Jordan ever was. Still, I’m grateful for an ending in sight (finally!) to The Wheel of Time saga, and whatever Brandon Sanderson says in the prologue, the story will be better with the reins in his hands. I’m only a few chapters in, and already I can tell.
And in more personal writing news, I entered a short story in the big Writer’s Digest writing contest, and out of nearly twenty thousand entries, I won an honorable mention. And not even at the bottom of the honorable mentions; out of 100 winners, I came in at number 49. That’s not too bad. Okay, okay, that last was a failed attempt to be humble. I suppose you can tell I’m pretty thrilled??? 🙂
Out of Eden 
RAIN WILD! Thank you for mentioning this because I didn’t know! Oh, I’m so very excited! 🙂
I thought you would already know! 🙂
Everyone is giving you nice gifts! Abney Park, Robin Hobb; it looks like it’s going to shape up to be an awesome birthday!