I beg you to observe that much of your discourse--charming as I found it--was needless for the purpose that I have the honor to deduce was your intention. On the contrary, I was, if I may say so, entirely at your service from the moment you uttered your first word of greeting.

To all of you, or, to be more precise, to each of you--that is, I wish my remarks to concern every individual who may be engaged with these words--I extend the hope and desire that the coming year, that is, the one just beginning, will bring personal satisfaction and pleasure..

Jenphalian...yes. I met her briefly in 2002, but I remember her clearly.

It is with great joy that I announce that Glorious Mountain Press at Adrilankha shall begin reissuing the works of that most brilliant artist, the late Ivan Szekely. This is splendid news to all who care--as I do myself the honor to believe of my readers--about the written word.

I do not claim to know everything. Far from it. To pick one example from myriads, I am not ashamed to confess my complete ignorance of the collective noun for pirate crews. I give you my word, this causes me no shame.

Well.

I blame Paarfi of Roundwood (and his modern enabler Steven Brust, pjf) for what has happened to my son. That book should come with a warning label! I foolishly left it where he could reach it. Beware, there is a chapter on this website, don’t let your kids read it. us.macmillan.com/thebaronofmagi…

@dmont812 With this I agree.

@Geekthos Please permit me to express my agreement with this sentiment in the strongest terms. Ada Palmer

Ah. Well, I am agreeably disappointed.to learn that, in spite of evidence to the contrary, you are able to complete such a task unaided.

You sound astonished, causing me to wonder just what reaction, exactly, you had expected?

@_Monocle_ Nearly.

@_Monocle_ You are kind.

Are you now coming to see the virtues in a strong Emperor and a neat, orderly Cycle instead of all this nonsense?

@aruninations "Long winded and self-referential" are among the literary crimes the serious craftsman must learn to recognize and excise.

@autumnalnerd Dumas. Dumas. Hmm. I believe I had a student of that name a century or two ago.

@AbleAbelian I must--which is to say I chose--to assume that you mean "devour" in a sense that is in some measure metaphorical. @aliettedb

*Raises an eyebrow* x.com/WIRED/status/9…

I have the honor to announce that a minor work of mine, under the title of *The Baron of Magister Valley* and translated by Steven "Butcher of Prose" Brust will be published by Tor Books. I'm afraid such matters as dates have not been revealed to me.

It seems Steven "Butcher of Prose" Brust has released a book today. No doubt, it is a fine work, yet I feel the need to be certain that my loyal followers understand that I had no part in it, and, moreover, I must deny responsibility for whatever reaction it might engender.