My aim is to have my first book, Venus and the Sea People in print on or by the third week in December. My editor is working me hard, I'm speaking to my cover-artist at the weekend, and, well, it looks like it might finally all be coming together.

It'll be available in squashed-trees or recycled electrons, through the usual online places, and I'll also have stock to hand for those of you who want to give me actual cash.

I'm even looking at advertising and similar promotional stuff.

Strange days indeed.