I'm lucky for a whole heap of reasons. In fact the more I see news reports on places like Timor the more I realise how lucky I am. Where we are born is really just chance.

But that's not what this blog entry is about. It's about being lucky enough to have been chosen to participate in Clarion South 2005, and the fact that the people who went all got along and that the tutors have been generous with their time and friendship.

And through that experience I hooked into Thorbies - which is another bunch of fabulous people.

Last night I went into town to Galaxy Books for a signing Ellen Datlow was doing and then we kicked on for a bite to eat. Margo Lanagan, the Sydney CS05 gang, a couple of Thorbies. I think 12 of us sat down to dinner. I had a really lovely evening.

Shane has some intelligent comments on the anthology explosion in Australia - something I have wondered about myself lately. Check it out at http://sjiraiyac.blogspot.com/

Great for all us wanna be writers - but is this proliferation of anthologies good for spec fiction?

Having said that I'm pleased to have been published in 'The Outcast' and will continuing subbing to the best and most appropriate markets for my stories - be it to regular publications like Ticonderoga Online, Shadowed Realms, ASIM or to anthologies.

At the moment my novel is fighting me - or perhaps I'm fighting it. I suspect a major rewrite of the most recent chapters is immenent. *Sigh*