Elizabeth Moon is a Curmudgeon and other News

That's right. Elizabeth moon is a curmudgeon. She said so herself. Actually, she was looking for the right word to describe her recent crone-like tendencies, and I kindly offered a few adjectives of choice--curmudgeon being the one she preferred.

The first annual Hill Country Book Festival was a smash. It was all the more awesome to see Elizabeth walking around with a giant broadsword swinging from her hip. Occasionally she would pull it out and start smacking people. The crazy bat. She let me play with her sword, and gave me a detailed lecture on swordsmanship. Grasshopper than I am.

Seriously, though. Book signings are the biggest waste of time. People amble by, smile at you, finger your book, leaf it through, and, realizing it's just a bunch of poems, they smile again and scurry on to the next table. I sold five books. Eight long hours and only five books sold! After a few hours of twiddling my thumbs I finally took out a Vernor Vinge novel and began reading. I think, though, I may have unintentionally shooed away a few potential customers during the intense moments there at the end of the story.