David, shhh! Fiction is a weak market as it is; the last thing we want is to drive more readers into the arms of non-fiction.

Jon, that's already happening. I used to be a rabid reader of science fiction, but I was surprised when I stopped at my local bookstore last night (to use the public restroom) to note that, despite there being a new book out by Greg Bear (who is usually on my read-immediately list) and a new book out by Nancy Kress (who was on my read-immediately list before she started her probability series), I just couldn't bring myself to care about either, and went back to reading my copy of The Book of Government or Rules for Kings.

Nice. You’ll have to lend me that when you’re done.

That's horrible. I was really hoping it referred to some other Riverside, since it's a pretty common name, but no, it's right down the hill.

Poor kitties (okay, really big kitties, but still.)

And only a couple of hours’ drive from the Wild Animal Park, too.

'right down the hill'? pardon, rachel, but where do you live? (my brother grew up in crestline)