Eat a live frog every morning and nothing worse will happen to you the rest of the day

...Thank you, Mister Twain.

Hexapuma went to the vet yesterday because Steve found blood where there shouldn't be and a PumaCat in the immediate vicinity. The vet said he couldn't find any overt signs of illness and would need more evidence -- we do, after all, have two other cats in the house.

This morning, Hex was (early) Caught In The Act. We rose, had coffee, had more coffee, had breakfast, called the vet and was told to Bring the Cat in NOW.

So I did that.

The trip in was uneventful; the doctor's visit slightly fraught. A shot was administered, pills were dispensed. We need to figure out a way to get Hex to drink more water. He likes to play in the cat fountain and to suck the water off his toes, but I'm really not sure you can get enough water that way. A suggested ploy was wet food with a dash of salt added -- anyone tried this?

Anyhow, on the way home, Hex got messily and spectacularly sick all over the cat carrier. I pulled over into the parking lot of a deserted business, bent down to open the door of the carrier -- and my silver crescent became entangled in the gridwork of the door. The chain fastens (I should say fastened) with a magnet, which I thought would let go, but -- it was a good magnet. The chain broke, instead.

I fished Hex out of the cat box, put him in the front seat, the box in the back, found the moon, at least, among the gravel and grass, got back in the car and started up. Hex climbed into my lap and so to home, where we both now lie exhausted. I need to get up in a sec and clean out the cat carrier, and do some other chores. Then, I guess I'll go back into town and see if I can buy a silver chain.

Man, I've gotta be careful what I say around here. . .

Thank you, A Fan; the passes to the zoo arrived today.

Coming Soon to an Ebay Near You

Now that the Adventures of the Morning(tm) are behind me, I'm getting Conflict of Honors ready to go up on Ebay.  This is the early write-up and photo gallery. 

As with Agent, the auction will run for seven days from whatever time Ebay and I decide we're out of patience with each other, minimum starting bid $25US. 


Liaden Universe(R) Clan Korval Unbound Manuscript

Unique science fiction items, in three folders, from the personal files of award-winning Liaden Universe® authors Sharon Lee and Steve Miller. This lot is for the novel CONFLICT OF HONORS, which has appeared in multiple editions in English and has since been translated into Russian, German, and Polish. Rare opportunity for collectors and fans!

Folder Number One includes:

1. The submission manuscript of the second Liaden Universe® novel CONFLICT OF HONORS, by Steve Miller and Sharon Lee, published by Del Rey Books in 1988. The manuscript is 374 pages (8.5 inches by 11 inches), on burst paper out-putted from what appears to be a 9-pin dot matrix printer. It is submitted as by "Lee Miller" and bears a 1986 copyright notice

2. A copy of the original submission letter to editor Owen Locke at Del Rey Books, dated Septemmber 15, 1986

3. A copy of a letter from Steve Miller to editor Shelly Shapiro at Del Rey Books, dated June 21, 1987, transmitting a synopsis of the novel

4. The synopsis, five pages long (8.5 by 11 inches), on burst paper out-putted from what appears to be a 9-pin dot matrix printer. It is submitted as by Sharon Lee and Steve Miller.

 

 

Folder Number Two includes:

1. A letter dated July 8, 1987 from editor Shelly Shapiro detailing preliminary questions regarding the manuscript and asking for an author bio

2. What appears to be a photocopy of a letter dated July 14, 1987 from Sharon Lee to Shelly Shapiro, answering questions detailed in #1 above, and providing the requested author bio. This material is affixed with a paper clip; there is what appears to be rust on the pages

3. A letter dated July 16, 1987 from editor Shelly Shapiro reiterating several questions to which she felt she received less-than-reasonable answers

4. The official revision letter from editor Shelly Shapiro, dated August 27, 1987 (3 pages single-spaced)

5. A photocopy of a letter from Steve Miller dated October 23, 1987, providing answers to questions, and transmitting the revisions requested in #4 above. This material is also affixed with a paper clip

 

 

Folder Number Three includes:

1. A "postcard" made from a cut cover of AGENT OF CHANGE, from Ellen Key Harris at Del Rey Books, dated 9/19/89, advising Lee and Miller of the whereabouts of their author copies, presumably for CONFLICT OF HONORS

2. A letter from Kim Kuhlmann of Del Rey Books, dated 12 February 1988, covering authors' proofs of the manuscript. The corrected pages have been photocopied and reinserted into the set, so that it is intact.

 

These papers have been kept in a file drawer for more than 20 years; there is some crumpling of the edges, and minor wrinkling; some of the pages are begining to tone. Pages held by paper clips may show signs of rust, as may the clips themselves. Total actual weight is more than 6 pounds; shipping weight will be higher.

You are bidding for the paper and only for the paper. The copyright to this work remains with the authors. Permission to publish is not granted in this sale, which you acknowledge by bidding.

Winning bidder pays postage (international rates will be determined at time of sale). The authors will sign the manuscript, if the bidder desires.

 

The Auction for Conflict of Honors is Live

Those interested in bidding on the submission copy of Conflict of Honors can check out the Ebay listing here