The second answer

Andrea asks:

I tend to discover new fandoms via fan fiction that has been written for them, so I wish there was more Liaden fan fiction so more people like me could discover this wonderful universe, but I know that that is only one simple reader’s perspective and am honestly/really curious about how you feel about fan fiction in general and for your own universes in particular. Is it strange/uncomfortable to have other people interpret one’s own characters, or …? Thanks!!!

I'm obliged to you for the information that there is so little Liaden fanfic out there, though, frankly, I wish there were none.  I don't want "other people interpreting" our characters. Interpreting our characters is what Steve and I do; it's our job.  Nobody else is going to get it right.

This may sound rude and elitist, but honestly, it's not easy for us to get it right sometimes, and we've been living with these characters. . .for a very long time.  I created the prototypes for Val Con and Miri when I was 12 -- so that's almost 50 years together at this point, and there are still misunderstandings.

So, my position with regard to fanfic of our work?  We built our universes, and our characters; they are our intellectual property; and they are not toys lying about some virtual sandbox for other kids to pick up and modify at their whim.  Steve and I do not sanction fanfic written in our universes; any such work that exists, exists without our permission, and certainly without our support.

I know that some of my colleagues think that having their stuff fanficed is swell, and actively encourage derivative work.  So my advice, for people with a yen to write fanfic, is to work in the universes of those authors who permit and encourage it -- and to respect the wishes of those of us who do not.

Thank you for your question.

Mini-answer

Barbara asks:

Do you think you’ll be in the Baltimore area for your tour? or is PA the closest you’ll get?

The information for the upcoming tour in support of Trade Secret is here.

The tour was arranged by the publicist for Simon & Schuster/Baen, and the broad outline has been in place for several months now.  We will, as noted, dip briefly into Philly, attend PhilCon in Cherry Hill, New Jersey, and then head back home to Maine.

Thank you for your question.

Books read in 2013

Above, Leah Bobet (e)
Night Calls, Katharine Eliska Kimbriel (e)
Wild Ride, Jennifer Crusie and Bob Mayer (e)
2012: Midnight at the Spanish Garden, Alma Alexander (e)
The Hummingbird Wizard, Meredith Blevins (e)
Famous Gunfighters of the Western Frontier, W.B. (Bat) Masterson
Lord of Light, Roger Zelazny (re-read)
Creatures of Light and Darkness, Roger Zelazny (re-read)
Ghost Bride, Yangsze Choo (e)
Ice Crown, Andre Norton (e)
Fair Coin, E.C. Myers (e)
Frost Burned, Patricia Briggs (e)
Through a Brazen Mirror, Delia Sherman
Protector, C.J. Cherryh (read aloud with Steve)
Eight Million Gods, Wen Spencer (e)
Promises to Keep, Laura Anne Gilman (e)
Miles to Go, Laura Anne Gilman (e)
Even Money, Dick Francis & Felix Francis
Magic Bites, Ilona Andrews
Sandman Slim, Richard Kadrey
The Diviners, Libba Bray (e)
The Eighth Succession, Don Sakers
You're All Just Jealous of My Jetpack, Tom Gauld
Captain Vorpatril's Alliance, Lois McMaster Bujold (e)
Hellspark, Janet Kagan (re-re-re-re-re-re-&c-read)
The Year of the Dog, Grace Lin
The Quantum Thief, Hannu Rajaniemi (e)
Let's Pretend This Never Happened (a mostly true memoir), Jenny Lawson
How Dark the World Becomes, Frank Chadwick (e)
Shades of Milk and Honey, Mary Robinette Kowal
French Fried, Chris Dolley (e)
My Father's Dragon, Ruth Stiles Gannett (read aloud w/Steve)
Fair Game, Patricia Briggs (e)
Nymph, Francesca Lia Block (read aloud w/Steve)
Oh, Myyy, George Takei (e)
Hunting Ground, Patricia Briggs (e)
Cry Wolf, Patriacia Briggs (e)
Alpha and Omega, Patricia Briggs (e)
Miss Buncle, Married, D.E. Stevenson (read aloud w/Steve)
Agatha Heterodyne and the Hammerless Bell, Phil & Kaja Foglio
Moonrise Kingdom screenplay, Wes Anderson & Roman Coppola (e)