She says, Baby, it's 3 a.m., I must be lonely

[rolanni]

Submitted last evening, "Eleutherios," a short story by Sharon Lee and Steve Miller commissioned for the Baen front page, January 2013 publication date.

While I was finishing the story up, the authors' proofs for Necessity's Child arrived, with a deadline for return of next Tuesday.

I'll be on the couch with a pot of coffee, two Maine Coon cats, three red pens, and a clutch of colored stick-it tabs.

Y'all be good.

Comments

[emgrasso.livejournal.com]

OT sorry.

Having just finished a re-read of all of the novels (including the Necessity's Child e-arc) in internal chronological order, followed by all 19 chapbooks, I am nagged by the question of who/where is Luken bel'Tarda's heir. Surely clan/Line history (as reported in the story with Anthora and the rug), custom and Code all require him to have one?

Have I missed a reference to a younger bel'Tarda who is off being a scout or Trader and unavailable even in the crisis of Plan B and the removal to Surebleak? Or is there a relevant story I have need to seek out?

[rolanni.livejournal.com]

We haven't written any stories about Luken's children yet.

[grassrose.livejournal.com]

It's amazing how a three-letter word can raise one's spirits... "yet"

I like that word.  :)

[attilathepbnun.livejournal.com]

Children! Then there's more than one! *is delighted*

[attilathepbnun.livejournal.com]

I *think*, in one of the earlier books, Luken mentions something about 'the girl' being off to school?

[doccolt.livejournal.com]

What She Said!!

[6-penny.livejournal.com]

Yep. Me too!

Good News

[catherine ives (from livejournal.com)]

looking forward to the short story. Also happy about the "yet" word. As far as I can remember Lukan had grown children who were gone out of his house before he took on the fostering of Pat Rin.

Heat

[catherine ives (from livejournal.com)]

A solution to the problem of staying warm in Maine in the winter. I remember from my childhood that in Maine it is already getting a bit cold in August. Solution: Maine Coon Cats.

Sorry

[catherine ives (from livejournal.com)]

Sorry about all the little messages. It is also possible that Luken's children, if he had contract marriages, all belonged to the other clan so did not live with him. Can't remember.

Re: Sorry

[attilathepbnun.livejournal.com]

He'd need to have kept at leats one, right, as his heir? I've always figured that Plan B had Luken's children (and possibly grandchildren) as 'free agents' --- taking care of the ships, maybe? After all, Korval owns more than Dutiful Passage; surely those other ships need captains and crews, why shouldn't Luken's heir/grandchildren be one one or more of those ships?
Though I *have* wondered why Anthora didn't mention them, when she's checking on the clan, after Plan B has been declared ...

[the wol (from livejournal.com)]

Yes, "yet." ! What a lovely, hopeful, "stay tuned" word.
And speaking of the "Dutiful Passage" -- I've always wondered why they chose that name. As much as star-faring and trading is bred into that family, "dutiful" always struck me as an odd adjective. Something like "Fortunate" or "Profitable" or "Rewarding" seemed more appropriate to me -- unless it refers to the "duty to the clan," or maybe it's a tongue-in-cheek reference to all the different customs duties they'd have to deal with -- lol!

I've always thought there must be an interesting story to Ren Zel dea'Judan --

[mbarker.livejournal.com]

You have read Changeling, right?

[filkferengi]

[/cheerful warble]

During 7 days of galley proofs, our authors revised with:

3 red pens, 2 Maine Coons, 1 coffee pot, and a lot of colored stick-it tabs!