Just a pair of odds and ends today, both of which make me quite happy.

First up, I came across voracious reader AndyHat's annual list of Recommended Reading from 2004, and I'm happy to report that my historical fantasy outtake from my YA fantasy novel made the list -- "Coal Ash and Sparrows," which ran in the January 2004 issue of Asimov's. Some reviewers didn't really know what to think of that story, which did sort of get away from me by the end, but in a cool way, so I'm happy that AndyHat liked it enough to list it in his yearly review. Neato!

Secondly, I saw that the Midnight Auction Preview page for the upcoming Clarion Benefit Auction. Wow -- what a list. I feel a bit silly for even listing anything there, what with stuff up for auction by Neil Gaiman, Jeff VanderMeer, Cory Doctorow, Michael Bishop, Joe Haldeman, and more. But I had to donate something -- Clarion means a lot to me, and I want more writers to get a chance to attend it. And hey, the Intracities listing even name-drops Tim Pratt and Jason Lundberg! Go guys!

Now to start saving for that Neil Gaiman "Author's Version" of American Gods...