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New Mexico’s very own Bubonicon, the only science fiction and fantasy convention named after the bubonic plague, is just days away.   If you’re passing through Albuquerque next weekend, consider stopping by the Albuquerque Grand Hotel (conveniently close to the Sunport) and joining the insanity. 

Don’t let the name scare you off.  Actual cases of bubonic plague are relatively rare. 

I mean, sure, if you want to get technical about it, New Mexico does have more cases of plague per year than most places (which have 0).  But, you know, relatively speaking, your chances of contracting the plague while attending Bubonicon 41 are quite small.

I wouldn’t miss it for anything.  I always have a fantastic time at Bubonicon.  You can find the full schedule for the weekend’s festivities here.  Below the cut, I’ve posted my schedule for this upcoming weekend.

Suicide Kings, the final volume of the Wild Cards “Committee Triad”, will be hitting shelves this December.  But, if you need a preview to hold you over for the next 6 months — or if you love crocodiles, Tarzan, and pith helmets — then GRRM has got you covered.

or, Overheard at the Barber Shop:

I finished (finally!) the rough draft of The Coldest War this evening.  I spent the entire day at my desk, eager to hit the finish line.  It was a good Saturday for writing — damp, windy, pissing down rain all afternoon. 

But just as I got to the last page of the manuscript — zeroing in on the final sentence of this book, which I’ve had in mind for two and a half years — the clouds parted, the sun came out, and a rainbow emerged.  Perfectly framed by my office window.

True story.

I’m still recovering from a bout of flu (possibly avian and/or swine), which has delayed a real-soon-now blog post about my recent trip to the Williamson Lectureship in Portales, NM. 

But!

More importantly, today — April 28, 2009 — is an auspicious day for book lovers.  Not one but two wonderful books are available for your enjoyment:   C. C. Finlay’s novel The Patriot Witch, and S. C. Butler’s novel The Magicians’ Daughter, both debut today.