Yeah, I think John looked at it quickly, and didn't get it was satire. Which, I have to say, pretty funny.

Breakfast with Mary Jo Putney and Jo Beverley turned out great--they're both smart, funny, snarky women. JB's name for what I call "Regency Disneyland" is "PrinnyWorld." We snarked together about industry trends we dislike and they gave me some pointers on how to catch an agent or editor's attention given the current state of the market--basically to really play up the war aspect and the heroine's growth. MJP had to leave early to catch a plane, but JB and I hung out for awhile longer, and she said it sounded like I was working on some interesting stuff, and that she'd be happy to critique a few chapters of my ms if I wanted!

she'd be happy to critique a few chapters of my ms if I wanted

Wheeee! That's awesome, Susan. Glad the breakfast was so much fun.

I thought so, Victor. I'm totally taking it as testament to my awesome talents. Susan, very cool.

Oh, and in the course of the cover discussion, both mentioned that the industry is moving back toward clinch covers, though they've been assured their upcoming books will be given "tasteful, artistic clinches." Both have occasionally hated or simply been bemused by a cover choice. I mentioned that if I sell my current book, the one thing that would most break my heart is if the art department puts Jack in a red coat. They said that was easily solved, because insofar as art departments want input, they like pictures/names of actors and such, so I should just send them a picture or two of Sean Bean as Sharpe. We agreed that even though Jack isn't meant to look especially like SB, there would be worse fates than having someone who looks like him on a cover...

I thought so, Victor. I'm totally taking it as testament to my awesome talents.

You so totally should.

Like I said, my "objective" voice is not completely dead then. Mostly, maybe, but I might not need it much, going to the mattresses on this culture war thing.ETA: And, yeah, still funny.

Deb, did you see this? [link]

Sort of an "everything I needed to know I learned from British folk ballads."

Avoid situations where the obvious rhyme-word is “maidenhead.”

If you look at the calendar and discover it’s May, stay home.

Going to sea to avoid marrying your sweetie is an option, but if she hangs herself after your departure (and it’s even money that she’s going to) her Doleful Ghost will arrive on board your ship and the last three stanzas of your life will purely suck.

You are justified in cherishing the direst suspicions of a suddenly and unexpectedly returned significant other who mentions a long journey, a far shore, or a narrow bed, or who’s oddly skittish about the imminent arrival of cockcrow.

the last three stanzas of your life will purely suck.

• snerk!*

Yep. One of McDonald's, and damned funny. If I survive tomorrow - which is questionable, every year at this date - I'll savour it at length.

I believe he left off the bit about not believing what your siblings tell you when you ask if they've seen your "lower social status than you are" lover. (Bruton Town)