Thanks, Dana -- I just bought it!

Oh, man, put something I don't have on sale that's cool, will you?

I just finished Brust's Iorich, and the deleted scenes at the end--Jesus man, you're killing me. They're prefaced by

Various scenes had to be deleted for length or content. I thought some of you might be interested in them. They may appear when I release the Director's Cut of this book. Don't hold your breath. SKZB

He then goes on to include a few short scenes listed by chapter and scene (I need to go back and put them into context). They include: falling into a Tim Powers novel (which I can only conclude is very painful) and then into a John DeChancie, but not Louisa May Alcott like the protagonist wanted, then something about the writer's strike and a sequel, then well, just generally abusing the fourth wall and the dignity of his book and characters in various ways. I don't even know, man. He's on crack.

And I bought Tiassa while out for lunch (I *adore* doing that from the restaurant table), and he thanks Gaiman in the preface, so there you go. Not that I didn't believe Jilli, but it's right *there*. Tiassa looks delightful, because it's finally Devera centric (not a spoiler--it's back cover material). I don't know if that means we'll learn anything, because Brust can talk around stuff a lot, but hopefully.

Of course, it's the sort of book that totally rewards remembering not just the preceding 12, but also the Khaavren books. Which, evidently, he used online resources about his own work to accomplish, since he thanks three websites up front. See, Rowling? Good thing.

Rowling as far a I know does not object to non-commercial websites. She objects to taking a website full of material from her book, putting it into another book, and selling that second book. Which is not to say she is 100% right, but not the same thing.

He's on crack.

I saw him play poker while making up lyrics. He's got a whole set of brains working different channels at the same time. It's a little intimidating.

I love his brains. I want him to write one of everything, just so I can see how he'd do it. For reference. I never dared dream, that when I read my first Vlad Taltos book that he'd still be writing when I was past 40, that the series really would hit one per cycle, with bonus Khaavren.

He's one of those writers I have a fear will turn out to be a sexist douche--not because he's ever given any hint of not being highly sensible. Just because it would make me conflicted about liking his stuff *so* much and wanting to send even his pets through university.

I have a fear will turn out to be a sexist douche

Didn't strike me as such.

He's one of those writers I have a fear will turn out to be a sexist douche

I would share that concern, although to be fair I can't remember what makes me think that.

He's absolutely never written women in a way that makes me mad, let me be clear, nor given any hint of not being a reasonable person in interviews or con reports or anything like that. The fear is purely paranoia-based.

I hear you. I haven't read as much of his work as you have (this is changing), so I'm going on personal experience. Nice in person.

Also, his commentary on firefly is always spot on. And the Summer Glau thing cracks me up. A bit.

I'm going to keep editing this post, because apparently I have more to say and am too tired to keep from hitting 'post' -

I worry about that with a lot of writers. Swanwick, for instance, currently. I like his female characters, but not always. There's always a scene or two that doesn't hit me right, but the rest is wonderful. Sometimes mind-exploding. I hate reading sci-fi writers with a "please don't be like that other guy" backstop, but, well, there it is.

I'm on a bit of a Brust-trip right now (I need to read up on The Descrator, see if it's worth buying), so I'm scanning tumblr for references. Protip: "brust" is evidently breast in some Germanic language. Don't bother searching it without "steven". Well, do, if you have a well-shielded monitor and you like that sort of stuff.

However, I read a review of Vlad in general where the author says that he doesn't like how Vlad engages in hating the Dragaerans, because he (the author) wants the moral high ground. Peppered all over the tumblr search results for Steven Brust is the following quote:

“Most people seem to take pleasure in feeling superior to someone. I’m not like that, which pleases me because it makes me feel superior.” — Jhegaala, Steven Brust

Methinks someone is missing a point here.