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James Patrick Baen died on Wednesday, 28th at roughly 5:00 PM EDT after spending just over two weeks in a coma following a massive stroke.

I heard the news around 12:30 PM yesterday.

As I mentioned in a previous post, Jim Baen has had a stroke. It apparently happened sometime Monday night, and he's been in ICU ever since. Baen books is set up to continue in the event that he does pass, but I feel like I've been kicked in the gut.

First, let me say that I have never met Jim. I've exchanged a couple of emails with him, but it's because of Jim and the opportunities that he affords writers that I'm published. I've been waiting, eagerly, for the last six months to get word on whether or not Jim would be getting a copy of my manuscript.

Jim Baen of Baen books and Baen's Universe suffered a stroke sometime on Monday. He is currently in the hospital in ICU. No one is sure how this will turn out, but those close to Jim are asking for prayers.

Jim Baen's Universe is now selling one year subscriptions, as well as memberships in their "Universe Club".

It's $30 for the first year (6 issues) and if you buy right now, they are offering e-Book packages to go with the subscription (you get the eBooks immediately). The club also has some pretty cool features too (you get access to the stories as soon as they're ready to go to print instead of having to wait until the issue is released, and other goodies depending on what level of membership you purchase).

Man, I've been busy.

Teresa Nielsen Hayden points out some bad advice on cover letters here.

...but Jack Handy's no where to be found.

And a hundred quatloos to anyone who knows that reference.

You know, I've come to the conclusion recently that a lot of stuff everyone knows is awful just isn't.

See, my family has always been musical. My mother and my grandfather have both been playing country and bluegrass music for longer than I've been alive. My brother, back in the day, could have been a first class concert pianist before his interests took him in a different direction (alas, I got no musical talent).

Harlequin is kicking off a Fantasy Imprint called Luna.

To quote a certain fictional Colonel, "Well spank me rosie!"

I think this is great. Peachy. Ducky. Down right fantastic.

"But Brian, why on earth would you want Harlequin to start taking shelf space away from real SF&F books?" you say.

This is where I refrain from smacking you and saying "Think with your pocket book for once, dunderhead!"

For anyone who doesn't know, Julie Schwartz was one of the great editors of all time. He was a true legend. He published Ray Bradbury's first stories, and... Well, follow the link. You'll understand. Even if you've never heard his name, you've felt his influence. This is a man who helped shape the face of modern science fiction. I had the pleasure of seeing him speek not to long ago. A truly wonderful man.

http://www.newsfromme.com/archives/2004_02_08.html#003668

You know, sometimes I think the college thing was a mistake. Yeah, I wanted to go. Yeah, I love it. Yeah, I had the time and the opportunity.

Then a day like today comes along. A day when some loser reminds me of all the crap I hated about high school.