Mephitis mephitis is God’e2’80’99s creature, too:a story in two parts For the third time in four years, this winter the King residence has been host to skunks. You know the skunk, don’t you? Mostly from the small dark heap by the side of the road that makes your eyes water for a mile or so.…

I was on a panel for the California Association of Teachers and Educators this week, with Gillian Roberts, Cara Black, and Nadia Gordon (plus various pseudonymous identities–seven writers for the price of four!) and one of the things that came up was censorship. Namely, a poor beleaguered teacher (not here in California) who is being…

First off, a comment to a comment. Andi my dear, I don’t believe I ever said that a book has to be either grim or heavy to be award-worthy. Indeed, if you look at the Best First list you’ll see that we as a committee didn’t, either. And I would not venture to say that…

So I’m lying on an hard table in the physiotherapist’s office the other day, where I ended up after wondering if we couldn’t do something about this arm ache that I’ve had for three years, and I’m thinking about voodoo. Because really, there’s not a lot to do in a physiotherapist’s office as you’re staring…

Well, the response unfortunately was gratifying, which means I feel obligated to push on with this peculiar form of communication. I have to apologize for past and future oddities, many of which are not my fault, honestly. I work from a Mac, and the Google people who own Blogger seem determined to drive us Macniacs…

In her review of the Edgar nominations last week, the excellent Sarah Weinman bemoans the lack of women in the Best First category. Yeah, Sarah, I know: I was the chair. I also, a year ago when I was putting together the committee, took care to balance it: two men, two women (plus me); thrillers…

This blog, assuming I conquer the technology, will be about pretty much whatever comes to mind. Politics, writing, life. And comments, please.

Is it really the twenty first century already?? Well, it must be, because Laurie King is doing a blog.