So I'm 180 pages into reading the final page proofs of London Falling.  At this stage, rewriting is discouraged. and I'm only looking for typos. (I'm told that it's okay to change the details of my references to West Ham football club, who, to my horror, got promoted to the Premiership after I'd delivered the book.)  I'm managing sixty pages a day, and I'm pleased to report that I still like what I'm reading.

Last Sunday, Caroline was ordained, along with seven of her colleagues, and is now a priest (it's when she gets the magic, now being able to bless, forgive and turn undead on a saving roll; her job title remains as curate).  And she's got a new blog. This afternoon, Russell from SFX Magazine popped over to interview her for a feature, and we were out at the cricket (Middlesex Panthers vs Hampshire Royals at Richmond, thanks for asking) this week with someone who can only be described as her editor.  She's becoming a media person!

This week we also went to see Saint Etienne at the London Palladium.  An excellent show, the dance element to their music pumped up as always live, with big base, and a (sold out) audience on their feet the moment Sarah told them they could be.  While 'Popular' was being performed, slides were projected behind the band showing utopian Top of the Pops chart countdowns (in the 1977 font), the most charming of which was John Lennon & Paul McCartney as a duo.  Our friend Gerard was kind enough to comp us, and this time out was acting as technical director, seen in the wings with his arms folded, watching out for glitches that did not occur.  Jamie McKelvie came along, but, as might be expected, knew the support act and rushed off to see them.  With their new album cracking the Top Twenty, the Et still feel relevant and exciting.  Hoorah!

Now, tomorrow, from 2pm, as you can see in the Conventions and Signings section on the right margin (the link leads you to where you can get tickets), I'll be at Blackwell's on the Charing Cross Road talking to Ben Aaronovitch about his Rivers of London books.  Ben's always great fun, so do come along.

You remember that Jimmy Broxton and I adapted three business books into three panel comic strips for the UK Wired magazine?  Those are now online too.

I'm very pleased to see the arrival of the simple and elegant British Comic Awards, a panel-based system which promises to reward British creators in a way which has already galvanised UK comickers.  Do please go and nominate something.

And also in the category of welcome arrivals on the comics scene, Madefire is a new advance in motion comics, with Liam Sharp as one of the main players, and creators like Dave Gibbons and (hey!) Jimmy Broxton onboard.  Check out their promo video, then download the app.  It's about time motion comics looked as cool as this.  They're doing really well, too, having just made the 'what's hot' page of the US app store.


Last night at the Aylesbury SFF Meet, at which I am now a regular, I was delighted to encounter acclaimed YA author Teri Terry (her real name), whose Slated seems to be doing rather well. It's the sort of thing I've started to expect at what's a loud, buoyant, and always-energising Thursday night.

And may I recommend, from director of my acquaintance Johannes Roberts and actor of my acquaintance Noel Clarke, new British horror movie Storage 24, which is in cinemas today.

I was sad to hear, today, of the demise of The Word, to which I was a subscriber, an intelligent music and media magazine that created a subculture so rich and healthy that it feels impossible that the magazine that birthed it could go under.  Future Saint Etiennes will sing of its greatness.

We fly off to Convergence (the world's best convention) next Wednesday, and I'll be staying in the States for the San Diego Comic Con the week after.  I've already sorted out a pile of meetings, lunches, drinks and parties.  I think it's going to be a good one.  So I'm not sure what I'll be doing for the blog next Friday.  I might just pop in for a quick chat, or there might now be a bit of a break.  Meanwhile, here's today's favourite music, which could only be, really, as mentioned above...



I hope to see some of you tomorrow, and in the next couple of weeks. Until then, Cheerio!