.... but:

A man has admitted killing a neighbour who he wrongly accused of ignoring water restrictions.

2012: available now from Twelfth Planet Press.

Since I'm clearing the decks ready for my 'security theatre' (great phrase, J.) experience tomorrow, I should probably mention the following:

1. I am pleased as punch to have not only sold my story triad, Conversations, to benpayne for his latest venture, I am also pleased to see the venture exists! Dog Versus Sandwich: Deathmatch 2000. Well, I added that last bit. More space for experimental fiction, I say. MORE SPACE! I've been looking forward to the realisation of Mr Payne's vision ever since he announced it over at Potato Monkey, and lo! It appears to be imminent.

2. I'm also chuffed to have made it into 2012's eponymous initiating anthology with my 5-years-in-the-future story, Watertight Lies. I'm so keen on this antho so much that, even if I weren't in it, I would still buy it -- and you can't get better praise than that. From me.

And not that I want to start that whole 'mundane SF' thing again, but I suspect that, given the theme of the antho ('the year 2012'), you'll likely find a bit of mundane SF in there. Which pleases me immensely, 'cos I happen to really like that kind of stuff, whatever you care to call it.

3. At WFC, after the Aussie Party (Thursday night in the biggest party room available) on the Saturday, I think, I'll be chairing this panel:

GHOSTS AND REVENANTS DOWN UNDER: HORROR AND DARK FANTASY IN AUSTRALIA
Panelists: Garth Nix, Jack Dann, Robert Hood, Kaaron Warren, Deborah Biancotti (Moderator)
Does Australia have it's own unique take on the ghost story? Is there something different about the dark fantasy from Down Under? A group of Australia's best writers and editors discuss the Australian scene today.

Expect such insightful questions from your chair as "Aussie 'orror, eh? Whazzit like?" and "Well, we're just like the British, aren't we, but without the accents, am I right?"

And so forth.

In related news, Matt Cheney is practically pleading to be taught how to stand on his head. And rightly so!