Bad news.

Kage Baker is very, very ill.

Whether you've been reading her books for years, or, like me, you've just discovered her and fallen head-over-heels in love, you might want to take a few minutes to write and let her know how you feel.

According to Jo Walton at the Tor website, the contact information is:

Email to: materkb [at] gmail [dot] com—it’ll be printed out and read to her.

Cards to: Kage Baker 331 Stimson, Apt. B, Pismo Beach CA 93449.

If you haven't read her books, let me reiterate just how special they are:  THEY ARE SO VERY SPECIAL THAT I CAN'T EVEN STAND IT.  I've only read the first two in the Company series, and while I want to sit down and tear through the rest of them, like RIGHT NOW, I've been only allowing myself to pick one up occasionally so that they'll last longer.  SPECIAL, SPECIAL, SPECIAL.  And a JOY, JOY, JOY.

If that sounds vague and incoherent and rambling, know that generally, the more I love something, the more vague and incoherent and rambling I get.

See the Tor post for more information.

Thanks to Tanita for letting me know, even though it is news that continues to be very unwelcome.