A.R. Yngve does not like fanfic. And his question is a good one.

Niall Harrison thinks about shortlists, by way of starting to review a novel called Arlington Park by Rachel Cusk. (And, as someone who was recently a judge myself -- World Fantasy, class of '05 -- I can say that the idea of having "slots" on a shortlist is very alien to my experience as well.)

Miss Snark is retiring. All of you would-be writers will have to hit yourselves with the Clue Stick from now on. (Post-retirement FAQ.)

Mark Helprin believes copyright should be eternal...at least from this point forward. (Of course, he also believes that the rich should be able to pass down their immense fortunes completely untouched to their worthless progeny -- I went to college with private-school kids, I know whereof I speak -- and thus continue their dominion over the globe. To be fair, he also believes in writing great novels like Winter's Tale, so I have to give him so slack.)