We know there are far too many awards out there. Where we live, what used to be known as Winter and Spring now go by the name “Awards Season” (where we live, there isn’t much in the way of weather, so we didn’t really need the other two seasons). So we shouldn’t be surprised to learn there’s something called the Libetarian Freedom Society and that they have awards. A few familiar names pop up on the list (this shouldn’t surprise us, either). Winners will be announced at the 62nd World Science Fiction Convention in Boston, September 2 -6, 2004. Prometheus

Dan Brown has been hard at work on his next novel (something or other about Freemasons and architecture and Washington — we’re sure it will be appropriately hyped at the right moment), but The DaVinci Code remains a strong seller. We still don’t understand this: doesn’t everyone in the world own at least one copy? As it turns out, Brown abandoned his keyboard for a night of fun with humans. Those who braved the Rhode Island night (we presume they’re rough, but haven’t actually been there) learned that Brown left something special out of his blockbuster. We won’t reveal his

It is our belief that only the author can decide whether or not a manuscript is ready to be submitted to his or her publisher. We’re also quite convinced that dead authors don’t make those decisions. As it turns out, Patrick O’Brian’s final work, unfinished, will be published soon — much to the dismay of his family. We don’t buy the argument that this is a big, fat kiss to O’Brian’s fans; we absolutely agree that publishing incomplete work in this manner dishonors the author. Fury over O’Brian book plan O’Brian Sails Again: Norton to Publish New Aubrey/Maturin Material

Since Hawaii’s not a possibility, we turn our attention to New Mexico. Mystery authors Aimee and David Thurlo are raffling off a chance for one lucky winner to a) have his or her name in two books (you read that right: two!); b) travel to Albuquerque, New Mexico; and, c) dine with the Thurlos. There will also be autographs involved. Proceeds go to charity. Fame Your Name Raffle Aimee and David Thurlo

It must be the super-strong coffee, but we couldn’t let this one pass. Name a book, go to Hawaii. Oops, that’s wrong. Name a book, be a character. We’d much rather go to Hawaii. Deadline May 31, 2004. See the website — they have lots of rules and stuff. The Carol Higgins Clark Hawaiian Adventure Sweepstakes

The Wall Street Journal did a story on women who write thrillers. We thought, “Wow, we’d be interested in reading that.” Then we remembered…you must subscribe to read content on the WSJ site (we’ve done this in the past, but decided to skip the exercise; plus, we thought we’d be sitting with a print copy this afternoon — our plans changed). However, we think the article (which PW helpfully synopsized for us) is worthwhile, and suggest thriller fans take advantage of the Journal’s free two-week trial offer. Apparently, women rule. But you knew that. Wall Street Journal Look Out, Clancy: