Even if you're sure you've written a good book, it is very supportive to be told so with an award, a big lollipop that says "good book" on it. It's even more encouraging if you've written a whole lot of books. Your lollipop says "good writer." Since the one sure value of an award is to encourage the writer to write a better book, I warn you that although a "Lifetime Achievement Award" does sound rather final&endash;o.k., a life time lived, achievements achieved&endash;I hope and intend to dotter right on writing as long as my Macintosh will let me.

And please let me send a little hand-made valentine to all you Pacific Northwest booksellers. This organization is so important to every writer and reader in Western America. Corporate capitalism isn't a healthy environment for writers, dancers, tigers, salmon, trees, independent publishers and booksellers, and other living things. Thank you for enduring. Thank you for risk-taking. We have nothing to lose but our chains. We will survive. And since our survival must be collaborative, I wish with all my heart that I could be there celebrating our collaboration. (Ursula was unable to attend the Banquet due to illness.)