A small item in Publishing News brings the news that Susanna Clarke has begged off from publicity efforts for her upcoming short story collection, THE LADIES OF GRACE ADIEU, because of her battle with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. Bloomsbury Publicity Director Katie Bond said: "She's not doing any promotional work, and she's writing whenever she can" In deference to her illness, Bloomsbury has not scheduled a date for her next novel, which is "in the same territory as JONATHAN STRANGE AND MR. NORRELL."

CFS, some may recall, is what has felled SEABISCUIT author Laura Hillenbrand from work and touring, and the effects are nothing short of debilitating. Here's to a swift recovery for Clarke.