When I saw this on Claire's LJ this morning, I really hoped she was taking the piss, but the more I reread the posts, and as other people chime in, the less that seems to be the case. Claire's started up a LJ community, Looking for Mark, to collect information.

I've had many drinks with Mark Roberts in the short time I've known him, and he's struck me as a very right dude. Just the other day I was hoping that I'd see him at WorldCon or WFC this year, to have even more drinks and catch up. I'm still hoping.

Of course, this could all be a hoax, and I could be a gullible dupe, in which case I'll be very relieved. And if so, next time the first round's on me.