Random writing related stuff:
My guest blog was posted over at Witchy Chicks.  I rambled on the process of a book going from my mind to a bookstore/library shelf.

Harper did this video thing, & they posted it.  It's already been on Amazon for a while & on my website under media.

Booksigning Today
Today I had a signing at Borders Woodbridge (in Northern VA, abt 30 minutes south of DC at the giant shopping area off the interstate) which was just good fun. 


Random Thoughts on book signings:

 Jury Duty, Motorcycle Attire, & the Library of Congress
I'm in a mood tonight. . .  I've hit restless this evening, but there's no solution just now.   The book-currently-without-a-name (previously Enthralled) will be returned to the editors again by close of business Monday.  . . which is good bc I'm to report for jury duty on Wednesday.  Of course, as much as I want to be a responsible citizen . . . I'm really hoping to be sent back home bc I wanna go play.  Yes, I know that's horrible of me.  Being a Responsible Adult means I'll go & do my part, but it doesn't mean that the urge not to is gone.  Submitting book=treat time and somehow sitting at a courthouse doesn't feel like a treat.

Alas. 

OTOH, the week after this one I have my Library of Congress talk & Spouse is off that day so . . . umm, unless it rains, we're taking the new motorcycle so we can ride a bit before & after :)   The challenge of this plan is finding clothes that are appropriate for a) back of bike & b) professional thing.  I could be slightly less than responsible & wear a skirt on the bike. . . which wouldn't be the least responsible garb I've worn to ride, but isn't quite the thing I know I should wear. ("It's not that I wanted to be that comfortable. I had a thing at a library!")  Ahem. Or I could wear something practical. . . or yanno, stop & change. I suspect that this third plan is the best option.

Marilyn Manson is the cure for what ails me.   I swear that every time I don't listen to him for a little while I almost convince myself that he's not as incredible as I remember, must be a trick of memory or something, but then I hear his voice . . .   If you could take that feeling of temptation, that if I could bottled sin it would be this . . .  *sigh* and the voice . . . and the lyrics . . and passion . . . I've even watched YouTube videos to find interview clips and of course, looked at his art online . . . It all underlines the "yes, wow, and did I mention YES" reaction I get when I hear his voice.

I listen to others, hoping to find someone else that flicks my switches to this degree, but he's it.  There are plenty of other artists I can & do enjoy, but none come close to this never-fails-to-please reaction.  I don't even need to see which CD I'm selecting. If it's his, I'll be happier once it's on.  His music is the perfect drug--all the pleasure without any of those nasty consequences real drugs have.

So, what abt you?  Is there something--music, food,  painter, school of art,  style of poetry, etc--that is a surefire "daaaamn, that's what I needed" source for you?

I'm 35 and still an idealist.  I really do believe we can reach a future without so many injustices.  Sometimes I get proof that we might be getting a little closer--

Check out CA--  "The California Supreme Court struck down the state's ban on same-sex marriage Thursday, saying sexual orientation, like race or gender, "does not constitute a legitimate basis upon which to deny or withhold legal rights." (CNN)

*cheers CA*

There are moments, decisions, & actions which just make a person cheer.  For me, this is one of them.  That's the way the world should work; in my opinion equality is the right path.  I don't care what your race, gender, ethnicity, creed, or orientation is.  We're all made of the same stuff; we should all be equal.

*resumes regularly scheduled work day . . . but with a big freaking smile*

So I got a call tonight that was supremely surreal . . . and it's your fault, folks.

Ink Exchange is on the New York Times bestseller list. . . and Wicked Lovely is too. 

Ink moved up to #5 (children's hardcover).
WL is at #10 (children's paperback).

Thank you never feels like a big enough  expression to capture the emotion.  Please know that  the emotion behind the words IS big though.  Thank you. . .

As it's public at this point, I thought I'd mention that my brilliant, demanding, saavy, [list reduced for space] editor Anne Hoppe will be working with Brenda Bowen at the new Harper imprint, The Bowen Press. (Article on Brenda from PW).   Congrats to Anne for working with her and to Brenda on the new imprint.

. . . and thanks for being willing to bring me with you.

It might be obvious by now, but I'll say it just in case--I'd follow Anne through the Inferno's inner rings.  I sorta adore her.

So, the short version is that I'm happily under Harper's new The Bowen Press imprint.

NOT WORK:
My giant pkg of bath things arrived.  I have a Sugar Bath (which I've not tried before so am quite curious abt),  more Dead Sea Salts (i ran out), a lavender bath oil, & 4 new bottles of bubblebath (2 fav & 2 new scents).

There's just something innately good abt indulgent baths. 

Off to indulge and then more writing . . .

I mentioned how my closet decided to collapse the other day . . . Spouse went & bought a whole new closet system, installed it, & pretty much sorted the wreckage.   Some dry cleaning is in order.  Drywall dust pattern just isn't the look I prefer.  In the re-hanging of clothes I found the jeans I've been missing for months.  These are please-don't-leave-the-house-in-those jeans . . . so faded that the are almost white. I picked them up in a Goodwill in Carlsbad CA about 6 years ago during a serious weight shift period when I dropped 3 sizes a a couple months (I was a bit stressed abt something at that point & had no appetite, couldn't sleep).   I realized that these jeans are the right size for what I am now . . . and am bizarrely gleeful about this.   My $3 jeans are perfect . . .

On a less pleasing note, Jezebel seems to be developing some sort of deep affection for my suitcase.  I keep meaning to finish unpacking.  The laundry is in the wash; the dry cleaning is set aside. . . but there are books, shoes, the travel toiletries, notebook . . . so it's still sitting here in the office.  Jezebel sits outside the door in the morning staring at it (or launching herself at it to get it--which works on several doors in the house).   The moment I open the door she rushes in to rub her head on the suitcase & curl up beside it.   On one hand, totally cute &  seemingly harmless, but on the other . . . it's a suitcase. 

Any odd pleasures (PG 13 please) or general "huh?" moments in your worlds?

Being a parent means that my actual job is to spend time hanging out with the two coolest people I've ever met.  How could I not think being a parent is the best job ever? It's not the right path for everyone, and some of my dearest friends are pretty sure it's a hellishly unappealing job. . .  but for others, it's The Best EVER.  I'm pretty gleefully on that list.

Happy Mother's Day to the rest of you who chose this job.   

[PS And, Mum? Here's a very public note that you kick ass ;)  You set a great example . . . a little tough to follow, but I'm trying.]

choking--
Thanks for all the choking info . . . to those who asked, yes, it is for something in a story. 

audio for INK--
My top choice for my reader for the audio for Ink Exchange accepted.  If I get permission, I'll share his name.  I'm such a picky person for audio.  Perfectly fine stories irritate me when the reader's voice isn't one that resonates.  I had sample MP3s of a good number of people reading from the text.  There were a few I liked well enough, but there was one that was just . . . perfect.  He sounds like there's a thread of dark chocolate in his voice. 

falling sky--
There was a strange loud crash . . . which turned out to be my closet shelves collapsing.  These were here when we moved in.  The same items are . . . were on them as the past few weeks b/c I sorta haven't unpacked yet from tour.  I did think abt it, but I haven't quite got to it.   Nothing changed but they fell.  So all of my girl clothes (formals, skirts,  & gauzy things) suddenly tumbled.  Grrr.

bits of happy--
OTOH, I sat outside tonight & ate a steak Spouse slow grilled . . . The only thing that could've made it better was a nice glass of Jameson, but I am working & whiskey doesn't keep me up as late as tea & coffee.   Alas.

interviews--
My Italian publicist (*waves at Cristina*) has sent me two very fun requests lately-- an interview for D-La Repubblica  and another for Vogue Italy. . . and I'm kinda enthralled by how different some of the questions are from the ones for US press.

launch book 3--
There are some waaay organized folks in Texas. The Kingwood High librarians asked if we could do a party for the third book.  A few weird brainstorming emails later we're looking at a costumed Faery Ball. . . and music . . . and . . . I'm suddenly extra excited for an event almost a year away, but--oddly perhaps--I'd just talked to a very creative designer abt designing me something faery for another function.  I figured it was a sign that this Texas party was a good idea . . .

UK & travel--
I'll be headed to London in a month.  I'm not sure why that hadn't quite registered yet, but that's soon.  In btw now & then, I have so much fun stuff . . . including a trip to one of the only places that I could call home . . . Mmmm.  SoCal . . . If the universe allows, that's where we move this time next year.  I've yet to find a place I can't be happy for a while, but I know that I'm happy in San Diego. 

Must work now . . .

Before I forget . . .  new stuff was added to the to-do list.  Other things were changed. . . (Changes/adds in bold)


*****************************
Copied from the Library of Congress announcement (under the cut):

OTHER:
Thanks for the music suggestions in the last post . . .   Suggestions of all genre s are welcome. I'm not a fan of ONE genre.  I'm just in the mod with teeth & growls right now.

Back to the text . . .

I'm listening to Lollipop Lust Kill tonight . . .  a sweetie I met on tour recommended Mindless Self Indulgence & I realized I hadn't listened to them lately, so I have them back in rotation . . . with the Gutter Twins and Frightdoll (a new suggestion) and Nick Cave.

I need moremoremore though. 

So, umm, it's that time again. Anyone have anything to recommend to get me through the next month of chaos?

Really, more than anything I want more that have that kick me like auditory caffeine . . . without devolving into screams.   Energy & talent, that's what I need, and a surprising preference for mostly all male voices (esp those with growl) this month. Help me out?

I'll trade you that for a book recommendation--

The Spiritualist by Megan Chance (releases at e end of May)  It's a dense, Victorian era, mystery romance ghost historical . . . Ok I don't know what category it is, but it's well written & Victorian & has a bit of the supernatural in it.   It also has a protag with era approp feminism and a romance that I'm still pondering. 

I read a few other books in travels, but this is that one that captivated me enough that I set an alarm to remind myself when boarding was :)

Back to the book-that-was-called-Enthralled . . . and is now saved under a two word title with "crunchy" letters. I'm one day into bonding with my new title, & I'm already happy with it.  *crosses fingers that the PTB are too*

My lovely crit partner, friend, agent-mate, publisher-mate (different branches of Harper, of course) kinda kicks ass.    Now I've been telling her this for a while now, but she tells me to shut up.  I'm crowing today.

I've been lucky enough to read the drafts & final version of One Foot in the Grave.  I was even lucky enough to be invited (by her editor) to blurb it.  [We won't mention J's objection to my doing this.]

We shared a release day.

. . . AND we got to call each other pretty simultaneously when the New York Times list came out.

AND now I get to share my glee with you all . . . Please join me in telling J that I was right: she kicks ass. 

Proof?  Her 2nd book's first week resulted n these pretty details--

Yeah, J, I was right.  You kick ass.

C'mon.  Gimmee my sentence, now . . .

*smooches*

Tour pictures under the cut . . .  Ink news at the end so it's all sequential for you too :)

 
And with that . . . my tour report is done . . .

Oh, except for this-- I just got a call from my editor as I was coming back from the airport . . . Ink Exchange debuted on the New York Times at #8 . . . so, umm,  THANK YOU all for your awesome support.

I am utterly enchanted with more & more people.   This tour thing is kinda amazing. 

My toes were in the ocean this morning.  I was in a pub with my lovely Ms Frost this afternoon. . . and tonight I was in bookstore with MEG from wickedlovely.com . . . and readers in costume.  I'll chat more later, but for tonight it's just pictures.


In re: comments on last entry--
Of course I'll share train pics, but I seem to have left my camera cable on my desk at home so for now all I have are photos from other people.

Off to deal with email from my editor . . . I have the draft of the cover flap copy for Enthralled  to read & suggest changes too.  . . which is kinda fun to do while out for INK . . . which *lowers voice* just went to a third printing.  Thank you for that.  I'm sorta stunned (again).

Thank you all for being so incredible. . . and supportive . . . and interesting. . . and making this whole book release/tour/writing thing such good fun.   

I am tucked into a hotel from which I see ocean . . . granted, it's not my SoCal Ocean but still *bursts w happiness*  ocean=happy.

I was asked abt the beach fixation.   Nope, I'm not all abt laying out.  I don't pursue a tan (I'm pale & pleased to be so), but I like the waves.  I like the sound, the sight, the taste in the air, the feel of the breeze & the edge of water tugging my feet.  It's like the desert, imho.  Here is something magical.  Look at the waves  or the endless sand and tell me there's not magic in this world . . .

Of course, flying in I saw the Everglades, & I want to go closer to that.  Vast expanses of landscape I haven't explored . . . very tempting.  I may need a not-work trip for this.

But let's backtrack to Houston . . .


Afterwards,  an author friend took me to a pub & then around the city & then . . . didn't seem to find it ludicrous that I wanted to pull over & take photos of a train house in Houston . . .  Yes, that's right.  We were driving (wrong exit, random turn) & went past a home that was made of old train cars.  Tell me that wasn't just the perfect thing to stumble upon.

Aside from an unpleasant thing at the hotel that left me creeped out to extreme degrees,  Houston was perfect.

Tomorrow I roam Miami with Ms Frost.  Then another signing where I meet one of the teens from the fansite *happy sigh* . . . I am kinda awed by the universe just now.  That one creepy thing aside, tour has been fabulousness . . .

Doing tour on release week might be a good solution for coping w the panic of realizing that readers are able to buy a new book that just last week was not OUT THERE. . . at the very least I've been having enough fun that I don't have time to worry as much :)


. . . and my asparagus & squash & zucchini just arrived so I'm going to go eat & ponder why the efficacy of their apocalypse plans was so much better than mine.  Seriously,  they had logical plans whereas I am sorely underprepared for any apocalyptic events of the zombie OR vampire sort . 

A while back, Harper had mentioned that they wanted to do a video thing . . .Last month, they taped it when I was in SoCal . . .  It's live now, &  HC sent a note  on it in the latest newsletter.    So I have to share it too--

Video of me chattering & fluttering my hands quite a lot.

*scurries away shyly*

Ink Exchange  went on sale in the US today. (It's already out in Canada. It's not out in the UK till July. . . and later in Germany.) 

My lovely crit partner, Jeaniene Frost, shares this release day with me.   Her second book, One Foot in the Grave, is out today. {WARNING: This one is definitely NOT YA.  The sex in there made me blush a few times. . . but the snark & the vampires & the fights . . . all yummy.}  Happy Release, J.  It's been less stress pre-release with you to share the trek.

Actually, it's also been less stress b/c the folks at Harper have been just abt perfect.  I couldn't be happier than I am with Harper. 

Tomorrow I leave for tour . . .  If anyone wants to stop by & say hello, I love to meet people :)  

If you do, I really appreciate it when people tell me where I know them from (& screen name).  I get pretty blurry when I do these things, so context cues are great :)

TOUR PART 1:

	April 30: Event at Borders La Grange, 7 pm
	May 1: School events & 7 pm store event with Anderson’s, DOWNER'S GROVE
	May 2: Travel to Houston, afternoon school events with Blue Willow
	May 3: Blue Willow, Houston 1:00 PM
	May 5: Store event with Books & Books, Coral Gables, FL
	May 6: B&N, Broward Mall, FL
	May 17: Borders Woodbridge VA 2 pm

OTHER:

May 27: Library of Congress, Washington DC; "What If" Science Fiction & Fantasy Forum at 12:10PM

Blogging is going to be hit or miss for a while . . .

And with that I'm off to get the suitcase packed & see if I can find my spare cell battery . . .  I keep saying I'm not going to wait until the last minute to get ready for trips, but I fail at that.  Next trip, I may need to decide TO wait just to see if that inspires me to do it early ;)

the problem with stickie notes:
You'd think that there would be a maximum number of times a person could lose the freaking post-its in one day.


Nevermind . . .

Random Muttering


Seriously where are all the useful email "I know what you need" offers? 

(Someday I'm going to figure out why this spam thing fascinates me so.)
(Someday I'm also going to develop self-impulse-control that stops random cravings.)

Monday=I Can Share my PW Glee

"dizzyingly . . . sinister"  Oh yes, I like that.  I like that very much.  It brings to mind all sorts of wicked temptations . . . and it's a pretty shiver-y phrase.  

I know there will be hellish awful reviews too.  Balance works like that (I already have one horrible review that I haven't read--under Official Directive), but having a couple sigh-causing reviews (incl this one & SMTB & RT) decreases my panicky fits over release week . . . and tour . . . and revisions.   I know PW didn't do it that way.  Reviews are abt the text not the writer.   The past couple days though I've been filled with a whole big bunch of PW gratitude. 

*pauses*
*re-reads*
I fear I've hit the giddy part of sleep deprivation.  It's been a lovely productive weekend (aside from the troubles with post its vanishing . . . how do I revise w/o post-its???) . . . I hope your weekend was lovely too.

'night all.

Book 2 is really real . . . Who knew?
Earlier today I was at a bookstore with Son (we needed a particular book right now & who am I to discourage impulse book buying needs?).   I was outed as an author in one of my visits there b/c one of the booksellers recognized my name on my credit card. . .  She's a sweetie & we chat when I shop there, so I almost felt guilty for not admitting to being an author but she didn't ask why so I didn't go there . . . anyhow, she outed me to the manager one day so I offered to sign stock . . .

. . . I suppose regular blog readers already know I've hit the pensive/ponderous mood again. I blame the universe ;)

Pondering Inevitability
Actually, I suspect I should blame the text I was tweaking too. . . In it a character was dealing with the question of inevitability & want/need.  It made me think abt temptations.  Yes, I know I wrote the character into the situation, but logical arcs still sometimes take me by surprise.  As I write, I see that this is the next logical turn, but then I have to step back & ponder the whys and the where nexts. 
As a reader or writer or viewer (for the visual media people), how is that convincingly conveyed in the text for you?  I read a book The Doctor's Wife where this was dealt with very convincingly.  Hmm. . . as it was in The Awakening (Chopin) and Return of the the Native (Hardy) . . . representations of the falling & the consequences & the resistance to intensity intrigue me.   Any pondering or insights from those of you out there in the ether?

ETA: Happy Belated Birthday to the lovely Cyn at Britishink . . .  Cyn's one of the amazing equally feminine & tough & all around fabulous women out there. *lifts glass*

------

One of the things I've found sorta inevitable with each editorial letter is the "process time."  There's a window btw receiving notes and talking to the editor.  There's another processing window btw talking & writing.    Yesterday, I talked to Anne at great length abt the various shortcomings in Enthralled. 

I also learned that Wicked Lovely was on the YALSA list of nominees for the Teens’ Top 10.

*lowers voice*

I also got news about a review for Ink Exchange that resulted in ridiculous bouts of glee.  It'll be out Monday--the day before INK releases.  I'll share once it's public, but the short version--OMFG I was thrilled.

Ahem. . . but today I roamed & pondered my revision dilemmas.  I needed epiphanies, so I needed distractions so Ms Muse could do her thing.  Paul came to my rescue with the roaming & showed me the gorgeous art space that he & Cyn have over at Artomatic (DC's incredible 12 floors of art & artists on display for 6 weeks).    There are '"more than 1,000 visual and performing artists"

So roaming was of the good. My mind is sorted out, & I had a few of the epiphanies that I needed.

Off to thread in said epiphanies . . .