Tenners, Candy, and Swag...

So what are my two favorite things in the entire world??? Okay, well, my husband and kids, of course. But aside from them, candy and books definitely top the list! And yesterday I was able to combine my love for candy and books at the Tenners' Halloween signing, where five local Tenners signed books, answered questions, and passed out Halloween candy.

As a group, we decided not to go "all out" on costumes, so I threw on my bat headband and skull t-shirt (and why, yes, thank you for noticing...my candy bucket does match my shirt!).

We had a good turnout and LOTS of great questions, and I just have to congratulate Grace, who won the ARC of Desires of the Dead for coming out to see us!!!

That's us: Chelsea Campbell (in a pumpkin hat she made herself!), Karen Kincy, Denise Jaden (looking angelic in her halo), Mindi Scott, and me!

But I have to say, this was my favorite Halloween treat! I got a special delivery from Reggie at The Undercover Book Lover, who decided that what I was missing from my swag arsenal were buttons, so she designed and ordered these babies:

Don't you love them??? I absolutely adore them! Thank you so much, Reggie!!!!!!!!!!!

And Happy Halloween, everyone!

WRITER'S BLOCK CONTEST

Okay, so I’ve been thinking…I’ve got this book coming out in March (a little something called DESIRES OF THE DEAD). And yes, I know that’s still very far away, but I’ve got a dilemma and could really use your help.

DESIRES OF THE DEAD has this great tagline:

The missing dead call to Violet.

They want to be found…


But I also need a “catch phrase” of sorts…you know, something that I can use as a fun one-liner for signings, on my websites, maybe even for my swag.

With THE BODY FINDER, it was:

What is your echo?


I love that…it’s dark and mysterious…and yeah, just a tad morbid. I want something like that for DotD, but you know what??? I got nothing!

So, unless you want me sending out posters that say “Don’t party too hard!” and signing books with “Have a nice summer” I’m gonna need your help. All I’m looking for is that perfect blend of cool and creepy. That shouldn’t be too hard, right???

Fine, it IS hard but I’m willing to pay for your help. Okay, so maybe not pay exactly, but definitely bribe you with fabulous prizes.

So, for my Writer’s Block Contest, I want you guys to come up with that perfect one-liner (even though I’ll probably tell everyone that I came up with it myself! ;). Be creative, be clever, and you can even be sinister if you must. And in return, I’ll give my top two favorite “catch phrases” each a special Harper prize pack.


FIRST PLACE will receive:

Wait for it….an ARC of UNEARTHLY by Cynthia Hand!!!!!!! (Oh, and did I mention that I’m blurbing this book??? Yeah, I loved it THAT much!!!)

PRETTY LITTLE LIARS by Sara Shepard (This is the new one with the way cool TV series cover).

And PRETTY DEAD by Francesca Lia Block.


And SECOND PLACE gets:

KISSES FROM HELL, an awesome anthology by Kelley Armstrong, Richelle Mead, Alyson Noel, Kristin Cast, and Francesca Lia Block.

An ARC of VAMPIRE CRUSH by A.M. Robinson.

And the first 7 chapters of BRIGHT YOUNG THINGS by Anna Godbersen. (I love this cool mini-ARC!)


Unfortunately I have to limit the prize packs to US residents only, but here’s the thing, I really want you International folks to help me too, so I’ve come up with a compromise. If you’re an International reader and I choose your “catch phrase” for first or second place, I’ll send you a gift certificate worth $20USD for the online bookseller of your choice (in lieu of the prize packs). See, I didn’t forget you!!!


And just in case you’re like me (and like to do a little research) here’s where you can find more info about DESIRES OF THE DEAD:

Synopsis

Prologue

Okay you guys, you have until Friday, November 5th, now get out there and Creep. Me. Out!

Very Cool Way To Order Signed Copies of THE BODY FINDER...

I just spoke with the people at Uppercase Books (where I'm doing my signing this Saturday), and they've agreed to take mail orders over the phone for personalized copies of THE BODY FINDER! YAY!!!

But you have to order before 3PM Saturday since that's the only day I'll be up that way! With shipping (inside the US, of course), the cost will be $21 plus tax, and they'll ship next week :)

Here's their info:

Uppercase Books and Collectables
Snohomish, WA 360-568-5987
http://uppercasebooksandcollectables.com/

COME SEE ME THIS WEEKEND (and you could walk away with an ARC of DESIRES OF THE DEAD!)

So this Saturday, I’ll be doing a pre-Halloween signing with the wonderful and talented Denise Jaden, Chelsea Campbell, Mindi Scott, and Karen Kincy at Uppercase Books in Snohomish. What’s in it for you, you ask???

Well, not only will I be passing out candy and goodies (it is Halloween after all!), but last week my editor sent me an extra ARC of DESIRES OF THE DEAD that she just happened to find while she was cleaning her office...and I’m going to give it away to one attendee!!!

That’s right, come to the signing this Saturday and you could win an advance copy of DESIRES! Come on, people, how easy is that???

And while you’re there, you can also pick up the following signed books (which make great holiday presents!):












See you in Snohomish on Saturday!!!

OKAY, SO I TOTALLY LIED...

Remember when (just two days ago) I said I was “so over” Halloween? So do you know what I forgot? I forgot that pumpkin patches (at least the ones around here!) sell food. Good food. Like greasy, fattening, sugary carnival food.

And Saturday that’s just where we went…to the pumpkin patch, where they were serving fresh roasted corn on the cob, caramel apples, polish hot dogs, chili, mini donuts (hot from the…well, wherever it is that donuts come from), and pretty much anything else you could possibly want. All I know is that I ate…a lot!

They also had pony rides for the kids…

She really wanted to ride the "wild one", but I'm almost positive they don't bring the wild ones to the pumpkin patch. (Just look at her, she can barely contain her enthusiasm!)

They also had pony rides for the grown-ups.

(Okay, so maybe I was the only grown-up riding the hay-bale horses, but whatever!)

And then they had these freaky man/pig/cow mannequin things...

We weren’t quite sure what you were supposed to do with him...her...it...

I gotta tell ya, after a day of power-eating, my Halloween spirit is back! Move over eggnog, I’ve got a serious hankering for a pumpkin spice latte, baby!!!

But let me ask you this, is it weird that all of my holiday spirit seems to be tied to seasonal foods???

YA Spooktacular

I almost forgot to mention that I'm participating in this really cool Halloween event called YA Spooktacular. It's a collaborative story called DARKNESS that's being told in 13 different parts, with each part being written by a different author. It starts here with author Heather Brewer's (The Chronicle's of Vladmir Tod) contribution. Mine is the second part, which you can read here.

Each day for 13 days a new section will be added and while you're there you can enter to win all kinds of great prizes. There's a second story (with different authors) called A SOUL LAID BARE, which starts here.

The whole thing is really kind of awesome!

FANTASTICO!!!

Italy is joining the TBF family, thanks to Italian publisher Mondadori who just bought Italian rights to The Body Finder and Desires of the Dead! To celebrate this exciting news, I’m planning to indulge my love of all things pasta, pizza, and gelato! So what’s different about this kind of celebration than any other day??? Two words: No Guilt!

In other news, I’m so over Halloween this year. I'm not sure how this happened since it's not even Halloween yet, but I have absolutely zero urge to carve pumpkins or to go out trick-or-treating with the kids (which in our neighborhood means trick-or-drinking for the grown-ups!). I mean, don’t get me wrong, I’m all about having an overflowing candy bowl in my house, but for some strange reason I’m ready to bypass the all the fall holidays and jump right into the Christmas season.

On other hand, my husband, as usual, is all over Halloween. He’s got flying ghosts on the roof, scary music, fog machines and strobe lights, hanging skeletons in our entry way (and on our garage), and this really cool head in a crystal ball that screams: “LET ME OUT!” All of the little kids are terrified of our house*. (It really is kind of awesome!)

As for me, I can’t quite explain where all this early Christmas cheer is coming from, but I’m already craving eggnog lattes and humming Christmas tunes in my head. I have a feeling this holiday season is going to be extra festive for me. Translation: expensive.

I wonder if it’s too soon to send out my Christmas cards**. Yeah, maybe I should wait a few more weeks. At least.

* I have to stand outside and bribe them with candy.

** You probably think I'm joking, but I seriously already have them!

WINNER of the DESIRES Giveaway!!!

Congrats to Kristen Harvey, thanks to random.org (and lucky number 250!) she just won the signed ARC of DESIRES OF THE DEAD!!!!!

And thanks to everyone who entered...I really do love you guys!

A Couple of Housekeeping Items

First off, the contest for the ARC of DESIRES is now closed, and can I just say WOW, you guys!?!?! Almost 200 entries, and I haven't even started to tally the total number of points, but just...WOW!!! I'm going to try to have all those sorted out and announce the winner by tomorrow morning! YAY!!!!!

Second, if you're in the Mukilteo (muck-il-TEE-o) (yes, everything in the Northwest does have an Indian name!) area, I'm on a Romance in Fiction panel today with several other authors at the Mukilteo Library at 1:00PM. Seriously, I'd love to see you there!!!

And lastly, tomorrow is the launch party for my fellow Tenner, author Mindi Scott's book FREEFALL at the amazing Third Place Books in Seattle (see-AT-tl) (you're welcome!). The party starts at 5:30. I wouldn't miss it, and neither should you!

Here's Your Chance...

You can bid on a signed copy of THE BODY FINDER AND an ARC of DESIRES OF THE DEAD. They're both on the auction block over at The Undercover Book Lover, with all the proceeds going toward the Pakistan Relief Fund.

You only have three days. So get some books and do a good deed...it's win-win!

PLAYLIST WOES...

I’m putting together my playlist for Desires of the Dead. That’s something I didn’t to for The Body Finder even though there are definitely songs that I associate with it. Mostly, I listened to A LOT of Evanescence while I was writing TBF. But there is one song in particular that I always associate with the killer’s scenes: Possum Kingdom by The Toadies. It just has this super creepy vibe about it…the promises not to hurt the girl, the contradicting messages, the dark and sinister tone. So, if you know me at all, you have to know that I LOVE it!



The new playlist is hard. My taste is so eclectic, and while part of me feels like I should at least try to be edgy and cool, I don’t want to be a total fake either. So I’ll probably end up including ALL of the songs I use to “get me in the mood” (you know, for writing)…and then you guys can laugh at what a geek I really am!

Want A Sneak Peek At DESIRES OF THE DEAD???

The Prologue is debuting today over at Confessions of a Bookaholic.

And while you’re there, you can also check out my freaky obsession with Halloween costumes.

You’re welcome ;)

A COUPLE OF EVENT ANNOUNCEMENTS…

I wanted to let you guys know about a couple of upcoming signings I have…if you’re in the area you should totally stop by:


Thursday, October 14, 2010 at 3-5PM
BARNES & NOBLE
5711 Main Street SW
Lakewood, WA 98499


Saturday, October 30, 2010 at 3-5PM
UPPERCASE BOOKS
611 - 2nd St Suite L
Snohomish, WA 98290
With authors Mindi Scott, Denise Jaden, Karen Kincy, and Chelsea Campbell
(And since it’s practically Halloween, I may or may not be passing out candy!)


For all of my upcoming events, and for the most up-to-date event information, you can always check my EVENTS link in the sidebar (or just click here)!

HEAR YE! HEAR YE!

Okay, yes, that title was my lame attempt at a joke…but GUESS WHAT???

The Body Finder will soon be available in audiobook format!!!! (Get it..."Hear Ye"...audiobook??? Umm, yeah...)

So this week, not only did I sign the contract with my new audio publisher, Audible Inc., but I also got to listen to some very talented actresses audition as they read from my book. Both of those things alone are SUPER COOL, but it also means that we’re that much closer to seeing…err…hearing...The Body Finder! And I don't know about you guys, but I LOVE audiobooks!!!

I don’t have the release date yet for TBF (I’ll post the deets when I have them), but Desires of the Dead audio version will be available simultaneously with its release on March 15th. YAY!!!!!

Let me just say: Welcome to the TBF family, Audible!!!!!

My Very First DESIRES OF THE DEAD Giveaway!!!!!!

I can’t believe it’s October already! That means it’s just four and a half months until the paperback release of THE BODY FINDER…and only five and half months until DESIRES OF THE DEAD hits stores! OMGOMGOMG!!! (Sorry, brief panic attack there, but you’d be surprised how fast five months can go!)

So, remember when I told you that I was thinking about having a giveaway? Well, I am not a liar. (Okay, yes, I am totally a liar by profession...but not in this case!!!)

Here’s the deal. I have this ARC. And it’s pink. And it has the word “Desires” in the title. And it really, really needs a new loving home. So I’m giving you a chance to get your very own signed, ARC (advance reviewer copy) of DESIRES OF THE DEAD.

You have until October 15th (that’s officially 5-months before Desires of the Dead releases!) to stuff the ballot box with points. These are easy points, people, you can totally do this!!!

1) Become a blog follower. That’s ONE, SUPER-EASY POINT! (Be sure to let me know if you already are…that counts!)

2) ONE POINT if you become a Twitter Follower. If you already are, leave me your Twitter name so I can give you your point.

3) Now Tweet the contest…that’s ONE MORE POINT.

4) Become a Goodreads Fan. Another easy point. (Again, if you’re already a “fan” let me know, that’s ONE POINT for you!)

5) Friend me on Facebook. (And, yes, if you already are, make sure you leave your name so I can give you credit). ONE POINT!

Just be sure to add up all those points for me in the comment section (don’t make me do the math, folks, it won’t be pretty!). You have until 11:59PM Pacific on October 15th, and you can earn a total of 5 POINTS per person. The winner will randomly chosen.

This contest is for U.S. and Canadian addresses only. Sorry international peeps, but stay tuned, the next contest will be worldwide, I promise (of course I’m a liar, so who knows!). :)

Now get out there and score!!! Okay, that didn’t sound right, did it????

DON'T FORGET...

You can check out all the latest reviews for DESIRES OF THE DEAD and THE BODY FINDER, as well as get all the latest news for both books, on The Body Finder Novels fansite.

And sometimes they know things even before I do!!!

You Can Make A Difference

Reggie from The Undercover Book Lover is planning to have an auction-month for October to help raise money for the Pakistan Flood Relief Fund. Over 10 million children have been affected by the flood when over one fifth of the country (the size of Italy), was submerged in water, and they are still in need of help.

Here are some guidelines if you would like to consider donating (I did, and you should think about it too)!

What can you donate?

-Critiques (no minimum or maximum length)
-ARCs (Advanced Reader Copies): signed or unsigned
-Swag
-Your Book: signed or unsigned
-Annotated/Marked-up copy of your book/ARC
-A combination of any of the above =)

How will it work?

-When you choose to donate, Reggie will post the auctions starting in October and when the highest bidder has won and payed, she will send his/her address for you to send the prize!

-100% will be donated IN A LUMP SUM to the Pakistan Emergency Fund that can be found here: http://www.onedayswages.org/donate/org/pakistan-flood-relief-fund (she will even show the PayPal receipt as proof).


For more details, check out Reggie’s post, or email her at regietc@gmail.com! This is a great cause, you guys!!!

Jay Needs Your Votes...

Have you guys seen the Bookcrush-A-Thon??? Apparently, starting today you can vote for your favorite literary hottie...and here's the deal, Jay Heaton (from THE BODY FINDER!) is on the list.

You should totally vote for him!

All you have to do is friend the Literary Crush-A-Thon site and then vote. Easy-peasy.

C'mon, do it for me. Better yet...do it for Jay!!!