| It’s that time again! 
Time for me to thank everyone who dutifully trotted out to pick up a copy of Playing With Fire. And now I’m off to write (squeeing gently to myself as I do so). Happy Thursday, everyone! | |
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| I know there are some WOW fans out there, and I thought it might be fun if I opened up a banking guild I started a while ago on Bronzebeard (Alliance).
The guild would be very casual, mostly just a way for everyone to get together now and again to chat, do a little leveling, etc.
I don't have any high level toons on Bronzie any more, but I do have my awesome bank guild, Dread Kitten Defenders, complete with bright red tabard.
This is kind of a feeler to see if anyone would be interested in joining such a guild. I have a wee baby priest (seen left) of 24 who would be dusted off to romp with readers, assuming there were people who wanted to do just that.
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| Thank you all for the squeals of excitement about the new series that will kick off with Ben and Fran as adults. I originally pitched the line to Kate, one of my editors, as a YA series, but as soon as I hit send on the e-mail, doubts started nagging at me. Was the YA market really the best choice for this series? Did I want to limit myself by excluding adult relationships from the storylines? And what about my adult readers--would they be happy to venture into a new side to the Otherworld in a setting that was very light on romantic shenanigans?
The doubts continued to increase until I couldn't stand it any longer, and told my agent to call up Ms. Kate and tell her that I had a change of heart and wanted the series to be part of the adult books instead. Immediately, I felt as if a dark cloud had been yanked from my life. My muse was happier. My agent was happier. And luckily, the publisher at NAL was happier with the idea of adult books, as well. And now I can relax and start writing the next vamp book while my Darling Agent Michelle and the fine folks in the Penguin Putnam contracts department hash out all those itty bitty little details that I am delighted to not have to deal with.
Enough of all that bookish talk. It's hump day, and that means we must have a question. To wit: what's your favorite scent (or blend of scents)? | |
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| I’ve been a bit slow posting this morning because I was waiting for the offer to come in from my publisher for the next couple of books. I’m pleased to say that the offer was what we wanted (OK, it made my Darling Agent Michelle and me squeal like little girls, but that’s not uncommon for us). But I’m even more pleased to finally be able to announce that I’m going to be starting a new paranormal series that will pick up with Ben and Fran…but bring them into the adult world. They won’t be straight up Dark Ones books, but will include Ben and Fran as well as open up a new aspect to the Otherworld. Will there be vamps in it (other than Ben)? Very likely. Will there be dragons? Probably not, although there may be a smidgen of overlap between the new series and the dragons. But no promises. Will there be dishy guys galore? Oh yes. Shapeshifters? Quite probably. I suspect Ben’s blood brother (a shapeshifter) will have a role to play. And yes, I did say adult series, so these books would have love scenes in them. In other words, not suitable for younger eyes (I figure most of my YA readers have grown up since they first read the books, so hopefully they will enjoy a change of style). That’s my good news for the day! I should have the NYT placement of Playing With Fire sometime next week, I think. Possibly this week. I’m always a bit fuzzy on when that comes out. Until then, share with your own good news! | |
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| I was in a Torch-sticky mood this weekend and thus drew a few comics. No, not the next quicktime, but I thought it would be nice to space the last two out since they are going to be epic (esspecially "Fragments" since it was my favorite episode of the season!) Anyhow! I did some comics and they are splendid so go on and read them and giggle. :-p ( Send me the video tapes ) | |
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| Editor Laura sent me the full mechanical of the Zen cover. It's a biggie, so I'll just link to it. Second quickie--I'm going to be doing another Write Along With Katie as I write the next vamp book. WAWK starts on Wednesday, and everyone who is trying to get some writing done can join in the fun. Details and sign up can be found in the message forum. | |
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| This is Bill. Yes, he has all his clothes on. I know, I know, you guys like your DGM with much flesh available for viewing, but sometimes, it’s good for us to see them clothed. 
The question is, would Bill be better suited as a dragon, or a vamp? I’m leaning toward dragon, myself, but I’m willing to entertain other suggestions. | |
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| Who's ready for another Quicktime? Anyone? Anyone? Well, ready not, here it comes! "Adrift" is ready and waiting for you! I hope all enjoy it. I think it went rather well! ( Quicktime Adrift ) | |
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| Today's field trip is courtesy of an e-mail that's being passed around showing the absolutely amazing body painting work of Guido Daniele. I'm just in awe of his abilities to paint hands to resemble various animals. Guido's site in English In addition, I wanted to mention that Brenda Novak's yearly auction for diabetes research is now in full swing, and there are many fabulous items available. This year, I'm donating all the profits I would have seen from a master class at Writer University, which will be held (I believe) in January 2009. Since Mr. Katie used to have diabetes, I'm a big supporter of Brenda's auction. Which reminds me I need to go browse some of the offerings again... | |
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| Penguin Putnam put an ad in today's USA Today newspaper. Geek that I am, I saved a copy. My husband says I squealed when I saw it, but I maintain I was dignity personified. Squee! [Thumbnail links to a bigger picture] 
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| V-Gift for Charity This month is Mental Health Awareness Month, so the LiveJournal team is offering users a chance to support the Depression and Bipolar Alliance, a non-profit organization dedicated to helping improve the lives of those suffering from mood disorders. Proceeds from purchases of the Emerging Sun v-gift during May will be donated to the DBSA, so feel free to buy one. Or, if you really want to rack up some good karma points, get a bunch! And don't forget: Mother's Day is this Sunday. Be a dear and check out the v-gifts shop. Send something that'll make her smile.  L to R: Emerging Sun, #1 Mom, Gift Basket, Chocolates, A Dozen Red RosesBrand-Spanking New, Contest-Winning Themes We know how you salivate over the prospect of new themes, especially when they're designed by users with a unique handle on both form and function.  L to R: Shiny, River at Night, Live and Learn, Vector Drips.( Winners of the HP 'What Do You Have to Say?' Theme Design Contest )Advisory Board Nominations We'd like to remind you that the nomination process for LiveJournal Advisory Board user-representatives has begun. If you think you're fit for the job, now's the time to nominate yourself! After all, you're the only who can do it. In two weeks, on the 22nd, the voting process will begin; we'll remind you about it again here. If you're interested in keeping up with the nominations, watch ![[info]](http://p-stat.livejournal.com/img/community.gif) lj_election_en. We'll post the results and announce the winner by the end of the day on May 30th. The new user-representatives will be seated on June 1st. Further details can also be found in lj_2008. | |
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| Thank you all for the lovely supportive comments yesterday in the face of my angsting over Playing With Fire being out early in some stores. I much appreciate all the warm fuzzies, not to mention the kind comments about the book itself. I’m so tickled it’s finally out and I can talk about it, since I love and adore the dragons, and am having more fun with them than I can possibly explain. I’m just thrilled that May is now out there starting to tell her story, and that Gabriel is getting his time in the sun. So to speak. Today I really, really, really need to get cracking on the next vamp book, which will follow Zen and the Art of Vampires. I’m still waiting to hear from my editor about Zen, however, and that’s causing me to drag my feet a bit. I’d hate to start writing this beast only to find out my editor objected to some thread in the first book. I don’t think she’s likely to, but hey, I’m Irish–we worry a lot. It’s our job, and dammit, we do it well. Whilst I am off worrying and angsting, and trying to wake my muse up and get her back to work, here’s a hump day question for you all: what’s your current favorite breakfast food? | |
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|  My good news is going to be rather obvious--it's release day for Playing With Fire! Hurrah for Gabriel finally having his turn in the limelight.
I just sent out the official release newsletter (which you can find online if you haven't subscribed to the newsletter, although I have to raise an eyebrow at the very idea of not subscribing), so now the official "waiting to see how it will do on the bestseller lists" angsting can begin. That's opposed to the unofficial angsting, which is a general state of affairs here at Rancho Doghair. Given that the book has been out early at some bookstores - causing much rending of clothing, general wailing, and muttered dark threats - I assume that the pre-release sales will significantly lessen the impact it will have on the bestseller lists. And while it's true that the lists are really only ego fodder (although the marketing folk like good hits, since they use them to get the big book buying accounts excited about subsequent releases), it has made for a frustrating few weeks here while the publisher tried to figure out just why the book was being sold ahead of time. Regardless of all that, it's pub day, and that's always a time of celebration. In recognition of this event, I hereby give you leave to celebrate all day. And share your good news, too - because what's a celebration without good news? | |
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| Advisory Board Nominations BeginThis morning we are opening the nomination process for the user-representative positions on the LiveJournal Advisory Board. A full description of the process can be found here. To get you started, here are the basic things you should know: - You may only nominate yourself - Each nominee will need 100 motions of support in order to be eligible to be a candidate - We ask that you keep your comments on the nomination posts to "I support this nomination" or something to that effect; be kind to those who will need to count the "supports", please. - Although the nominations and election poll will take place in lj_election_en, you do not need to watch the community in order to keep up with the election; we'll announce everything here as well. Everyone here at LiveJournal is looking forward to this first-ever User-Representative election! We'd like to thank everyone who is participating. Some words from our current Advisory Board members: danah boyd: “LiveJournal is filled with very passionate users. These users have helped shaped LJ's various communities over the last decade and it gives me great joy that LJ is recognizing and incorporating users' voices into the decision-making processes. Having user representatives from different parts of LJ on the Advisory Board will help make sure that the company is meeting the needs of its diverse constituents.” Esther Dyson: "I'm sure we'll learn a lot from the process, and later on from the two users selected as well. Especially, I hope that the discussions before the voting will be more meaningful and more focused on policy than those in some offline campaigns." Brad Fitzpatrick: "It's cool that SUP is getting users involved with the LiveJournal decision-making process. I look forward to seeing who the community elects and the results of our efforts working together." Professor Lawrence Lessig: “The user elections will provide a critical check on LJ's process of maintaining a valuable and trustworthy environment for the LJ community. The mandate of the elections will give the user representatives pride of place among the members of the Advisory Board. Each of us will look to them to guide us in our judgment about how best to make LJ the community we all aspire that it will be. I look forward to welcoming the user representatives, and learning a great deal from them.” ![[info]](http://p-stat.livejournal.com/img/userinfo.gif) chasethestars has also made some banners for you to use, if you'd like to show your support for the candidate of your choice! ( Banners + code for you to use! ) - Mood:chipper
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| Erik is a model. He’s a tad too skinny for my taste–I prefer men with a bit of bulk to them, so that should I fling myself upon them, they would be able to survive without toppling over backward–but I can only assume that he will fill out as he gets older. 
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