the league of reluctant adults

I've developed this annoying habit lately where I have to find the spot on the shelves where my books will live every time I go into a bookstore. In a Borders the other day, I headed to the fantasy section to admire the tiny space of air between H.G. Wells and Scott Westerfield. But then I turned and saw the horror section. Sitting among the Stephen Kings and other authors of fear fiction were Kim Harrison and Charlaine Harris. Yet, Kelly Armstrong and Lilith Saintcrow were in fantasy. I asked an employee how they decided who goes where. He shrugged and said it was decided by the corporate office. His best guess was that darker books ended up in horror. Yet, that can't be the only factor since several of the UFs in the fantasy section weren't exactly light fare. Maybe the decision depends on the types of creatures involved. Magic is heavily used in the fantasy genre. Vampires and demons traditionally fall under the horror umbrella. Of course, none of this takes into consid...

As you can see, we haven't gone dark just yet (and we likely won't...well except in the humor department). Good thing too, cuz today is a special day here in the League Lounge. Joining us is the lovely and talented Michelle Maddox, author of the futuristic death game romantic thriller from Shomi, COUNTDOWN !! I had a bit of difficulty tracking down Ms. Maddox, it seems she wouldn't take my calls and you all know, I won't be ignored. But eventually I was able to convince her. Me: That's not too tight for ya is it? Michelle: Um... my wrists are burning a little bit. And what's that nasty smell? But...uh...I'm okay for the moment. I guess. *looks around helplessly* Me: I'm so glad you've come along peacefully. I've been reading your latest book, Countdown, and drinking a bit. Not too much, just something to take the edge off and don't worry, I'll get you that water. I promise. Anyway. Countdown . Your heroine's name is Kira. Did...

Due to the blinding awesomeness that is our own Caitlin Kittredge's newest release-- PURE BLOOD (Nocturne City, Book 2), on shelves today--we Leaguers fear that a power surge is imminent. Like, starting tomorrow, there will be a four-day blackout here at the League. Yes, we're blaming Caitlin's brilliance for this. It has nothing to do with switching domains or anything like that. Really. So post your congratulations to Caitlin, kiddies, and go get yer candles. Because starting tomorrow, the League goes black for four days.

I keep thinking something really important is happening today. Like...somebody in the League has a book release today . Does anyone know what it is, that I'm forgetting? The hubs and I were talking last night about scary things. And how he doesn't understand why I don't like zombie movies. Because zombie movies, according to him, are about nihilism and the destruction of society and stuff. Stuff that would be right up my alley. But they're not. (You know what is right up my alley? Books by Caitlin Kittredge . I loves me some of those. Just FYI.) So I was trying to explain why it is that zombie movies just don't do it for me. Zombies just don't really scare me, at least not in the way that I like to be scared. And I figured it out. It's because zombies are brainless. Um, so to speak. (Brainless like me, who just can't seem to remember if Caitlin Kittredge's second Nocturne City book, Pure Blood , releases today or not. Gee, does it?) There's no cu...

One of the things I'm asked a lot is "when is the next book coming out?" Right now, the answer is 2/24/09. This is often met with either a grumble, a whimper, or flat out crying, all of which are good reactions. After all, it means the asker cares, and if they care it means they like what I'm doing, but are impatient they can't get it in their grubby little mitts yet. So this post is for them. Here's why it takes so long. It's different for every author, but here's my time schedule in a nutshell. I have spent this year: -finishing and turning in Deader Still -publicizing Dead To Me -tour and events for Dead To Me -my Monday obligations to the League -starting first draft of book 3 -stopping draft of book 3 to do my 'editorial letter' edits on Deader Still - going to conventions, signings and panels in support of my writing career - day job, five days a week, 9-5, some travel -rereading Deader Still post edits to see if it still holds -writ...

So those of you who read my blog already know of my theory that Joe Biden and Mike Farrell are the same person . You know who Mike is -- he played BJ Hunnicut in MASH . Well, now that Barack Obama has picked Smilin' Joe as his running mate, does this mean that there will be another BJ in the White House? (Hee. That last line was thanks to my Loving Husband.) Here's my question, though: is Obiden a better name than Brangelina?

I know what you're thinking. Obviously Jeremy is posting about oddly phrased help desk advice. And you're close. This week, the Lewis household wound up with a copy of Mario Kart for the Wii. There are four of us. Four people can play Mario Kart. You can even race in teams which is great because my oldest is a bit too competitive for his own good and being able to race as "Team Lewis" means that when Dad or Mom comes in ahead of the little guys, there are no complaints like there are when the same thing happens in Mario Party 8. But what does that have to do with spanking it? Heh. We sat down with our Wii Wheels at the ready for the first full family game of Mario Kart and... Wiimote number four wouldn't synch with the game system. Now I *did* find info on the web about how to fix it (apparently the Wiimote had "lost it's synch" and needed to be resynched so that it could "remember that it belonged to our console"), but what I stumbled onto...