electric mist

email snafu

noreply@blogger.com (Toni) — Sat, 23 Aug 2008 07:46:00 +0000

I knew I was having a few minor glitches with email over the last couple of months -- the city is four laning a couple of places around here and it seems like every time that happens, the server lines get severed by accident or have to be relocated or maybe just were snotty to the workers and the workers beat it with a shovel. I don't know, but just sometimes, I'll get a sudden burst of email... that turns out to be from a previous month. Happened again tonight, with some emails going as far back as early June. I answered every one (and these were such fun)... so if you wrote me in that time frame and you didn't hear back, I may never have gotten it. There is some gnome in the gunks rabidly clutching to it, shouting "mine, mine, all mine" and if we can get some tequila into him, he might turn it loose and give it to me... but it might be better in the meanwhile if you just re-send, because I really would love to hear from you.

There is going to be a real newsletter at the end of Sept. The first one this year, but a real one with prizes. Quite a few prizes, actually, as I keep finding cool things I want to include. So sign up on the front page of the site here. It's going to be no more than 2 newsletters a year IF THAT. As you can all see, I'm not exactly speedy getting these things done. But like I said, prizes and fun and very possibly, an excerpt of something from either book 3 or a short story I'm working on. Maybe. Did I mention prizes? Yeah, go sign up so you'll be eligible for those.

Third Strike

noreply@blogger.com (Toni) — Thu, 14 Aug 2008 17:08:00 +0000

How much is it killing me not to have Zoë Sharp's Third Charlie novel?

Seriously killing me.

I love this series, and Zoë's writing skills make me woozy with happiness when reading.

Here's the great PW review:

Third Strike Zoë Sharp. St. Martin’s Minotaur/Dunne, $24.95 (352p) ISBN 978-0-312-35897-6
At the outset of Sharp’s gripping third Charlie Fox thriller (after Second Shot), the British soldier-turned-bodyguard, now settled in New York City and working for an exclusive close-protection agency, is shocked to see an interview with her father on the morning TV news. A prominent U.K. orthopedic surgeon, he is under investigation after the death of one of his patients. Joined by fellow bodyguard and boyfriend Sean Meyer, she encounters some of the most ruthless criminals of her career as she seeks to exonerate her father. Sharp expertly captures the frenetic energy of New York without sacrificing her trademark British wit. Charlie is as tough as she is damaged, and readers will kill for the next installment. (Oct.)

goings on...

noreply@blogger.com (Toni) — Wed, 13 Aug 2008 19:45:00 +0000

I really mean to post stuff over here, meatier stuff, and then I poke my head up and realize, holy crap, weeks have gone by. I dust the place off (and seriously, the dust bunnies? could eat the dog), settle in, thinking I'm going to be all normal and regular blogging and then... weeks. Again.

I do blog every Sunday over on Murderati.

And I do mean to brag on my friends here.

So, lately, some good news: my awesome friend, Stephen Blackmoore just landed an agent, Allan Guthrie. Stephen is one of those writers who both is darkly twisted and very funny and his blog is a daily stop for me. Go give him some love.

And speaking of giving love, Jackie Kessler's terrific follow up in her Hell series has hit the bookstores: Hotter Than Hell.

From Publishers Weekly
In Kessler's newest, Daunuan, master seducer and incubus, returns badder than ever. Pan, the new king of lust, wants to appoint Daunuan his second in command, but Daunuan must first prove himself by seducing a woman destined for heaven, claiming her soul for hell. Daunuan thinks this will be an easy assignment, but he doesn't expect to fall in love with Virginia, his target, and be willing to give up hell to ensure that she doesn't get damned for all eternity. Complicating his mission is that someone in hell has it in for him and has sicced a crew of demons on him. Daunuan also cannot come to terms with his feelings for Jezebel, a succubus. The plot is sexy and bold, and the atypical ending—a happily ever after pairing is not in the cards—is satisfying, even if the unconventional conclusion may rub some readers the wrong way. (Aug.)
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Jackie is a stellar writer. She takes risks, she's smart, she's funny, and she's also just an AMAZING person. If you ever even thought about paranormal romance, go pick up her books.

fantastic trip

noreply@blogger.com (Toni) — Mon, 04 Aug 2008 06:28:00 +0000

Back home, completely bleary-eyed and happy. I think this was one of the best conferences for me, personally, because I really knew so many more people from previous conferences and online blogs / groups, that it genuinely felt like hanging out with friends *and* learning stuff. Our panel was packed and our audience seriously rocked -- they asked great questions and lots of them, which just made everything fun and flowy.

More details up soon, but meanwhile, my friend Emilie saw this at Barnes & Noble -- it's a new promotion they're doing and they're including Bobbie Faye:

RWA / San Francisco

noreply@blogger.com (Toni) — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 00:46:00 +0000

I am nearly packed and will be in San Francisco for the week at the RWA conference. This is going to be an awesome week, and I know I'm going to see a lot of familiar faces.

(I'm also one of those people who will look straight at someone I know and if I see them out of context, I will not recognize them. I've even done this to my husband.. er... after we'd been married eight years. So all the faces are going to be a challenge, and I'm just telling everyone ahead of time, I am totally cheating and reading the name tags first.)

I hope to take photos and get 'em up next week. I would say I will get them posted here next week, but you all know that would be a total lie.

y'all take care,

-toni

gun expert...

noreply@blogger.com (Toni) — Sun, 13 Jul 2008 18:18:00 +0000

Gun expert Nancie Hays answers questions over on Murderati today (and on The Lipstick Chronicles yesterday). Both blogs are chock full of helpful Q & A's for writers. Check it out!

Contest winners...

noreply@blogger.com (Toni) — Wed, 09 Jul 2008 05:42:00 +0000

(The winner of WILL SHE FREAKING EVER ANNOUNCE ANYTHING contest would be me, because clearly, I am waaaaaaaaay behind. But below... winners of various contests.)

For the photo contest (which was a very cool one with a lot of prizes, including a $50 B*N gift certificate and signed books and other stuff), here are the three winners (in order, first, second, third) and their terrific photos! Yay!

Lori C****** and her daughters! Pictured is Elodie and oldest daughter, Kaylee is the photographer! Great job, Kaylee!

Second place was Beatrice C*** -- who took the shot at the bookstore (after intrepid researching to find them):

Third place was Mia M****n:

The photos were all TERRIFIC and I loved seeing where everyone took them. Next time, I will make that contest easier. And the prizes should all be mailed out by the end of the week. Thank you for participating!

On to other contest winners:

Dakota Cassidy's winner has been announced on her site: Gina G**** -- YAY Gina. You will get a signed copy of book #1 and the $15 gift certificate to B&N as well as a couple of goodies.

Fresh Fiction winner: Shelly C****n -- congrats to Shelly for winning a signed copy of the book *and* a Bobbie Faye survival basket. (address received, Shelly, thanks!)

CJ Lyons contest winner: Jeanne P -- should have received a notification tonight.

AuthorBuzz Winners -- have now all been notified by email -- and they include the following (I am not writing last names here for privacy issues, but you should have an email from me in your in-box as of 7/7/08):

Jackie La*****
Kay M*******
Sydney P****
Melody C********
Carol M****

AND LOOK: ANOTHER CONTEST UNDERWAY: A Christmas in July... a bunch of Bobbie Faye stuff: go here

I think that might have gotten me caught up on the pending contests, but if you know of one I've missed, let me know. (It is entirely possible.)

CONTEST!!

noreply@blogger.com (Toni) — Tue, 01 Jul 2008 01:00:00 +0000

New Contest -- (photo contests winners announced on the yahoo group tomorrow. AuthorBuzz winners will be notified by email by Wed.)

The really big (like way big) Accidentally Dead giveaway contest!

Today, July 1, 2008 marks the release in the second installment of the Accidental series, ACCIDENTALLY DEAD, by the totally fabulous, utterly amazing, stupendously brilliant, always in her color wheel Dakota Cassidy (She made us say that--all of it. We fought back. Don't laugh. We did. It got ugly. She threatened us with heinous acts of yellow. She won.).

ACCIDENTALLY DEAD picks up with über potty mouth Nina Blackman and her newly acquired vampire woes (not to mention his undead hawtness, Greg). Here is a link to Amazon (We are subtle, aren't we?): http://tinyurl.com/4pntvc

In celebration of Nina's release, and because Dakota's such a bitc--er, so charming, we're having a scavenger hunt where you can win big! (Don't whine. Didn't we say killer prizes were involved?)

So here's what ya gotta do—Visit the blogs of Michele Bardsley, Mark Henry, and Toni McGee Causy (in that order, people) then hit Dakota's blog and get yer quiz on. That's it! All entrants who post correct answers in the comments section of Dakota's blog will be thrown into a random drawing. The prizes:

* Dakota's giving away a signed copy of THE ACCIDENTAL WEREWOLF, a $15 Amazon Gift Certificate, and an RT tote bag from RT 2008 filled with some goodies!

* Mark's upchucking an autographed copy of HAPPY HOUR OF THE DAMNED (and maybe another surprise or two … it's a purge, darling, you never know what'll show up).

* Toni's offering an autographed copy of BOBBIE FAYE'S VERY (very, very, very) BAD DAY and other Bobbie goodness. We promise she won't blow up another bridge (at least not near you).

* Michele's spewing (again … gah! Can she get control of that spittle issue already?) an autographed ARC of WAIT TILL YOUR VAMPIRE GETS HOME and some Broken Heart swag.

Those damned contest rules: Entries must be posted to Dakota's blog by midnight (CST) Wednesday July 2, 2008. All correct answers from participants will be placed in a random drawing. ONE winner will be announced on Dakota’s blog on July 3, 2008. The winner must contact Dakota to collect the prizes.

Go on with yer bad selves (and remember visit the blogs in the following order)…

Michele's Blog: http://blog.michelebardsley.net

Mark's Blog: http://mdhenry.livejournal.com/

Toni's Blog: http://www.tonimcgeecausey.com/blog.html

Dakota's Blog: http://www.dakotacassidy.net

Three questions for Dakota:

So... three questions for Dakota:

1) Kick-ass heroine character traits like Nina's in ACCIDENTALLY DEAD seem to cross over and show up in our personal lives sometimes. Tell me, if you could be a heroine for a day (without the ramifications of "consequences"), who's ass would you kick and why?

For sure it'd be John Cusaks sweet ass I'd be kicking. I mean, helllloooooo, how long does it take osmosis and the love I share with him via said vulcan mind meld for him to GET IT and CALL ME???

2) What's the single most important perk you'd LIKE to have when writing and what would you have them do? (examples: Masseur? Grape peeler? Hunky entourage?)

Well, truthfully? I'd have Cesar Milan, the Dog Whisperer come and herd my beasts into "calm, submissive states" so that they didn't keep getting into everything while I write :)

3) You can pick one character from ACCIDENTALLY DEAD and they will magically come to life--but you have to let them live at your house. Who do you pick and why?

Larry--Nina's guinea pig. 'Cuz he's a whole lot less maintenance than Nina, Marty or Wanda :)

And now, three questions for Nina (though if she tries to smack me around, I am calling on Bobbie Faye)...

Okay, spill -- and no, I am not letting you off the hook,... of your two closest friends, Marty and Wanda--who do you like best (our little secret)?

That's like asking me if I'd rather have a Poodle or a Yorkshire Terrier. Both have equally annoying qualities, but can be killa fun to watch when they hump someone's leg and pee on trees.

I know there are a lot of undead perks (like hello? sex for all eternity? where is the downside here?)... but there's gotta be something you hate most about being a newly turned vampire. DETAILS.

You people and the eternal sex--what is up with you bunch o' pervs??? I've said it before and I'll say it again--chicken wings. I miss them. I love them. It sucks big, fat man hooters that I won't ever be able to eat them again. I miss those hot, little bastards smothered in bleu cheese like J-Lo'd miss her booty if it was tragically amputated. So can the reminders, okay?

John Cusak has been taken off by Martians determined to see if they can start a whole new race, so you cannot pick him. Given that, who is your favorite celebrity?

Barry Manilow--and one little wisecrack about that and I shove my fist so far down your throat you'll have to get the jaws of life to extract it. Feel me?

Q & A's

noreply@blogger.com (Toni) — Wed, 25 Jun 2008 08:21:00 +0000

I've got a random list of questions my publisher sent and I'll answer them here and store the answers permanently on the site (probably under "other writing" or maybe a FAQ section. So here are the first four:

If you were granted you one wish, what would you wish for?

World peace.

If you won the lottery, what would you do with your newfound wealth?

World peace.

[What? No? Maybe a little corner of world peace? Surely a lotto win of a kajillion dollars would get a corner? Oh. Right. The dollar is dropping.

How about a smidge? I could do with a smidge. And if that’s too much, then can we get that guy—you know, the one who is determined to start shouting at four a.m. in some drunken rant about mice and how they have been totally overlooked as a source of protein and then he goes outside and starts up a chainsaw, yes, him—can we get him some Prozac? Or time alone on an island? That would be a nice start.]

[Some of you reading this are shaking your heads, thinking she’d totally go for the 911 Carrera S Cabriolet but noooo. I would never buy the S. That would be ecologically wrong. And bad. Like brownies.] [But I might stand there a long time and look at it pitifully.]

Besides being an author, what is your fantasy job?

World peace hero.

[Oh, you totally knew I was going to go there, didn’t you?]

What do you enjoy doing the most with your free time?

Wait a minute. There’s free time? As in… free? Seriously? When did this start? Who do I see about this? This is a trick, isn’t it, like where someone sets a plate of brownies out there just for the taking with a sign that says “100% calorie free, tastes great” and then you reach for one and that’s when they cuff you and cart you off because anyone insane enough to believe that anything can still taste great and be calorie free has clearly lost every single marble they were given to play with and needs to be locked up for their own safety.

I am not falling for this one ~~again.~~

great trip and contest winners...

noreply@blogger.com (Toni) — Wed, 18 Jun 2008 04:33:00 +0000

I had an absolutely fantastic time in Decatur at Wordsmiths...

...and I am buried twenty feet beneath the pile of "to-do" lists. I have had two contests and I have winners to announce--will try to do so by Monday. Both the CJ Lyons contest and the Author Buzz contest winners to be announced via newsletter. Um, some time next week. (Email to winners will go out as well.)

...and I am also waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay behind on email. My apologies, but I am definitely responding. I'm just slllllllllllooooooooooooow.

I am utterly jazzed about book 3. There are moments when the ideas fall into place and the characters take over, and that's what's happening, so I might be scarce around here. (I know, HUGE shock there.)

Crawfish boil, fais do do and books

noreply@blogger.com (Toni) — Fri, 13 Jun 2008 12:57:00 +0000

Tomorrow, Sat., the 14th, I will be at the absolutely fabulous Wordmith's Books in Decatur Georgia for a CRAWFISH BOIL sponsored by Baby Got Books' owner, Tim. How cool is that?

Extremely cool.

J.L.. Miles (Divorcing Dwayne) and C.J. Lyons (Lifelines) and Derek Nikitas (Edgar nominated Pyres) are all going to be there, making this a fantastic party. So if you're anywhere in the Decatur / Atlanta area, come on down for a good time.

fantastic writer's resource

noreply@blogger.com (Toni) — Mon, 09 Jun 2008 04:06:00 +0000

Author Lynn Viehl has an absolutely terrific blog called "A Paperback Writer" which I highly recommend. I am probably the last person to discover it (I am slow at this internet stuff sometimes), in spite of the fact that Lynn's always posting terrific and helpful comments over on Murderati.

Her "Complete Friday 20" index of Q & A's is one of the best resources I've come across. I will be checking out her books now, because anyone this smart is someone I should have already been reading.

Safe and Sound

noreply@blogger.com (Toni) — Fri, 06 Jun 2008 04:59:00 +0000

One of my favorite mystery writer's newest book has just come out in paperback and if you love mysteries and great writing, SAFE AND SOUND is a MUST buy book. Seriously. J.D. Rhoades is one incredibly cool writer, stellar person, and my personal internet stalk-ee. (I am still stalking him.)

So go. Seriously. Awesome, fantastic writer.

chaos, and contest...

noreply@blogger.com (Toni) — Thu, 05 Jun 2008 16:34:00 +0000

Hey folks, I am running out the door to go do a stock signing for a couple of places that requested it yesterday (woot! they have my book!)... and I'm attending a wonderful library signing / talk event early this evening (Denham Springs Library for anyone who's in the area)... so I am moving the new Bad Advice column to next week. Otherwise, the entire column would have been Blah and I think blah blah and yadda something yadda, maybe. Oh, and blah.

Meanwhile, Bobbie Faye is guest blogging tomorrow over on The Lipstick Chronicles, so come check it out!

WINNER, MORE CONTESTS

noreply@blogger.com (Toni) — Tue, 03 Jun 2008 07:00:00 +0000

Hey - wow, you guys were great. I cracked up and so enjoyed the comments.

And before I announce the winner, a couple of small details. REALLY--quick and painless.

1) Bobbie Faye's (kinda, sorta, not exactly) Family Jewels got a starred Booklist review yesterday. So if you were thinking, "Hey, maybe I'll enjoy that one!" or "Wow, that would make a great doorstop!" -- well, there ya go.

2) There's a newsletter, and there's going to be another CONTEST on there in a few days. So click on the header and it'll take you to the front page where you can sign up. And NO WORRIES -- I managed to get out a grand total of one newsletter last year -- you're not going to be inundated.

3) I love talking to y'all. And I've been getting wonderful emails, asking questions about writing, humor, comedy, the publishing business, the screenwriting business (I have sooo got to get a FAQ up there). And because I love visiting with people and talking about the books and all of this other stuff, I've started a yahoogroups discussion list. COME JOIN -- tonimcgeecausey-subscribe@yahoogroups.com -- and there are gonna be giveaways over there, too. It's brand spanking new, so don't mind the bare walls. We'll get it painted soon.

4) The winner, picked at random because my brain is broken now, and I can't possibly think of how to do it any other way, is angie-la! YAY ANGIE. So write to me care of the website (see the front page of the site), and I'll get that t-shirt ordered for you (tell me the size you'd like) and I'll have that B&N card sent by them to you.

See? That was quick *and* painless.

MORE BOBBIE FAYE'S BAD ADVICE COMING THURSDAY -- and another contest. Come check it out.

(And if you want to write Bobbie Faye, no matter how crazy the letter is, she'll see if she can give it a whirl. Seriously, you already know in advance she's crazy--how much worse can she make it? Send it to me via the front page email, and I'll let you know when she's going to answer it.)

Thanks everyone!

CONTEST...

noreply@blogger.com (Toni) — Sun, 01 Jun 2008 05:38:00 +0000

BOBBIE FAYE'S (kinda, sorta, not exactly) FAMILY JEWELS has hit the stores!

(If you're new to Bobbie Faye, think "action/adventure" and comedy. Or as I like to explain, if Elmore Leonard and Janet Evanovich were to have a bastard love child, it would be Bobbie Faye. Here's where you can see the craziness that went on in book one: here.... and an except of book two: here.)

And to celebrate, it's CONTEST time.

We (and by we, I mean the super cool, amazing and fabulous Michele Bardsley and Dakota Cassidy) are running a blog contest today. Bobbie Faye has been slammed by the editor of her local paper--she owes him money--she sort of blew up a couple of things and ran over a few other things that he owned and he's really not happy about this. She's trying to pay him back by doing an advice column.

Three letters to Bobbie Faye and her BAD advice back... means THREE chances to win... read the letter and then see what ya gotta do to enter below.

And now here's the latest letter to plague Bobbie Faye:

Dear Bobbie Faye:

I have a sort of itty bitty problem. My girlfriend says I'm accident prone, and I'm beginning to think she's right. I'm not sure what to do about it. First, that radio fell in the bathtub, and honest-to-God, I don't remember setting it up there on the edge of the tub, and I almost didn't make it out of there fast enough. And then the bed caught on fire--man, that was a freak accident! I could have sworn the iron wasn't even plugged in on the ironing board next to the bed, but Sally says I sleepwalk sometimes, and turn things on. And then yesterday, the gun fell out of the closet, hit the floor and shot a hole clean through the other side of the bedroom. It's getting to where I just don't know what I'm gonna do next, and Sally and her good friend, the doctor, say there's nothing wrong with me, that I'm just clumsy.

I see you've gone through a whole slew of crazy disasters, and you're still in one piece. Can you give me some advice to help me not be so clumsy?

Signed,

Not Who You Think It Is

Dear Not A Lick of Sense:

Harold. Honey. I know that's you. I tried to tell you last year when the car fell off the jack stands while you were working underneath it that maybe Sally hadn't quite forgiven you for that time with Loretta. It's probably a good bet that she's also found out about Cindy. And probably Mary Lou. And I don't care how you want to think about it, no guy accidentally falls into another woman's vagina. Ever.

And Harold? The UPS guy mentioned he'd just delivered a big ass chain saw to your house, so you might want to re-think that whole nooner thing you've got going with Betsy Ann and get busy packing, while you still have parts to pack.

signed,

Bobbie Faye

NOW, for the contest....

So here's what ya gotta do to enter--

Read Nina's cry from the lovelorn here: http://www.dakotacassidy.net/

Read Patsy's plea here: http://www.michelebardsley.com/

Read Bobbie Faye's newest letter for her column (above) and comment here!

We're all giving away prizes, and you could be entered to win 'em all! Just leave comments at each blog. Each author will choose a winner. And here's what you could win if you come play with us!

Dakota's giving away a signed ARC of ACCIDENTALLY DEAD and an Amazon gift certificate for 15 smackers :)

Michele Bardsley's offered up an ARC of her November release WAIT TILL YOUR VAMPIRE GETS HOME and some Broken Heart goodies.

And I'm giving away a 15$ Barnes and Noble gift certificate and an awesome T-shirt: http://www.cafepress.com /bobbiefaye.245732603

And now those damned contest rules--

Contest begins Sunday June 1, 2008 and ends Monday June 2, 2008 at midnight CST. One winner will be chosen from each blog--so go enter them all!

All winners are chosen at random and must check back at each blog on Tuesday June 3, 2008 to see if they've won in order to claim their prize.

super cool contest STARTING SUNDAY

noreply@blogger.com (Toni) — Mon, 26 May 2008 22:56:00 +0000

Hey -- the book is out! I've gotten several emails so far and THANK YOU to everyone who's already bought it, and to so many of you who've said such kind things already. Wow, you know how to make a girl's release week great.

There is a super cool contest on Sunday -- come back here for details, but there is going to be great giveaways. It's a very SHORT contest, 'til Monday at midnight, so come check it out.

Blogging on Murderati...

noreply@blogger.com (Toni) — Mon, 26 May 2008 00:03:00 +0000

Yikes, forgot to put up this link:

the tipping point...

And there's a contest running for the comment section!

Blogging over at Fog City Divas today...

noreply@blogger.com (Toni) — Fri, 16 May 2008 05:29:00 +0000

Today, I'm over at the fantastic Fog City Diva site... and there's a great prize for one of the commenters (come on over and see).

This one is... nutty. Swear, I was not drinking. I had a FEVER. That is my story and I'm sticking to it. ;)

Contest up over on Murderati...

noreply@blogger.com (Toni) — Sun, 11 May 2008 09:02:00 +0000

Come by the blog -- titled Dear God... (the stick turned blue)... and leave a comment to be eligible for two signed books, the first one (Bobbie Faye's Very (very, very, very) Bad Day) and (Bobbie Faye's (kinda, sorta, not exactly) Family Jewels -- which will hit the stores on May 27th, but I have a couple of advanced copies for this contest this week and next.

Come in and say 'hi' or wish someone a happy mother's day (your mom, someone else's, doesn't matter), or tell something you did to drive your mother batty.

And spread the word if you know someone who'd like two free books, one not even available for another two weeks. (You can see the good reviews on this site under the books section.)

-thanks,
-t

noreply@blogger.com (Toni) — Wed, 07 May 2008 04:16:00 +0000

I loved this blog entry of Joshilyn Jackson's:

Treat or Retreat (were sitting in a boat?)

Trust me, you'll enjoy.

okay, now I'm curious

noreply@blogger.com (Toni) — Tue, 06 May 2008 21:03:00 +0000

To the person who found my blog by typing in the search string, "guy i've been dating disappears"... I am curious. Were you looking for Bobbie Faye because you'd offed someone and needed advice about how to find them? or help hiding the body?

(Bobbie Faye is kinda a pro at both, but right now, we're trying to behave ourselves over here.)

book 2, first sighting

noreply@blogger.com (Toni) — Tue, 06 May 2008 08:56:00 +0000

There is nothing quite so otherworldly as receiving the package from the publisher that has the first copy of your new book inside. In spite of having seen it in its many incarnations (from manuscript to copy edits to first pass page proofs to galleys), none of those are really the book yet. They make it almost real, but it's not until you're holding that final copy that you feel that sigh, the smile spreading across your face, that your hands keep touching the cover reverently, and you know, it's real. It's done, here, your new baby, about to go out into the world.

There is also a strangeness to holding your book for the first time, because so much of what we do is via the internet, that these final stages feel like a real countdown. The cover is a nicer green than what shows up on the online jpegs (and I noticed for the first cover for Bobbie Faye's Very (very, very, very) Bad Day, the jpeg shows up as very blue, but then when you see it in the bookstore, the actual book cover is way more of a pale green.) In fact, the book looks a lot better with that pale green, and I still haven't figured out why the jpegs were so different than the final cover.

For this second book, the green you see online for Bobbie Faye's (kinda, sorta, not exactly) Family Jewels looks almost turquoisey green, but when it arrived today, it actually looks a lot hipper... it's more of a spring green, more olive to it, more of a current color (to me).

But those are just the first things you notice when you're holding you own book for the first time. Much like you run your hands over a baby's face, memorizing features, so you catch yourself doing with the book cover. Oh look, you think, they embossed all of the diamonds, too. Even the crawfish and the TNT plunger have nice embossing and depths and shadows. You turn the book over, reading the back copy and are thrilled. And you peek inside, flipping through the pages, looking to see how certain things finally came out once the final art was done, and you're very happy.

When I set that book down, I think about the year that was the making of that book; that needs to be an essay somewhere all by itself, because there were about a million changes in my life, most of them for the good, but all very very busy, and woven into that craziness was the writing of this book. At times, it seemed impossible that it was going to work out, but at the end, at the next to the last pass, I realized it had finally come together. This book make me work harder than I'd ever done as a writer, because I was reaching for more, bringing Bobbie Faye more into her own, more into having to deal with consequences and facing choices, more into having to start facing some of those things she'd really rather have been happily in denial about.

It was a tough year, physically, but extremely gratifying, with family and friends and now... a book to show for it. I think I will always look at that book as my most difficult challenge to date, but the one I'm proud of.

I can't wait to see them in the stores at the end of this month.

Stuff Cajun People Like

noreply@blogger.com (Toni) — Sat, 03 May 2008 03:41:00 +0000

Okay, this is probably my new favorite website. I think it's funny and accurate as hell:

Stuff Cajun People Like

(swiped from the wonderful Cajun Kitty)

wow

noreply@blogger.com (Toni) — Wed, 30 Apr 2008 22:25:00 +0000

I am having a lot of fun working on book 3 right now. It's one of those times when I can see the story, see it playing out in my head many many steps ahead of where I actually am right now and I can't write fast enough to keep up with it.

That feels amazing.

I'm going to be having some contests up within the next few days, so stay tuned... and I've got some nice packages to give away -- two books each (Bad Days plus Family Jewels galley), and a "shuck me, suck me, eat me raw" item (choice of button or magnet). If you want the first notice to be able to enter, sign up for the newsletter (on the home page) and you'll be one of the first to know.

Also, those who've signed up for the newsletter will get an extra excerpt from book 2 ahead of publication.

I'll be blogging Sunday on Murderati, so come on over and say hello there, too.