Okay—so today is the official release date for The Watcher. As usual, I awoke in the middle of the night with a panic attack. It’s hard enough to write a book and sell it and hope people will “get” it, but then you have to put yourself out there and peddle it, too. I have wonderful support from my family and friends and fellow writers (thank you, Jeff, for buying the very first copy available in Texas) but then there are all of those people out there who don’t know me and have to take a chance on a book and writer they know nothing about. And the competition!!! I don’t even want to get into reader choices.
It’s morning and the panic goes on…
Let’s think about something else.
This has got to be the most disturbing quote of the week:
Business Digest, Friday, November 23
"If we can make it all the way there on biodiesel made from chocolate, then there's no reason why people at home can't run their car to the supermarket on the same thing."
UK explorer and environmentalist Andy Pag commenting on his impending 4,000 mile trip across the Sahara desert, during which he and his co-driver will travel in a Ford Iveco Cargo lorry that will be fueled with biodiesel made from chocolate, as cited by the Daily Mail.
Are you friggin’ kidding me? Now I’m as environmentally conscious as the next guy, but what a colossal waste of nature’s most perfect food. Come on, Andy, use corn like everybody else.
On December 13th, there’s going to be an interesting
auction held at Sotheby’s in London. J. K. Rowling’s Tales of Beedle the Bard, a handmade volume of previously unpub’d stories, will be sold for charity. Estimated value: $82,670. What do you want to bet it goes for much more?
I’m afraid I have to disagree with Mario about
No Country for Old Men. I think the ending let’s you use your imagination. Tommy Lee Jones has the most wonderfully expressive face ever and Javier Bardem and his cattle gun rank with Hannibal Lector as scariest villain. While Tommy Lee’s humanity shows on his face, Bardem’s deadpan gave me the willies. I give the movie two thumbs up!
Speaking of movies, an
article ranking the most “unfortunate” movie titles put Serenity at #10. If you’re curious why, follow the link.
Amazon launched its e-book reader
Kindle. Priced at $399.00, it ain’t cheap. Here’s what they say about it on the Amazon site:
# Revolutionary electronic-paper display provides a sharp, high-resolution screen that looks and reads like real paper.
# Simple to use: no computer, no cables, no syncing.
# Wireless connectivity enables you to shop the Kindle Store directly from your Kindle—whether you’re in the back of a taxi, at the airport, or in bed.
# Buy a book and it is auto-delivered wirelessly in less than one minute.
# More than 88,000 books available, including 100 of 112 current New York Times® Best Sellers.
# New York Times® Best Sellers and all New Releases $9.99, unless marked otherwise.
If you’re into e-books, you might want to check it out. Me, I’m still partial to paper.
Just got a couple of pictures from this month’s World Fantasy Con. Thought I’d share.
This group pic is of (left to right) Toni Kelner, Charlaine Harris, me, MaryElizabeth Hart, Jeff Mariotte, and in front, my editor, Jessica Wade.
Here I am with Toni and Charlaine, editors of Many Bloody Returns. And, of course, authors who need no further introduction.
Special PS to a friend: Happy Birthday, Christina.