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!

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!

Editor Laura sent me the full mechanical of the Zen cover. It's a biggie, so I'll just link to it.

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.

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

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]

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?

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.