tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-70750786106757764452024-03-12T23:02:52.509-07:00A.J. ColucciAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08868502900638190291noreply@blogger.comBlogger16125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7075078610675776445.post-46494346621221545832015-07-30T16:04:00.001-07:002015-07-30T16:04:58.552-07:00ANT-MAN WAS AWESOME-MAN!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<strong><span style="color: black;">ANT-ASTIC!</span></strong><br />
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Really loved the movie, Ant-Man! I had my fingers crossed he'd be the next Avenger from Marvel films, although I have to admit, I'm partial. I loved Paul Rudd playing the part, he's great in everything he does. It was funny and exciting with the right amount of creepy. I would have liked to see more ants, but hey, its a superhero movie and the story was very good. <br />
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If you want to get more insect action, well you should order <a href="http://www.amazon.com/The-Colony-A-J-Colucci/dp/1250001293" target="_blank">THE COLONY</a>. No superheroes, but a lot more gore - and ants!<br />
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/The-Colony-A-J-Colucci/dp/1250001293" target="_blank"><img alt="http://www.amazon.com/The-Colony-A-J-Colucci/dp/1250001293" border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI-11PhPLLnfHijidaxLXOqfqL-oS_lX3p1gVhNZ2W8i0hN_JtSZIMU22WkUKaAJSouCugqY4wyvuz8ofhnNhX8GUlge5hNgfI8bANv0DWbjBrlvYjh9sZBYtTzWvLUUQm9NwUYeZfW9X5/s320/COLONY.jpg" width="211" /> </a></div>
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<span style="color: red;"></span><br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08868502900638190291noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7075078610675776445.post-68324354074532612942014-07-20T17:22:00.002-07:002014-07-20T17:22:13.580-07:00THRILLERFEST 2014<strong>Great Time was Had by All</strong><br />
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This was my 5th ThrillerFest and I had a ball! It really is such a special conference, I can't imagine why any would-be writer wouldn't kill to attend. Five days at the New York City Grand Hyatt, with nothing but panels on craft and publishing, parties and celebrations of new and accomplished thriller writers.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The goodie bag was packed this year</td></tr>
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There were so many panels this year on everything from Unlocking Creativity to The Voices in your Head. This year I moderated a panel on science thrillers, and luckily most of the panelists were friends so I didn't have to be nervous. But I was, so I started with the only half-way decent science joke I could find on the internet. "A dung beetle walks into a bar and says to the bartender, "Is this stool taken?" Okay, not great. But really, Google science jokes and you won't find much. Had dinner that night with the same bunch of science thriller friends at Artisanal. It's becoming a delicious tradition thanks to Amy Rogers.<br />
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There were numerous cocktail parties with some of my favorite authors in the world. Took some selfies with the likes of Michael Connelly, JohnSandford, Jeffrey Deaver, and Raymond Khoury. I was so excited to finally meet Chris Grall. No, he's not a bestselling author, but he's a weapons expert that's given my advice on both my novels. Great guy.<br />
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Had lunch and an interview with Linwood Barclay who is one of the nicest, funniest authors around. His terrifying new book <em><strong>No Safe House</strong></em> is out and <em><strong>Don't Trust Your Eyes </strong></em>(one of my top ten thrillers) has been optioned by Warner Bros. We each had a cup of soup and sandwich and chatted about his books, career and ThrillerFest. He loves the conference but wanted to know why it's always on the hottest week of the year - goodness sakes, he said, this isn't the beach! He is so right - I didn't go outside much.<br />
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All the writers of this year's ITW anthology showed up for the cocktail party. FACEOFF features a dozen stories, each one teams up two of the worlds greatest thriller characters. For instance, Lee Child's Jack Reacher is teamed up with Joseph Finder's Nick Heller to settle the score with an Albanian Gang on the warpath. I was <em>thrilled</em> to get almost everyone's signature. What a great time - can't wait until next year!<br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08868502900638190291noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7075078610675776445.post-53864189134028192922014-07-16T13:03:00.001-07:002014-07-16T13:03:14.039-07:00SEEDERS BOOK SIGNING<strong>IT'S FINALLY OUT!</strong><br />
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Oh Joy! After two years of writing, editing and working with the publisher on my latest novel, it's finally out. It's been getting good reviews so far and I'm hoping it does even better than The Colony.<br />
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So I had my book signing at B&N. What a great bunch they are, put out a nice spread, had a room big enough to accommodate the 60+ people who showed up. I had a nice time talking about the book to my friends and community. <br />
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Big surprise of the night - my sister Erika and her family showed up in the middle of my presentation - from California! Wow, wasn't expecting that. It was a definite highlight of the evening. Thanks, Erika! After the signing, we had a nice party at my house with all the friends and family. <br />
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I couldn't help thinking how lucky I am to have so many wonderful friends. We laugh, we talk, we hang out with a glass of wine, and we are always there for each other. I love that so many friends came out in the rain to support me. And my family! Al, Rachel and Julia couldn't have been more supportive. I'm so proud and appreciative of them. I just came back from ThrillerFest (see tomorrow's blog) and it was great being surrounded by all my favorite authors and some that I feel are now good friends. But I'm so much more comfortable, so much more <em>at home</em> right here in my community. It's nice to visit the author world, but it's even better to come back. <br />
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So the book is a wrap, and so far a smashing success. I have to say, it was a great two years. But now I'm ready to move on. I can't wait to go full swing into my next project. For today though, I'm just going to reflect on a wonderful event that marks the near-end of my SEEDERS journey.<br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08868502900638190291noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7075078610675776445.post-31763185887452123992014-07-06T10:44:00.003-07:002014-07-06T10:44:54.688-07:00Cool Creature of the Day<strong>The Axolotl</strong><br />
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...you know him, you love him.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdg0RpI9MCN5SOm-uidcKcdPFcFcpXDEcanaaKsWdwBGIFF7EcNT0h8-tAglyjupCNBExQ1dW_mxrRPCfVUqOL2e3NLrdpBa1_GSuItzgWnb_p_iaPohWoUgS74bXoLOF81b82B8e83Gf0/s1600/axolotl.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdg0RpI9MCN5SOm-uidcKcdPFcFcpXDEcanaaKsWdwBGIFF7EcNT0h8-tAglyjupCNBExQ1dW_mxrRPCfVUqOL2e3NLrdpBa1_GSuItzgWnb_p_iaPohWoUgS74bXoLOF81b82B8e83Gf0/s1600/axolotl.png" /></a></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08868502900638190291noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7075078610675776445.post-727322601500044352014-07-03T16:37:00.000-07:002014-07-03T16:37:08.385-07:00THROWBACK THURSDAYCAN YOU NAME THIS 50'S SCI-FI MOVIE?<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinJM2-2-WYElzJkpCEJYM5Q820QVJZjpZ_FEWbAjU9XSCIOxtV8ojqnZZhj61orm-MmglqwUXz1ZG5-7fxQ38uOB5Amn0mNQDElWIHLf-S27mZtZfezWPz4YN4oqSkbgvmHz8MdmfQ2UvJ/s1600/day-of-the-triffids-original-signed-script.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinJM2-2-WYElzJkpCEJYM5Q820QVJZjpZ_FEWbAjU9XSCIOxtV8ojqnZZhj61orm-MmglqwUXz1ZG5-7fxQ38uOB5Amn0mNQDElWIHLf-S27mZtZfezWPz4YN4oqSkbgvmHz8MdmfQ2UvJ/s1600/day-of-the-triffids-original-signed-script.jpg" height="237" width="320" /></a></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08868502900638190291noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7075078610675776445.post-78611759973270187522014-07-03T16:32:00.000-07:002014-07-03T16:32:09.117-07:00COOL CREATURE OF THE DAY<span class="userContent"> <strong>Corpse Flower</strong><br /><br /> This lovely monster got it's name because it gives off the smell of rotting flesh.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHVPZQ9XIjlTHBi-ogcDvcu7skBC_wkxPc3KTKjWkNqB6DbiHxYsnfcIDaqKfL1NVpEqR0825g1MORGXZ0q6wHjgY5UlkJeJKKyVWQG8w_1aZIsBpFDvfWMEtQXsRJm_wHBJg8tlfbl-zx/s1600/corpse+flower.bmp" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHVPZQ9XIjlTHBi-ogcDvcu7skBC_wkxPc3KTKjWkNqB6DbiHxYsnfcIDaqKfL1NVpEqR0825g1MORGXZ0q6wHjgY5UlkJeJKKyVWQG8w_1aZIsBpFDvfWMEtQXsRJm_wHBJg8tlfbl-zx/s1600/corpse+flower.bmp" /></a></div>
<span class="userContent"></span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08868502900638190291noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7075078610675776445.post-89268048691496395232014-07-01T18:39:00.000-07:002014-07-01T18:39:26.324-07:00INTERVIEW WITH KARIN SLAUGHTER<strong>On The Seventies, Sexism, and Selling 30 Million Books</strong><br />
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Every now and then, I've had the privilege to interview someone truly unique. Karin Slaughter is one of those people. Maybe because she doesn't give in to convention. She really tells it like it is, shining a light on the ugly part of the world, without any pretense.<br />
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In our interview she talked about her upcoming book, COP TOWN, and what the 1970's was like for women police officers, when sexism, racism and homophobia was rampant.<br />
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Even though I was a fairly young kid in the 70's I do remember my mother talking about feminism, equal rights, marches on Washington. She left a lot of political buttons scattered around our liberal household, and had quite a few friends who were gay and mixed-race. They were mostly artsy-hippy types who would come over for pot-luck dinners and a side of Nixon-bashing. <br />
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In my small, suburban, politically-correct town, I never came in contact with prejudice outside of Archie Bunker, who we all thought was hysterical, because <em>of course</em> no one could ever be like him. But they were, and right under my nose. People say things to adults what they don't say to children, and when I grew up I heard a lot. That's what I was thinking about when I read COP TOWN. Why did people put up with it back then? And, why do they now? <br />
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Slaughter had a lot to say about all that, as well as her thoughts on writing. Check out the interview, this month's cover story in The Big Thrill.<br />
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<a href="http://www.thebigthrill.org/2014/06/a-between-the-lines-interview-with-karin-slaughter-by-a-j-colucci/" target="_blank">Click here for The Big Thrill Interview with Karin Slaughter</a><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUSjhJLBiEvpmwi1maRDP60tT6x_hrnpJ0Fw8yLpDMlv_YVtiyZpBel9VZSVhc5NXH_RhR2JIOW8vPfphZ6-J5nw5i62VZ7CshqLpJxJ8g_LQ14JXglcsLyED-wo-TtA12AJInH3YUSNLC/s1600/cop+town.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUSjhJLBiEvpmwi1maRDP60tT6x_hrnpJ0Fw8yLpDMlv_YVtiyZpBel9VZSVhc5NXH_RhR2JIOW8vPfphZ6-J5nw5i62VZ7CshqLpJxJ8g_LQ14JXglcsLyED-wo-TtA12AJInH3YUSNLC/s1600/cop+town.png" height="320" width="210" /></a></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08868502900638190291noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7075078610675776445.post-81360191640191056132014-06-30T17:10:00.002-07:002014-06-30T17:10:22.282-07:00Cool Creature of the Day:<span class="userContent"><strong>The Satanic Leaf Tailed Gekko</strong> </span><br />
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<span class="userContent">This little guy masterfully mimics a dead leaf. Its twisted body, veined skin, and tail look like it's been nibbled at by insects or rotted by decay. Reminds me of the fungus in SEEDERS.</span><br />
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<span class="userContent"></span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08868502900638190291noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7075078610675776445.post-51724435648787567552014-06-29T13:04:00.000-07:002014-06-29T13:04:10.625-07:00THIS WEEK'S SURVEY WHICH IS THE SCARIEST DOLL HEAD?<br />
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One of these heads was an inspiration in my new novel SEEDERS. Doll Number Two was the winner in my Facebook survey. I've added a few more to see if it's still the reigning winner of creepy doll heads. Choose one, or if you can find a scarier head, leave a link.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiJ-rDn1nvaUl8qj14ikApzIQLwhSimnM4IfBoK0IxpfOpHjNeEf24kjNDY5IjfkUnlujIOqUvZGA5h6aR5g56KaichLpIQNfToC2JF_ofE4gYCIi2tJaxs-ZERfjqwSFSe8BFjvRugUCA/s1600/creepy+face.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiJ-rDn1nvaUl8qj14ikApzIQLwhSimnM4IfBoK0IxpfOpHjNeEf24kjNDY5IjfkUnlujIOqUvZGA5h6aR5g56KaichLpIQNfToC2JF_ofE4gYCIi2tJaxs-ZERfjqwSFSe8BFjvRugUCA/s1600/creepy+face.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08868502900638190291noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7075078610675776445.post-18295183537198262662014-06-28T19:03:00.000-07:002014-06-28T19:03:50.993-07:00COOL CREATURE OF THE DAYNaked Mole Rat<br />
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This is the cutest picture I could find of the naked mole rat. Not a beauty pageant winner, but all of their weird physical characteristics allow them to survive a harsh life underground. They feels no sensation of pain on their skin and those protruding teeth are great for digging. Ick. Just, ick.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08868502900638190291noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7075078610675776445.post-26386608640987610682013-10-16T18:16:00.000-07:002014-07-01T18:47:33.274-07:00NEWS FROM COMIC CON 2013<br />
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<o:p>New Book on Schedule!</o:p></h4>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">It’s been a while since I blogged back in July.
Basically, I’ve spent all this time finishing my latest novel, SEEDERS.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I handed it in a couple weeks ago to my
editor and her changes should be coming in a couple of days.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So glad things are moving quickly! <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m excited about this book and can’t wait to
get it into the hands of my readers. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Turns out, this is a great time to get back to
blogging.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Just got back from <a href="http://www.newyorkcomiccon.com/" target="_blank">New York Comic Con 2013</a>, where the cosplay was
fabulous.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If you like to people-watch,
this was the place to be.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In a ten-block
radius of the Javits Center, there were wacky characters everywhere.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The streets looked truly bizarre, even for
New York City.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Of
course, once we got inside the convention center, it was wall to wall nerd
heaven…</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Yes,
I got to see a fake Spock and real Kirk, so the day started out great.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And of course I was starry eyed just being in
the same room with Neil deGrasse Tyson.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">The
only bad part of the day was not seeing The Walking Dead Panel. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I LOVE THE WALKING DEAD!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Apparently,
people lined up at the door all night, raided the Main Stage first thing in the
morning and camped out in the room until 6:30 that night to see Rick, Daryl, Glen
and the rest.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Apparently the room is
never cleared between panels so few have a chance of seeing the main
attraction.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We got on line at about 4:30
when it was 2,000 people long and the ushers pretty much laughed at all of us
thinking we’d actually get in. Okay, most were sympathetic, but my kids were crushed. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Thankfully,
The Walking Dead producers saved the day by setting up a traveling museum a few
blocks away.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I doubt many people knew
about it, but we stumbled across it on the way to lunch.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There were a lot of props from the series,
including Rick’s hat, Daryl’s crossbow, Merle’s hand, a casting of T-Dog and
even the bloated guy in the well.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">It wasn’t as good as
seeing Norman Reedus in person, but it was the next best thing. </span></span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08868502900638190291noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7075078610675776445.post-13944932162259851032013-07-14T09:50:00.002-07:002013-07-14T12:11:49.070-07:00THRILLERFEST WRAP-UPI FOUND MY PEEPS<br />
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I was trying to think of the best way to sum up my experience at ThrillerFest and it's pretty much this: I found my people. This was my fourth year attending but it was the first time I got to know so many authors on a such a personal level, and we all agreed on one thing; no one knows writers like writers. We love our friends and family, but authors are an odd bunch and the experiences we share are truly unique and not easily understood by those around us. It's a theme I kept hearing over and over and now I know why most of the established writers at ThrillerFest have stayed close friends for so many years. <br />
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The conference has also been a perfect vehicle for making sure that at least once a year, we can see each other, exchange ideas, talk about the ups and downs that are specific to the publishing world. I feel like many of the friendships I made will continue for years. I was not able to attend the finale, the big banquet on Saturday, since I had a book signing in NJ, but these are some highlights of the last couple of days:<br />
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R.L. Stine, <em>Goosebumps</em> author at the evening cocktail party. Super-nice guy. <br />
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Friday night dinner at a delicious Indian restaurant, Bukhara Grill, with all the debut authors. <br />
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Douglas Preston and the Debuts all took a subway ride to the NYC's famous Mysterious Bookshop.<br />
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So many books. Wish I had a library like this in my house. <br />
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With author and friend, Kay Kendall.<br />
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With author and friend Melissa Macgregor.<br />
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The illustrious Otto Penzler, publisher of the stars and owner of the bookstore, gave an inspirational talk. <br />
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Ta-Da! Finally, the morning of the Debut Breakfast. View from the dais as crowds start to gather. <br />
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This was our big moment. Ready to give our one-minute speeches in front of hundreds of authors and fans as Steve Berry introduces us. <br />
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We got a standing ovation. I'm all teary-eyed.<br />
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Back in the ThrillerFest bookstore, there are only 2 copies of my book left. I think I scared folks with my speech about killer ants invading the Grand Hyatt ballroom.<br />
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I had to rush off early for a book signing in Hackensack Saturday night, but I left ThrillerFest with a big grin on my face. I cannot think of any other profession where a large and accomplished group of people will welcome you into their world, eager to help you get ahead. It was through ITW and ThrillerFest that I found my agent, and eventually was published. Since then, they have supported my career in every way possible. I only hope I can pay it forward. <br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08868502900638190291noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7075078610675776445.post-18235452364007202852013-07-12T15:39:00.000-07:002013-07-12T15:39:10.046-07:00A Thrill Every MinuteHAVING A BLAST AT THRILLERFEST 2013<br />
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I swear this conference gets better every year. Big names at the Grand Hyatt this time were Michael Connelly, Ann Rice, T. Jefferson Parker, Michael Palmer, R.L. Stine, Steve Berry and hordes of great authors that come back every year. Between panels, workshops and parties, there just isn't a minute to breathe. Here are some highlights:<br />
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This was the view from the Top of the Strand, where my publisher St. Martin's held their annual party. Strong drinks and nice folks<br />
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Fondue at Artisinal with some author friends.<br />
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Mostly they serve cheese and more cheese...<br />
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But we shared some other delicacies, like Octopus and this dish - you'll never guess what this is. Go on, guess?<br />
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Cocktail party was so much fun - here with Lee Child. <br />
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Right in between Michael Palmer and Catherine Coulter. <br />
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A real highlight was listening to Anne Rice interviewed by her son Christopher. They are hysterically funny. <br />
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Not a whole lot of time to blog about how fantabulous ThrillerFest has been, but this is an itty bitty slice of the last couple days. Tonight all the debut authors go out for dinner and tomorrow is the big debut breakfast. I'm so excited! <br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08868502900638190291noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7075078610675776445.post-24396196040335841932013-07-10T16:44:00.001-07:002013-07-10T16:44:20.483-07:00SPIES, MOBSTERS AND BOMBSA DAY WITH THE FBI<br />
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What a fascinating day I had at the FBI building thanks to the folks at ThrillerFest who arranged for a bunch of authors to go down there for a private workshop on organized crime, terrorism, cyber crime and other topics that make us drool. They showed us evidence of past investigations, like the tire of the plane that crashed into the WTC and a gas can left from the first Trade Center bombing. As for the stereotypical FBI guy - tall, thin, buzz cut, black suit, dark glasses, computer-like mannerisms - it's mostly Hollywood hype. Some of these guys are true New-Yorkers and really funny. I was fascinated by their descriptions of actual investigations. I can't give details, but we really got a taste of the criminals, their blunders, the money trail, murders. And the chase - helicopters, blood hounds, guns, bombs, teargas, a million dollars in the wall, a body in the trunk. Graphic stuff that sent my author mind buzzing. <br />
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Tomorrow is the first day of ThrillerFest, which is sure to be a blast. Four solid days of workshops, parties, lectures with some of the greatest authors in the world. Check my blog over the next few days to see how things are going. Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08868502900638190291noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7075078610675776445.post-74004898872536742852013-07-01T08:00:00.001-07:002013-07-01T08:11:07.278-07:00HIDE YOUR CELL PHONES<strong>INVASION
OF THE ‘CRAZY ANTS’<o:p></o:p></strong><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><o:p> </o:p>Just
when you thought it was safe to go back in your yard. Another destructive ant
species is invading the United States. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
Crazy Ant arrived in the U.S. from Argentina in 2002 and since then they have practically
overrun Texas and established colonies all over the Gulf States. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">What makes </span><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">these ants especially bothersome is not their bite or sting.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They are extremely attracted to electrical
equipment, where they make their homes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Picture
this: Alice the Crazy Ant crawls into a computer, where her body creates a
connection between the electrical contacts, shorting out the circuits and
electrocuting Alice.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Immediately before
death she releases an alarm pheromone that lures more ants inside, ready to
fight.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The result is a shorted out computer
filled with thousands of dead and angry ants. In Texas, these pests have
already destroyed hundreds of millions of dollars in air conditioning units,
farm equipment and home electronics such as computers and cell phones.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Their small size and tenaciousness allow them
to fit anywhere, and they can invade the walls and basement of a home by the
millions. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">T</span><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">his species, Nylanderia fulva, can’t
be killed with over-the-counter bait traps and poisons, and the ants can only
be controlled, not eliminated.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They
reproduce like ‘crazy’ and can outnumber other species 100 to 1.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> Check out the great shot below taken by fab insect photographer <a href="http://myrmecos.net/2012/06/26/how-to-identify-the-hairy-crazy-ant-nylanderia-fulva/" target="_blank">Alex Wild</a>. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">These aggressive
little buggers don’t like to dig their own nests, so when they do head
underground, it’s by invading other colonies, mostly larger ants with spacious
tunnels.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In some states, the crazy ant
has driven out fire ants – yes, the ones in <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The
Colony</i>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This has some residents
actually missing fire ants, which have a painful sting but don’t destroy their cell
phones.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Isn’t nature amazing?</span> </span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08868502900638190291noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7075078610675776445.post-9989996353001016922013-06-28T15:20:00.001-07:002013-06-29T13:46:03.717-07:00WELCOME!<style>
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</style><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">MY NEW
SCIENCE THRILLER IS OUT THE DOOR.</span></b>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">What a
great time to start a blog. ThrillerFest is around the corner and my second novel
is off to the publisher. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">This
next one is scary and suspenseful, with the most astounding science. This
time I’m delving into plant intelligence, a concept that’s been around for 200
years but has recently exploded with new, scientifically-sound discoveries that have the field of plant biology abuzz. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">I stumbled upon this research last year and knew it would make a great book.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Studies that show plants feel empathy, irritability and even
pain, and use all five senses; sight, smell, taste,
hearing and touch. For instance, a dodder plant is unable to make its own food through photosynthesis. It </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">attacks neighboring plants, using its sense of smell to choose the most
succulent victim. Then it wraps itself around the plant several times and uses suckers
to extract the nutrients like a vampire. A wild tobacco will </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">differentiate
between several insect snacking on its leaves, and releases toxins that are specific
to each insect. A poplar tree that is being attacked by caterpillars can warn
surrounding trees to start producing chemicals repellent to the herbivores.
Certain orchids can mimic the odor, shape and color of female insects,
attracting males that will try to mate with it, and in the process pollinating
the flower.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Place an obstacle between a
fence and a twisting vine, and the vine will grow towards the obstacle and
circle around it, to reach the fence.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">My new novel
is a veritable feast of plant mayhem, and all of it is based on true science that makes the story frighteningly possible. You can read all about it this
spring when the book is released. Check my blog
every now and then for updates on how the book is progressing, new discoveries in the world of plant biology and interviews with
scientists behind the scenes. And if you've read my first novel, <b><a href="http://www.ajcolucci.com/books.php" target="_blank"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Colony</i></a></b>, you’ll find out why I got hooked on ants.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">For aspiring writers, I'll be offering advice on writing and publishing, and posting interviews with top authors of thrillers, horror and sci-fi.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So feel free to come
back anytime for some book talk.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Leave a
comment or <a href="mailto:aj@ajcolucci.com" target="_blank"><b>drop me a line</b></a>. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08868502900638190291noreply@blogger.com0