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.
Monday, June 30, 2014
Cool Creature of the Day:
The Satanic Leaf Tailed Gekko
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.
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.
Sunday, June 29, 2014
THIS WEEK'S SURVEY
WHICH IS THE SCARIEST DOLL HEAD?
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.
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.
Saturday, June 28, 2014
COOL CREATURE OF THE DAY
Naked Mole Rat
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.
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.
Wednesday, October 16, 2013
NEWS FROM COMIC CON 2013
New Book on Schedule!
It’s been a while since I blogged back in July.
Basically, I’ve spent all this time finishing my latest novel, SEEDERS. I handed it in a couple weeks ago to my
editor and her changes should be coming in a couple of days. So glad things are moving quickly! I’m excited about this book and can’t wait to
get it into the hands of my readers.
Turns out, this is a great time to get back to
blogging. Just got back from New York Comic Con 2013, where the cosplay was
fabulous. If you like to people-watch,
this was the place to be. In a ten-block
radius of the Javits Center, there were wacky characters everywhere. The streets looked truly bizarre, even for
New York City.
Of
course, once we got inside the convention center, it was wall to wall nerd
heaven…
The
only bad part of the day was not seeing The Walking Dead Panel. I LOVE THE WALKING DEAD!
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. Apparently the room is
never cleared between panels so few have a chance of seeing the main
attraction. 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.
Thankfully,
The Walking Dead producers saved the day by setting up a traveling museum a few
blocks away. I doubt many people knew
about it, but we stumbled across it on the way to lunch. 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.
It wasn’t as good as
seeing Norman Reedus in person, but it was the next best thing.
Sunday, July 14, 2013
THRILLERFEST WRAP-UP
I FOUND MY PEEPS
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.
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:
R.L. Stine, Goosebumps author at the evening cocktail party. Super-nice guy.
Friday night dinner at a delicious Indian restaurant, Bukhara Grill, with all the debut authors.
Douglas Preston and the Debuts all took a subway ride to the NYC's famous Mysterious Bookshop.
So many books. Wish I had a library like this in my house.
With author and friend, Kay Kendall.
With author and friend Melissa Macgregor.
The illustrious Otto Penzler, publisher of the stars and owner of the bookstore, gave an inspirational talk.
Ta-Da! Finally, the morning of the Debut Breakfast. View from the dais as crowds start to gather.
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.
We got a standing ovation. I'm all teary-eyed.
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.
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.
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.
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:
R.L. Stine, Goosebumps author at the evening cocktail party. Super-nice guy.
Friday night dinner at a delicious Indian restaurant, Bukhara Grill, with all the debut authors.
Douglas Preston and the Debuts all took a subway ride to the NYC's famous Mysterious Bookshop.
So many books. Wish I had a library like this in my house.
With author and friend, Kay Kendall.
With author and friend Melissa Macgregor.
The illustrious Otto Penzler, publisher of the stars and owner of the bookstore, gave an inspirational talk.
Ta-Da! Finally, the morning of the Debut Breakfast. View from the dais as crowds start to gather.
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.
We got a standing ovation. I'm all teary-eyed.
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.
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.
Friday, July 12, 2013
A Thrill Every Minute
HAVING A BLAST AT THRILLERFEST 2013
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:
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
Fondue at Artisinal with some author friends.
Mostly they serve cheese and more cheese...
But we shared some other delicacies, like Octopus and this dish - you'll never guess what this is. Go on, guess?
Cocktail party was so much fun - here with Lee Child.
Right in between Michael Palmer and Catherine Coulter.
A real highlight was listening to Anne Rice interviewed by her son Christopher. They are hysterically funny.
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!
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:
Fondue at Artisinal with some author friends.
Mostly they serve cheese and more cheese...
But we shared some other delicacies, like Octopus and this dish - you'll never guess what this is. Go on, guess?
Right in between Michael Palmer and Catherine Coulter.
A real highlight was listening to Anne Rice interviewed by her son Christopher. They are hysterically funny.
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!
Wednesday, July 10, 2013
SPIES, MOBSTERS AND BOMBS
A DAY WITH THE FBI
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.
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.
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.
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.
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