Adventures at Comic-Con

Ok, yes, I know I didn't actually get to go to Comic-Con.

Or....did I?

Check out the blog of one of my wonderful writing friends, who took it upon himself to escort "me" around the con all day on Saturday. It looks like I had a great time! (and the Elvis Trooper may have to be my new avatar)

Notes From the Lair

In other news, Book 2 is nearing completion. I had a slight hiccup when my word count came in at 71K words (which is 9K shorter than it needs to be. That's roughly 36 pages short). I hemmed,I hawed, I sent frantic emails to The Editor. And then my lovely betas Chie and Theo came through for me, and I got an inkling. A hint. An inspiration!

Translation: I know how to fix this monster. And even better, I have part of the new stuff already written, because it was something I cut out of the OLD version when I started over back in January. Bonus!

Hoping to get this finished within the next two weeks, 'cause it's getting to be that time, folks! The Editor emailed me today to say she needs back cover copy-type writings, and if I have any ideas about the cover, I should speak up now or forever hold my peace. Truthfully, I'm so happy with the cover for the first one, I can't imagine what there could be for me to say. Now, book 3? Yeah, that one I need to talk to someone,'cause some stuff changes there. What stuff? I could tell you, but then I'd have to kill you.

It should also be noted that I still do NOT have a title. At least, not one I'm happy with. And it's this second title that's so important, 'cause it'll set the pattern (if there is one) for the rest of the titles in the series! Think think think...

Maybe I should get some honey. Works for Pooh. (Note: Mead is made of honey. I'm just sayin'.)

So! I'll shout out to the world at large. Any title ideas, folks? I think I'm avoiding a "devil" theme in the titles, 'cause they're being used by another great author. But any other thoughts?

Also spoke to The Agent last week (see, this is what happens when I don't blog for a while. I have SO much to update you on!) about Muse. We talked for an hour and a half! I'll just say that my work on Muse is not done by a long shot, but I think The Agent hit the nail on a head on quite a few points, and that when I DO get time to rework it, it's going to be even more amazing than it already is. I'm so hopeful on this one, guys.

Off to have a weekend! There will be....weekendish stuff! (I have no idea. It's been so long...)

Book Signing!

As promised, here are photos from my very first book signing, with fellow author Kasey MacKenzie!

Warning: LOTS of pictures in this post!

First, our table:


Then we did some signing:


And more signing:


Very happy customers!


Queen of the photobomb:


Yes, she did it to Kasey, too.


I had great attendees, too! I had betas:


And Rogues:


And I had people taking pictures of people taking pictures. Very meta.


We had an amazing time, and the bookstore staff were just awesome to us. I hope every book signing I have goes like this one did. (That's assuming there will be more. There'll be more, right?)

And in case you are wondering, the button I'm wearing says "Souls Taste Like Peeps".

Oh! And one more pic, just 'cause I can.

I gots new hair.

Soon!

I promise, there will be a recap of the book signing very soon, complete with pictures and color commentary, and possibly a guest appearance by Axel himself!

In the meantime, I offer this as entertainment.

Does she ever shut up?

No, no I don't. So there.

Currently, I have about eleventy billion people in town, all of them eager to go to my very first book signing tomorrow! Anyone in the Kansas City area, you are so welcome to come to this signing. Please. Somebody show up.

But anyway, that's why this blog post is going to be short and sweet.

I'm popping up all over the internet this week. You can read an interview with me, and enter to win a copy of A DEVIL IN THE DETAILS over at The Oddshots! You can also find out my favorite girly drink.

I've also popped up over at Dark Faerie Tales, where I confess my villain love and you can enter to win yet another copy of the book!

Ooh, and I just got word of another interview up with me here! This is the one that is posted in the World's Biggest Bookstore in Toronto! So for those who don't live in Toronto, here's what you were missing.

I have to say, it's amazing, getting feedback from people I don't know. So many people have emailed me, or messaged me on Twitter, to say how much they're enjoying it. That makes me so happy. I mean, that's all most writers want, really. Just to have someone else love their characters, live in their world for a little bit. It's awesome.

Thanks, everybody. You're awesome too.

Happy Release Day! Again!

And not only for me! (though really, that's the part I'm stoked about)

Stacia Kane's Unholy Magic came out today too, and believe you me that I have my hot little hands on my copy already. (I'm on Team Terrible, if anybody wants to know)

We also have Shiloh Walker's The Missing. I haven't read it yet, but the blurb intrigues me greatly.

And then we have me. I mean sure, the book hit shelves a week ago, but this is still my RELEASE DAY! My very first one. It's a little bit amazing. I even got my first fan letter this morning!

I keep popping up all over the net. Are you sick of me yet? Today, I talk character creation over at The Other Side of the Story.

If you happen to live in Toronto, you might see this display at the World's Biggest Bookstore.



That's an interview with me you see posted there with the books, but if you're NOT in Toronto, you should be able to read it online soon. I'll keep you posted.

And if you are in the Kansas City area, remember that Kasey MacKenzie and I will be signing books this Saturday at the Shoppes at Boardwalk Borders at 4:00 p.m.

Fingers and toes accounted for?

Hope everyone had a good 4th! Ours was pretty much rained out, fireworks-wise, but we still got to spend the day with family and that pretty much trumps anything else. Also means that we're saving all the fireworks for next weekend, and my book release party.

Yes, this is the midwest. We need very little excuse to blow stuff up.

And today I invade the internet!

First, Smexybooks has reviewed A DEVIL IN THE DETAILS. Then, they let me babble on about stuff! Oh, and there's a giveaway there, so check it out!

Ack, had to edit to post a great review from an equally great writer. (seriously, watch this one, she's going places) Dealing With Demons reviews my book!

Contest Winners!

In the immortal words of The Doctor (or is that words of the immortal Doctor? Anyway...) Nobody dies today!

Er..wait... Not quite what I meant.

Ok, here's the really cool part of entering this contest, folks.

EVERYBODY wins!

You heard me. Everybody who entered this contest before my last comment on that post is going to get one of the Ace/Roc samplers!

Email me your addresses at kari (dot) stewart21 (at) gmail (dot) com. Include your handle here on the board, so I can keep track of who is who.

I will be holding onto these until after July 10th, so that Kasey can sign them too, and then I'll get them sent off! (yes, even to Australia)

Congrats, everyone!

Quick Note

You can find an essay (by me, of course!) over at the Ace/Roc website! Down at the bottom, there's also a link to read an excerpt of A DEVIL IN THE DETAILS, but since ya'll already bought the book, you've probably read it already. (this is me, winking)

And if you happen to hit the main page of that very same website, you'll see an interview with Kasey MacKenzie, too!

Contest entrants, listen up! I will post the winners tomorrow, so if you haven't entered, why not? If you have, be ready for it.

Editing to add: A link to another review! They like me!