Hey minions, I was recently contacted by a representative of M80 & Anchor Bay Entertainment regarding a new horror film that’s hitting shelves on May 23, 2006, called It Waits. Now, knowing as you do (because hey, you pay attention), I am a great lover of damn near every horror flick out there (the good, the bad, and the ugly). It Waits looks pretty good (LOVE the trailer) and I’ll absolutely watch it with popcorn-stuffing glee, as horror afficianados are wont to do. So…in a few weeks, take a trip to the video store (or take a trip to Amazon right now) and give this new flick a chance. (more about It Waits below)

PRESS RELEASE

For Immediate Release

March 13, 2006

“It Lurks, It Prowls…”

IDT Entertainment’s

Anchor Bay Entertainment Unleashes

“It Waits”

On DVD May 23

TROY , MI – Anchor Bay Entertainment, an IDT Entertainment Company, presents the terrifying story of a dark legend come to life seeking vengeance on mankind. From acclaimed writer/producer Stephen J. Cannell (“A Team”, “Hunter”, “Profit”, “ 21 Jump Street ”) comes… It Waits! Premiering on DVD May 23 rd , 2006 , consumers won’t have to wait any longer to thrill at the extensive bonus features including behind-the-scenes footage and interviews of the cast and writers, in addition to a feature-length audio commentary. SRP is $19.98 and pre-book date is April 12.

Written by Cannell, Thomas E. Szollosi (“Mythquest”) and Richard Chris tian Matheson ( Masters of Horror ) and directed by Steven R. Monroe ( House of 9 ), It Waits focuses on a tale taken from Native American folklore of a lost Human Being whose vicious resentments fueled an anger so fierce that its soul was banished from the world of the living. What happens when this malevolent spirit returns – can anyone stop its relentless and destructive powers?

After her best friend is killed in an auto accident in which she was the driver, Forest Ranger Danielle St. Clair (Cerina Vincent – “CSI”, Not Another Teen Movie ) moves into a secluded watchtower in the mountains to bury herself in her work, unaware that something else is buried in the forest. A spirit of the underworld – a victim of its own evil bitterness long entombed in a cave. For a chance to escape and exact its bloody revenge, it waits…

And when accidentally released, the peaceful forest becomes a killing ground. Only Danielle and her fiancé Justin (Dominic Zamprogna, “Battlestar Galactica”) are left to stand up against this ancient nightmare.

Value-added supplements on the It Waits DVD include:

Widescreen Presentation (1.77:1), enhanced for 16×9 TVs

Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround Sound
“Blood On The Pines” Behind-The-Scenes Featurette
Feature-length audio commentary with director Steven R. Monroe and star Cerina Vincent
Trailers
Stephen J. Cannell Productions, Inc. owns the worldwide distribution rights to more than 1,000 hours of Cannell produced series and TV movies. DVD releases from the company’s broadcast hits include “Hunter Season One & Two,” “The Greatest American Hero Seasons One, Two & Three,” “The Commish Season Three” and “Silk Stalkings Season Four.” For more information on Stephen J. Cannell, visit www.cannell.com .

Anchor Bay Entertainment is a recognized name in home entertainment. The company offers an expansive selection of award-winning, notable theatrical films including “Time Bandits” and “Halloween,” classic television programming such as “Roseanne,” “3 rd Rock from the Sun,” “Three’s Company,” “Highlander” and much of the Stephen J. Cannell library, traditional children’s fare featuring the ever-popular Thomas & Friends collection and Mister Rogers Neighborhood, the impressive Manga anime line and chart-topping fitness titles including the “Crunch” and “For Dummies” series. Anchor Bay Entertainment is aggressively developing a wide range of original programs and concepts in addition to licensing existing brands and films.

Anchor Bay Entertainment is a subsidiary of IDT Entertainment. IDT Entertainment is a vertically integrated entertainment company that develops, produces, and distributes proprietary and licensed entertainment content.

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IT WAITS

Street Date: May 23, 2006
Pre-Book: April 12, 2006
Catalog #: DV12990
UPC: 0-1313-12990-9 0
Run Time: 88 Minutes
Rating: Not Rated
SRP : $19.98

Last night I finished the revisions of Eighth Grade Bites and sent it on to my Crit Partner. I can’t remember being so ecstatic to finish anything I’ve written before and, while I realize my changes to EGB are likely not completed just yet (what with copyediting and whatnot), I’m so super geeked to be done, to have transformed this book into what I have. It’s a great accomplishment and I’m rather proud of myself. (Can you tell?)

But I will figuratively bite my nails until she gets back to me, and then fidget the entire time my fantastic editor and fabulous agent are rereading it.

No more work this week, I guess.

Who can work when celebration is called for?

Back in February (see February 24th’s entry), I discussed the need to be original in your stories in order to stand out from the crowd. Today’s discussion will be along those lines as well, but in another vein. (Stop snickering, Vlad!)

When you, as an author, present your public face to the world, you want them to know that you are as intriguing and unique as your stories. It’s tough to put aside any troubles you may have with your self-esteem, but it’s also crucial that you do…and just be yourself. What you don’t do is put on a mask of someone you’d rather be, because then you’re not giving people a chance to know the real you.

You also don’t copy a new up-and-coming (well, she hopes, anyway) vampire author’s web design and content, then change it just a smidge to look like your own. Because, frankly, it pisses her off. You most certainly do not do that, but if you had, you might think enormously hard about fixing your grievous error. Because an unhappy offended author is not a pretty site.

Now, in other news, I’ll be finishing up my revisions on Eighth Grade Bites today (Three more chapters! Wooohooo!) and sending them on to my Crit Partner for her thoughts. Then later this week, I’ll send them in to my editor and agent, a full week ahead of schedule.

I rock out loud.

And, I’m one of a kind.

Addendum: Did you know that stealing website content is copyright infringement?

“The first draft reveals the art, revision reveals the artist.”
~Michael Lee

I rule.

You have no idea how much I totally rule.

In short, it’s a high self-esteem day, minions.

The revisions are going along swimmingly. I’m thinking I should be wrapping up my changes to Eighth Grade Bites by Tuesday–sooner, if I can keep this pace. Vlad is thrilled (and a bit relieved, I think) to be back in my good company. He’s been an enormous help. Hmmm…maybe I should include him in the Acknowledgements. (Nah…that spoiled lil vamp gets to be the focus of a series…that’s enough)

I’m completely thrilled with the changes I’ve made so far. This is going to be one cool book, minions. (At least, I think so) So, you know, as soon as it goes up for sale…buy it.