So…I have news. Big news. As in TENTH GRADE BLEEDS news.

Before I share this news with the Minion Horde (ie, you), I just want to say that if you liked EIGHTH GRADE BITES and NINTH GRADE SLAYS, TENTH GRADE BLEEDS is gonna blow your friggin’ socks off. It’s got A LOT more action – to be blunt, Vlad kicks major ass in this one. And it’s even longer than NGS. It is absolutely worth the wait.

Which brings me to my news.

It turns out there will be a bit of a wait before TGB is released. Actually a long wait. Try July of 2009.

But dude. In July of 2009 you are all going to DEVOUR this book. Not to brag, but it’s just that good. Much darker than its predecessors, much bloodier, and my favorite in the series so far. I promise that it’s worth the wait (and it seems there will be a long wait). But at least you know what to mark on your calendars now…

Okay, more news: my son, Jacob, is way funny, and he recently created his first ever YouTube video. It’s his approach to “Teenagers” by My Chemical Romance (if you are offended by naughty words, don’t click…or do click, and just don’t complain). Anyhoo, check it out here and maybe go over to YouTube and leave him a comment or two.
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vnU5prWO-n0&hl=en]

Just an FYI, Minions…the big contest has been pushed back a bit. But oh man…is it gonna be worth the wait. =

School’s out (or will be soon), Minions. And you know what that means…

That’s right…summer. Sun, a Minion’s (and vampire’s) worst enemy, is about to become a daily thing. But summer is full of all sorts of stuff to celebrate: a break from school, late nights spent hanging out with other Minions, discovering fangtastic new books, growing the Minion Horde by forcibly introducing others to Vlad…it’s all good.

But Auntie Heather and Vlad feel the need to remind you all to wear sun block (minimum SPF 15, but really, what’s 15 gonna do?? Slather on SPF 50, like Auntie Heather does). Even on cloudy days. Just trust me. Also, it’s perfectly acceptable to wear black during the summer (Vlad and I both do), just aim for lighter fabrics in order to keep cool. And also also, drink lots of water. I won’t have the Horde becoming dehydrated on my watch.

And be productive! Don’t just lay around all summer. Get up, get out, and change the world. That’s an order, Minions.

You asked for it. You got it. Auntie Heather is coming to Texas!

Euless, Texas, to be exact (in the Dallas/Fort Worth area)–at Euless Public Library. The bad news is that you have to wiat until October 13th. But the good news…oh, my Minions…I am bringing such great things to give away! And lots of Minion Bling. And I may even arrange special cookies for the event.

So get ready. Because this will be an event to remember. (C’mon, it’s me and Vlad in October during Teens Read week…what’s not to love??)

de de dede de de de. de de dede de de de de de, de de dede de deDE, de deDEdeDEdeDEdededede…

(hey, if Indiana Jones gets cool theme music, so do I…)

Today is a happy day, Minions, as Auntie Heather gets to continue her work on ELEVENTH GRADE BURNS. I know what you’re thinking: “11th?? But what about 10th??” Have no fear–TENTH GRADE BLEEDS is safe in the hands of my brilliant editor and will be in stores….eventually (still no word on the date). So for now, I’m hard at work on EGBurns (can’t call it EGB–then you might get it confused with EIGHTH GRADE BITES). 16 pages in so far and omgomgomgomgomgomgomgzomg…the best yet. Of course, I think they get better with each book, but I may be absolutely wrong. You decide.

It feels very strange to meet Minions who are new to Vlad, new to Bathory, Otis, and Elysia…when I’m nearing the end of the series. And oh, I have so many secrets to share with you all. I hope you stick around until the series ends. It’s gonna be one hell of a ride, Minions.

I hope, anyway…

I’m getting a ton of email asking for a hint about the Big New Contest. To answer those collectively: no, I won’t give you a hint. But I promise it’s going to be worth the wait.

By the way, if any Minions would like to hang out with me in Illinois, I’ll be at Borders on May 31st (Saturday) in Fairview Heights, IL at 2pm. And I’ll have yummy cookies and Minion Bling (blue AND red) and contests (hoodies and t-shirts!) and I’ll answer questions and read some and talk about all sorts of stuff. So…come out. And bring a million friends. I tell you what, the first three people to bring five friends each get a vampire smiley t-shirt. (Auntie Heather is not above bribing people for their affection)

Real quick, Minions, but lots of news.

1. Heard back from my editor (via my fabulous agent) that she loves TENTH GRADE BLEEDS, and has no major changes for me–which is super dooper cool, bercause TGB is the darkest Vlad book yet, and I think you’re gonna lurve it big time.

2. Whatcha think of the cool new skin for my MySpace page? My web designer rocks!!!

3. I guest blogged over at Story Siren yesterday–check it out! (and comment, would ya? I feel lonely…)

4. I’m guest blogging over at Linda Gerber’s blog today (a comment enters you to win a copy of NGS….and an iPod Shuffle from Linda! Be sure to check out the other guest bloggers too)

5. If you’re in the Saint Louis area (or can be with a drive), please come out to Kisker Road Library tonight at 7pm and hang out with me and my fellow YA authors Jody Feldman and Marissa Doyle. It’ll be a blast, I promise.

And that, as we say in Minion Land…is all. =

(Pic thanks to Lola!!)

Auntie Heather is feeling waaaaaaay stereotypical goth today. In a word: bleak. But we’ll get to that in a moment.

First: fangs so much to all the Minions who came out to see me at Borders!!! It was so cool hanging out with you guys, and I hope we can do it again soon (see my Appearances page). Borders was wonderful–the staff there in Creve Coeur are absolutely top-notch, and it was my pleasure to do an event there.

Okay. Mopeyness. I hate waiting. That’s pretty much what all my mopeyness boils down to. Especially when I’m waiting for feedback on a manuscript. I know it’s coming eventually (and that my editor is insanely busy), but I’m going nuts over the waiting. How do my Minions deal with their impatience?

Oh…btw…you might want to stay tuned to this lil secret. Just sayin’. =

Real quick, Minions–I recorded an interview today with the Phillips & Company morning show on Y98 here in Saint Louis today. They were lots of fun and very cool to make time for me. It’ll air tomorrow (between 5:30am and 10am CDT) and they’ll give out fangtastic prizes *cough* hoodie! *cough* so you might want to listen in–you can stream it here.

Also, this Saturday, I’m heading over to Borders in Creve Coeur, MO (a suburb of St. Louis) to sign books starting at 2pm. I’ll be giving away t-shirts and hoodies there too! So come on out, wear your Minion Bling (or pick up some if you don’t have any) eat some cookies, and just chill with me for a while….maybe buy a book or two…or twelve. =

Gerard looked completely delicious (though he kept complaining that the zipper of his $40 jeans was broken–I wasn’t complaining, but he was), and the band rocked! The great thing about The Pageant (the venue I saw them at–actually “we”, as my son and husband went too) is that everywhere you sit/stand is a great spot, super close to the stage. I could see every bead of sweat rolling down Gerard’s face. The lighting was incredible, and the opening bands were…well, one kinda sucked, but the other, Billy Talent, was awesome (they’re Canadian, eh?). And I (we) met this really cool girl and her step-mom, who were both great. But for One Thing, it would have been a perfect evening.

That One Thing was the woman in standing in front of me. She clearly had come to the concert for her son, who seemed like a pretty cool kid (he looked roughly 13 years old). But this woman…first, her gigantic, mushroom-shaped haircut kept getting in my view. And then, every time she danced it was a horrific blend of how I imagine she probably danced back in high school (the 80s, I’m assuming) and like some kind of dog humping the air. It was AWFUL. And then she kept hugging her son, much to his embarassment. Poor kid. Auntie Heather understands. In fact, this may be fodder for a future Vlad book.

So there ya have it. MCR rocked! Unfortunately, they were kicking people out for taking pics, so you’ll have to use your imagination.
=