Since the ARC Fairy has clearly bestowed his love on me today (in the form of a pile of Advaced Reading Copies I found hidden away in my closet), I’ve decided to hold a mini-contest. What’s at stake? An autographed ARC of NINTH GRADE SLAYS. How do you enter? You simply leave a comment telling me why you want to read it. I’ll draw a random winner on Monday morning.

P.S. TWO ARCs will be given away. One here and one on my MySpace. Feel free to enter both. Good luck!

She’s got staples in her tummy and walks hunched over like an old man. She’s Franken-Heather!!!
Hey Minions! I just thought I’d catch you all up on me. As you know, last Wednesday, I had some surgery done. Other than being a lil sore still (and Franken-Heather-ish), I’m feeling much more like my old self and I’ve actually been writing again! That and not spending time with my Minions (plus that whole have-my-tummy-sliced-open-and-my-insides-rearranged thing) was by far the worst part of being gone for a week. But I’m back now, for the most part. Still digging through hundreds of emails, though, so be patient!

So…catch me up on the Minion Horde! What’s been happening on your side of the cemetery?

Auntie Heather here. Back home now, but still very sore and sleepy. Just wanted to touch base and thank you all so much for your well wishes!

Yours in Eternity,
Auntie Heather

No real news to share, but I wanted to touch base with you all, as things have been really quiet around here. Thanks for all the emails! It’s sweet of you to worry about my upcoming surgery, but it’s pretty routine, so I’m not worried at all. You shouldn’t be either. But keep in mind that the blog and my participation on the forum will likely be very minimal over the next couple of weeks.

Writing goes well! After a brief discussion on the forums, I’ve decided to include an extra chapter in ELEVENTH GRADE BURNS, so that you can all see exactly what happened when Vlad and Henry were eight years old. All the tweaks I’m making to the manuscript now are going smoothly and before you know it, it’ll be an actual book. But let’s first focus on TENTH GRADE BLEEDS, which is seriously kick butt. It has something for everyone and I think you’ll love it. Only five more months until it hits stores!

Now, for those Minions who seem to be having a difficult time finding my books…you can always ask a bookseller to order the book for you. Booksellers are cool like that.

I’m off to finish packing for my hospital stay, but I’ll try to drop you all a line on Friday when I get home. Love you, Minions!

Yours in Eternity,
Auntie Heather

I don’t celebrate Valentines Day (in fact, I view it to be a silly, Hallmark holiday), but for those of you who do, yay you! And for those of you who don’t, happy Anti-Valentines Day!

I don’t want to go in to a lot of detail, but basically, I’m having surgery on Wednesday, February 18, 2009. I’ll be the the hospital until Friday and pretty busy until then, so if you could all cross your fingers for me that day, I’d really appreciate it. If you have any important questions, please feel free to contact Uncle Paul (you can email him at paul@heatherbrewer.com).

Love you, Minions!

Thanks to my brilliant, fabulous agent (Michael Bourret of Dystel & Goderich), I just sold the fifth book in The Chronicles of Vladimir Tod to my publisher, Dutton (Penguin)!!! Everybody say “Thanks, Michael!” and for that matter, give a shout-out to my publisher for loving Vlad almost as much as you Minions do.

FYI: I think I’ve developed a better way to ship Bling, so watch for that announcement soon. It’ll require a bit more work on your end, but at least you can be assured you’ll receive your Bling intact…so that’s good.

It’s very strange to know that I’ve sold the fifth Vlad book. I’m elated, but a little sad. Vlad’s very much a part of my life now and while I’m already working on some things to come after this series is done, it troubles me to know I’ll be letting these characters go. I’m conflicted, which is something I totally didn’t expect. Regardless, I know a certain half-human/half-vampire that deserves my eternal gratitude. Without him, I might not have my Minion Horde!

Sorry I’ve been so quiet, Minions – Auntie Heather has reached that point in her manuscript (ELEVENTH GRADE BURNS, if you’re wondering), where all I can do is… *headdesk*

The manuscript is technically finished, but now it’s time to have it make sense and be…y’know…good. So…blah. Work, work, work, mope, mope, whine, blah…

The blog will resume shortly.