You know how it feels to share a really special connection with someone? The kind that inspires you to frolic through a field of dead flowers together, hand in hand, toward your shared goal of world domination? You know…like the way we feel about each other? I love that. Don’t you love that? Isn’t it cool that we can feel like TOTAL FREAKS when we’re around the rest of the world, but cackle with glee at our awesomeness when we’re together, Minions? What we have is different. It’s special. It’s cool. And I’ve been thinking about it a lot lately–thinking, my Minions, about you all. And how much I miss spending time with you.

This may, perhaps, coincide with my focus lately on the calendar for the rest of 2012. See, you can look at my Appearances page and see how light it looks, but behind the scenes, several things are in the works, several appearances are being arranged, and I can hardly wait to spend time with you. In short, I miss you! You guys complete me. You fill the void in my lil black heart. You get me. Like I get you. And I can’t wait to see and hug you!

So…because I love you all so much…I’m going to hold a SPONTANEOUS MINI-CONTEST!!!

Want an advanced copy of SOULBOUND? Comment here to enter. BUT…you only get one entry, despite multiple comments…you sneaky Minions, you.

Contest ends when I blog next…and who knows how long that’ll be??

By the way, you earned $111 for TWLOHA on my last blog post! But I’m gonna even it out at $200. Great job, Minions!

To date, here are the countries that we have taken over with our powers of awesomeness:

United States
United Kingdom
Australia
Germany
France
Italy

Not too shabby, Minions! If you’re from any of the listed countries, please watch the shelves for Vlad, and feel free to bug booksellers and librarians about when the books will be headed your way.

And now you crazy Minions have ID cards!!! Go check ‘em out. Print them, laminate them, bring them to events so I can sign them. They are yours, Minions – so show the world you’re a Minion!

More reasons to celebrate: the first book of The Slayer Chronicles is going to copy edits! For all intensive purposes, this means that the book is finished, apart from a few minor tweaks. The other day I saw the cover and it is GORGEOUS. It’s kick-butt enough for you guys, and swoon-worthy enough for your girls (or vice-versa: Auntie doesn’t judge). A cover reveal and a title reveal will be coming soon!

Also, a word on the plush Auntie Heather winner. I’m not telling them that they won. I’m merely whisking her off in her tiny coffin to surprise the winner. Today. But I was very impressed by all of your entries.

And…I’m kinda in the mood for a……

SPONTANEOUS MINI-CONTEST!!!

Comment to enter (doesn’t matter how much you comment – you’re only entered once). Winner gets something awesome. Suggestions?

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Minions, every once in a while, you run into an author that is so powerful, it feels like they could change the world. I felt that way the first time I read Ellen Hopkins. And I feel that way now with A.S. King. PLEASE IGNORE VERA DIETZ is even more amazing than her DUST OF 100 DOGS! And there’s no ignoring Vera. Trust me, Minion Horde, you want to read this book. And just look at this yummy cover!

To celebrate the impending release of PLEASE IGNORE VERA DIETZ, I’m giving away an ARC (advanced reading copy), as well as a $25 gift certificate to Papa John’s Pizza – just comment to enter! And if you don’t win, you can always pre-order from your local indie bookseller, Amazon, Barnes & Noble or Borders. Also, you can now order a copy from Aaron’s Books! Whatever you do, spread the word – because there’s certainly no ignoring A.S. King.

Contest ends a week from today. Don’t forget to follow A.S King on Twitter and stalk her on her website!

February 6
Snow Ball Launch Party in Grand Blanc MI, book sales by Barnes & Noble (Flint MI) – book included in ticket purchase, details: http://www.heatherbrewer.com/snowball.php.

February 9
Third Place Books (Lake Forest Park WA)
Secret Garden (Seattle WA)

February 10
Powell’s (Portland OR)

February 12
Copperfields (Petaluma CA)
Keplers (Menlo Park CA) – special Snow Ball/Anti-Prom

February 13
Vromans (Pasadena CA) – Anti-Valentine’s Day Party

February 14
Books & Books (Miami FL) – special Valentine’s With Vampires Ball

February 15
Blue Willow (Houston TX)

February 17
Bookworm (Omaha NE)

February 18
Anderson’s (Naperville IL)

February 19
B&N (Cincinnati OH)
Joseph-Beth (Cincinnati OH)

February 20
Borders (Newark DE)

February 22 – 7:00pm
w/ Lisa McMann (author of WAKE, FADE & GONE)
Saint Louis County Library Headquarters
1640 S. Lindbergh Blvd. @ Clayton Rd.
St Louis, MO 63131
(314) 994-3300

So, as part of my celebration of being able to announce tour details…I’m giving away 13 advanced copies of ELEVENTH GRADE BURNS!!! Autographed, of course. Just comment to win! I’ll pick the winners on December 30th.

EDITED TO ADD: THE 13 WINNERS HAVE BEEN CHOSEN!!!

If your name is on the following list, just drop me an email at heather@heatherbrewer.com with your name and address and I’ll ship out your advanced copy of ELEVENTH GRADE BURNS!

Vampire Sushi
Lucas
Xahn
Cassay
Kaitlynn
Alisha (aka Mrs. Tod)
Etgotfangs
Austin Crowder
Eriesilence
Aanchal
Kaycie
Kelly
Heather

Did I mention I own a Camaro???!!

Okay…deep breath. Spazzing over now. Calm. Serenity.

CAMARO!!!

Also, I’ve been uber busy writing TWELFTH GRADE KILLS. It’s KILLING ME not to talk about the book, but trust me…it’s gonna be good. Just you wait!

How are my Minions?? Does anyone want a hoodie?? Leave a comment to enter, and I’ll pick a random winner on Friday. Oh! And you’ll get your choice of either the hoodie from the cover of EIGHTH GRADE BITES or a zip-up hoodie with the smiley and “Proud Member of the Minion Horde” on the back.

Cuz Auntie Heather is cool like dat.

And also, there are still tickets to the Snow Ball available. In case your interested. Did you know you can win awesome stuff on my Win Things page??? Go there. Do that.

(peace love Vlad)

EDITED TO ADD: We have a winner! Caleb, you lucky Minion you, please email me at heather@heatherbrewer.com with your address and which hoodie you’d like. CONGRATS!!!

And I’ll get to that in a second. But first…there is happy news in HeatherLand, my Minions. The clouds have parted and these feathery guys started singing and my stress level is way, way down. My fangtastic editor has granted me a stay of execution – that is, she gave me more time to finish writing TWELFTH GRADE KILLS! YAY! So, now I have until December 1st and I’m really happy about it. Of course, I’m still going to be hard at work and missing from the forums for a bit, BUT…at least I’ll have time to really get this book where it needs to be.

Also! If you are in or near Austin, Texas, you CAN NOT miss the Austin Teen Book Festival! Why? Because I’ll be there!! And it’s going to be so awesome, I can barely contain myself. More info here: http://www.austinteenbookfestival.com

Okay, for this mini-contest, my black-hearted lil followers, you comment to enter (and it doesn’t matter how much you comment, you’re only entered once) AND there will be NINE winners! Every day I’ll pick a name randomly, for nine days. First winner gets their choice and on down the line (last winner is stuck with the leftovers, but no worries – there are no bad prizes here!). I’m giving the lucky winners each a book – the first book of a popular vampire series. The books up for grab are:

GLASS HOUSES by Rachel Caine (The Morganville Vampires series)
VAMPIRE KNIGHT #1 by Matsuri Hino (Manga)
BOYS THAT BITE by Mari Mancusi (Blood Coven series)
THE VAMPIRE DIARIES: THE AWAKENING by LJ Smith (The Vampire Diaries series)
MARKED by PC and Kristin Cast (House of Night series)
VAMPIRE ACADEMY by Richelle Mead (Vampire Academy series)
CIRQUE DU FREAK: A LIVING NIGHTMARE by Darren Shan (Cirque du Freak series)
VAMPIRE KISSES: THE BEGINNING by Ellen Schreiber (Vampire Kisses series)
and of course, THE CHRONICLES OF VLADIMIR TOD: EIGHTH GRADE BITES by yours truly, Heather Brewer (The Chronicles of Vladimir Tod series – or, as we like to call it around here, CoVT)

So, leave a comment, and hold your breath, because starting tomorrow, nine Minions are going to be winners!!!
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DAY #1 WINNER = VampireMistress (chose Vampire Diaries)
DAY #2 WINNER = Molly (chose Cirque du Freak)
DAY #3 WINNER = Violet_Swigger
DAY #4 WINNER = Vladimir Rose (chose Vampire Kisses)
DAY #5 WINNER = Jordan (chose Vampire Academy)
DAY #6 WINNER = Alice Mayberry
DAY #7 WINNER = kira (chose Morganville Vampires)
DAY #8 WINNER = VladimirXTod
Day #9 WINNER = Troy

ATTENTION WINNERS! Please email me your choice at heather@heatherbrewer.com with the subject “I’m a Winner!” and which book you’d like. If the winner before you picks your choice, you’ll have to pick again. But YAY! CONGRATS!!!

zachtodakavladjk124 & Destin (Ny’Emia), please email me your addresses (heather@heatherbrewer.com)!!!

It’s time for a mini-contest, Minions, don’t you think? Leave a comment to enter. Winner gets this WAY AWESOME “Grow Your Own Vampire”, as well as a copy of whichever of the three Vlad books they’d like. I’ll draw a random winner on Sunday and post the name Monday morning.

Also…a Minion by the name of Amanda had a few. *ahem* “Few” questions. I’d like to answer them.

1) Do you like Orange Juice?
Yes. It is quite nummy. But it hurts my tummy.

2) Do you believe in abnormal beings out there that us humans don’t even know about?
Absolutely.

3) Doesn’t Twilight suck? (Seriously–I HATE that book…)
Well, it does have vampires *snort* I kill me! No, seriously, everyone has their personal tastes. Nothing wrong with that. I adored the first and felt it went downhill from there.

4) Do you listen to Nickelback?
Only because the radio keeps playing them. All their songs sound the same to me.

5) Do you think Transformers are awesome?

Yes! I used to watch them as a kid, so this newfound love of them is cool to watch unfold.

6) Do you WISH you could be a Transformer?

Nope. I like being me.

7) Are you stopping by New York anytime soon?

No events lined up, but early June, I’ll be there…with my son Jacob. Hmm…maybe I will set up an event, so you can all meet us!

8 ) Can you identify yourself with any of your characters (And, I mean, ANY)?

Oh yes. Vlad is what I felt like in high school…what I still feel like on occasion. He’s the unpopular, misunderstood me. Nelly is the worrying mother in me. And Otis…well, I think I’m most like Otis. Sharp, semi-quiet, a fixer, conflicted, but protective of those he loves.

9) Who do you WANT Vlad to be with, girl-wise (No, you don’t have to give away who he gets together with in the upcoming book…just….who do you think is better for him, personally?)

I want Vlad to be with someone who truly gets him and can accept him for who and what he is.

10) Do you have a boyfriend? *wiggles eyebrows suggestively*

Nah, my husband would get mad.

11) Have you read Harry Potter?

I have DEVOURED that series several times over.

12) Did you ever go to Japan?

No, but I plan to.

13) Do you think hermit crabs are digusting and utterly repulsive?

I won’t touch them. But…they’re kinda cute from afar.

14) Have you ever seriously injured yourself?

No, but that’s because I’m a big chicken.

15) Do you HATE bugs?

Not at all. I think every living creature has its place.

16) Any advice for people who struggle through jerks in high school? Just out of curiosity.

This too shall pass, believe it or not. I was the most picked on kid at my school…and now the bullies’ children are Minions.

17) Did you ever go on Fanfiction?

Nope.

18) Is Henry hot?

Oh yes. Way too hot for his own good. It’s a McMillan thing. Joss is hot too – hotter than Henry, even.

19) Is OTIS hot?

Otis is super mega ultra hot.

20) Do you gag when people think of Vlad and Henry….being a couple *face turns green*

Nope. I’ve seen a few Yaoi drawings around and heard of a few fanfics like that – if people love them so much that they take them to a place they enjoy, I’m okay with that. Auntie has a very open mind…even if I totally do not see Vlad and Henry hooking up.

21) Do you own a purple pen?

Several. They match my hair.

22) What was the most disgusting thing you’ve EVER done in your life?

Gave birth. Seriously. Gross.

23) If I did something very courteous for you, would you give me a copy of ELEVENTH GRADE BURNS, after making sure I promise and signed something saying I’d never give ANY info about it to ANYONE?

AHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!! Oh wait, you’re serious?

24) Favorite number?

13!

25) Your opinion on squids, please.

They are squidlike and squiddy.

26) Ever stepped in cow manure?

No.

27) Have you ever gone sky-diving? If so, what’s it like?

No way! Chicken, remember?

28) What shampoo do you use?

Depends. I dig Paul Mitchell, but Pantene gets the job done.

29) Aside from your own books, any reccommendations to read? Us fan need SOMETHING to help us wait patiently for your next book to come out.

What about monster unicorns? Read RAMPANT by Diana Peterfreund.

30) Do you like the color blue?

It’s okay.

31) Think of a number.

Now, double it.

Then, add four.

Divide by two.

Subtract the original number.

Is your answer 2?

(Cool, isn’t it?)

WHOA. That’s eerie…

32) Do you think hobos are awesome, in thier own way? Or do they creep you out?

Hobos are awesomely creeptastic.

33) What was your past like?

Dull and lonely.

34) Do you believe in aliens?

Yep.

35) Have you ever thought you went crazy?

Thought I was on the verge of crazy, but I’m better now. Besides…everyone’s a little crazy.

36) Did you notice that there’s an arrow in the FedEx logo?

Huh. No. Thanks for pointing that out. HA! Get it??? Pointing?? I crack me up.

37) Do you own any scratch and sniff stickers?….If so, can you ship them to me?

No, but I used to collect them! Had a leather one. It stunk.

38) Have you ever been followed by someone (it could be anyone–friends, family)

Not that I’m aware of. (and OMV what a creepy stalker question…)

39) Do you puzzle why pieces of art that a six-year old could pull off costs tons of millions of dollars?

No. I don’t think too much about others’ interpretations of what art is.

40) Are you intrigued by the Earth?

Totally.

41) Ever witness roadkill?

Yes, but not caused.

42) Do you like sporks?

I love sporks!!!

43) Have you ever used sporks?

YES!!

44) Do you have an ipod?

Yeppers – a nano. And an iphone.

45) Is yours as awesome as my iTouch?

My iphone is better

46) Do you like waffles?

Yummy!

47) Are you a vegetarian?

No. Eating meat is murder….yummy, yummy murder.

48) Does blood gross you out?

Dude. Have you read the books?

49) Ever hear of Operation Beautiful?

Yes. Just now when you typed it. What is it?