Well, not yet, but it’s so close I can almost taste it. (Incidentally, it tastes a bit like Cheetos.)

I’ve been getting a ton of emails, comments and messages lately that all seem to be asking the same three questions, so I decided to answer those questions here on the blog (yes, I do read the comments here – even if I don’t often get a chance to respond – so please keep commenting!).

1. “Will your Vlad books be made into a movie or television series? AND CAN I BE IN IT???”

First off, the likelihood that ANY book gets made into a movie or television series is incredibly low. There is so much business and money involved that it can be quite difficult for all of the stars to align. That being said, my answer is maybe – mostly because I am the eternal optimist. There is currently nothing at all official to announce as far as film/tv stuff associated with CoVT, and though I’d love for Minions to play the roles, I doubt Auntie Heather would have any say in it at all. So…no movie, no tv…yet. Maybe if we all keep our fingers crossed, it’ll happen, but as for now, NO. Trust me – as soon as there is something interesting to announce concerning a possible movie or tv series, Auntie Heather will tell you! And if I’m told where tryouts would be held for those parts, I’ll put it on my blog. But there’s nothing to talk about YET.

2. “Will you PLEASEPLEASEPLEASEPLEASEPLEASE write another book about Vlad?”

I adore you, Minions. I really, really do. And you have no idea how much your deep love of The Chronicles of Vladimir Tod means to me. Seriously – it makes me tear up just thinking about how loyal you all are to those characters. However…as I’ve stated many times, Vlad’s story was five books long, and with TWELFTH GRADE KILLS, it is complete. Finito. El-finished-o. But don’t despair! I am writing a spin-off series that I’m sure you’ll love, and hints of Vlad will be all through that series (including a few secrets that you didn’t learn in Vlad’s series). This series (a bit more on this in the next question) is called THE SLAYER CHRONICLES, and will be from Joss’s point of view.

The fact is that an author cannot continue to write about the same characters for the duration of their career – at least, I can’t. I love Vlad as much as you do, but as of right now, I can’t see myself continuing his story past his seior year. But that’s okay! Because…

3. “Are you writing any more books?”

YES! I’m actually working on two books (both the beginnings to two new series). The first book, tentatively titled BEGINNING (which may change) is the first book in my spin-off series, THE SLAYER CHRONICLES.

Y’know how the Vlad books take place during the school years? Well, THE SLAYER CHRONICLES will take place during the summers between those school years, and will be from Joss’s point of view. We’ll experience what it’s like to become a Slayer, and all of the horrible things that we didn’t realize were happening to Joss as we were following Vlad’s life. And the cool thing (for those of you who’ve asked “WHAT ABOUT SNOW’S EYES??? WHAT DID THAT MEAN???”) is that THE SLAYER CHRONICLES will end with one book beyond TWELFTH GRADE KILLS. So…you will get to see Vlad again, as that book will pick up right where TWELFTH GRADE KILLS left off. BEGINNING hits stores Fall 2011.

The other series/book I’m working on is called BLOODBOUND. Now, right away, the title screams “VAMPIRES!!!”, but it’s actually not about vampires at all. BLOODBOUND is this romantic fantasy epic about a girl named Kaya in a world called Tril. In Tril, there are three kinds of people: Barrons (a naturally-skilled warrior race), Healers (people born with the natural ability to heal), and the Unskilled (just normal folks, who are totally unaware that Barrons and Healers even exist). Now, whenever a Barron is born, at the exact same moment, their Healer is born. Together, they are Bloodbound. This basically means that the Healer can heal them from any wound (even if their head was hanging on by a thread, they could touch them and PRESTO! All better). Kaya is a Healer, but she was raised amongst the Unskilled. So imagine her surprise when she gets a letter from the headmaster of Shadow Academy (a school for the training of Barrons and Healers) that basically says that the boy that she was Bloodbound to has died, but that she can be Bound to another Barron (which isn’t as strong as being Bloodbound, but close enough). He also tells her that if she doesn’t come to the school, her parents’ lives are forfeit.

Sucks, huh? “Do our bidding or your parents get it!” Not exactly a happy situation to be in. PLUS, once at the school, Kaya is told that, as a Healer, she’s not allowed to learn how to fight or defend herself on the battlefield. She’s expected to wait for her Barron to rescue her.

“Rescue her from what?” you say…? Ahh, this is where it gets really fun. See, the Barrons and Healers are at war with King Darrek, who happens to have horrible beasts called Graplars at his command. Graplars are dog-like, but stand seven feet tall. They have blue scaly skin, and rows and rows of razor sharp teeth like sharks. Oh, and their drool is POISON! Not to mention that Graplars are hunting and killing Healers. And…what’s that? Oh yeah – Kaya is a Healer!

So basically, Kaya decides that there is NO WAY she’s going to stand around and wait to be eaten by a Graplar. So she decides to train in the art of fighting. SECRETLY. The weapon of choice in Tril is, of course, a katana. So…think of Tril like this: a fantasy world with a Japanese medieval feel…overrun by horrible monsters and people who think that just because you’re a Healer, you can’t take care of yourself.

And don’t even get me started on the cute boy/tangled hearts theme.

So there’s something for everyone – guys and girls! BLOODBOUND will begin Spring 2012.

And…that’s about it, for now. So, what do you think, Minions? Can I be trusted to write something that’s NOT about vampires, but is full of awesome?

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?