Vicki Pettersson's Blog, page 16

Houston today!

Well, I'm off to Houston's Murder by the Book today, where I'll be signing at 1 pm – which means my flight is, like, NOW. I do hope those of you in the area can take time from your  busy Saturday afternoons to stop by and say hello. We'll chat, have a short reading and do a Q&A as well. I'll also have my poker chips with me, just in case you're up for a bit of a wager.

And I'd be remiss if I didn't mention the always lovely Melissa Marr will be signing there tonight at 6 p.m. If you haven't read her yet, what are you waiting for? She's published in YA, manga, with both TV and movie deals in development, and there's a good reason for it – she's a literally powerhouse! She'll be signing her latest release and first adult novel, GRAVEMINDER.

I'm saving my copy for my summer reading in July, but this is a great opportunity to pick up yours, get it signed, and say hello to Melissa. So basically, you can hang out all day at Murder By the Book. Don't worry – I'm sure the staff there won't mind.

See you in Houston!

Thanks, Vegas!

It's late and I'm due to be up again in five hours, but I just wanted to give a shout-out to all the wonderful readers who came out to Town Square tonight and made my signing – and Joanna Archer's sign off – so much fun. My readings tend to be pretty informal affairs, only because putting me in front of a bunch of people who are staring at me gives me the giggles.

Thank goodness we had the "tweet-up" beforehand to break the ice:

If it looks like we were having fun … we were. If it looks like the weather was perfect, it was. If it looks like giddiness is catching … is it. I take full responsibility for having amazing readers!

See y'all in Houston tomorrow!

Las Vegas signing tonight!

Woot!

Can you tell I'm excited? I love signing in my hometown. In fact, I just love my hometown. The people are friendly (mostly because my friends show up) and I know just what to expect from the booksellers (mostly because I stalk them throughout the year – like a wildcat in the tall grasses. Let's just say they know to look first before rounding any aisles).

So I'll be at Town Square, on the south end of the Strip for a 7 pm signing, which is a great location because you can stroll the streets of the Square before or after, have dinner, cocktails, sit outside, or pop into the theater to see a flick. It's a regular hangout for locals, and I'm no exception.

If you're there early, look for me! I'm having a "tweet-up" at 5:30, meeting readers for coffee and some informal chatter before the signing starts. You'll have to follow me on Twitter at http://twitter.com/VickiPettersson to get the exact location, and we'll tweet back and forth until everyone is found. Again, I can't sign books or flip you a NEON GRAVEYARD gaming chip until the signing – that's unfair to Borders, who is working so hard to set up the event – but I think some chitchat and photos are in order, don't you?

Gotta show our girl, Joanna Archer, out in style.

For more details about the signing and tweet-up, check out yesterday's write-up in our own Las Vegas Weekly. Or you can check it out if you simply want to find out the answer to the following questions:

Why did you decide to end the Signs of the Zodiac series with the new sixth book, The Neon Graveyard?

Have you experienced any fan backlash over the series ending?

Do you imagine you might return to these characters at some point in the future?

What will you miss most about working on the Zodiac series?

What's your next project?

Do you ever worry about getting burned out working at such a quick pace?

The new series is also set in Las Vegas?

Pics and post to follow … see you tonight!

Bitten By Books event – live now!

Hi Guys!

I've a new pictorial blog post up over at BittenByBooks.com chronicling my journey while writing the Signs of the Zodiac series. Hop on over there to see where I was in my life and what I was doing while Joanna Archer was busy kicking ass, headed toward her ultimate showdown in THE NEON GRAVEYARD. Her journey may be over, but I'm still writing — and I'd love to hear about what you've been doing – and where you're headed – too.

So I'll be there all day answering questions (and, yes, spoilers) about the Zodiac world, Joanna Archer, Hunter, Solange and co. — so stop by with any questions you have. Now's your chance to ask anything – no topic is off limits any longer.

Mind, the site has had some connection issues lately (Comcast/Cox cable users seem to be affected) but I got on using Safari (rather than Firefox) and if that fails, you can insert the direct link below into this proxy server. That should work.

There's a huge giveaway accompanying today's event, so I hope to see you there!

http://www.bittenbybooks.com/?p=43014

Saturday, June 4 in Houston!

I've already done a post about my Vegas signing, which is (still) tomorrow, Friday, June 3 at the Town Square Borders – and I stopped by yesterday to touch base with the booksellers there. I love that store, and could get lost in it – so I hope you'll come get lost with me tomorrow night. 5:30 for the tweetup, 7 pm for the store signing.

But that's not what I want to talk about today.

Today is all about Murder By the Book.

Haven't heard of it? Well, you're either not in Houston, or might be lagging a bit in your crime fiction (and I'm *happy* to recommend various and sundry titles – it's the genre I read in most!). In any case, you're missing out on one of the most successful indie bookstores, with some of the most passionate booksellers in the country. I'm not kidding when I say that I've had this bookstore on my signing "bucket list" for years.

Check out their signing page, if you don't believe me. The authors who come through there … well, let's just say I've considered putting down my pen and taking up bookselling just so I can skulk around that store. (Keeping me from this dream? The humidity in Houston. I know. I'm such a wuss. And perhaps not all that committed to the cause after all. *le sigh* I shall thus continue scribbling.)

Anyway, my signing is at 1 p.m. this Saturday:

Murder By the Book

2342 Bissonnet St.

Houston, TX 77005

(713) 524 – 8597

Additionally, here's a map for easy driving. I'll be flying in directly from my Vegas signing the night before, and hope to see you there!

All-Day E-Event – Thursday!

Psst. Thursday is tomorrow.

And tomorrow I'll be hanging out all day over at Bitten By Books, a reader-driven blog that has the most amazing contests and packages, including the one they're giving away for my appearance there.

Note, if you RSVP for the event, you'll get an additional 25 entries into my contest, and here's what they're giving away:

CONTEST INFO: The contest portion of the event runs until 11:59 pm Central on 6/3/11. Open to readers in the US (no PO boxes please.)

Prize 1: TEN assorted paranormal book titles and a few exclusive Vicki Pettersson Poker Chips to ONE lucky winner

Prize 2: FIVE copies of Cheat the Grave and a few exclusive Vicki Pettersson Poker Chips

RSVP below and get 25 entries to the prize portion of the contest when you show up on the day of the event. If you don't show up and mention your RSVP AND ask a question, your points won't be entered into the contest.

Be SURE to give your friends this link: http://www.bittenbybooks.com/?p=42938 so they can RSVP too.

Well worth it just to say hi, don't you think?

I love doing the Bitten By Books event, not only because the giveaway packages are so great (and the admins are so nice and organized they can keep authors in line, which is a lot like herding cats), but because it gives me a chance to talk to so many readers who might not contact me on my usual outlets, here or Facebook.

Also, if you've had a chance to read some or all of THE NEON GRAVEYARD, here's your chance to pepper me with questions, given the usual caveats re. spoiler alerts. I'm happy to answer it all, and I look forward to chatting with you there!

Most importantly, some cable users (Comcast, and mine, Cox) have been having a hard time getting to the BBB site. If, like me, you cannot directly reach the site for the event, use the below proxy site to enter BBB. It's just one extra click:

1) go to: http://kproxy.com.

2) enter: http://www.bittenbybooks.com/?p=42938

That should give you access without any issues.

*

Meanwhile, if you can't make the event for some reason, here's an extensive interview I did with Laurie at DangerousRomance.Com, and she really put my heels to the fire. She talks about Zodiac, ending, Jo's journey, my writing life, and my pre-writing life … in depth. So pop on over there on your lunch break. I had a good time doing that interview.

So, here's my schedule for the rest of the week:

Thursday – e-event at www.BittenByBooks.com.

Friday – tweetup and signing in Vegas/Town Square – 5:30 pm & 7:00 respectively.

Saturday – signing at Murder by the Book/Houston – 1 pm.

As for today, I'm going for a long run to work out the post-release blues, and then diving back into my WiP. Launching a book is exciting … but writing one is even better.

Happy hump day, All!

Pub day!

I'm feeling odd today. On the one hand, I know exactly what to do. After all, it's release day for my sixth and final book in the Zodiac series, a day that really couldn't come quickly enough for me (I was bursting at the seams to share this one with you all) and yet now that it's here …

I have no idea what to do. My newsletter is out. My interviews are done. The book is clearly written. I'm kinda sitting in one space, not eating (though I am mainlining the caffeine), not really doing anything but staring out the windows, thinking, I'm done. Done.

Wow.

There is news, though. I'll bullet-point it, since I'm feeling so spacey.

Giveaways:

If you haven't already received your copy of THE NEON GRAVEYARD, Harper and SciFiChick are giving one away here.

Suzi at BookloversInc. is holding a contest as well.

Wicked Lil Pixie/Murder By the Book are teaming up to give away two signed copies of THE NEON GRAVEYARD.

(Warning: there's a preceding convo in the post with THE NEON GRAVEYARD spoilers, but you can still skip to the bottom of the convo, and let them know how you feel about the Zodiac series ending (or how you feel about any series ending) to win. Contest ends June 6.)

Interviews:

If you're wondering how I felt writing the end to Jo's saga, BookloversInc.has the scoop, and some quick insight to augment your reading.

Waiting For Fairies has also interviewed me here (the support for this final book has been astounding. I really can't say that enough).

And Geek Speak Magazine has an extensive interview here.

Reviews continue to roll in.

SciFiChick was satisfied.

GeekSpeak Blog has … well, spoken.

Heroes&Heartbreakers is too, too kind.

And this is insanely gratifying and humbling. The troublemakers (well, they are) over at the WLP blog have teamed up with infamous bookseller, John, to talk spoilers, spoilers, spoilers. If you've read the book, feel free to jump into the conversation here.

Appearances:

Thursday, in two days, I'll be doing a day-long online event over at Bitten By Books to talk to readers extensively about the books … or whatever you want to talk about. So if you've read the book by then, we'll be able to chat about it in the comments (as long as we give spoiler warnings). Until then … happy reading!

Friday, Las Vegas signing and informal/coffee klatch "tweetup" with readers.

Saturday, 1:00 pm, I get to sign at my "bucket list" store, Murder by the Book.

Next week: my longtime readers – self-appointed VPeeps – are organizing a live online chat. Time/place are still TBA, but again, it'll be an interactive event and you can ask me anything about the series.

After all, with THE NEON GRAVEYARD on the shelves, there are no secrets now, are there?

"I'm f*cking romantic!"

So my Better Half and I were arguing this morning over … well, a couple of things, and one of them was the romance in my books. I contend that there has been a strong romantic subplot throughout the series. He give me the big blue fisheye, and says, "They're not romantic." (Couple those three words with a big faux Boston accent, and you should be able to understand why that's so irritating over the first cuppa joe.)

"I'm fucking romantic!" I yelled, sloshing coffee.

His response? Same. As. Always.

So after I finish yawning, I said, "Jaysus. You turn someone inside-out once, and you never hear the end of it."

Course, I needed more proof of my series' romantic thread, more than mere indignation could supply anyway, and thankfully it came from a reader, Misty.

For those of you – like my alleged Better Half *koff* – who need proof that Hunter exists, or those who've wondered what exactly he looks like, I give to you …

Hunter.

Look at those piercing eyes! That leveled stare. That agile body ready to leap into action at any moment.

Okay, so it's not exactly romantic. But, darn, he's cute!

(Thanks, Misty!)

Now you're talking!

Not every book is going to appeal to every reader, however I can tell by the feedback I've been getting over the past few weeks that I've certainly found my tribe with the Signs of the Zodiac series, so on this loooooong weekend (BBQ, anyone?) before the final book's release, I have to say (again), a very heartfelt, Thank you, Readers. It has been amazing hearing how much the series has meant to so many of you, that we really connected through the text (the true and humbling magic of writing, IMHO), and how much you're going to miss Joanna. I'll miss her, too … but as long as I have my tribe I think I'll be all right, yanno?

Anyhoo, I apparently also connected with … a Geek! Now as someone who spends a lot of time locked alone in a room (not padded, thanks), talking to people in her head, I whole-heartedly consider myself a geek. I love meeting people, and can be as gregarious as anyone in the right circumstances, but I'm most comfortable alone, in my head, and thus the self-applied term, Geek, definitely applies to me.

That's why I'm so chuffed about Geek Speak Magazine's review here. Not entirely complimentary, which is unnecessary as I don't need compliments, but they got it, which is more important. And they encapsulated what I was trying to do with Joanna's story … one that unexpectedly turned into a saga. In short, they call it: A fitting conclusion to a captivating, complicated and utterly confounding series.

At length, they add:

In the case of The Signs of the Zodiac, Vicki Pettersson's paradigm-shattering Urban Fantasy series, I am somewhat torn. On the one hand, I think the concept is one of the most outstandingly original and utterly enchanting mashups the expansive subgenre has ever produced, and I think it a shame it has to be brought to a close. But on the other hand I just feel kind of wrong wishing for yet more books in the series.

I do like to believe myself not entirely sadistic, after all.

And that's what it would be. Sadism. Sadism to want to read more in this series, since from the very first the overwhelming theme here has been the relentless torture and eternal suffering of our massively unfairly-treated heroine, Joanna Archer.

You can go here if you'd like to read more, and if you'd like to read the NEON GRAVEYARD interview I just did for them last week, that can be found here. It contains some questions I hadn't been asked before – on origins, Jo's traumatic past, evil fathers, regrets, Vegas, and so on — and it was great fun. I thank them for their time.

Remember, if you're having a hard time waiting until Tuesday, you can still read the first five chapters here. And I still have poker chips left as freebies. They'll go fast at my signings, so if you want to be sure to get one first – along with a signed bookplate – that info is here. If I've any left over I plan on giving them away in the same way I currently do my bookplates (SASE – info on the contact/comment page sidebar).

Now I'm going to bow out of the web zone for the day to work on edits. I didn't get to touch them yesterday with giveaways and soul poker and mommying and such, so I'm itchy to do so.

Finally, Happy Memorial Day weekend to you all! Yeah, I admit my first thought is of the grill and the beach and the call-to-arms for vast summer travel … but it wouldn't be possible at all without the call-to-arms met by the brave men and women who sacrificed their lives for this gorgeous, flawed, proud, troubling, ambitious and loved country of ours. And for all of us, who share the same attributes.

Thank you to all those who've served in the armed forces for your great, great sacrifices.

Nocturne Reads chimes in…

I gave an extensive interview to Nocturne Reads recently about ending the Zodiac series, closure for Joanna Archer, and what comes next. You can read it here.

They were also kind enough to take time to review the book (and series) and that, spoiler-free, is here.

Meanwhile, I am momentarily caught up on poker chip freebies*, and book giveaways, and even my workout and motherly duties (bam!), so you know what that means…

Enable Freedom software, and sink into a new story for another few hours. See ya on the flipside.

*One reader has contacted me after failing to receive her poker chip. If anyone else has been waiting for an inordinately long time, please let me know so I can look into it!