Vicki Pettersson's Blog, page 17

NEON GRAVEYARD giveaway

So I'm sending my sole copy of THE NEON GRAVEYARD out to one reader this morning – overnighted for some light *koff* weekend reading. Yet in going over the entries, I truly wish I could give each of you who wrote in to me a copy – in thanks for your kind words now, and for reading over the years. Most people are really invested in the series if they've stayed with me all the way to book six, so I'm really feeling the love.

Though this entry had me laughing aloud at my keyboard:

Your books have changed my life. Before, I was boring, slow-witted, fat, nearly 50 years old, and my wandering left eye scared small animals and young children. But by the time I finished your last book I was OVER 50! I don't know how I would have done it without you! With undying thanks,

Paul

So, yes – feeling the love and the laughter. You guys really are the best.

So I'm drawing this by random number generator (right now, actually) and the winner is … 28 …

heidilour! Oh, this is funny, too. Heidi said:

Not sure how you're choosing this lucky weekend reader, so I'm going to spare you from my ass-kissing efforts and just let you know that I friended you on facebook and would love to be considered!

Let it forevermore be said that there is no ass-kissing required or allowed or encouraged around these *koff* parts!

Again, I'm sorry I couldn't send this book to each of you. Your enthusiasm makes me feel that everything I've put Jo through has been worth it.

Of course, that's easy for me to say. I still possess most of my soul.

I haz knots in da brain…

This'll be a short post as my gray matter is currently tied in knots over a plot point that has been giving me great pain. I'll be working on that for the rest of the day, but I just wanted to remind everyone that the chance to win my signed copy of THE NEON GRAVEYARD ends at midnight tonight. All you have to do is follow the easy instructions here to enter. Come tomorrow morning, I'll overnight it to you, along with the next batch of freebie poker chips.

Speaking of the poker chips, the most common questions I'm asked are 1) if I can send international (yes), 2) if ebook preorders count (absolutely) and 3) if there are any left (for you, darling? Anything!). So if you'd like a poker chip commemorating the end of this series, and a signed bookplate to go inside as soon as your preorder arrives, this'll tell you how to get it.

Meanwhile, Larissa is giving away a copy of NG as well — so feel free to comment to win in the post following my interview. And don't forget you can still read the first five chapters – whet the appetite, so to speak – over at Harper.

Off to wrestle with my gray matter.

First and last.

Well, my first extensive interview regarding the final book in my Signs of the Zodiac series (as well as some juicy tidbits regarding What Comes Next) is up here. Larissa is a great book blogger and is also holding a contest to win a signed copy of THE NEON GRAVEYARD, with a pa-pa-poker chip, so if you'd like another way to win a signed copy, this is a good 'un.

Another 'last' … this is the last week before THE NEON GRAVEYARD finally takes root in the world. Can I get a collective Yee-haw? Hopefully it will go fast because I am ready. Don't forget, you have until midnight Wednesday to win my personal copy of the book. I'll overnight it to the randomly drawn winner first thing Thursday morning so that you have it in time for your weekend reading. Further details are here.

There's also still time to get a freebie poker chip and signed bookplate by emailing your preorder info to press@vickipettersson.com. I sent out the latest batch today, so everyone who has written me thus far should be seeing their chips in the mail soon.

I've already talked about my Vegas signing (and tweetup for coffee) on Friday, June 3 … tomorrow I want to take some time to talk about Saturday, June 4, when I'll be signing at the famous (infamous?) Murder By the Book indie bookstore in Houston, which I'm insanely excited about.

For now, I'm just off a plane – I gave the ground in Vegas a metaphorical kiss by running three miles in air that wasn't trying to smother me with humidity – and I'm back to work on rewrites for the first book in my new series (referred to in Larissa's interview). Off to it.

I'm unlucky … but you're not.

I'm usually pretty lucky with the weather in Dallas, which is saying a lot as I fly in and out of DFW every other week or so. Not so last night. A thunderstorm up and sideswiped me which is why I'm:

1) writing this post from my home in Dallas

2) had cake for breakfast

3) must work off said cake in obscene humidity instead of a nice, dry run right after I show you this:

My sole copy of THE NEON GRAVEYARD.

Usually I keep the first copy that I touch. Shelve it in a rare bout of sentimentality and give away the rest. But … I dunno. I've already read it. And I know there's someone out there who might like having it prior to its release in just over one week.

So I've decided to dedicate, sign and overnight it (and a poker chip) to one reader on Thursday morning (at which point I will be back in Vegas) so someone might have it for some light weekend reading. What do you have to do? Just "friend" me on Facebook, or alternately "follow" me on Twitter, and let me know in the below comments below when you do. If you already do both, just mention that and you're entered. Deadline is midnight Wednesday, or 12:01 a.m. Thursday morning … whichever comes first.

Easy-peasy, right? And I'll say it in advance … happy reading!

Note: you still have a week to send me a copy of your preorders and receive a freebie poker chip and signed bookplate. I want to make sure I have enough to give away at my signings after that, so if you want one now, details are here. And if you've already sent your preorder, I have a stack of envelopes ready to hit the USPS as soon as I'm – you guessed it – back in Vegas, but I see no reason you shouldn't have them by the end of the week at the latest. Coolio?

Off to face off against the bloody humidity … and then the page.

Weekend recap:

This weekend finds my hanging with people – get this – whom I didn't make up in my mind. Like, real people. In the flesh. With whom I can interact. And, bonus, I even like them.

Who knew?

Anyway, it was a big week, and it was topped off by the proverbial cherry – this review from Bitten By Books. Click the link to read the full of it, but I love what Jackie says here:

Several deadly loose ends needed to be tied up in The Neon Graveyard, lest Jo trip and hang herself on a dangling plot thread … Believe it or not, every single one of the above questions was answered, and ::gasp:: in a satisfactory manner! No half-assing it for Vicki and Jo. When they end a series, they END a series!

I think what I love most about the reviews on this last book, and about the recent reader mail I've gotten, is how real Joanna Archer is to everyone. She's a person to them, not just a character, and readers have become fully invested in her story and life. What a gift for me.

Meanwhile, I still have poker chips available as freebies. All you have to do is shoot a copy of your preorder to press@vickipettersson.com and I'll send one out to you with a signed bookplate all asap-like. Full details are here, but that's the quick and dirty. Don't miss your chance to play some soul poker. (Latest batch of chips are going out this weekend, for anyone who is still waiting.)

And, in case you missed it, the first five chapters of THE NEON GRAVEYARD are now available here. Go ahead, whet your appetite for the release on the 31st … or not. Readers seem to be strongly divided on whether to sample or wait. At least you have a choice.

Speaking of May 31st, I'll be doing a day-long event at Bitten By Books, where readers can stop by and chat with me about the series, and the journey Joanna has taken throughout six long books.

That's Tuesday, but on Friday I'll be signing in my hometown, Las Vegas. Full details on that are here, including the 5:30 p.m. tweetup for coffee with readers.

I'll be talking soon about my Houston signing, which is the next day – Saturday JUNE 4th, at 1 pm – at Murder By the Book, a fabulous indie bookstore that has long been on my authorial Bucket List. That deserves its own post, but for now just know that I may or may not show up on rollerblades.

A final word on THE NEON GRAVEYARD, by Harriet Klausner, at Alternative Worlds:

The Neon Graveyard is a great finish to the strong Signs of the Zodiac urban fantasy. The story line is loaded with action, but it is the vivid contrasting descriptions of Vegas and Midheaven that makes the thriller enticing …

Yeah. Joanna Archer has some unfinished business in Midheaven. Only 9 days now until release.

Somebody put Solange on alert.

Happy Reading!

At long last, the first five chapters of THE NEON GRAVEYARD: The Final Sign of the Zodiac are up.

Click the widget below to access it … and only two weeks* to go until you can read the rest — Enjoy!

Browse Inside this book

Get this for your site

*That means there are still two weeks to get shoot me a copy of your preorders. That way I'll have your poker chip and signed bookplate back to you well before your book arrives. See the below posts for details!

A spoiler-free Monday

I've heard back from readers that the first batch of poker chips have been rolling in, and I'm happy to hear you're enjoying them. I think they're so cute – though I had some 'splainin' to do when the TSA asked why I was flying to Vegas with my own clay poker chips.

("I don't trust those casinos – I've brought my own!" )

Meanwhile there are still chips left, so shoot me your preorder and I'll send out your chip and bookplate asap.

Just a quick reminder, the first excerpt from THE NEON GRAVEYARD goes up tomorrow, and I'll have the link here as soon as it does. I can't wait get even this snippet out to you all … and only two weeks to go until full release – woot!

Meanwhile, I've gotten a few advanced reviews up and about in the blogosphere. Some spoiler-free highlights:

Literary Escapism: I have to say I'm always really impressed with Ms. Pettersson's character development. Her character's don't come across as cardboard cut-outs. They have all the markings of real people with real problems, emotions, hopes, failures, and dreams. Joanna Archer, as the main character, comes across as the most genuine, and her transformation from book one all the way to book six is pretty remarkable.

Larissa's Bookish Life: After such an incredible adventure full of villains, super powers, super heroes, comic books, mysteries, secrets, revelations, disappointments, heart-break and all-out war in the Las Vegas desert, Joanna's journey comes to an end in this spectacular ending to this amazing series.

I Smell Sheep: It has been almost a year since I read the 5th book (Cheat the Grave) and I had forgotten why I love this series so much. When I started reading The Neon Graveyard, I was swept back into one of the most original, darkest and well written UFs out there.

Amazing Book Reviews by Starr: Knowing that this is the last in the series, I find myself torn. A part of me wants to make sure that everything is resolved and all of the strings are tied before the end of the book. The other part wants a door to be left open so there is a chance that we will hear more of Joanna Archer sometime down the road.

Sizzing Hot Book Reviews: Pettersson sets the Signs of the Zodiac in her hometown of Las Vegas and makes the lights and sounds of Vegas come alive as only a life long resident could, but her vivid descriptions of the twisted world of Midheaven makes you shutter with chills. Not one but three evil villains grace the pages of The Neon Graveyard … [it] answers all of the questions that were left unanswered by the previous chapters in the ever intriguing life of Joanna Archer…

You can click the embedded links for the full reviews, but to say I'm thrilled with the way the final book is being received is an understatement. It has been a gratifying journey.

Happy Friday.

What a fantastic week! In addition to hearing back from so many readers, I've had some wonderful feedback from both my agent and editor regarding my current work-in-progress. It also went to cover conference this week so I'll have a cover to show you in a few month's time. (I know that sounds like forever, but one peek at my calender tells me this summer is going to zip right by – I hope you have great plans. Hit the beach for me!)

So I'll be back under the gun next week to start the first round of edits on that, but until then I'm enjoying the reader interaction (and I can't wait to see what you all think of the chips … some of you should be seeing yours in the mail today). I've had some extra time with my Unreliable Narrator (my parent-teacher conference rocked!), and Vegas is in that golden period where it still gets cool in the mornings and evenings, even though we're breaking the 90s in the daytime. I plan on enjoying that weather this weekend, but for those of you who don't already know via my newsletter – I'll also have an excerpt for THE NEON GRAVEYARD up next Tuesday. It drops only two weeks after that – yay!

Also via my newsletter … if you think you're following me on Twitter, you might want to double-check. Something malfunctioned (my brain) and I deleted the old account a couple of months ago. To further confuse the issue, the new account is under the same name: www.twitter.com/VickiPettersson. Apologies for the inconvenience!

Thank you.

"Well, it's not a cancer spoon, but I guess it'll do …"

— Smartass Reader re. my poker chip giveaway.

First, let me just say – I have the most amazing readers! Not only have you guys written in for your freebies, you've sent me amazing messages along with it … and I gotta say, it's so nice to finally hear what y'all are thinkin'! So often this feels like a one way street – all the information going out (into the abyss?), and that by guesswork – what do readers want to know? What sort of freebie would they like to have to augment these books? What speaks to them the most about Jo's story?

Well, for the first time I'm hearing en masse some of the thoughts on the series, and while I can't answer each of the emails personally, please know I'm reading them all, and I'm insanely touched. Seriously, those of you who've written in for your poker chip thus far, please know that you've given me far more than I'm sending back to you. You've made me laugh, smile and tear up (which, I suppose, is only fair after everything I've put you through with these books). And your words and support and care for the world I've created is particularly poignant now that Joanna's saga is ending in two weeks.

Yet because of you, it doesn't feel like an ending now, so much as a victory lap.

Thank you.

This just in: my publisher, HarperVoyager, is giving away five full sets of the series along with the poker chips. To get the deets on that, go here.

Las Vegas signing – June 3.

Since the time is quickly approaching (19 days, anyone?!) when the final book of the Zodiac series hits the shelves, I thought I'd talk a bit about my appearances schedule. The whole of them are listed on the sidebar, but I want to talk about a couple of them individually. Regarding Las Vegas, here's what just appeared in my local newspaper:

Final book in Signs of the Zodiac series to be launched in June

Las Vegas showgirl turned best-selling author Vicki Pettersson is scheduled to sign copies of her newest book, " The Neon Graveyard, " at 7 p.m. June 3 at the 6521 Las Vegas Blvd. South Borders in Town Square Las Vegas.

According to Pettersson ' s website, vickipettersson.com, this will be the last in her Signs of the Zodiac series, set in Las Vegas.

Pettersson also hopes to meet with her Twitter followers to share coffee before the event. To learn more, follow her on Twitter at twitter.com/vickipettersson.

I'm so thrilled they mentioned the tweet-up. I love to get to know my readers a bit better at these things, and meeting beforehand helps me do that. So I'm planning a 5:30 "tweetup" in the park area of Town Square. We can grab coffee from one of the vendors, find a place in the gazebo or grass (or inside somewhere if it's too hot) and chat for a bit.

Mind I can't sign books or do a reading – that would be unfair to Borders, who is kind enough to be opening their doors to me there for the first time – but it might be a better time for pictures, and then we can all head over to Borders for books and readings and signings and a more formal Q&A. I'll talk there about questions all/other readers might have about the series, but if there's something you want to know specifically, well – I can whisper it in your ear at the gazebo, okay? Just don't tell!

So all you have to do to follow/find out where we are at the 5:30 tweetup is make sure you're "following" me on Twitter. And even if you think you already are, you might want to double check. I deleted my first account there a couple of months ago, and all my contacts were deleted with it. (Oopsie.)

Also, please note that the date for the Vegas signing is JUNE 3rd, not July. I mention this only because that 4th of July holiday tends to supersede things and I'm sure I'm not the only one who has accidentally "attended" an event a week or two in advance/late. Or maybe I am – which would make that confession extremely embarrassing.

(BTW, I'll have the freebie poker chips mentioned in my previous post available at the Vegas signing, and am happy to give one to each of you when signing your book.)