Kim Harrison's Blog, page 99
February 27, 2012
Happy Monday!
I had a wonderfully relaxing weekend, actually, catching up on my sleep as well as the internet stuff, and I'm ready to hit the tarmac again tomorrow. There were boats and salty canals, fresco lunches and wind that snarled my hair and made me squint. I was reminded of the month I once spent with my parents on our boat down in Florida not too long ago. It was a cold February, nothing like this year. While growing up, I spent my summers on a small boat in a big lake, and it was there that I felt the most centered. This was a good place to rest.
Last night had Guy and I got down to Coral Gables and Books and Books, chatting with a great group of people, most of whom had not been to one of my events before. I like the "virgin" crowds almost as much as the seasoned ones, and I think everyone had a good time.
Click for a high-res photoTonight, though, we will be at the Palm Beach Public Library. Check out the info at the website because you need to register to get in. more info
February 26, 2012
Tis the weekend, but I still have stuff!
Hanover MD just outside of Washington was a stupendous signing event! Unfortunately the store was not set up for a Q&A, but I did allow for extra time at the signing table for questions. We ended up having to cap the line an hour before the store's closing or I'd be there still. (My apologies if you got there late and were turned away. They can't keep the store open after the mall closes.) Fortunately we were able to bring all the roadies out of the line temporally to get our family photo!
We got a little rowdy ourselves by the end of it . . . But it ended well. -laugh-
I'm busy today catching up on everything from my daily stretching to curling my hair, to touching up my nails. Not to mention all the questions you've been shooting at me while I've been out of internet connection. 
Yesterday was a bear, but with some creative luggage control and a top-notch escort, Guy and I got through it just fine, leaving us this morning to relax until tonight's event out at Books and Books. We did have some time before the event to tour some of Atlanta's oldest residential areas and get to see some beautiful homes from the outside. I am so in agreement with the man who designed the layouts of the neighborhoods. A park within walking distance. Yes. You'd think it was a no-brainer, and I think it is responsible for some of the more once-forgotten neighborhood's recovery. Anyway . . .
Yesterday's Atlanta event drew people in from Savanna, and Tennessee, if you can believe it! It was a tremendous crowd, and the number of roadies was overwhelming. Somehow we all managed to squeeze into the fairly large signing room that Eagle Eye has in the back of the store. Q&A (pictured below) was great, and we had to cut it off after about 20-30 minutes. This is actually only half the crowd. If I'd been thinking, I would have taken one to the right as well.
Also, if you are going to the Dark Delicacies event, the time has been changed to 1:00 pm
February 24, 2012
Better late than never . . .
If you are planning on attending the event at Dark Delicacies. The time has been shifted to 1:oo pm from 2:00 pm
I know . . . I'm posting really late today, but I had a fairly early flight, and not a lot of chance to put the latest pictures together. But they are now up! The picture below has most of the roadies in it, but we did miss a few. It was only after the first fifteen minutes of signing that I realized we could pull everyone out of the signing line for a quick photo and then return to their same place. Boston people are great. :-) It was a long line, and everyone was still smiling at the end, even if they almost did have to kick us out.
Also, I have a few media bites for you! I did a phone interview with the Miami Herald before I left, and though it won't be in the physical paper until Sunday's book page, it did go live on-line today. Check them out!
Rachel's Older, Wiser, more Powerful
For Hollows writer Kim Harrison, it's an urban fantasy come true
Tonight I'm in Baltimore, more specifically BAM at Arundel Mills. Hope to see some of you there!
February 23, 2012
Tonight, Boston!
I'm in the air today, traveling to Boston for one of my few east cost events, so today's post will be short and sweet!
I did manage to get the pictures from last night's event at Nicola's up at the web site, so check them out!
Nicola's was as wonderful as I remembered it, with people from as far away as Canada and Tennessee, which completely blew me away. Again, I was surprised at how many people there had been to one of my events before — but then again, I call Nicolas home. You might notice in some of the photos I'm sporting a new look. (snerk) If you have to wear glasses, wear glasses!
February 22, 2012
Schulers Lansing — A Perfect Blood Kick-off!
It feels official now. The tour has begun, and I am in the groove! The groove to move! (Sorry, I could not resist.) The event last night at Schulers Books and Music in Lansing was fabulous! There were lots of roadies with Tour ts, but even better, it was like a big friggin family reunion since 90% of the people there had been to one of my signings before. It wasn't just me recognizing people, it was the people at the event recognizing each other. I was amazed, and they all got to see Kim Harrison's shocked face. Wow!
The bunny cam was in full swing, and we even have a YouTube of the bunny eared kiss-kiss at the website. I've only got a few of my favorites here. See them all at the website. Again, I was amazed at sister, mother/daughter, husband/wife, and work colleague pairs that were in the audience, and I love hearing how they found the books.
Tonight Guy and I will be at Nicolas in Ann Arbor. While there, I will be personalizing books to be shipped out all over the US, so if you can't make it to a signing and want to get in on this, be sure to call Nicolas at 734-662-0600 BEFORE 7:00 pm EST to arrange payment. They will also ship overseas.
February 21, 2012
A Perfect Blood — Out today!
At long last, A Perfect Blood is out! If you go looking for it and don't see it on the shelf, rattle some cages and ask them to bring it out from the back because today is the day! Phew! This one seemed to take forever! :-) E-versions and audio versions should also be available. [My editor is currently tracking down why the audio version is not out. Hold on.] Now I can finally talk about it, but please keep your spoilerish questions on the APB spoiler page. (see the tab on this page's header.)
Tonight I will be celebrating out at Schulers in Lansing. I hope to see some of you there. I've got about a hundred glow-in-the-dark posters to give away and even some glow-in-the-dark ink that Guy found for me to sign them with. Too cool. We've got snow right now, but I think it will stop by then and the roads will be clear. We also have plenty of Rachel's pack tattoos reserved for the event, so no worries there. I can't wait to get this party train going, and though I was out at Ingram (who most likely brings the books to your independent store) doing a scary talk and Q&A last Friday in their fabulous auditorium, tonight feels like the kick-off. [To see where else I'll be going, click] I won't actually be hitting the tarmac until Wednesday when I head out for a rare east coast event in Boston and Hanover MD.
Also, for you artsy people out there who have been showing me your Rachel artwork over the years, have I got an opportunity for you! SUVUDU is hosting a sf/fantasy cage match in the month of March, and they need some art. I'm going to give you the link to the page, and you take it from there. It starts March 5th, I think, but they will need the artwork much sooner than that. The first match-ups will be announced this Saturday, so I think the sooner the better. SUVUDU art opportunity And as always, this has to be your original work, not lifted from the web.
February 20, 2012
Tomorrow is the day!
A-a-a-a-a-a-and it's almost here! I did a little squeal this morning when coming to the drama box and realizing the ticker had clicked over to hours. Seriously?
The event's page has been updated, and if you are planning on coming to an event, it's not a bad idea to check it out to make sure there are no changes. Events Tomorrow is Schulers. We'll be giving away the last of the glow-in-the-dark posters there, and I have a new glow-in-the-dark pen to sign them with. Too cool.
I'm going to be busy this morning with PR, then a little last-minute work on the anthology, (maybe an hours or two of work) and then I can concentrate on making sure I have everything for this week. But mostly, I'll be trying to relax today. There's nothing on my desk, and it's a weird feeling.
Today I've got a Detroit Free Press article/interview about the books for you if you are so inclined. Detroit Free Press 2/19 It took Guy and me three places to find a hard copy yesterday. We generally don't get the paper, and all our usual spots were out.
Also, Dead Witch Walking "wowed" Romantic Times and was a recommended read for 2008 (yes, 2008) and as such, is a part of RT's big valentines give away. It's not to late to enter to win. Check it out
Hope to see some of you tomorrow at Schulers!
February 16, 2012
Not enough caffeine in the world
Yep, the snow is gone and it feels like spring. Mostly, anyway. (Can you hear the snow gods laughing at me?) I've solidly switched my focus from writing to promoting, and I'm missing it already. My writing in February and March is like the dry spells of July and August where everything just hangs in wait for the rain. Yesterday, though, was productive, and I've got all the pages set to drop in the tour photos, spots to fill one by one in a steady progression ticking the days off until I'm back at home. I really questioned if I wanted to do the bunny cam this year, but caved at the last moment. It's a pain in the butt (and takes about an hour between flights and sleep) to drop the photos you guys take in line onto the website, but I do so love to see all the smiling faces. So there it is. Bunny cam is back on the agenda.
I've been busy taking phone interviews as well, so hopefully I'll have a few places to send you soon. Even though the count-down says five, I'm at one and in full panic mode as I scramble to get my act together. Tomorrow I'm out the door on a one-day event at a book buyers meeting. Speach-a-fying, as opposed to taking Q&A, is so-o-o-o-o-o not my forte. It should be interesting in a terrifying sort of way to see how far I get before I crash and go to Q&A. I'm guessing five minutes? Anyway, it will get this tour started with a jolt of adrenaline. Once tomorrow's over, it's a piece of cake.
Not enough caffeine in the world . . .
February 15, 2012
I hear crickets
No, seriously, I do. Today is a cricket day in my office, where the music is switched off and the hour of cricket sounds just keeps looping. All. Friggin. Day. :-) I've got a handful of bits and pieces of stuff to finish up, and this makes an even backdrop of white noise that reminds me of summer. It feels like spring out there, by the way. I know it isn't, but it feels like it. I know better. We've got at least one 6-inch snow storm yet to go.
I don't really have anything for you today, but I would like to repost the links to the signed/personalized copies of A Perfect Blood that I have available.
In Ann Arbor: I will be signing A Perfect Blood in Ann Arbor on February 22. Nicola's will cheerfully ship overseas. (Note, because she takes your order by phone, please tell her if you want me to simply sign it, or personalize it with your name and a note.) Call at 734-662-0600 to order. They also carry signed Blood Work, Pale Demon, and might have some Hollows Insiders as well.
In Seattle: I will be signing A Perfect Blood in Seattle on the 7th at the Signed Page. I believe Shawn will ship overseas, as well. To order, follow the instructions at the online form here. Kim's online form. Patricia Briggs will also be signing Fair Game at the time, and her online form is here. Patricia's online form Please don't order personalized books after the 7th. I won't be there to sign them. But I'm sure there will be some generically signed books for a span.
February 14, 2012
Distance viewing
About a month ago, I showed you guys a succulent plant that I'd gotten at a plant swap, not knowing what it was. It sent up a three-foot tall spike, which was when I showed it to you. As I thought, it flattened out into a leaf, and I wanted to pass it on along with a better look at the leaves at the bottom. I've still no idea what it is, but it clearly has a goal. And speaking of goals . . .
As some of you know, I've been working almost a year developing several ideas for what comes after the Hollows. I wanted the next series to be something that could hold my attention for another five years, something fabulously new for me in not just needing new writing techniques, but characters, and yet still be able to pull on my current writing strengths. I spent the summer writing up several novellas for the upcoming Harrison Anthology (September 2012) presenting my editor with more than a synopsis, but actual characters and flavors of new worlds. Then, not being satisfied or sufficiently sparked, I balked from writing that last Hollows book when the time came and took the winter off and actually wrote an entire novel by the seat of my pants, giving my writing methods and thought processes a much needed shake up.
I've been pretty closed-lipped about this "NaNo" book, but did show it to my agent to get his opinion on how strong it is. (sly smirky smile) And now I'm going to become utterly silent on the matter, but it has allowed me to turn my thoughts firmly back to the Hollows, and the ideas are again flowing. (OMGosh, are they flowing . . .) It's much easier for me to relax and write the last bits of the Hollows now that I know what's going to come next. Yes the NaNo book needs a massive rewrite, but it is in the cabinet of awesomeness, and there it will stay as the last pieces come drifting in over the next year or so. I do so love giving myself the gift of the luxury of time.
And I've gotten some good news from my editor about the Harrison Anthology. I forgot to ask her if I can release the title, but I've seen the prelim artwork (Wow) and now know it is going to be a massive edition with ALL of the shorts and novellas. Every single one of them. I am so pleased. I was sure that they wouldn't all fit. (Doing the happy dance!)
Happy Valentines day, by the way. Guy and I will be watching the last half of the dog show tonight. Yay!
