Day of the Black Sun

It's Friday, Minions, and you know what that means. Woooooooo! New Avatar episode on Nick! And even better, it's an hour-long movie type deal, where Ang will finally face the Fire Lord. My little geeky heart is about ready to burst with excitement! Vlad's all playing it cool, like he could care less, but you know he's excited too. I'm just counting down to the moment when Zuko wakes up and realizes his life was better without his father's approval--man, talk about being careful what you wish for...

Anyhoo, it's been a while and Auntie Heather missed you all, so I thought I'd check in and see how things are. I'm DYING to share the cover of NINTH GRADE SLAYS with you all, but still can't...soon, I promise!

So...what's goin' on in Minion-Land? Anybody else an Avatar nut?

I'm a Troublemaker (but so is Vlad)!

Oh man. I should so totally not be proud of this. But I really, really am.

Apparently, my Minion Bling is getting people in trouble. Serious trouble. We're talking ISS (In-School-Suspension) trouble.

I recently learned that one of my Minions was wearing a vampire smiley button to school, and a teacher told her to remove it. While attempting to explain that the button was advertising a book (and trying to redeem herself--I mean, hey, what's wrong with kids reading, right?), she was told "yeah, right...sure it is" and told to remove it again. But apparently, my Minion didn't move fast enough, so they gave her ISS.

To which, I give a hearty chuckle and say ATTENTION: COLLINSVILLE MIDDLE SCHOOL--EIGHTH GRADE BITES IS ABSOLUTELY A BOOK. PLEASE DISCONTINUE PUNISHING MY MINIONS FOR SPREADING THE VLAD LOVE. (thank you)

In other news, there's an interview with me here and a fangtastic review of EGB here (if you haven't already, bookmark this site--it's too cool for words).

And...I have a secret that I'm ready to share with you. Are you excited??? Me too.

Now, keep in mind that it's not ready yet, that I still have to stick cool stuff in there (and that may take a month or two), but...here's a preview of the new Minion Stuff store!!! All too soon, I'll have hoodies for sale, with lots of other neat stuff. So hang in there, Minions!

EDITED TO ADD: OMG, I'm the worst creator EVER! Today is Vlad's birthday!!! So...happybirthdaytoVladhappybirthdaytoVladhappybirthdaydearVladhappybirthdaytoVlad!

Ooooooh...It Tastes Shiny.....

Attention: Minion Horde!

My website has been revamped a bit--check it out!

Also, check back often, because very soon...something really, really fangtastic is coming to the site.

:)=

P.S. Vlad says hi.

On Being Different

I know a lot of you Minions are teenagers, and that quite a few of you are ultra-creative in your way of dressing/behaving, so...I want to tell you a story.

Once upon a time (say about a week ago), Auntie Heather left on a trip to a city a few states from here. I won't say which city, because I don't want any Minions reaching for pitchforks and torches and storming the place. But I will say that it was a smaller city than Saint Louis, and very, very pretty. I was with my husband (we'll call him Uncle Paul) and the two original Minions, our children (one of which shares my love of all things black and macabre--plus, he's really cute, about to turn 14...and single--ladies?). Anyhoo, Uncle Paul doesn't dress like I do. He has his own style (which is great--you should strive for whatever will make you happy and comfortable), and looks very much like an upstanding citizen--unlike me, who is clearly stuck at Halloween, around age 15 or so.

So we went to this town, and people were very nice...until Uncle Paul wasn't around, lording over the freak in the black eyeliner, and keeping her out of trouble. A man in a bookstore muttered "Happy Halloween". A woman at a store wouldn't allow me to carry my bag inside, even though I had my receipt. People literally ran from the restroom when I entered. And a bookseller, I'm sorry to say, seemed to shrink back once she noticed I was approaching her, and ducked into the next aisle, her eyes wide with fear. Normally such occurrences cause Auntie Heather to laugh until the zippers fly right off her pant legs. But this time...it made me a little sad.

Upon hearing I was an author, the bookseller visibly relaxed, and people treated me a tad better. But it was you Minions that my thoughts drifted to...and how hard it is to get people to look past something like clothes and make-up to see the person within. I could totally understand the pressure at that moment not to dress how I prefer to dress, which is all gothy and delicious and full of much black and red and zippers and velvet and yum. And I wondered where the other goths were in that town...or if they were hiding beneath khaki pants and polo shirts. It made me sad to think that people could hurt my Minions enough to make them stop dressing as they wanted to dress (however that is--I'm not speaking just of the gothic style here). And it made me angry that people think that how we look really matters.

Because it doesn't, my Minions. Whether we're all sitting here, looking like whatever we look like or not...none of it matters. Not really. What matters is that we are true to ourselves, and that we never, ever give anyone power over how we feel about ourselves. You Minions are the coolest people on the friggin' planet, and your Auntie Heather adores each and every one of you beyond measure. And do you know why? It's not just because of your fabulous taste in books (which is pretty excellent, Vlad agrees)...it's because you're all unique and wonderful in your own way. So never, ever let anyone make you feel like you're not fangtastic for being the way that you are. Because they don't deserve to have control over you like that. You're beautiful. Every one of you. Believe that.

As for that town...I signed copies of my books in that store, and it looks like they're all sold out now. So clearly...my Minions are there too. And that is enough to bring a smile to my face. :)=

Some Vlad News!

Greetings, my Minions! Did we behave while Auntie Heather was away? I certainly hope not. My trip was long and exhausting, but if you live near Lexington, KY and want an autographed copy of EGB, head on over to Barnes & Noble.

In other news, Vlad was very pleased to see that chocolate won hands down. Mmmm....chocolate and blood....yummy. But...that's not the only news I have to share with you.

EIGHTH GRADE BITES has been nominated for the American Library Association's (ALA) Quick Pick for Reluctant Young Adult Readers 2008!!! I couldn't be more thrilled (and neither could Vlad)...well, except by this next tasty morsel of news.

See, my publisher just signed on for two more books in the Vlad series!!! And it's all because of you, Minions. You've worked so hard to spread the word about Vlad that my publisher is very happy with my sales. So...keep up the good work!

Secrets and Time Away

Greetings, Minions!

As you can tell, Auntie Heather took a much-needed blogging break after the craziness of the hoodie give-away (by the way, if you're waiting on your hoodie still, hang in there...life is super mega ultra crazy right now, but I'll get them in the mail soon). And what sucks is that this blog entry is only to tell you all that I'm headed out of town for the weekend, so I'll be unavailable.

Plus...it's to tell you that I have wonderful news and I CAN'T TELL YOU YET. Which is killing me. Seriously. And I can't be made to suffer alone, so now you'll be bugged by it too. *evil grin*

Have you Minions been spreading the Vlad love? It sure seems like it (thank you!), as Vlad has been popping up in libraries and bookstores all over the country. You Minions rock! Behave this weekend (or don't--behaving isn't much fun, truth be told). First one to post is in charge of the Minions all weekend. :)=

P.S. Vlad can't decide whether blood tastes better with chocolate or peanut butter and jelly. Discuss.