All you need to know about echoes of the past, groovy neato socks, and taking over the world

Do you remember that amazingly awesome school visit to LakeVille Middle School that I mentioned? Yeah, well, what I didn't mention is that that middle school and high school are where I was picked on growing up--my experiences in those schools led to all of Vlad's bully-related stress (though Vlad has it easier schoolwise than I did). I actually stressed over the idea of going back. Big time. Cried a lot. Considered cancelling. But then I realized that it's just a building, and that all of the people who picked on me are gone, and that I was going to hang with my Minions, and I felt much better. So I went, and you know what? It was the best day that I had ever spent at that school. Everyone was so, so great and I absolutely enjoyed spending time with them. I actually enjoyed walking through those halls.

While I was there, this really cool Minion asked how I'd dealt with bullies while I was there, whether or not I had any advice. I told him to keep his head down, to never let 'em see ya sweat, to wait it out and eventually, bullies will go away. Yes, tell a teacher or a friend or a parent if you feel you can (in fact, I urge you to reach out to someone, if just to vent), but the big key is to not let it bother you. Eventually, they'll find someone new to pick on (sad, but true). The best thing you can do is know that they are wrong. You're smarter, cooler, better than they are. And one day, when you're in your 30s, you could be a doctor with hundreds of patients, and they could be working at a gas station and still living with their parents. Bullies may be tough, but what they have in strength, they lack in endurance. Out-think them. Out-last them. And work hard in school, because the best revenge (not that I advocate vengeance) is utter success.

And when you are a success (SEGWAY ALERT!), you can afford all sorts of cool socks, of which I have an enormous obsession. I'm not sure if I've shared my sock love with you, Minions. I have everything from toed rainbow socks to Happy Bunny (my fave being "I'm not mean, you're just a sissy") to pink, white and black socks which read "kiss me stupid". I'm not sure if they're supposed to mean "kiss me, stupid" or if they're supposed to be as insulting as they seem to be without a comma, but I (heart) them. Am I the only one with a sock fetish?

Something else I've noticed about my wardrobe lately: I have a deep love of pseudo military clothing. Just trrust me. Once I take over the world, I can certainly dress for it.

Now I just have to figure out whether or not it's acceptable for me to do events in my usual clothes (which are all sorts of yummy goth), or if I should dress up in the clothes I've been wearing to events (which make me feel very uncomfortably like a grown up). What I want to wear are black jeans, a military top, and my pink and black Converse. But I have this ongoing nightmare of booksellers never asking me back. Huh. I have issues.

For those of you who have emailed to ask if there will be another Vlad book and when it will be out: the third book in the Chronicles is TENTH GRADE BLEEDS and I have no idea when it will be in stores, but it is written! (and oh boy...you guys have no idea how good it's gonna be...) Also, if you want to know if you can use my vampire smiley, the answer is yes. Just make sure you tell people all about Vlad when they see it. In fact, the next time you're at a bookstore or library, it would rock my groovy neato socks off if you could tell booksellers and librarians all about my books. They like to hear what people are reading, and it absolutely would help your Auntie Heather out (not to mention our favorite fanged boy). So, get out there and spread the Vlad love, and them make more friends read the books too (I often picture the Horde working like the aliens in Puppet Masters...it's awesome!). You guys rock.

Elysian Code/NINTH GRADE SLAYS Feedback

After much urging by my wonderful Minions, I've decided to create a codex of the Elysian Code. Don't thank me yet--I still have to actually do it and that will take time. And to be honest, I kinda overlooked the possibility that you Minions would want to use Elysian Code too. But I'm really excited about being able to share the vampire language with all of you.

So far, the feedback I've received on NINTH GRADE SLAYS is all good. Everyone seems to like NGS, and no one seems to have expected the big twist (which makes me happy, as I worried that it was too obvious). Everyone seems very happy about the bits of romance that blossom more fully in this book, and Vlad's developing vampire skills. Everyone also seems to have taken a shine to Henry's cousin, Joss, which pleases me to no end. So...me=happy that you=happy. Hang in there! This series has just begun. A reminder: please don't reveal any big secrets in the comments, as we want everyone to enjoy the books with a fresh perspective. But feel free to discuss--and if you can't do that without revealing a secret, please post **SPOILER WARNING** before you spill a secret. Thanks!

So...any thoughts on NGS and the Vlad series so far?

Best. Trip. Ever.

Greetings, my Minions! As you know, I've been gone since Wednesday, promoting NINTH GRADE SLAYS out of state. While I was gone, I got some amazing news: Scholastic Book Club (who are very anti-vampire) have picked up Vlad! Which is a very big deal. And I attribute it to you all spreading the Vlad love, so thank you.

But that's not all. I had the most amazing trip. And I had to share.

On Thursday morning, I visited with a high school Creative Writing class and spoke with them about how they could get my job. They were fun and intelligent, and it went very well, but my favorite school event came the next day, when I went to my old middle school (LakeVille Middle School in Otisville, MI) and they patched us in with three other schools (Montrose, Davison, and Flushing) via this tv system they have. It was so much fun! The office ladies were so excited and said the school was all abuzz about my visit. The hallway outside of the library was plastered with Vlad posters, which said things like "Welcome back, Heather" and "the return is imminent". And then inside, I got to meet with the librarian, teachers, and the woman who organized the event, Sharon Armstrong. Minions came in and the fun began.

We had a blast! We talked about all sorts of things and I taught them all how to dye their hair with Kool-Aid (cuz I'm cool like that). And afterwards, the LakeVille Minions swarmed me, demanding autographs. At one point, a student asked if I would sign his forehead. And heck yeah, I did! Before I knew it, I was autographing kids (yes, books too) and feeling just like a rock star. I signed a girls crutches (she'd hobbled all the way to the library just to see me) and talked with them all about every subject you can imagine. One asked me to sign her butt (I declined), and two asked if I'd sign their cleavage (I'm not even sure boys have cleavage). They kept asking me what it was like to be famous and at first it didn't hit me that I was famous in any way, shape or form, but then...seeing my autograph on their necks even (!!!) made me smile and I said, "It feels pretty cool."

When they all left, I autographed the artwork in the hallway for them. And as I was leaving, several students who weren't in that class waved and called out, "Hi, Heather!". One even ran out the door after me, just to say hello. It was UNBELIEVABLE. I had no idea that an author could ever be treated in such a way. (One that's not JK Rowling, I mean) No trip can top that one. It was incredible. So thank you, Minions. Thank you, thank you, thank you, for making me feel so welcome. You rock!

And to do one better, my signing the next day at Barnes & Noble on Miller Rd. in Flint, MI had me signing books for three hours solid--not even a tiny break. I had a LINE of people, wanting to meet me and buy NINTH GRADE SLAYS.

A line. For me. I couldn't help but peek over my shoulder to see if it was for someone else.

Life. Is. Good.

And there are pics on my MySpace!

Out for a Bite!

Okay, Minions, you're on your own for a few days. I'll be back Sunday night/Monday day. Be safe, be well, and try not to let any Slayers get in.

And just so you know...
15

The NINTH GRADE SLAYS trailer is here!

Actually, it's here. But it'll soon be parked on my website. Enjoy!

About NINTH GRADE SLAYS...

Greetings, Minions! How are all my little nightstalkers doing? Auntie Heather is busy with packing and getting everything ready (read: cleaning and trying to find my desk) for my upcoming trip. As an FYI, I'll be gone this Wednesday morning and won't be back until Sunday night (but no blogging again until Monday). But please feel free to leave comments while I'm gone and tell me what you loved and loathed about NINTH GRADE SLAYS--I'm really anxious to hear it (yes, the good, the bad, and the ugly). With this book, the series takes a turn into what it will soon be. EIGHTH GRADE BITES set the stage, but NINTH GRADE SLAYS is where Vlad's story truly begins. It's darker, much darker than EIGHTH GRADE BITES. And I promise you, everything that I do with these books, I do for a reason.

It's hard to choose my favorite chapter, but choosing my fave chapter title of NINTH GRADE SLAYS is easy. It's Psycho Slasher Chain-saw Guy from Hell. And my fave moment in the book takes place on page 258 (but please don't skip ahead to that part--you'll understand in due time). Otis continues to be a great chracter in this book, as does our favorite fanged boy (Vlad), and I'm hoping that I've thrown you a few twists and turns that you'll enjoy. There's more blood, more vampires, more Henry making out with random girls, more everything, really. I like this book...and I hope you will too.

If you do, the best thing that you can do is talk about it. Tell your family, your friends, your local booksellers, your librarians. Tell them they should buy it too. Plaster that vampire smiley everywhere you can think of. Make them listen. Because how well Vlad does as a series is up to you, Minions. And so far, you've done an amazing job. Thank you.

I hope to see many of you in Flint, Michigan this Saturday! As a reminder, I'll be at Barnes & Noble at Genesee Valley Mall from 2-5pm. See you there!

Catch-Up Time!

Orkut Scrap Toys

How are my Minions? Auntie Heather is good. Let's see, updates: I (and by "I", I mean my wonderful new stylist, Jason) dyed my hair various layers of red and black (I was going to go with a bright, bright red, but didn't in the end, as I wanted a permanent dye this time and the bright red is only a semi-permanent--so it's more a rich, deep red). I learned yesterday that my launch party cookies (which feature the cover of NINTH GRADE SLAYS) have shipped out, so they should be here any time. I've been playing a lot of Rock Band (and loving it, even though I question many of the song choices on there). And I'm crazy busy with all the last minute preparations before I leave town (FYI, there will be no blog entries from April 16-21).

I'm so glad you like the Zazzle t-shirts! I'll continue to add to the collection as great ideas surface. In fact, I've decided to discontinue the vampire smiley t-shirts and only carry the hoodies for another few months on my site: it's just too time-intensive (read: takes away from my Vlad time) to deal with, and I really think the hoodie love with wane soon anyway. We're also going to have a bit of a shake-up regarding how I handle the Minion Bling orders, but what I've come up with will be much easier and much faster for everyone. No worries! You'll still get free Bling, and you'll get it a lot quicker. Auntie Heather is just on an "Operation: make Auntie Heather's life easier" kick.

So...how's stuff, Minions?

Ask and Ye Shall Receive!

New Vlad t-shirts HERE.

Hoodie Alert!

Just an FYI, Minions, if you want a hoodie, you should get one soon (click "Minion Stuff" above), as I'm down to just nine at the moment--and with the upcoming launch and promotional stuff, it may be a bit before I get more ordered. Of course, there are still t-shirts, but the message I'm getting is that the hoodies are much more popular. Anyone have thoughts as to why that is?