Book News!

This is pretty amazing. I recently did an interview with the online book magazine, Requiem de Libros. What a cool site! Take a look, and be sure to check out my interview on pages 15-17. Thanks to everyone at Requiem de Libros!

And Pamela, one of my Facebook friends, has started an Eternos-themed blog! Have a look at the amazing pendant you get if you order the book in Mexico. (I borrowed the pic from Pamela's blog.) Thanks, Pamela!

Last but not least, you may notice that my blogging has become a bit . . . irregular. (HA) I'm hard at work on a new project, and I'm so unbelievably inspired that it's hard to pull myself away sometimes! But I am still here, and the project will be finished soon, so don't go away!

I'm also going to be working on something very SPECIAL for Kiki Strike fans. Something handy. Something dangerous (in the right way, of course). You're going to like it. And that's all I'm going to say!!!

Interview with the Itzel Library

All I needed was one look at the Itzel Library blog to know that I'd found some kindred spirits. (You'll see what I mean.) So when I was invited to chat with the fabulous, mysterious YEL, I seized the opportunity.

Here's my interview, in both Spanish and English! Thanks, Yel!

Hello, Mexico!

A couple of days ago, I found out that The Eternal Ones is VERY popular in Mexico. I love it when one of my books receives a warm welcome in another country, but Mexico happens to be one of my favorite places on earth. (Not to mention the country where I saw THE MOST AMAZING THING EVER.) So this time, I'm absolutely thrilled.

Maybe the book's popularity has something to do with the awesome Spanish title . . . Eternos. Who wouldn't want to read a book called Eternos? Or maybe it has something to do with the mysterious videos and newspaper ads that have popped up around the country . . .

Whatever the case, I'm ecstatic. And I hope Eterno's Mexican readers stop by Bank St. Irregular to say hello! And all of you Spanish speakers out there should definitely pay a visit to the Eternos Facebook page. I'm going to be giving away signed copies of the book soon!

Ghost Update

The weather was terrible in New York yesterday, so I spent the afternoon indoors watching a marathon of the super-cheesy, but highly-entertaining show Hauntings. (Yes, I know. I should be doing more with my spare time.)

Anyway, the show reminded me that I haven't shared my latest ghostly experience with you.

If you've been reading my blogs, you already know that there's a ghost in my house. I haven't actually seen her (as previous occupants have), but I know she's here.

About a month ago, I was cooking dinner. Garlic was involved. I stepped out of the kitchen for a moment to set the table in the nearby dining room. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw something come flying through the kitchen door. Then I felt it hit me--right on the butt. I looked down, and there was a garlic clove lying on the floor of the dining room.

There was no one else around. The rest of the garlic was still sitting on the counter where I'd left it. In order to whack me on the butt, the clove in question had somehow managed to pick itself up, turn a corner, and fly approximately twenty feet.

I was surprised, but I wasn't frightened. It actually seemed pretty funny at the time. I'd like to know more about my ghost, but I don't want to tick her off. Ouija boards seem rather silly and impersonal. Any suggestions for making contact?

How to Stay Creative

One of the questions I'm often asked is: What's the best way to overcome writer's block. As I recently said in an interview (which you can check out here), I don't believe in writer's block. (When was the last time you heard a doctor say she had "doctor's block?") However, I'll admit that there are times when I feel rather uninspired.

This afternoon, I found the video posted below. It offers "29 Ways to Stay Creative." The tips may seem unbelievably simple, but I know from experience that they work.

I'm particularly fond of #23: READ A (RANDOM) PAGE FROM THE DICTIONARY. Why? Allow me to explain. In my opinion, the Internet has one very serious downside. (No, I'm not talking about people who review books that they couldn't POSSIBLY have read unless they somehow managed to hack into my computer. And no, I don't think anyone has hacked my computer.)

The problem with the Internet is that it gives us exactly what we want. Lots of sites are designed to remember our past purchases and spit out a list of books, music, and products that we're likely to enjoy. So it's easy to get stuck in a rut--reading the same kind of books, listening to the same kind of music, buying the same stuff that we've bought in the past.

This isn't the way to be (or stay) creative. More often than not, inspiration comes from new, different, and surprising experiences. Go to the library and find a section you've never explored. Listen for strange new songs as you walk down the street. Visit a part of town that you've never seen before. Flip through the dictionary and find an unfamiliar word. Do something completely random.

You never know what's going to provide the inspiration you're seeking. And that's the whole point. You never know. But it probably won't be something you do every day. Otherwise, you'd be inspired already.

29 WAYS TO STAY CREATIVE from TO-FU on Vimeo.

Manhattan's Secret Magic Library

CH Presents: The Conjuring Arts Research Center from Cool Hunting on Vimeo.

Hidden somewhere on the island of Manhattan is a library with over 12,000 books on the subject of magic. If you can find it, you're welcome to visit.

This is just the sort of place Ananka Fishbein would stumble across. Don't you think? On a personal note, I'd love to take a peek at the book Valuable Secrets. What kind of secrets, I wonder? And how valuable are they?

Congratulations to Our Winners!

(Above: Art by Ray Ceasar)

Finalists 3 & 4 are the winners! But I would have been thrilled if All You Desire had ended up with any of these covers. So you're all winners to me! (Isn't that sweet?)

Another talented artist has asked me to post her entry, so have a look below!

I'm going to be working on a secret project until June 10th, so I won't be able to blog for the next week. But please meet me here on June 11th, and we'll take another trip into the bizarre.

Here Are the 5 Finalists & 1 Honorable Mention!

Once again, I was absolutely blown away by your talent and creativity. You guys all deserve to be finalists. And if I had more than 2 ARCs to give away, I would send one to every person who entered. There was not a single entry that wasn't new, different, and eye-catching.

Alas, we can only have five finalists. Choosing them was one of the most difficult tasks I've ever been given. If your cover is not one of the finalists, and you would like me to post it on the blog, just send me a note. Once the blog readers choose two winners, I will be happy to share other entries!

So here's how this works. Look for the poll on the upper right side of this blog, and choose the cover you like best. Feel free to vote for yourself, but please . . . ONE VOTE PER PERSON. And as always, only regular blog readers are allowed to vote. Please do not ask your grandma to vote for you. (Unless she's a reader of the blog!)

You have twenty-four hours to place your vote. VOTING WILL END AT 9:00 AM (NY TIME), JUNE 4th!

The two covers with the most votes will each win an ARC of All You Desire! Good luck to all the finalists!!!

Finalist #1

Why was it chosen? I think it goes without saying. Simply amazing. The detail, the artistry, the colors. I'm awestruck.

Finalist #2

Why was it chosen? I love the simplicity of this cover. The silhouettes communicate everything . . . true love, destiny, and danger. Brilliant.

Finalist #3

Why was it chosen? It's gorgeous for starters, and I love the 1920s-style silhouettes. Two touches I really appreciated . . . the figure spying on the couple and the Snake Goddess on the Greek vase. Very cool.

Finalist #4

Why was it chosen? The colors are arresting, and the design is both simple and lovely. The symbol in the center is another symbol of eternity. (As you recall, I didn't insist that entries use an ouroboros.) I would definitely pick up this book if I saw it in a bookstore.

Finalist #5

Why was it chosen? It seems simple at first glance, but there's so much hidden in this image. Haven's ouroboros armlet. The snakes slithering out of the heart. And I think it really captures how it feels to fall in love, when you're not quite sure if you're floating or sinking. It makes me happy just looking at this cover.

Honorable Mention:

Why did this entry receive an honorable mention? It would have been a finalist, perhaps even a winner. But I'm afraid it's for the wrong book! However, that doesn't make this entry any less brilliant. I would have been thrilled if this had been the cover of The Eternal Ones!

Today is the Day!

Submit your covers by 11:59 PM (New York time) tonight! Good luck to all!

(That girl on the right looks pretty tough, huh? I bet her monkey won.)