I almost watched 20/20 last night because they were featuring ‘Real-Life Vampires’ and then thought…”Seriously, what are the odds they’ll feature my book cover for this story?” Apparently I should also buy a lottery ticket because the odds were 100%!! You’ll have to sit through a commercial once the video loads but at -6:34 on the timer, you’ll see my beautiful cover with my name front and center!
Inside the World of Real-Life Vampires
First Publisher’s Weekly gave BITE ME! an outstanding review.
And now Booklist joins the ranks of great taste in reading with their fabulous review! (you can sign up for a free trial subscription to read the review on their site or you can just read it below…)
For AJ Ashe, fitting in means keeping her fangs hidden. She has always considered herself “way more human than vampire,” but since starting senior year, things have become more complicated. Her mom has just remarried, and now AJ’s hot boyfriend is her new stepbrother (not hot); her English teacher claims that she cheats (not true); and she might have turned a too-grabby classmate into a vengeful vampire (not good). AJ has an increasingly tough time keeping her vampire identity a secret as she faces unexpected dangers, as well as discoveries about her past, new family, and, ultimately, her own future. AJ is an appealing, thoroughly modern teen vampire whose engaging, funny, matter-of-fact narrative is packed with pop culture, from brand names to Buffy. Intricate vampire lore and diverse characters, including classmates and a history teacher with secrets of his own, add depth and drama to AJ’s struggle to navigate—and survive—ordinary teen and vampire life. Though some readers may guess key plot developments, they will nonetheless enjoy this fun, fang-filled debut and anticipate its sequel.
Shelle Rosenfeld
I am stoked! Two big names in the industry have had very positive things to say about my little book. Color me pink with happiness.
At long last, here are some pics from my signing in Oxford, Mississippi with @Stacey_Jay.
Me and Stacey
My youngest fan!I’m having trouble getting blogger to upload pics today, so for the entire album, please go here: Bite Me Oxford!
Yesterday was a big day. I posted pics from my book launch party over at Fictionistas. Go forth and check them out!
Today is going to be low key…I’m planning to float the keg with my pal Robyn (who I owe a vital organ to for hosting my party. I may never be able to thank her properly!) and then just relax after an extreme weekend! It’s not everyday you get to have your debut book party!
I got some good news today…BITE ME! was reviewed by Publisher’s Weekly and it’s a rockin’ review. Here, check it out:
http://www.publishersweekly.com/article/CA6673981.html?industryid=47139
Bite Me! Melissa Francis. HarperTeen, $8.99 paper (304p) ISBN 978-0-061-43098-5
First-time novelist Francis presents a tasty story that uses humor and a light touch to rise above typical teen vampire fare. Seventeen-year-old “good girl” AJ may be a closet blood-drinker, but that’s the least of her problems. Her mom’s remarriage has just turned her boyfriend into her stepbrother (“Momma’s exact words to me were, ‘Ariel Jane, if you so much as look at that boy with fangs in your eyes again, I’ll bite you myself.’ ”), her AP Lit teacher is already out to get her on the first day of school, and she might have accidentally turned her rebound guy into a vamp who is now threatening her family. On top of that, she’s been accused of cheating on a quiz, and compromising photos have appeared on her Facebook page—someone has to be setting her up. But who? Francis keeps things moving, creating an absorbing and refreshing page-turner with a solid mythology, sympathetic heroine and appealing characters that readers will want to invite back to their own homes (well, almost). Ages 14–up. (Aug.)
You can safely say I’m riding high right now!
I turn 40 this year. That’s a pretty momentous occasion so I’m going to ring in this decade with style.
I’ve decided to rip off a friend of mine who did a “50 at 50” list and make myself a list of 40 things to do at 40 but I need your help because I don’t know if I can come up with 40 things. Here’s what I’ve got so far:
<–20-something Mel
40 at 40
Okay, I’m only at 30, but if I complete THIS list, I think I’ll be doing pretty damn well. What do you think? Have any suggestions?
From one Naughty Librarian I mean, MILF, writer to all of you, have a safe, fun and happy new year. Tomorrow is another day…and I can’t wait.
You know how I know I’m getting old? I can’t seem to sleep past 6:30 a.m. no matter what time I go to bed. Hmph.
So last night, we had a combo birthday-party-slash-reunion-slash-holiday gathering at Chez Francis. Fishdog invited loads of his friends from elementary and high school as well as our regular peeps.
It was a fun night. I was exhausted by the time it was over, and kicked folks out around 1:00. (sorry guys. You were welcome to stay–Fishdog was up for a while, so you could’ve kept him company. but my tired ass was ready for some zzzzzz’s)
Favorite part of the night? Meeting an old friend of Fishdog’s, who is an artist living in Paris, who also reads my blog. He entered the house like a whirling dervish, all energy and smiles. And as soon as Fishdog introduced us, Marcus hugged me and said (exclaimed with gusto), “I read you blog! So when do we get to the boob shots?” Ah yes. the cleavage shots. I love being famous for my ‘Who’s Tits Are These’ pics from conferences and parties. LOL!
You’ll be sad to know, there were no cleavage shots last night. Sorry guys. There were children present. Even I have a small amount of dignity.
Anyway, Marcus is awesome and I wanted to wrap him up and put him under my tree for Christmas. Please Mom? Can I keep him? Please check his website out, he’s a very talented artist and really an amazing guy. Also, he was the only one at the party last night who could claim to have a tall, dark and handsome French boyfriend. (I saw pictures. Trust me when I say tall, dark and handsome.) I wanted to hate him a little for that, but his charm and energy won me over. (And Gabrielle, if you ever get a chance to meet Marcus, I give you permission to play with him, but you do not get to keep him all to yourself. I heart him.) I’m still trying to figure out how I can convince him to let me wrap him up and open him for Christmas…
I think a good time was had by all. Pics below–why don’t you judge for yourself?
The turkey was falling off the bone. I’m not sure if it was so moist because of the brine, the oven bag, or a combo of both.
I made my loaded mash potatoes as well. Don’t worry, we had dressing, too. Never enough bread items for our family…
I decided to ‘wing it’ with the cranberries. I did 12 oz of cranberries with 3/4 cup brown sugar, 1/2 cup blueberries, 1/2 cup chopped pecans, cinnamon and orange zest. They were very tasty.
Mmmmm. Olives.
Pecan Pie was a big hit…
Rader ate 3 pieces of the pumpkin pie he helped make.
and then my fave–Apple Pie
The table.
Hope your day was as lovely as ours.
That’s right, 1 year ago today, I had my nose pierced.
And I can’t imagine my life without that little gem. Seriously, it’s like I’ve always had it.
So happy nose-pierce-iversary to me!
I got my navel pierced for my 35th birthday. My nose done to celebrate my first book sale…and this year’s milestone…a tattoo.
I was supposed to get my first one in SF this year at the RWA Conference with the same group of Divas who kidnapped me and took me to get my nose done last year. But that wasn’t meant to be. First of all, I had to cancel my trip. Too expensive under the circumstances. If my book was going to hit the shelves this year, I would’ve figured out a way to afford the trip, but it’s not, and there really is no reason for me to go. Secondly, Fishdog has designed my tattoo but it needs a little tweaking. The tattoo isn’t going to happen until the design is ready.
But it will happen sometime before March. It’s my turning 40 celebration.
Do you do anything special to celebrate your milestones?
Okay, I did blog today. See post below.
However, I have been biting my tongue for a damn month to shout this from the bloody rooftops and now I can.
My CP, Louisa Edwards, signed a 4 book deal with St. Martins about a month ago. The announcement was in Publisher’s Weekly today. I am so happy! I have been shouting on my inside parts trying to keep this secret…and it ain’t been easy, let me tell ya.
Here’s the announcement;
http://www.publishersweekly.com/article/CA6575879.html
Restaurant Romances
Rose Hilliard at St. Martin’s Press preempted world rights to fourbooks by editor-turned-author Louisa Edwards via Deidre Knight. Setamid the New York restaurant scene, the first book in the series iscalled Can’t Stand the Heat and is slated to launch in fall 2009, with subsequent titles to appear every six months. Knight is a romance author as well as agent, and Edwards was her first editor at NAL. WhenEdwards left New York publishing, Knight briefly worked with Hilliard,who subsequently left for SMP.
I’ve read the proposal and let me tell ya, it is an all you can eat buffet of awesome!!!
Here’s to you, Louisa!!!
Bitchin' Fiction: Musings by author Melissa McKenzie / Melissa Francis 