Calamity Jack, Set Your Gift-cards to "Purchase"

As you know, CALAMITY JACK (sequel to the Eisner-Nominated RAPUNZEL REVENGE, in case you forgot) is coming out January 5th. Now, I've been cranky about this release date for some time now. I thought it was a terrible time to release a book, two weeks after Christmas. But I was wrong.

Earlier this week I was hanging out with a bunch of writers (at that "Authorpalooza" thing I mentioned Tuesday.) I was told, by MAZE RUNNER author James Dashner, that two weeks after Christmas is a FANTASTIC time to release a book. (James has one coming out the same time) Can you guess why?

Gift cards.

Everybody gets gift cards at Christmas, and a very high number of them are for bookstores. So, once again, I've discovered I know very little about the ways of publishing.

So remember, if you get a bookstore gift card this Christmas, it's like getting a copy of CALAMITY JACK. Also, if you read this post, you are now required by law to buy a copy. You can't use your gift cards for anything else. Robo-Santa is watching. Even after Christmas--especially the two weeks after Christmas.

{UPDATE: I've been given a stern reprimand in the comments section, it was Jessica Day George, author of PRINCESS OF THE MIDNIGHT BALL, and the DRAGON SLIPPERS/FLIGHT/(upcoming) SPEAR series, who gave me this information, as well as James. Sorry Jessica, you are right, you told me about the gift card/week after Xmas thing. Now that I think about it, James may have just stood by and nodded. I just didn't want to get TOO carried away with the name dropping. I know Jessica Day George and James Dashner--how 'bout that?}

Author Signing Tonight!

I hate to break up the smooth, uninterrupted line of Robo-Christmas posts, but I'm doing an author signing at the West Jordan Barnes and Noble tonight (Tuesday) from 5-7. It's an AUTHORPALOOZA, so many Utah authors will be there. I'd list them, but I can't remember who's coming. You'll have to come to find out.

The Twelve Days of ROBO-CHRISTMAS begins!

Okay everybody, I promised a big, special, Christmas story and this is it! The Twelve Days of Robo-Christmas officially starts tomorrow. This is the cover, featuring Robo-Santa.

Who do you think would win in a fight between Robo-Santa and the Santasaurus from The Dinosaurs' Night before Christmas? I don't know, but I'd love to watch.

So, sit back, pour yourself a glass of Robo-Nog (that's one part egg nog, two parts motor oil) and get ready for Robo-Christmas...istmas...istmas...istmas..(that's echo.)

FEBRUARY UPDATE! The Twelve Days of Robo-Christmas was contracted for publication! So the 12 original posts from this story have been taken down, they will be viewable soon in book form!

Interview Question #5

I hope you've all enjoyed the big interview. Great questions from a gigantic 9-year-old.

IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT: Be sure to check in tomorrow and Sunday, my official Christmas themed blog story starts tomorrow, it's so BIG it flows over into the weekend! So be sure to check back every day until Christmas (all twelve--hint hint!)

Interview Question #4

Interview Question #3

I'm not kidding about the fortune cookie--that's a complex shape. Try drawing one without having one to look at. Also, I've never been able to get licensed characters right, they always look off. I was once up for a job illustrating OLIVIA spin-off books. I tried and tried to match that pig--she always ended up looking like a flip-top garbage can. Needless to say, I didn't get that job.

Interview Question #2

Speaking of Calamity Jack, I've put a PRE-ORDER link in my book section. Click on it, it'll pop you over to Amazon.

And hey, I just noticed, it's my birthday today! I'm 33!

Interview Question #1