DIARY OF A GIRL-NEXT-DOOR HEAVY METAL NOVELIST

June 22, 2005
I landed in Philly at around 7:30 a.m. yesterday, and spent just about every minute of the day sleeping. At 11:00 a.m. this morning, my phone rang, and I realized I'd missed a half day of work already. Crap. It took me about 4 days in Cali to get used to the time change, and now I have to wean myself back to Pennsylvania time.

Before I crash tonight, I have some Won't Get Fooled Again chores. Among other things, I promised Bruce Kulick I'd send him a tweaked version of the quote he gave me for my review page. He emailed me this morning asking about my progress, and my reply was, "Sheesh. You rock guys sure are demanding." Apparently, lack of time zone coherence translates easily into surliness.

June 26, 2005
I'm ready for some me time. After a week in Cali and a weekend hosting a guest from out of town, I'm ready to hunker down and figure out what the next steps should be for my promotional efforts. On Tuesday, I'm meeting with my friend Damion Wolfe to discuss some cross-promotional efforts, and my visit with Scorpio (of Batlord fame) gave me a lot of ideas that I need to nurture.

Late last week, I got an email from the mayor of my hometown, where I did a book signing a few weeks ago. He had just heard about my visit and wondered how the town could have possibly neglected to tell him that a celebrity such was in town. Sounds like a photo op! The weekend when I was in CA, the DJs who interviewed me for This Is Rock & Roll Radio played a 6-song set of all the KISS tunes referenced in Won't Get Fooled Again. I love when the promotional machine rolls along while I'm on vacation.

Permanent vacation starts on Thursday. I have 4 more days left at the day job. Can you believe...

June 27, 2005
Three more days. So far, I've been doing pretty well with keeping my emotions under control, but I got a little misty today when I was going through files on my work computer and I found a staff photo circa 2001. Dang.

I confirmed a book signing in Western New York at the end of July, so I spent tonight reworking some press releases. I also made myself dinner, did the dishes, vacuumed and did laundry. I wish this superhero transformation could take place more often, and in a more predictable way. Unfortunately, I'm sort of like the Hulk. I don't know when I'm suddenly going to turn into the Domestic Goddess, and when I do, unlike most spandex-wearing heroes, I'm just a sweating, growling mess. Honestly, when you played Superfriends when you were little, did anyone really want to be the Hulk? But, you've gotta admit, he did good deeds.

June 28, 2005
Two more days of official work, then probably more to clean out the crap in my office. My neck is burning from staring at a computer for two days while I tossed about 2 gigs worth of files, but no one who saw the wreck called my desk would have realized I'd even made a dent in clearing out.

Despite my aches, I went to dinner tonight with my friend Damion Wolfe, who is an acoustic wizard. I propositioned him (professionally) and I think we might collaborate on a Won't Get Fooled Again/Wolfe project. I was trying to think of a KISSish name for the effort - perhaps the Howlin' for Your Love Tour? Hard core KISS fans would get the reference, but I have a feeling Mr. Wolfe would want something a little less corny. Darn it.

June 29, 2005
One more official day. My neck could use a massage from Paul Stanley's fingers, but otherwise, I'm still pretty good. I guess Independence Day will have multiple meanings this week.

I sent out a bunch of press stuff tonight for next month's book signing, and I hit up my unofficial street team to see if they can help me spread the word. Do you know anyone from Western NY? I know Jim Kelly personally. I'm referring to the rabid KISS fan, not the former quarterback of the Buffalo Bills. I'm not sure which one could help me more right now, to tell you the truth.

My friend, MAC, gave me an unsolicited shout out today online, telling readers, "We have one helluvan author in Colette." In return, I give her this enormous shout out: You are one helluvan awesome friend.

June 30, 2005
A little anticlimactic, since I have to go right back to my office (notice, I didn't say "to work") to pick up load up all my crap. I guess I shouldn't call it "my" office, either. I went out tonight, but I came home early. This morning, I heard "We're an American Band" by Bruce Kulick's group, Grand Funk Railroad. Since Bruce recently contributed a quote to my book, I felt like it was a good sign. Tonight, on my way home, I heard "Drift Away," which reminds me of my favorite rock stars and their ability to free my soul. Although tomorrow is still somewhat devoted to my former day job, I plan to stay up into the wee hours to work on promoting Won't Get Fooled Again. I think I've got the angle I need for the mainstream press: integrity.

July 2, 2005
It is done. Yesterday, wasn't exactly a day of liberation. I got to my office earlier in the morning than almost any other day the entire year so I could finish packing my crap and hauling it to my new office: namely, my junk room/guest room. After that, I went to see Beatlemania Now and watched fireworks. Today, I sent out about 50 press releases for a little ol' book signing I'm doing at the end of the month, and then I decided to download some songs to practice for next week's karaoke. Somewhere between Reba McIntire tunes, I cried. Really cried. Wept. Because I'm heartbroken to leave people I really love. I told one of my friends today that I was also sad because the people I left behind have been marginalized to a pretty disturbing degree, and I can't help anymore. "You sound like Suzanne Curtis," he replied.

After my boohooing, I started writing an article for a writer's magazine, and I submitted pictures to a website that is going to fun an interview with me soon. I'm going to make this thing happen this year. I still have a voice of fear in my head, but it's humorously weak. Whenever it says, "No one is going to like your book," I hear another voice jump in to say, "Shut up, @ssh*le. Colette's going to take over the world." I don't know who that second voice is, but I think I'm going to marry it.

July 3, 2005
I headed to my dad's for the holiday. Tonight, I'm working on my writers magazine article, and doing a bit of research about book distribution so I can understand how the whole business side of things works. A few days ago, BarnesAndNoble.com changed their site to say that Won't Get Fooled Again isn't in stock. That could be good news or a hurdle. I need to know which. Figures I'd finally have all the time in the world for business, and the rest of publishing the world is on vacation.

I've been inundated recently with emails and message board postings that offer encouragement. I owe many many people thanks for the support I've gotten over the past three years, and especially during the past few months. As much as I'm in shock right now, I still know I'm one lucky b*tch.

July 5, 2005
A former college mentor took me up on a mass email I sent last week to make sure I had spread the word about my change of work address. I had mentioned that I planned to do speaking engagements this year to pay the rent, and he's already trying to hook me up. This is the man who nominated me for the "graduate of the year" award when I was an undergrad. Miraculously, I won, and I've felt like I needed to live up to the honor ever since. As much as I often feel undeserving, I love the intense feeling of accountability. Just one more reason to kick ass.

I think I figure out the glitch over at Barnes & Noble. Now, I just have to wait until the rest of the world gets back from summer vacations, and Won't Get Fooled Again will be running smoothly again.

I spent the holiday with my dad, so I haven't exactly jumped in head first, but while I was home I did write an article and collect food from dad's wife, who sent me home with cookies, pie and a fork (a.k.a. "Dinner"). I may be an artist, but I'm not starving. (continue)