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Get your pre-sale copy of Won't Get Fooled Again at Cincinnati KISSfest 2005 and the NY/NJ KISS Expo |
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DIARY OF A GIRL-NEXT-DOOR HEAVY METAL NOVELIST
March
13, 2005
Home
again. I'm so glad I escaped for the weekend. It was a yin/yang trip.
Friday night, I saw my friend Scot, who appeals to my good girl side.
On Saturday, my friend Patty reminded me of my rock & roll self.
Somewhere there is a balance, and I think it's called Won't Get Fooled
Again. I hope...
March
14, 2005
I went to get my taxes done today, and as an early birthday present,
Uncle Sam gave me enough money for a book release party. He is now my
favorite uncle.
I finished reading the typeset manuscript for the printing company tonight. I found very few errors, but I want to go through one more time and insert the dreaded pluperfect more liberally. I love my book.
March
15, 2005
So, maybe it's not the best idea to make a big career decision on the
anniversary of a significant death. What about your birthday? I'll find
out tomorrow. In honor of my
publisher, perhaps I'll wear a pink slip.
Had dinner with the Won't Get Fooled Again cover artist tonight. Man that dude is talented. We talked about the evolution of the cover concept. The final art looks nothing like what we originally envisioned, but we both dig the results. All in all, a perfect collaboration.
I sent editorial notes for the first 100 pages of the final manuscript to the printer tonight. 150 to go. Does this mean I've safely passed my first trimester? Maybe tomorrow I'll feel a kick.
March
16, 2005
This was one fine kick-ass birthday. I gave my day job an ultimatum
and I got what I asked for! I'm going to have the time and support I
need to heavily promote Won't Get Fooled Again when it comes
out, and when I go back hard-core to higher ed, I'll be allowed to overhaul
the b*llsh*t that too often strangles my idealism.
Tonight I sent my notes for all 250 pages of my beautiful novel to the printer. I'm not quite ready to give the green light, but damn close.
For the past few birthdays, I've really dreaded the passing of another year. Not so in '05. I am years (plural!) ahead of my life plans and at least today I have balance in my personal and professional lives. Yeaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah!
March
18, 2005
I spent last night in Delaware in a cheap hotel that had free wireless
internet. I felt like I'd won the lottery. I sent another round of notes
to the printer before I went to sleep. On the 16th, my notes were 8
pages long. Last night, they were only half a page. I think that means
I'm close to being done.
To celebrate St. Patrick's Day, my friend Tim wrote to tell me that he really dislikes the picture of me on the back cover of Won't Get Fooled Again and he wants me to use the picture from the front page of my website. He made a strong case. The change is not apt to be made for the initial run of books coming out next month, but I'm mulling over his suggestion for the official run.
A few weeks ago, I decided to curtail my social life in order to focus on publishing deadlines, upcoming KISS expos and related projects. Maybe the more subdued lifestyle is affecting my brain. I had a dream that Paul Stanley called me at 2:00 a.m. He was rather nice and for some reason I was surprised. The real Paul Stanley may be nice, but I think I should beware the fantasy version. He'll only take my attention off my goals.
March
20, 2005
Today was a celebration of reunions. I had brunch with Cheryl, a friend
from Cincinnati who has decided to come help the KISSfiction project
find life at its debut. After stuffing myself, I met with my personal
assistant, Joe, so we could start concocting plans for the Cincy
Expo and summer. We also had much dishing to catch up on. After
stuffing myself even more, I decided it was time to call in my steady
fling, Gym. We hadn't seen each other in a couple months, and I must
admit that I was a little awkward getting reacquainted. He was, after
all, the hottest guy I knew last year. Rock solid. That's exactly how
I aspire to be.
Uncle Sam was pretty uncool to my friend Antoinette this week. He's taking her KISS Expo budget and probably spending it on Social Security propoganda. I wish rock & roll weekends were as freeing on the wallet as they are on the soul.
As I reflected on my meeting with Joe tonight, I came up with a promotional idea that is simply KISSworthy. I believe I used that word before, when I thought of the "Living the Fantasy" idea. This one is equally inspired, and would make the great make-upped ones proud. I'm just full of secrets this month, aren't I?
March
21, 2005
Five days ago, I sent my printer 8 pages of notes. 3 days ago, I sent
half a page. This morning, I sent one line.
"Does this mean what I think it does?" I asked.
"I'm afraid it does," he replied.
March
22, 2005
Oops. Not quite. Everytime I think Won't Get Fooled Again is
ready to send out into the world of printing, I find an extra comma.
The errors are actually good. For the most part, they're little glitches
that happened when other things were fixed. I'm still confident that
tomorrow will be the final day of tweaks. The printer has gone above
& beyond in trying to format everything - even to the point of quasi-editing
my... damn... ellipses. Remind... me... not... to... use... them...
so... often... in... my... next... book. Em-dashes are also a pain,
by the way.
I got a call from a childhood friend yesterday to let me know the date of one of the two high school reunions I'm going to attend this summer. Why two? I live by the motto that you can never hear, "Wow, you went to college?" enough in your life. To give you an idea of what I have to look forward to: one of the reunions will probably be held at a place called the Rod & Gun Club. I'm going to be such a diva... (continue)