Diary of a Girl-Next-Door Heavy Metal Novelist

DIARY OF A GIRL-NEXT-DOOR HEAVY METAL NOVELIST

May 15, 2005
It doesn't get any better than hearing the song "Won't Get Fooled Again" on the radio just as you're approaching your exit for the NY/NJ KISS Expo, where you intend to sell the &%#$ out of your book, which is coincidentally titled Won't Get Fooled Again. But then maybe it does, when you see friends and KISS family and KISS memories. It doesn't hurt that NY is the one expo that attracts multitudes of eye candy, too.

We sold the &%#$ out of Won't Get Fooled Again. Thanks to Joe, Antoinette, and all the believers, I hit my sales goal on the head. Now, I have to start focusing on getting the word out nationally. I have some ideas...

May 16, 2005
Man, I am in a funk. This is coming from someone who is perpetually happy and (perhaps annoyingly so) optimistic. This is not to say that I'm going to slow down. No way. I just would prefer to be jolly about it. Is it the impending end of my day job? the recent reminders of my not-so-hot social life? the conclusion of "Everybody Loves Raymond"? I'm not sure, but I'm fairly certain this shall pass. I don't want to be one of those whiner celebrities who bemoans her privileged life. People are dying in Iraq and I'm just a little blue. Besides, my dad just hooked me up with a potential publicist.

May 17, 2005
I'm back to my old self again. Whatever got into me over the weekend is now squashed. Thank goodness. I'm going to get some written press in Syracuse, which was something I worried I might miss, and I made time to write to the publicist my dad connected me to. I'm feeling very much back on my game. I even called my old high school to offer to come talk to students about the importance of good communication skills.

Despite all my planning for the publicity I need to secure before I head to my reunion, I still have something weighing on my mind. What will I wear?

Oh, god. Now I'm depressed again.

Just kidding.

* Reviews of Won't Get Fooled Again are solid
* I had an interesting social engagement tonight
* I talked to two of my favorite friends from high school today (from when I was in high school, pervs)
* My day job was rewarding
* I set up my slightly irreverent Relay for Life website

Big question to answer after some sleep: Should I go to New York to see KISS Nation on Friday?

May 19, 2005
New York KISS trib decision made? Hell yeah. Star Wars Episode 3? Hell yeah (it's a sci fi orgasm). Karaoke? Hell yeah. I'm in geek heaven tonight.

May 21, 2005
KN rocked the house, and when I got home today, there was an article about my project on KISSAsylum.com. What a welcome back! In between, I stopped at Princeton to see the dude who took me to my junior prom. Back in the day, I was the smart one in the relationship. He is now a world famous scientist. He's still as funny and absent minded as he used to be, but now he uses phrases like "synthesizing organic molecules." Meanwhile, I'm telling him, "The guys in the fake KISS band wore new sparkly outfits last night and they looked really awesome!"

May 22, 2005
I spent all day on the computer. I was supposed to be doing promotional work for my upcoming book signing in Upstate NY. In reality, I'm sure I spent just as much time hanging out at my favorite KISS fan bulletin board. I didn't join any bbs until about a year ago, and at the time I felt more obligated than interested. I figured I'd better get my name out there so when the magic time came when my book would be released, I'd have some KISS connections. What I didn't realize was that I'd really make kiss FRIENDS. They're smart and hilarious, and they love talking about KISS. It's perfect! In recent months, I've been lucky enough to meet some of the board members in person, and they've been really cool. Today's banter was particularly entertaining, because a disproportionate number of KISS fans are also Star Wars freaks. (Sigh) I wish everyone could understand this interesting and wonderful community feeling. The best part is, you can hang out even if you haven't showered or brushed your teeth yet, cuz all they see is the cute picture somebody snapped of you when you were looking kinda cute.

I surpassed my fundraising goal for Relay for Life. F cancer. That's what I say. I think I'm going to contact the American Cancer Society to see if I could make them my formal KISSfiction philanthropy.

May 23, 2005
The artist who designed the Won't Get Fooled Again cover just submitted the final artwork for the first press run of the book. The only thing left is review blurbs, and the onus is on me for those suckers.

Two alma maters called today. My old high school wants me to talk to the English classes about the importance of writing. I have no idea where to even begin with that age group. I have a hard enough time maintaining some understanding of what's cool to college students. The love of my life called with different intentions. We had a pleasant conversation.

May 24, 2005
Tomorrow will be the penultimate payday at my day job. Excellent incentive to be a smash in the literary world.

May 25, 2005
I can't remember the last time I spent two hours watching television, but since tonight was the finale of American Idol, what they heck. I simultaneously put a two-hour dent in the disaster that has been my domestic life for three years. Dishes, bags of recycling, dumping tons of trash, vacuuming -- all accompanied by Bo and Carrie. It was delightful.

I received the itinerary for my high school visit. I'll be meeting with the classes of 3 different teachers straight through from first period until the end of the day. I'll be ready. As for the book signing, I'm prepared, but nervous.

Thanks to everyone who's been supporting my Relay for Life effort! I should probably be getting in shape for the walk-a-thon part of the event, but I'm a little preoccupied by my impending trip to Central New York. In 48 hours, I'll be hanging out with my old high school classmates. Well, they'll be old, anyway. Not me.

May 26, 2005
I have my list of the perfect outfits to pack in the a.m. Everything else will take care of itself.

I suspect that I won't have internet access for the next week. Please think good thoughts. This is a big trip for the Dean-Next-Door. I have enough pairs of black boots to keep me confident, but a big dose of luck wouldn't hurt either. (continue)