October 9, 2004
What do black silk stockings, Hershey Kisses and ballpoint pens have in common? They're all on my shopping list for the Baltimore KISS Expo, and someday they will all be a legitimate tax write-off. If you're not sure whether to come to MD next weekend, I can assure you it will be worth the trip. My two male roommates would certainly agree.

October 10, 2004
Usually when the phone rings at 2:00 a.m. on a Saturday night, it means one of the students at my day job was maimed or started a fire. Something like that. What a delight, instead, to hear from Batlord - the next greatest make-upped rocker. We mostly flirted and talked about the presidential election, then I fell asleep and dreamt about Jackson Hellam. Much better than a maiming, trust me.

I made remarkable progress in my Baltimore KISS Expo preparations. I will be the epitome of classy/sexy. My biggest worry right now is finding a printer who can prepare the stuff my publisher sent me. At least the copy place that botched my last two jobs was kind enough today to tell me that they can't do the type of job I need. I realize there's an obvious question here: Why do I use the same place that keeps messing things up? Two reasons. 1) I live in a small city where there aren't many options (especially on a Sunday afternoon); and 2) When they mess up, I get stuff for free. I'm not an idiot, people.

Now, I have to get ready for my big karaoke date with Joe. We're going to go practice KISS songs for next Saturday night. Hallelujah.

October 11, 2004
The charming daughter of my wonderful editor dropped off the Won't Get Fooled Again manuscript this afternoon. The notes are amazing. In a million years I never would have noticed a backward quotation mark. My editor found dozens.

I called a Kinko's in MD to see if they could print up the stuff I need for Sunday's expo. You may recall that I asked the cashier at an Indiana Kinko's to marry me back in July. The dude I spoke to on the phone today was also extremely helpful. Were it not for my renewed affection for Jackson Hellam tonight, I'd consider bigamy.

And now you know why they call it Kinko's.

October 12, 2004
I sent the Maryland Kinko's the last of my print jobs today. Now I'm just about ready for Baltimore. Baltimore is the Alpha and Omega of KISSfiction. Let's just hope the Omega is a ways off.

October 14, 2004
I think it's almost time to start working on book cover art. Holy sh*t. This is real.

My satiny privacy screen arrived yesterday. Tomorrow, I'm skipping work at the day job to take care of KISS Expo prep - including picking out or purchasing the perfect wardrobe ensemble. My personal assistant, Joe, suggests leather, lace and leopard. That's why I love him.

October 15, 2004
I was running errands today to prepare for the weekend's KISS Expo, and of course I had to go to two arts & crafts-type places. In terms of retail, I couldn't imagine any other place where I felt more out of my element.

...until I walked into the Christian bookstore next door to the craft shop to escape the rain. Was there really a teenage boy jumping up and down in the aisle because a new Jesusy book came out? I'm a big fan of Jesus, actually, but sometimes his fan club gets a little weird.

Editor's Note: That's what we in the writing world call "irony." I hope you enjoyed it.

October 18, 2004
I sometimes forget the "Living the Fantasy" part of the KISSfiction credo. I've become acquainted with the tribute bands who used to make me blush when I imagined that they were the real thing; I have to be in "sales mode" when I talk to people at expos instead of gushing the way I want to about the latest KISS gossip; and I've seen some of the celebrities enough times that my hands don't shake when ask them to pose for a picture.

Thank goodness for the Baltimore KISS Expo.

Shake? Hell yes I shook when I got up to sing at karaoke. I had to hold a lyrics sheet for "Shock Me," a song I've performed as a duet with Ace Frehley countless times in my car. Blush? Oh my god. Even though I know Carlos and love his girlfriend, Sherry, his "Gene Simmons" gave me the same shiver it did two years ago when I saw KISS Nation for the first time. Gush? I know I annoyed my friends with the dozens of times I asked, "Did you see Paulie from ZO2 kiss me on the cheek?"

But the newest and best part? I have a Personal Assistant. Joe was everything a writer/slash/celebrity-writer could imagine. He phoned in my wake-up call; ordered my room service and made sure the bacon was extra crispy; put two sugars in my coffee; regaled me with compliments on my boots... The Baltimore Expo was the test run to see if Joe and I could work together effectively. Since I felt like a star the entire time, I'd have to say that he is more than an assistant. He reinstilled in me of the core of my mission. On my list of things to do for the weekend, you can put a giant checkmark next to "Live the Fantasy."

October 19, 2004
I returned from Baltimore with new friends, lots of memories and --- what? A cold? I need to sleep this puppy off. I started editing my manuscript when I got home, and will continue to do so, but it's not nearly as much fun when I'm sniffling. Deadlines don't care if you're drugged up on decongestants. (continue)