DIARY OF A GIRL-NEXT-DOOR HEAVY METAL NOVELIST

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September 13, 2005

Who's reading the hottest rock & roll novel in the land? KISS drummer Eric Singer, that's who. Are you itching to read something, too? You can pick up a copy of Won't Get Fooled Again, of course, or read the new article about copyrights, trademarks and a guy with a really long tongue in this month's Penn Writer. The article is linked to on my bio page. September 14, 2005 What a great day to be my own agent! I worked on my side business while calls came IN about booking me for 2 booksignings, 1 speaking appearance, AND...I got an email from a respected colleague asking me to consider writing a book with him! Watch my news page for updates to the calendar, and maybe I'll come to a town near you! Next stop: Western New York this weekend. September 15, 2005 I'm on a roll. I made some unexpected sales tonight - both thanks to karaoke in one way or another. A fellow I met at a live-band karaoke show in L.A. earlier this summer purchased a copy of Won't Get Fooled Again, then someone at my regular venue here in PA picked up a copy. So, now I have gas money for my trip to New York State this weekend. My last two visits have resulted in adventures of the heart. Really, though, all I want is a chili dog from the Texas Hot and some healthy book sales.

KISS Drummer Eric Singer reading a copy of you know what

September 16, 2005
I'm snuggled in at the house of close family friends who treated me to an authentic Texas Hot. I don't know whether it was the chili dog, the coconut custard pie or the conversation, but I was inspired to work a little on both my next novel and my next day job before going to bed. Tomorrow I'm meeting my aunt, the creator of Tootsie Chase mysteries, then heading off to a book signing, and possibly the sunset.

September 17, 2005
Today I had my first-ever deja vu when I was parking my car in Alfred, NY. Within seconds, I also travelled back in time to recall that my first real kiss happened within yards of where I set up my table for the book signing. After the festival ended and I grabbed some dinner with a gentleman friend (who, nicely enough, really was a gentleman) I went on a quest to find the exact spot of my smooch and take a picture. I drove and I walked, but I couldn't find the sacred stone wall where I had sat overlooking the twinkling lights of the town with Jim G. Instead, I enjoyed the memories locking eyes with him and hoping he wouldn't notice how badly I was shaking. Maybe some things are better left to my imagination. I've always said, the fantasy of KISS has always been more special than the reality.

September 19, 2005
One car battery and a hairy woman contest later, I'm ready for some rest. But not too long. I have to get crackin' on my side business tomorrow. This not having a day job thing is a little scary, but good incentive to bust my ass.

September 21, 2005 I got an email from my favorite drummer, Angelo Coppola, and he attached this picture. Don't you just love this kid?!?! He mailed me a DVD of his performance in Chicago from a couple weeks ago. I can't wait to get it and start practicing my own drumming to see if I can keep up. I've been running around trying to set up events for the spring and catch up from being on the road. Tomorrow is press day. I have a lot of appearances coming up that could be total busts if I don't make myself a star. Speaking of which, I've volunteered to oversee publicity for the August 2006 KISS Army March on the Hall of Fame.If you're not away, KISS has never even been close to being inducted because key members of the Hall of Fame board of whatever don't deem them worthy of the fellowship. On August 3, 2006 in Cleveland, Ohio, the KISS Army will show the world who rules rock & roll. Click this link to join the movement.

September 24, 2005
It's all about the media these days. I spent yesterday working on a press release for the "Building the Perfect Boogeyman" program I'm doing for a library near Halloween. Today, I'm trying to get some materials finalized for the March on the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. Next August is going to rock.

Thanks to Carl and Dana, the hosts of "This Is Rock & Roll Radio." This week, they aired a tribute to Won't Get Fooled Again. I had a great time on their show, and I hope to make a return visit someday. They claim they played "See You Tonight" by Gene Simmons on their very first show. Finding them was definitely KISSmit.

September 25, 2005
The past two days, I've been working furiously on information about the KISS Hall of Fame Rally. I designed a website and sent out a gajillion press releases. I also designed a modest online bookstore in case you're starting to think about holiday shopping. The biggest news, though, is that I cleaned my condo. It's still a disaster, but I can walk from room to room without having to to navigate through an obstacle course of book boxes and luggage. Being a glamorous author creates lots of both, but the truth is that to the rest of the world, it's just a big fat mess.

September 27, 2005
Today is Shaun Cassidy's birthday. I still remember that fact, even though I abandoned the teen idol years ago in favor of a bunch of guys in platform boots. Still, not even realizing today would be such a momentous occasion, I wrote an article last night about Parker Stevenson for a website that specializes in nostalgia. I can't wait to see it posted.

I'm counting down the days of the month. It may seem like a small accomplishment, but this is the first month in the 3-year history of KISSfiction.com that the most common search string that led viewers to my site was "Colette Shaw." As fabulous as I think this place is, most Googlers find me when they search for "heavy metal girl butt" or "hot rock chicks" or even "David Robinson" (remember the summer I was trying to get my triceps to look like his?). Maybe I'll celebrate my newfound celebrity on October 1 with a visit to my old friend Gym. (continue)