Claudia Gray

I’ve been a rotten blogger this week, but what a week it was. Let’s see if I can’t get caught up.

There is one more day to enter Evernight Contest #6. Many have sent their photos with the book and the receipt (or the online ordering screen), but you’ve still got a day to get them in!

(I realize now this was sort of a tough contest to enter; a lot of people didn’t know about the contest until after they’d bought the book and discarded the receipt. And some moms are not so keen on their kids sending out pics of themselves via the internet. When Stargazer rolls around, I’ll think of a big contest that will be a bit easier for everyone to take part in.)

Speaking of pics —

A few people have sent me pics of Evernight on bookshelves, in displays, etc., which I adore. One pic, taken by sunshine_queen, does raise some interesting questions, however:

At first, all seems well, doesn’t it? But I believe it was hhw who pointed out that the book at the upper right is, perhaps, not ideal for the vampires display. That, or wee Harold was far darker than we all realized as children, and he is using that purple crayon for evil.

That interview I mentioned with And Another Book Read is posted now — check it out! This is one of the first that gets into what happens in Stargazer, though only a little bit.

Speaking of Stargazer, I know a few of you have been asking about when/if there will be Kindle editions of the books. My editor has told me that, around the end of this year, HarperTeen is moving toward making all of their new releases available for the Kindle — so Stargazer will definitely have a Kindle edition. Right now we don’t know whether they will be creating a Kindle version Evernight as well, but as soon as I find out, I’ll let you guys know.

And Another Book Read has a fabulous review of Evernight up today. I’ll be doing an interview with this site too, and will link once that’s ready.

For some reason I can no longer remember, I signed up for a “fun run” in Central Park. I do not usually put the words “fun” and “run” in the same sentence. The run is this afternoon, so wish me luck!

— that the website has been updated! Some news (already outdated — hmm, must fix) has been added, along with a little extra info about Stargazer and, thanks to you guys, an actual FAQ.

Remember, you’ve got almost two weeks left to enter the sixth Evernight contest — take your picture with the book and your receipt, and you will be entered in the drawing to win a $100 gift certificate and the right to name a character in the fourth book of the series.

My first-ever reading on Saturday went well. Books of Wonder is an incredible place; I remember it fondly from many midnight trips to buy Harry Potter books. (They had live owls, y’all. That’s how great the midnight parties were.) I got to meet the great Gail Carson Levine, Sarah Beth Durst, Scott Mebus and Diane Zimmerman, all of whom read and answered questions too. If every public appearance is as much fun as that, I’ll be in good shape. Right now my next appearance is at the Backspace conference in NYC in August, but if that changes, I’ll let you guys know.

Also, as a devotee of classic movies, I have to say farewell to the glamorous, incredible Cyd Charisse, who passed away today. If you aren’t familiar with her work as a dancer and actress, please click the below video and prepare to be blown away.

I intend to post some great pics people have sent me, but no time to upload just yet. However, I can link to a couple of Evernight reviews (one of which comes complete with an interview) for you guys to check out.

Darque Reviews

Reviewer X

Reviewer X has the interview goods (ETA: including an extra interview here), so check them out!

Outside it is hotter than the surface of the sun.

Yesterday, despite the fact that it was NINETY ZILLION DEGREES, I went on another hike — this time to the Delaware River Gap, which is not in Delaware but in New Jersey. A few pictures within:

First up, I am shamefully late posting a link to my guest blog at the wonderful Story Siren site. Then there’s a fabulous, nonspoilery review of Evernight up at the faboo YA Mansion. Check them out!

Also, for those of you in the New York area, I have my first-ever reading coming up on Saturday, June 14 at Books of Wonder, between 12-2 in the afternoon. Please imagine me practicing reading to the walls, with DRAMA and EMPHASIS, if you feel you need a good laugh. But hey, if you’re around, feel free to come by, say hi and lend some moral support!

I slept right through my scheduled hike this weekend, and am very glum as a result. So I’m about to turn in early, in hopes that a solid week of good nights’ rest will get me ready to take to the hills this weekend —

Last weekend — which feels like it was about ten years ago — I went to Balticon in Baltimore to meet folks, hang out with friends and talk up Evernight. Great fun was had by all, at least at the panels I attended: “GLBT issues in YA SciFi,” “42 Reasons You Should Write YA” and “Vampires.” The Vampires panel was at midnight, was tremendous fun and gave me a chance to talk with the fabulous Jeri Smith-Ready (the author of Wicked Game) and the wunderbar Tony Ruggerio, who has a whole slew of vampire books. I imagine that the person who owns this car was at the panel, though I forgot to ask:

Then, on Tuesday night, I made the ritual bookstore pilgrimage and finally saw it:

Eeeeeeeeeee!

If you are making your own bookstore pilgrimages for the book, don’t forget Evernight Contest #6: Take a picture of yourself with Evernight and the receipt, and you could win a $100 gift certificate and the right to name a character in the fourth book in the series! You can e-mail entries to me at evernightclaudia at gmail dot com, or post them in the linked thread. I love the ones I’ve seen so far!

Today, Evernight finally hits bookstores! (Though I have heard from a couple of folks who got theirs early.) Woohoo!

I have plenty to post about (especially the fun that was had at Balticon this weekend), but for today, I just want to celebrate the book’s release and thank all of you who have given such terrific support along the way.

Tonight I am going to visit a bookstore and (hopefully) see it on the shelves for the first time —

Today, Evernight finally hits bookstores! (Though I have heard from a couple of folks who got theirs early.) Woohoo!

I have plenty to post about (especially the fun that was had at Balticon this weekend), but for today, I just want to celebrate the book’s release and thank all of you who have given such terrific support along the way.

Tonight I am going to visit a bookstore and (hopefully) see it on the shelves for the first time —