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This is author Richelle Mead's blog. And she deletes spoilers.
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Vampire Acadmey turns ten in 2017, and to celebrate, a special anniversary edition is coming out on November 29, 2016. It's the same VA #1 you love, plus it has A BUNCH of new stories and prequel stuff included at the end. Oh, and it has a snazzy new cover. Here's a rundown of some common questions I'm getting about it:
1. This is NOT a VA spin-off series, VA #7, or anything like that. (Oh, the rumors I've seen!
:) )
2. The bonus stuff is LONG. 50% as long as the original book. VA 1 = 79k words
. Adding on the bonus stories gives us a 114k book. That's a little longer than Shadow Kiss. Here's what the bonus stories are about.
3. Softcover.
4. Comes out November 29 in the US and English speaking countries.
5. I've got no control over what other countries it'll come out in (sorry!). That is controlled by whoever first translated and published VA #1 in your country. Contact them and express your interest!
6. I haven't heard about ebooks or audiobooks yet but will tell you ASAP when I do! I'd be surprised if there wasn't an e version coming.
7. The stories are meant to go along with book #1, so they're prequels, expanded scenes, etc. No Sydrian stuff, no post-TRC stuff. They aren't available separately either.
8. I don't know if there'll be anniversary editions of #2, #3. Publishing's a business, so it'll depend on interest and sales! My publisher didn't continue the graphic novels or signature editions because the sales weren't there. I will happily expand the other books if this continues. Looking forward to making #3 more agonizing!
9. The anniversary edition is up for pre-order on major book retailers, like Amazon and BN, and will be available at your favorite indies, big box stores (Target, etc.), and more. Wherever you order/buy, make sure you're getting the cover shown above with the pink rose, or you may end up with an old version.
10. If you'd like to pre-order an autographed copy of the anniversary edition or any of my other books, you may do it here via University Book Store. Specify in the comments who'd you like it made out to when you order through their site. Here are answers to other common questions about ordering from them:
A. Domestic (US) shipping is free if you order $20 or more worth of stuff. They ship internationally (for a charge)--look for "foreign" in the state drop-down menu.
B. They carry all my stuff that's currently out. So if you want to grab another signed book for yourself or one for your friend, etc., search for it and add it to your cart.
C. The VA anniversary edition isn't out until 11/29. That's the day they'll ship it, so you can't get it before.
D. U Books is a local indie store that's been nice enough to help me work out this system to get signed books out to people I never get to see. They didn't do this kind of volume before, and they've been amazing at working out a system to meet the demand. But remember, they're small (but very personable!) compared to a gargantuan powerhouse like Amazon. Humans are running this, not robots.
E. If there's anything else that's not clear, please get in touch with the store directly. Their mail order department is super nice. This is the extent of my knowledge about selling and shipping :) [email protected] will help you with the rest. Seriously. They answer all sorts of questions.
F. And as always, if you're not interested in autographs, just buy the book from one of the many other options out there!
Reminder for Midwesterners! I'm signing tonight (Thursday) at Red Balloon Books in St. Paul, MN at 7pm.
Tomorrow, Friday the 13th!, I'll be in Milwaukee to sign at 6pm at the Oak Creek Public Library.
The week will wrap up in Chicago at BookCon, where I'll be doing panels and signings. See thebookcon.com for schedule and ticket info.
Hope to see you soon!
April 5!!!
The Glittering Court is almost here, and people are calling it, "
Reign meets
The Selection." Are YOU up to date on it all? Read below to find out!
Q: How do I get The Glittering Court? What's it about?
A: Here's a great description. TGC comes out April 5 in the US and other English-speaking countries. All you have to do is wait until then and get it from your favorite online or "real" local bookstore. Pre-ordering is even better (see below).
Q: What is this pre-order sweepstakes thing I keep hearing about?
A: If you pre-order The Glittering Court from any retailer, take a pic of your receipt or order confirmation. Upload it to the sweepstakes site, and they’ll send you some swag and enter you for a chance to win $1000 worth of goods. Info here: www.theglitteringcourt.com USA only, I’m afraid.
Q: Can I pre-order a signed copy of The Glittering Court?
A: Yes. Go to this site (http://richellemead.com/shop) and learn how to order from University Books in Seattle. I’ll autograph your TGC (or any of my other books), and they’ll send it to you when it releases. You can use their pre-order receipt for the sweepstakes.
Q: What if I’m going to one of your tour signings?
A: Then you are awesome! If you want to get in on the free swag and sweepstakes, pre-order from the store I’ll be at, upload your receipt, and pick up the book when you come to see me! Then I’ll sign it for you. If you forget to pre-order, there will be TGC copies on sale at the event. Tour schedule (Washington, DC; New York City; Boston; Denver; Anchorage; Portland, OR; Seattle; Las Vegas; Los Angeles; Minneapolis; Milwaukee; Chicago: http://theglitteringcourt.tumblr.com/post/138560811948/the-glittering-court-tour
Q: Will you sign non-TGC books? Can I bring them from home?
A: Yes and yes. I sign up to 3 books per person, one personalized and two just signed. They can be any combination of old new, whatever. If you want more signed, bring your Mom or bff and make them carry some books.
Q: Do I have to buy a book to go to your signings?
A: No. Lots of stores have perks (like front of line) if you do, though. And if you do need one of my books, it’s great to buy it at the hosting store. They go to a lot of time and expense to have me, so it helps ensure I get to come back.
Q: Can I take a picture with you at one of your signings?
A: Yes, so long as time permits.
Q: Can I take a picture with one of the VA dolls?
A: Maybe.
Q: What happens at one of your signings?
A: Fun times happen. I usually read for about 10 minutes and then spend 20 answering questions from the audience. Then we sign until whenever.
Q: Do the above signing rules apply to YALLWest and BookCon?
A: No. The above only applies to regular signings at bookstores and libraries. Festivals and cons have their own rules. The only thing I can say for sure about them is if you get in my signing line, you’ll get at least one book signed. Bring three if you want to roll the dice. The RT Convention in Las Vegas should have the standard 3-book, any book, rules going on.
Q: Can we dress up in VA t-shirts or gaudy rhinestone jewelry?
A: Please do.
Q: When is The Glittering Court out in non-English speaking countries?
A: I don’t know. Currently, only some countries have bought rights to it, and they’ll need time to translate. You might find stores that import English copies. University Books (above) will ship to other countries, but shipping can be expensive.
Q: Why should I read The Glittering Court?
A: Because you like strong girls who have adventures, romance with lots of banter, and a cool new fantasy world that kind of looks like the colonial US. Also because you think girls should be able to kick ass in ball gowns, not just in leather pants.
Q: Will there be a cliffhanger that makes me cry?
A:
My main job is writing the books, so half the time, I don't know what promo stuff is going on behind the scenes. Today I sat down at my desk to find these two challenges waiting for me:
Which Glittering Court Jewel Are You?
The girls in the Glittering Court have pretty distinct personalities! See who you sync up with.
Which Five Friends are in Your Court?
Who'd have your back in an intense boarding school and subsequent adventures in a strange new land? Friends can be real or fictitious, which makes it extra tricky to think of a good list.
If someone asked, "Hey Richelle, how would you like The Glittering Court paired with your favorite show in a major magazine?" I'd be like "..."
Yesterday was a sick day for me, but I did manage to build a monument in my office using my author copies of The Glittering Court and my homemade VA "action figures."
Want to pre-order The Glittering Court? Have you done it already? Follow this link to submit a copy of your receipt to get some sweet swag and be entered into a crazy amazing sweepstakes* for a prize pack of giftcards and jewelry that's worth $1000. If you win and want to share the Sephora card with me, that's cool. Because we're pals.
*US only. It's the law with sweepstakes, and this is a US publisher running it. Sorry!
Here's where I'll be this spring! Stop by to meet me, get some questions answered, and of course, get your books signed.
Tuesday, April 5th - 7:00 PM - Washington, DC
Barnes & Noble
7851 Tysons Corner Center
McLean, VA 22102
Wednesday, April 6th - 6:00 PM - New York, NY
Barnes & Noble
97 Warren St.
New York, NY 10007
Thursday, April 7th - 7:00 PM - Boston, MA
An Unlikely Story
111 South Street
Plainville, MA 02762
Friday, April 8th - 6:30 PM - Denver, CO
Douglas County Libraries – Philip S. Miller branch
100 S. Wilcox St.
Castle Rock, CO 80104
*BOOKS SOLD ON-SITE BY TATTERED COVER
Monday, April 11th - 7:00 PM - Anchorage, AK
Barnes & Noble
200 East Northern Lights Blvd
Anchorage, AK 99503
Tuesday, April 12th - 7:00 PM - Portland, OR
Powell’s
3415 SW Cedar Hills Blvd.
Beaverton, OR 97005
Wednesday, April 13th - 7:00 PM - Seattle, WA
University Bookstore
4326 University Way NE
Seattle, WA 98105
Saturday, April 16th - Las Vegas, NV
RT Booklovers Convention
The Rio Hotel, Las Vegas, NV
Giant Book Fair Signing - 10:30am-2pm
--This signing is open to the public for $5 admission and includes 600+ authors
--See rtconvention.com for more info and Richelle’s Friday/Saturday panels
Thursday, May 12th - 7:00 PM - Minneapolis/St. Paul, MN
Red Balloon Bookshop
891 Grand Ave
St Paul, MN 55105
Friday, May 13th - 6:00 PM - Milwaukee, WI
Oak Creek Library
Drexel Town Center
8040 S. 6th Street
Oak Creek, WI 53154
*BOOKS SOLD ON-SITE BY BOSWELL BOOKS
Saturday, May 14th - Chicago, IL
BookCon
West Building at McCormick Place, Chicago, IL
Signing and panels TBA
Follow thebookcon.com for schedule updates and to buy tickets
(FYI - tickets go fast!)
Good to know:
-At bookstore/library events, there’s a limit of three books per person. One will be personalized to you and the others just signed. If you have more, have friends/family carry three books each or hop back in line.
-Buying or pre-ordering The Glittering Court at a participating bookstore will get you a wristband that puts you in the first part of the signing line. Otherwise, you’ll go to the second half of the line. You can bring any of Richelle’s books from home to be signed (or buy other ones you don’t have at the store). Powell’s is the exception - they don’t use wristbands.
-RT will have a limit of three books, and again, you may buy on-site or bring from home.
-BookCon signings specs are still TBD, but they will also have small limits. Stay tuned for updates.
-Photos are done with Richelle if time permits!
-Contact hosting stores for additional questions!
SO.
It's been a while since I posted. Looking back, I see that my last entry was just before the Soundless tour. Recovering from that and then going straight into Thanksgiving and Christmas took a lot out of me. But, I had a great time meeting fans in the South, and thanks to everyone's support, Soundless debuted on The New York Times bestseller list. So, thank you for that! You guys are the best.
Right now, we're ramping up for
The Glittering Court, my next new series, which comes out April 5. It has a completely new universe and set of characters, and it's going to become your next addiction. Here's the official synopsis:
A dazzling, romantic new fantasy series set in a mix of Elizabethan and frontier worlds from Richelle Mead, #1 internationally bestselling author of Vampire Academy.
Big and sweeping, spanning the refined palaces of Osfrid to the gold dust and untamed forests of Adoria, The Glittering Court tells the story of Adelaide, an Osfridian countess who poses as her servant to escape an arranged marriage and start a new life in Adoria, the New World. But to do that, she must join the Glittering Court.
Both a school and a business venture, the Glittering Court is designed to transform impoverished girls into upper-class ladies who appear destined for powerful and wealthy marriages in the New World. Adelaide naturally excels in her training and even makes a few friends: the fiery former laundress Tamsin and the beautiful Sirminican refugee Mira. She manages to keep her true identity hidden from all but one: the intriguing Cedric Thorn, son of the wealthy proprietor of the Glittering Court.
When Adelaide discovers that Cedric is hiding a dangerous secret of his own, together, they hatch a scheme to make the best of Adelaide’s deception. Complications soon arise—first, as they cross the treacherous seas from Osfrid to Adoria, and later, when Adelaide catches the attention of a powerful governor.
But no complication will prove quite as daunting as the potent attraction simmering between Adelaide and Cedric. An attraction that, if acted on, would scandalize the Glittering Court and make them both outcasts in wild, vastly uncharted lands. . . .And if that doesn't tell you enough, good news!
The first eleven chapters are online for your reading pleasure. So, go catch up because things are about to get fast and furious over the next few months!
If you follow me on social media, you know we quickly went from a sleepy summer to a WTF fall. In a really, really good way. But suddenly, there's so much happening that people are getting lost, so I'm going to try to break things down as simply as I can but still give you all the info you need to keep up. Let's dive into all the questions I've been getting:
1. What is your next book?
It's called Soundless. It comes out November 10 (that's less than 2 weeks away!). It's a standalone--so it is NOT part of any series. The first 30 pages are here, and this is its sweet cover:
2. What is Soundless about?
It takes place in a fantasy world inspired by ancient Chinese myth. The heroine, Fei, lives in a remote mountain village where no one has ever been able to hear. One morning, she wakes up with her hearing mysteriously restored and must risk becoming an outcast to save her people from a dark threat. Oh, and she has to do it with her ex. I mean, did you think I'd make it easy for her? It's like you don't know me at all.
3. Are you going on tour for Soundless?
Yes. I will be signing in Seattle, WA; Raleigh, NC; Fairhope, AL; Charleston, SC; Coral Gables, FL; and Santa Monica, CA. Stores, times, and signing policies are here.
4. What's after Soundless?
In April 2016, I have a brand new series coming. It has nothing to do with Soundless or Vampire Academy or anything else I've done. It's called The Glittering Court, and you'll go crazy when you read it. The description is here, and this is its sweet cover:
5. What's the big Soundless pre-order deal that involves The Glittering Court?
If you pre-order Soundless from a select independent bookstore, you will get a limited edition copy of Soundless that's autographed by me and has a fancy translucent cover wrap over it. You'll also get a special sampler that includes the FIRST ELEVEN CHAPTERS of The Glittering Court. The whole deal looks like this:
6. Which stores are doing this? What if none of them are in my city or even in my country?
This deal is ONLY available through the independent bookstores listed in this link. If there's no indie store in your town, it's okay. Most of them let you order online or over the phone, and then they'll ship it to you when it's available. Many of them will ship internationally, but you'll have to contact individual stores for cost and policy.
7. Can I get this deal if I pre-order Soundless from Amazon or Barnes and Noble?
No. You'll get a standard copy of Soundless, which is still cool, but it won't have the fancy cover wrap, autograph, or The Glittering Court chapters. By the way--that is my actual autograph in all those limited edition ones. I signed 10,000 copies this summer.
8. I'm going to one of your November book signings! Sweet! It's at a store that's offering the special Soundless pre-order. What should I do?
Pre-order it to make sure they don't run out. Then still come see me the night I sign, and I'll personalize the copy to you. Right now, they just have my signature, but I'll write something like, "To [your name], thanks for being awesome!"
9. Have you forgotten about Age of X #3?
Nope. It's still in the works. And it's pretty cool. But I have to answer to a larger publishing schedule that dictates when and what I write. If it makes you feel better, I think there's going to be a #4. But that probably didn't make you feel better.
10. Why aren't you writing more Vampire Academy stuff?
I can't speak for all authors, but I write because I have more ideas than I can keep inside me. I want to write them all. They keep me up at night. If I'd only ever written the first story idea I ever had, I never would have written VA--or, actually, any of my books that are out. I love the VA gang, and I love that you guys love them too, but I don't plan on writing only VA books for the next sixty years. I would definitely love to revisit those crazy kids one day, but right now, I've got to get some of these other ideas on paper. Trust me: when you start reading TGC next year, you'll be hooked into another series. And who knows? Maybe I haven't even written your favorite book yet. <3
Date: ~November, the year VA takes place
I don’t get why people are so touchy. When I told Dinah Drozdov that I wanted to keep things casual and still date other people, she was fine with that. When I told her sister Aly the same thing, she was fine with that too. But for some reason, when Dinah found out Aly was one of the “other people,” she flipped out. And when Aly found out about Dinah, she really flipped out. I guess there’s some special rule about dating two sisters at the same time. Like that you aren’t supposed to do it. But then things got really bad when their dad found out. He started going off about how I was going to suffer in new and terrible ways I’d never dreamed possible. When Aunt Tatiana found out, things got really, REALLY bad. I guess Lord Drozdov is critical to some motion she’s trying to get passed, and he threatened to pull his support because of me. Aunt Tatiana was pissed, to put it mildly. I still don’t really understand these aura things I keep seeing, but hers was deep red, and that just didn’t seem like a good sign. Neither was her screaming at me. Usually, she lets me get away with anything, but this crossed a line. She told me I couldn’t stick around Court for Christmas, not with Lord Drozdov there too. She needs to smooth things over, and me sitting next to him at Christmas dinner might throw that off. So now I have to go spend the holidays at some crap ski lodge in Idaho. I hate skiing, but what I hate even worse is finding out my dad is coming along. Two weeks on “vacation” with Nathan Ivashkov? Looks like I really am going to suffer in new and terrible ways.
Soundless Tour
If Richelle isn't coming to your city, click here to find out how to order a limited edition signed copy of Soundless from your local indie bookstore with a super cool embellished cover! (You can also pre-order one from a participating store she's appearing at -- contact them for more information!).
Tuesday, November 10th at 7:00pm – Seattle, WA
University Bookstore - 206-634-3400
4326 University Way NE
Seattle, WA 98105
206-634-3400
Wednesday, November 11th at 7:00pm – Chapel Hill, NC
Flyleaf Books - 919-942-7373
752 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd
Chapel Hill, NC 27514
Thursday, November 12th at 6:00pm – Fairhope, AL
Page & Palette - 251-928-5295
32 S Section Street
Fairhope, AL 36532
Friday, November 13th & Saturday, November 14th – Charleston, SC
YALLFest
Details forthcoming - please check the YALLFest website for schedule and tickets to Richelle's keynote
Sunday, November 15th at 1:00pm – Miami, FL
The Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts, hosted by The Café at Books & Books - 305-442-4408
1300 Biscayne Blvd. Miami, FL 33132
Thursday, November 19th at 7:00pm – Los Angeles, CA
Barnes & Noble The Grove - 323-525-0270
189 The Grove Drive, Suite K 30
Los Angeles, CA 90036
Signing Guidelines:
-Richelle will sign three books per person, one will be personalized and the other two will just have signatures (have a friend bring three more books!)
-You may bring books from home
-Pictures will be allowed if time permits
-Many bookstores have perks for buying Soundless from them, like going to the front of the signing line. Check back here or contact your store to find out any other details, such as line policies or tickets.
If you follow me on social media, you'll know that yesterday I supported a fundraiser for Save the Children (which you can still contribute to) and told people if that goal was surpassed, I'd write up some entries from Adrian's diary. Well, that goal was met (and then some), so as promised, here we go. I'm also working on a totally new, non-VA project right now, so I can't spend too much time in Adrian's head or else it'll throw me off. So, you just get one today. I'll try to do another next week.
Because the VA/Bloodlines series takes place in no specific year, I'm just generically dating these around the books they're taking place in.
Date: Springtime, sometime during the year Vampire Academy #1 takes place
Well, I did it. I finally quit college. Again. I should’ve known better after the first time, but Mom kept pushing me to give it another shot. After half a semester, I knew I was done. Again. Dad said I didn’t try hard enough to make it work, but I think the university didn’t try hard enough to make it work for me. Like, on the first day of class, my watercolors professor kept going on and on about how we needed to express ourselves. But when I told her a couple weeks later that homework wasn’t really an expression of the powerful emotions burning within my soul, she said I was going to fail her class. Hypocrite. At least I was doing good in Intro to Women’s Studies. My professor wrote “Good effort – please rewrite” on one of my papers, which I think is pretty solid. I also got six girls’ numbers, which is more than the only other two guys in class managed to do. But I don’t really need to get up early and sit through a lecture to get phone numbers. I can do that anywhere. Dad asked me what I’m going to do with my life, now that I’m a second-time college dropout. I told him I’m going to do what I’ve always done. Be awesome. Be Adrian Ivashkov.
Just wanted to stop by and let you know about an upcoming signing, in case you haven't heard. I'm currently in Dallas at the RT Convention and will be signing tomorrow (May 16) at their giant book fair from 11am-2pm with hundreds of other great authors. We're at the Hyatt Regency on Reunion, so please com see us! :)
First off, thank you so much to everyone who came out to see me on The Ruby Circle tour. I met hundreds and hundreds of people and loved talking to those who've loved and supported my books. That same support got The Ruby Circle on to many bestseller lists, and I'm grateful for that too.
So what's next? Well, first things first, I've got to get back to writing books! When I'm on tour, I'm not writing, so that's definitely something to remedy. But, I've still got other places to visit, and here's what's on deck for this spring:
YALLWest - Santa Monica/Los Angeles, CA - April 11-12, 2015
Ever heard of YALLFest, the colossal book festival in South Carolina? Well, now it has a sister event on the West Coast! I'll be appearing here with a gazillion other authors. My day will be Saturday, April 11, and I'll be talking about various book things on panels and also signing. All the panels I'll be on are free, but there are some cool events that aren't that you'll need to buy tickets to. I'm told those tickets are almost sold out, so you can check out what those are here. If you don't get tickets to those, you can still come see me.
Cavalcade of Authors West - Pacific Lutheran University in Tacoma, WA - May 2, 2015
This an event put on by the libraries of Pierce County, WA and features me and some other great authors teaching writing workshops to middle and high school students. If you live in Western Washington, pass this website onto a teacher or librarian to get you registered.
Romantic Times Book Booklovers Convention - Hyatt Regency in Dallas, TX - May 12-17</b>
This is a massive convention put on every year in various places around the country (Las Vegas next year!). Tons of authors come, and if you register for the full convention, you'll have access to a lot of parties and panels. BUT if you don't have the time or money for all that, here are some simpler ways to meet me:
--Giant Book Fair - May 16 - 11am-2pm
$5 admission will get you into the book fair where a few hundred authors will be signing. I'll be there, and you can bring your own books or purchase them there.
--Teen Day - May 16 - 11am-7:30pm
If you love YA books, THIS is the event you don't want to miss--and you don't have to be a teen. Along with the giant book signing, you get to attends panels with your favorite YA authors and hang out with them at a party where you'll get a bunch of loot. Tickets are $30 and includes chaperone admission if you're under 18. Get all the details here.
Bookcon (BEA) - Javits Center in New York City, NY - May 30 & 31
BookExpo of America is a giant convention in NYC, and now they've got Bookcon added to it--a special part that's open to the public. I'll be appearing on Saturday, May 30. I don't yet know my schedule, but if you're interested in seeing me that day (or other great authors), get your tickets here.
That's all I've got for you right now! If a certain place isn't on my schedule, I either have no clue if I'll ever be there or else it's not something that can be released to the public. If I get more news, I'll let you know!
Just a quick note to let my Colorado readers know that sadly, we have had to cancel my Denver and Boulder events this weekend due to weather and flight issues. I'm so sorry I won't be able to see you guys and talk about The Ruby Circle. These events will almost certainly be rescheduled, but it will be a while before it happens (or before I even have any info on it). Thank you so much for understanding!
I will still be signing at Book People in Austin this Sunday, February 22, at 2pm as planned. All the details are here.
This tour has been amazing so far, and I'm so grateful to everyone who's turned out in all the other cities these last couple weeks. You all rock! And thank you also to everyone who's gone out and bought The Ruby Circle. Thanks to your support, it's made it to the New York Times, USA Today, and Australia's bestseller lists.
If you've been following me on social media, you may know all this. If not, here's a summary of everything you need to know about my latest book, which comes out next week and will bring us the epic finale to the Vampire Academy and Bloodlines world!
The Ruby Circle is almost here!
After eleven books set in the world of Moroi and dhampirs, the saga is coming to a close on February 10! As Sydney and Adrian race against the clock to protect their love and their lives, they're joined by old and new friends--including Rose and Dimitri--to uncover a secret that changes everything they thought they knew about their world! Read the first five chapters at the official Ruby Circle website.
Want to meet Richelle?
I'll be meeting fans and signing books during tour stops and conventions this spring!
February 10 - San Francisco, CA (Kepler's Books)
February 11 - Seattle, WA (University Book Store)
February 12 - Portland, OR (Powell's Beaverton)
February 13 - Salt Lake City, UT (King's English)
February 17 - Las Vegas, NV (Barnes and Noble)
February 18 - Phoenix, AZ (Changing Hands - Tempe)
February 20 - Denver, CO (Castle Rock Library)
February 21 - Boulder, CO (Boulder Book Store)
February 22 - Austin, TX (Book People)
April 11 - Los Angeles, CA (YALLWest Festival)
May 16 - Dallas, TX (RT Booklovers Convention)
Click here for more details on locations and times for my appearances!
Want to buy the book? Want to buy it SIGNED?
If I won't be touring near you this spring, you can order an autographed copy of any of my books from University Book Store (they ship internationally and ordering THIS week will help ensure your TRC copy ships out on release day!). You can also pre-order The Ruby Circle or find it locally at any of these bookstores when it comes out on February 10, 2015.
What's next? Stay tuned!
More exciting news and appearances are coming this year! Even if you follow me on social media, I STRONGLY urge you to join my announcements mailing list and get updates sent straight to your inbox so that nothing gets missed! And of course, here are the other ways to stay informed:
www.richellemead.com
Twitter: @richellemead
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/richellemeadfanpage
First up, I want to remind Seattle peeps that I'm signing in Bellevue, TOMORROW, November 1, and reading a sneak peek of The Ruby Circle! Details are here, so please come if you can!
Now, as a Halloween treat, I want to address some things from Silver Shadows that readers have been wanting to know about. It involves giving away some MAJOR things from SS, so if you haven't read that book, I'd really advise you against reading the rest of this post. In fact, I'll create a cut here to further hide some of those things.
Okay, here we go. What are we going to talk about? The wedding. You know the one I mean--that crazy, romantic, over the top one that Adrian throws together on short notice. People have been asking me some questions about it, so I'm going to answer those now!
1. Is the Las Vegas hotel where Sydney and Adrian get married real?
The Firenze, where they have their wedding, is NOT real, alas. It's based on a real place, however: the Venetian. I would have loved to use a real hotel, either so fans could tour it or host their own whirlwind wedding there, but I decided on a fictitious hotel at the last minute. This is because there's some bribery going on with the hotel's staff, and call me old-fashioned, but I didn't want to make any negative insinuations against the Venetian's employees! Had I actually used the Venetian, there would have been a strong temptation also to have Sydney and Adrian do one of their gondola weddings and have a high-speed(?) water chase from the Alchemists. That would've been either awesome or ridiculous, but I guess we'll never know. In the meantime, you can still go to one of the Venetian's real chapels and get a good idea of what Sydney and Adrian's wedding looks like.
When Sydney throws the Alchemists into the Bellagio fountains? Those are real. But I wouldn't recommended imitating her on that count.
2. What does Adrian's wedding band look like?Very much like the top ring in this set designed by
Green Lake Jewelry in Seattle. It is, ahem, a ruby circle.
GLJ does awesome work and inspire a lot of jewelry in my books!
3. What does Sydney's engagement ring look like?A lot like this, except that her center stone is more square/rectangular. Remember, the stones were taken from Adrian's cuff links.
4. And lastly, what does Sydney's wedding dress look like?So glad you asked! I actually picked this out before I wrote the book, and so when I went to write the scene, I kept having to flip back and forth between the image and my manuscript in the hopes of getting the details right. I don't know if this dress is still available, but the designer is Demetrios.
Makes her mad dash that much more impressive, eh?
Happy Halloween!
Hey, Seattle peeps! I've got a couple of local events coming up this month. So if you're in the area, want to get some books signed, and ask some questions -- stop on by! I'll be having more signings in 2015, with stats on those dates and cities later this year. Keep checking back or sign up for my mailing list to get notifications right in your inbox!
Saturday -- November 1 -- Bellevue, WA
Barnes & Noble Bellevue -- 2pm
626 106th Ave NE
Bellevue, WA
Since this is a "between new releases" book signing, I'll make things extra exciting...and read a sneak peek from The Ruby Circle (being released February 2015)! Feel free to bring books from home, but if you haven't bought one of my titles yet and want to, please buy it at the store to support them. Signing limits: one personalized and three plain autographed per person (so if you've got more than four books, bring a friend to carry your other ones in line!).
Saturday -- November 29 -- Seattle, WA
University Bookstore -- 2pm
4326 University Way NE
Seattle, WA
Small Business Saturday! A variety of authors will be in the store for talks and panels. I'll be part of the sci-fi panel at 2pm and available to sign books afterwards. It should be a super fun day! You can see the full lineup of authors on the schedule here.
Time flies when you're super busy. I've been swamped with finishing The Ruby Circle, chasing down some personal health issues, and also making plans for what's next after Bloodlines ends (stay tuned for that news). But, when not working, I DO get some downtime, and I have a few guilty TV pleasures. One is the dresstastic madness that is Reign, and per the request of some Twitter followers, I'm going to recap/review the season 2 premiere that aired last week.
Now, if you're not familiar with Reign, be advised there are spoilers ahead. And if you know anything about Mary, Queen of Scots, be advised that you can't go into watching this show expecting perfect historical accuracy. It does a better job than most people give it credit for, but there are still a lot of liberties taken. You'll enjoy it a lot more if you just treat it as a medieval soap opera. And if you don't know the real history at all, you'll probably be happier staying in ignorance. Unless you're a major fan of Elizabeth I--then by all means, go read up on the history.
Anyway, season 2 opens with Francis bravely riding out into the countryside to be with Mary's lady-in-waiting Lola, who's about to give birth to his bastard. I'm going to come right out and say it now: in the Francis vs. Bash debate, I'm firmly on Team Francis. I like Bash well enough, but despite him being the roguish bastard, I actually think Francis has a darker streak. (I thought it was EPIC when he pulled off his helmet in last season's finale, revealing he was the one who'd killed his dad in the tournament!). Also, I'm still traumatized by Torrance Coombs' portrayal of Thomas Culpepper on
The Tudors. If you've watched that show, you know exactly what I'm talking about.
So, Francis gets to Lola, and surprise! She's already had the baby, which tells me two things: 1. They have a lot of other stuff they need to cram into this episode, and 2. The writers are NOT messing around. Mary's life would have been mildly inconvenienced with a bastard princess around, but by making it a boy, the writers have just messed up her life x 1000. I also like that the writers do away with any lingering feelings between Francis and Lola--which should reassure a lot of you. (By the way, you guys can't hate on Lola unless you hate Francis too. They were both involved in making this mess, and really, it was the result of Mary's convoluted marrying-Bash plan). There's no Frola/Frary love triangle in the making, and it's made abundantly clear that the issue at stake is whether or not Francis will claim (and control) Lola's child. More on that later.
Back at the castle, Mary and Catherine are holding a press conference about the plague. (The producers had hinted someone we know dies from the plague in this episode, and my money's on one of the Castleroys). Man, am I happy to see Catherine. Megan Follows OWNS that role. She steals every scene she's in, and I adore her. Plus, I'm pretty sure the accent she uses for this role is the same one she used to use when Anne of Green Gables did dramatic readings or plays. So sometimes I like to pretend this show is all just one elaborate production that Anne and Diana are putting on.
But wait! Who's that dashing fellow beside the two queens? Why, it's Nostradamus, who has apparently decided to shave for season 2. He must have realized there were some hot, eligible CW women around and that he needed to up his game--not that he seemed to be doing that badly before.
Really, the most extraordinary thing about this scene for me, though, is that the entire Greer/Castleroy/Leith/Yvette love mess is revealed with a few glances across the room! That was my second favorite plot twist of last season, so I was at least hoping for an awkward family dinner: "Hey, Dad and future stepmom, I want you to meet this guy I'm seeing..."
Last but not least, we check in with Bash and Kenna. I totally forgot about that kid they were taking care of. I assumed Pascal got returned to some distant pagan relatives. Bash is taking charge and trying to get his family out of there, but Kenna gets thwarted by a plaguey servant who calls her a whore, which I don't like at all! You can say what you want about Kenna, but she was in a bad situation last season. It's not easy being a woman in the 16th century, and when a king or any powerful man casts his eye on you, you can't just go complain to HR. She made the best of what she had, and I think it worked out since she and Bash are kind of perfect for each other in their misfitness. Their wedding was one of my favorite scenes last season. Anyway, Kenna yields Pascal, and we know this isn't going to end well.
Back in the throne room, Mary and Catherine are holding court and sparring with each other. A new guy named Narcisse shows up and wants permission to kill someone in exchange for food for the court. Pragmatic Catherine has no problem with this, but Mary's morals won't allow her to condone it. There are certain parts of Mary's history (who she marries, where she rules) that the show can't change, but one thing they've taken control of nicely is this ongoing conflict as her character develops. Can she hold to her principles and still be an effective ruler? That remains to be seen.
Out in the country Lola and Francis are slowly making their way back to the castle. Lola looks pretty good for having just given birth. Maybe I would've too if I'd been able to wear something like this instead of yoga pants and a T-shirt:
Along the way, they run into Narcisse and also a guy named Conde, who is fully up to the CW's levels of attractiveness. Based on the dreamy music playing when they meet, I secretly think Conde'll be back as a love interest for Lola--once he gets his own affairs straightened out. For now, Francis is going to use Conde's ship to send Lola and the baby away, which will probably relieve some of you. But something tells me it won't be that easy...
Back at the castle, Kenna and Pascal have been locked in a room to prevent plague spreading! Pascal dies from the plague, which is sad and handled gracefully by the writers by mostly focusing on Kenna as it happens. I guess I was wrong, and it's not going to be one of the Castleroys. Bash, now on the hunt for Kenna, has his own run-ins with the plague, and then he sees a ghostly figure coming toward him in the hall! Is it King Henry's brother, back from the dead? No, it's a plague-victim, who tells Bash he's neither dead nor infected. What does that mean? Can Bash see dead people now? Does he have supernatural powers? Cuz that's a plot twist I'm totally on board with. We never find out because Bash soon finds Kenna, and while her being locked in a room for most of the episode is kind of a meh plot, their reunion is so sweet that I find myself smiling. I love those misfit kids.
Cut to the throne room, and Narcisse is back, which boggles the mind since Francis and Lola aren't. Nostradamus has also come and gone, which makes me wonder just how slow Francis and Lola are going. Nostradamus and Mary have made Catherine think she has the plague to get her out of the way--which I don't like AT ALL. No one one-ups my girl! In a touching bedside scene, we get the hint that Catherine is fully aware of how power compromised her morals over the years. It's like her and Mary are kindred spirits after all! But Mary's intentions prove to be in vain: Narcisse has already killed the guy he wanted--by poisoning a whole room full of people! That includes Yvette Castleroy, which baffles my writer's mind because I thought for sure that love rhombus was going to play out for a while. That had the potential for a lot of drama, so I'm not sure what they have planned for Greer now, aside from the obvious Leith vs. Castleroy conflict. Seriously, this bugs me. It bugs Mary too, and she has Narcisse thrown in the dungeon--but methinks we haven't seen the last of him.
Finally, back on the long road, Francis holds his son for the first time and has a really touching moment when he realizes he wants the baby in his life after all. It's also kind of a dark moment, though, as Lola sees her freedom slipping away from her. Remember when I said it wasn't easy being a woman in the 16th century? Here's more proof, and Francis's ominous line about how the baby will be whatever he says it is tells you exactly why Lola is concerned. Mary's going to love it when this trio shows back up.
And speaking of our queen...we close on her sitting on the throne, with an empty throne beside her. At first, I think that's symbolic of Catherine's absence (I'm still ticked off they tricked her), then I realize it's meant to mark Francis's absence. Don't worry, Mary. I'm sure he'll be back next episode. Surely they can't STILL be traveling?
And that's it! Phew, that was a lot. From a storytelling point of view, I can say they did exactly what I'd expect in an opening chapter, tying up the last cliffhanger and prepping us for what's to come. I expect the real crazy to start in coming episodes, particularly when Francis and Lola get back and Narcisse gets out of prison. As for Greer's plotline...that still has me scratching my head why they got rid of Yvette so quickly.
Important Summary Stuff
Best Catherine quote: "Welcome to the real France."
Best Dress:Mary's, of course:
Although, this blue one we briefly see Greer in is quite nice too:
Thanks for reading my longggg post! I'm hoping to have some news about a couple local appearances for you the next time I blog.
Silver Shadows is here! And in case you haven't been out on social media, people are freaking out about it--in a good way. If you haven't picked up your copy, make sure you do soon. Big, big things are coming!
I've had a really great time this week talking to fans about the book. On Tuesday, I kicked off SS's release at University Book Store in Seattle, sharing all sorts of stories:
As you can see, there were "a few" people there:
I signed for a little over two hours, but it was so much fun. I got to see familiar faces and new ones and am so thrilled for everyone that came out:
Last night, I had my first ever "virtual event." I Skyped with fans at Schuler's Books in Lansing, MI while I sat at home in my office talking on my pink laptop:
Meanwhile, here's what fans in Lansing got to see:
It was awesome! The store said it was their biggest turnout for a Skype event yet, but the number was still small enough that everyone who wanted to got to ask questions. We got to cover a lot of popular fan topics!
Even more exciting, some fans came in character, which I always love. It's hard to see, but the girl in gray has a golden lily tattoo. What's easy to see is that they're all proudly showing the signed copies of
Silver Shadows they bought and free DVDs they won! Thank you so much to all who came out to talk to me!
If you live in Miami or Chicago, I'll be Skyping with you guys back to back tonight, July 31.
Check here for times. (Rumor has it Anderson's in Chicago will have pizza!). It'll be the same set up, with us face to face on the big screen, you asking questions, and signed books for sale! Plus, each store is giving away 100 DVDs.
And if you live in Portland, I'll be signing this Saturday at the downtown Powell's (different from where I usually sign in Cedar Hills), so come see me there if you're in town. Looking forward to talking to more people!
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