Gingerbread update

I seem to have stumbled into some kind of alternate reality wherein time...disappears. Or runs too fast, or something. Is this the Netherworld? Have the monsters been replaced with deadlines, interviews, guest blogs, and email? Not that any of those things are monstrous, but sometimes they pile together to form one big, scary creature called Obligation, which devours time (not just free time, but All Time) and leaves nothing but a vague blur of recollection.

Seriously, though I have no idea how it got to be mid-October, and even though I've already turned in two books, a novella, and two short stories this year, and promoted four novel releases, I feel like I've accomplished nothing. And I still have one book to go this calendar year.
Anyway, while I fight to get caught up, here are a few updates:

Foreign releases:

• Pride comes out in Australia on November 1.
• My Soul To Keep comes out in France on November 20 (Sauve mon âme! - dès le 20 novembre). No cover yet. If you've seen the cover for Sauve mon ame, please let me know!
• My Soul To Steal comes out in Australia on Dec. 1, though I haven't actually been able to find a link for this one.
• My Soul To Take comes out in the UK on Jan 1, 2011, but again, no link.

Gingerbread update:

My Haunted Gingerbread House construction has begun! Yes, it's a long process, because...did I mention I'm short on time? ;)



As usual, the design is by #1. Here's a shot of his original sketch and the cardboard mockup. The mockup is to make sure that the pieces will fit together like we think they will. And after it's together, he takes it apart, and we use the pieces as templates for the dough. (Note, we don't actually eat the gingerbread, so we're not too worried about germs. ;))



This is naked gingerbread. AKA, the assembled, but still undecorated house. This year, it sits on a "fall lawn" made of chocolate rice crispy treat, molded to the custom wooden platform. There's a tree, but it's not assembled yet. I'm holding my breath on the tree this year, because it looks kinda fragile. I'll post more pictures when the whole thing is done.

Also, don't forget the Haunted Gingerbread contest, going on until Halloween!

And...just 'cause...here's a picture of my front flowerbed, all decorated for Halloween. Note how the skeleton has busted through the brick border. And yes, that's the tombstone that usually sits in my office. ;)