Sunday, June 13, 2010

BEWARE THE GREEN SLIME!!



BEWARE THE GREEN SLIME!

Back in the day, when I was sixteen, I won a speech contest. The contest was sponsored by the International Order of Oddfellows, and the prize was a three-week trip (by bus) to New York City, and a week at the UN, with other winners from all over the country.

I traveled on a chartered Greyhound bus with thirty-three other sixteen-year-olds, winners from California, Arizona, and New Mexico, and it was one of the big highlights of my teenage years, not only for the trip itself, but for the lasting friendships made there.

As groups do, we evolved all kinds of in-jokes and catch-phrases, one of which was “Beware the Green Slime!”—because there was a horror movie by that name (“The Green Slime”) playing at theaters in what seemed like every small town where we spent the night. So…all kinds of Green Slime jokes, and we later published The Green Slime Gazette—a newsletter for the group—etc., etc.

So the term “Green Slime” is one of affection and delight, to me. It’s also the first thing that sprang to mind when I saw the new cover for the trade paperback edition of AN ECHO IN THE BONE.

Yes, I hear you all shrieking “Whyyyyy?!?”—whether in shared delight or horror. Well, because The Publisher (a person, rather than the company overall) thought that the black version of the cover—striking as it is—would be “lost” on a bookstore table in the scrum of trade paperbacks, and suggested that we change the color to something more vivid.


It…IS…vivid, you have to admit that much. [g] And I did say I liked green, and I do.

Anyway, this new US trade paperback will be released This Month, on June 22nd.

No, I’m not doing a book-tour for it. For one thing, one usually doesn’t tour for a paperback release, only for the initial hardcover publication. For another, I’m doing only two appearances in the early part of this summer, both local:

June 26th – I’ll be doing a multi-author event sponsored by The Poisoned Pen bookstore, held at the Biltmore Hotel in Phoenix. See here for details!


July 17th – I’ll be appearing at the Arizona Highland Celtic Festival, which is in Flagstaff, Arizona. I usually do a public reading at this event (will be reading excerpts from Book Eight, as I now have a few!—in case you want to know how some of those cliffhangers turn out…), and will be signing books much of the day. More details anon, but the basics of the Festival are here. ]

See you there—and if I don’t, I hope you’ll enjoy the vivid new addition to the jewel-toned US covers!

17 comments:

  1. It will look absolutely lovely next to my large black hardcover version! the fact that lime green also happens to be the accent color in my family room where ALL of your books are proudly displayed, is also a nice bonus.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Looking forward to this release and adding to the series rainbow. We will be on vacation during this time so I may need to scout out some bookstores while we are there. :)

    ReplyDelete
  3. Will this paperback edition have the preview of "The Exile" as was originally mentioned in press releases?

    ReplyDelete
  4. I love this color! It's the color of my mixer and some few accessories in my kitchen :) It's much better than the black!

    ReplyDelete
  5. It could be putrid pink and we would all still flock like seagulls to get to it! Have a wonderful summer Diana!

    ReplyDelete
  6. The color is bright but I think it looks nice! Besides isn't the saying "never judge a book by it's cover" I look forward to the release, I just wanted to tell you how much I have loved your books! You are an amazing writer, that really knows how to create some amazing characters and stories! Keep up the great work!

    ReplyDelete
  7. Did your kids not watch "You Can't Do That on Television" on Nickelodeon? That will always be what "green slime" means to me. :)

    ReplyDelete
  8. Awesome! Gotta love the slime.

    ReplyDelete
  9. I think it takes a bit away from the chicken foot! *g*

    ReplyDelete
  10. It is the words inside that count ... and I love your words! :)

    ReplyDelete
  11. Well, at least you have fond memories of the color. :) I'm sure it will be a hit either way. It's nice to comment again.

    ReplyDelete
  12. Oh my...great book, but the cover color is barely forgivable. Still, will get it to complete my collection.

    Lynne in GA

    ReplyDelete
  13. It's the same color as my husband's 2010 Synergy Green Camaro. He's also a fan and has read all the books, too!

    ReplyDelete
  14. No, I'm afraid the Australians get the UK covers, rather than the US covers. On the other hand, you too get a new cover this month, when the mass-market (small-size) paperback comes out in the UK/Australia/New Zealand! It's not only very pretty, but has some extra treats in the endmatter. I'll post something on it as soon as I'm back.

    ReplyDelete
  15. Is anyone taping your reading excerpts at the Flagstaff Highland Games to post on your youtube channel? Good luck with your surgery!

    ReplyDelete
  16. I'm disappointed it's not black like the hardcover, but of course I'll still buy it. I have to have my Outlander set match so...

    Btw, "The Green Slime" is one of my husband's favorite cheesy sci-fi movies. We have it on DVD.

    ReplyDelete
  17. I think the witty dark curly haired Jannine Gerafalo's in contrast to a tall dark-red-haired Gerard would make a striking contrast. Her biting wit and sarcastic humor wrapped in her own self assured demeanor is as small intelligent woman who is unafraid of this man twice her size is just as Outlander depicts. I think they'd make a great pair.

    ReplyDelete