Raleigh/Durham Day & CT schedule

So, here’s the thing – if you want to live in an area with great bookstores, move here. These were outstanding bookstores.

I could leave it at that, but I promised I’d post photos, so here goes.

Image hosted by TinyPic.com a small part of the group at Regulator Bookshop in Durham. Many thanks to the women of Durham Academy who turned up with teachers in tow, and the other teens who came even though they were on spring break. (We even had a teacher from Ohio who came on break!)

Image hosted by TinyPic.com Quail Ridge Books in Raleigh was packed!!

Image hosted by TinyPic.com One of my best buddies, Marnie, came out and brought me a corsage. *blush*

Image hosted by TinyPic.com In a humbling and somehow appropriate display, Quail Ridge hangs nicely framed photos of authors who have visited their store in the bathroom. The tiny (yet powerful) sales rep you see is Doni Kay, who made my day fly with great conversation.

I have to wake up in five hours. Ack. I have set three alarms, and my BH has promised a back-up wake-up call so I don’t have another Kalamistake.

This is where you can find me tomorrow.

5:30am in line at coffee shop in airport.

3-5pm Dandy Tales, 13 South Ave., New Canaan CT, 203-966-7713

7-9 pm Diane’s Books, 8A Grigg St., Greenwich, CT, 203-869-1515

On Thursday, I’ll be in Naperville, IL, and Notre Dame, IN.

PROM Fanfiction Alert

Like to write? Want to win a boat-load of books or $$$ for a DJ for your 2006 school prom? Then listen up.

The nice people at Baker & Taylor just announced a fanfiction contest for stories based on my new novel, PROM!!!

Basically, you have to write a 1,500 word (or less) prequel, sequel, or alternate ending to PROM. These stories will be evaluated by a group of B&T and Penguin folks. I’ll help choose the finalists. The contest runs from now through December 31, 2005. (It’s only open to readers aged 12-18, BTW)

The Grand Prize winner gets either $500 worth of Penguin books, or $500 towards a DJ to play at the winner’s prom in 2006, and the winning story will be posted on writerlady.com (my website) for everyone to enjoy. Also, I will visit the winner’s school or public library in 2006, and an additional $500 of books will be donated to that school or library.

Two First Prize winners will also have their stories showcased on my website and will win a complete, signed set of my novels.

Go here and click on official Contest Rules for all the details and fine print.

I leave for the airport and North Carolina in a couple of minutes. I am feeling very optimistic today and am leaving my winter jacket at home. This means a freak snowstorm will probably hit the Raleigh/Durham region by dinnertime. You heard it here first.