First up, thanks to everyone who has been weighing in on Thorn Queen. I really appreciate the feedback and support! Also, a lot of people have been asking about TQ being free on Kindle last week. It was a promotion my publisher, Kensington, was doing. It got TQ a high Kindle sales rank (due to its "attractive price point," as lolcatz points out) and boosted Storm Born as well. Thanks again, everyone.

Here in Richelle's world, things are HOT...which you probably know if you're on Twitter because none of us will shut up about the weather in the Pacific Northwest. I have the luxury of central air, but the second floor (where my office is) isn't quite as arctic as the first--particularly with a computer running all day. Still, I don't feel it much until I leave the house. I tell you, though, triple digits are NOT normal for us in the summer, so this a shock for everyone.

I will be leaving my house this weekend to attend the Pacific Northwest Writers Association annual conference down in the beautiful(?) Seatac area, where I'll be part of the following workshops with my local author pals:

-7/31, 4:15-5:45pm: Urban Fantasy 101
-8/1, 8:30-10am, Tailoring Fantasy and Science Fiction to Young Adult Novels
-8/1, 1:30-3pm, Writing Sex and Romance for Fantasy and Science Fiction
-8/1, 3:30-5pm, Fantasy and Science Fiction: World Building

So, if you live in the area and are an aspiring writer, head over to PNWA's website to learn how to attend. At this late of a date, you have to register on-site, but they have the instructions and cost info.

And in more scheduling, the Australian leg of my tour is filling out more and more. Here's the latest from my publisher:

Monday 14 September – 5.00pm – Melbourne
Eastern Regional Libraries Event
At: Knox Civic Centre
511 Burwood Highway, Wantirna South
Booking Tel: (03) 9801 1422
Bookseller: Borders Doncaster
Talk & Signing – free event, bookings advisable to be assured place

Tuesday 15 September – 5.30pm – Melbourne
Dymocks Melbourne Talk – Signing
At: Dymocks Melbourne CBD
Lower Ground 234 - Collins St, Melbourne
Booking Tel: (03) 9660 8500
Talk – Signing – free event, bookings essential to be assured place

Thursday 17 September – 5.30pm – Sydney
At: Dymocks, Level 1, Shop 145
Westfield Penrith Plaza, Henry Street, Penrith
Tel: (02) 4731 5986
Signing - free event

Friday 18 September – 12.30pm – Sydney
Galaxy Books
At: 143 York Street Sydney
Tel: (02) 9267 7222
Signing - free event

Friday 18 September - 6pm-9pm
Vampire Academy Tour After Party
*Location is Changing* - Check back
This is a ticketed event - buy them here

Tour updates are always posted first over at Penguin Australia's website, and they're the ones you should contact with questions. Take note of a couple of things. First, did you see how I used the exotic Australian way of putting the date before the month? I'm learning the culture! I draw the line at vegemite, though. (Of course, who am I to judge when my own nation uses ranch dressing on everything?). Second, the location for the After Party is changing from St. Andrews. Keep checking its link for the new place.

As promised, here are some new tour dates for this spring. These are public signings that you can either bring books to or purchase books there. As always, if there are books you want to get before the signings, I'd encourage you to buy them from the bookstore that's hosting! They do a lot of work, and it's nice to show support if you were going to buy a new book anyway.

Here we go:

Saturday, April 25 - Orlando, FL - 11am-2pm
Romantic Times Book Fair
Wyndham Orlando Resort
8001 International Drive
Note: There's a $5 admission to get into this event (all the other events listed are free), but there are over a hundred other authors at this book fair, so you can see lots of people at the same time.

Sunday, May 3 - Scottsdale, AZ - 2pm
Borders
7000 E. Mayo Blvd.
Phoenix, AZ 85054

Tuesday, May 5 - Los Angeles (Torrance), CA - 7pm
Borders
3700 Torrance Blvd
Torrance, CA 90503

Wednesday, May 6 - San Francisco (El Cerrito), CA - 7pm
Barnes and Noble
El Cerrito Plaza
6050 El Cerrito Plaza, El Cerrito, CA 94530

Thursday, May 7 - Portland, OR - 7pm
Barnes and Noble
Location TBA

Friday, May 8 - Lynnwood, WA - 7pm
Barnes and Noble
19401 Alderwood Mall Parkway
Lynnwood, WA 98036

Wednesday, September 2 - Atlanta, GA - 7pm
Barnes and Noble
Mansell Crossings SC
7660 Northpoint Parkway Ste 200, Alpharetta, GA 30022

That's it for now, though I can say I'll be announcing more signing dates--most likely out east. Whenever I post these dates, I often get flooded by people wanting me to come to other places, but alas, that's not possible. The best explanation is over at my FAQ. Most of this tour has been set up by my wonderful publicist at Razorbill, and I feel very lucky and grateful that they're willing to send me out to so many places! If you live anywhere around these spots, I hope you'll come out and see me!

Added re: tour dates -- I will sign all books and pose for pictures. Thanks for the emails asking.

Well, the deal news is still coming. I'm happy to announce that I've just signed on with Kensington Books to do two more in the Eugenie (Dark Swan) series. This is pretty exciting because I love Eugenie, and after just finishing Thorn Queen, I'm pretty psyched to keep writing more. Fans of her may also be happy to know that her release cycle might speed up a little. Those books take a year to come out, and I think it might be a little less now. The cost is that this might alter Georgina's schedule (don't worry...book 4 is still set for June), but we shall see. I'll post dates as soon as I know them.

Also, back in the Vampire Academy world, I've got the official announcement in Publishers Marketplace for the 7-book deal since I know some like to hear the industry news:

NYT & USA Today bestselling author Richelle Mead's untitled sixth and final novel in the VAMPIRE ACADEMY series, about two best friends at a secret boarding school for vampire royalty; and an untitled six-book YA series, to Jessica Rothenberg at Razorbill, in a major deal, by Jim McCarthy at Dystel & Goderich Literary Management (World English).

For those who have been asking, I can say with some certainty that the other series will not be the same story as the first series told by another character. If I do another VA series, it'll definitely have a brand new story!

My last bit of news is for locals. I'm going to be at Norwescon this weekend, so if you're in the area and plan on attending, here's where you can find me:

Thursday

4:00pm -- Have Vampire Novels Jumped the Shark?
6:00pm -- Twilight: Great Story or Great Marketing?

Friday

11:00am -- Writing Essentials: Common Problems with Submissions
12:00pm -- Writerly Friendship
2:00pm -- Why I Write YA Books
4:00pm -- Vampiric Lore and the Twilight Phenomenon

Saturday

11:00am -- The Rise of the Paranormal Romance
12:00pm -- Autograph Session
2:00pm -- Reading: Succubus Heat
9:00pm -- All About Agents

Busy schedule, huh? If you're thinking of going, click the Norwescon link above to find out about admission and other panels and activities. Lots of good stuff will be there, including my other author pals and more costumes than you can shake a stick at.

And on the subject of appearances, I'm going to announce a list of upcoming west coast tour dates for May tomorrow. East coasters, hang in there. Your time is coming soon. And of course, I haven't forgotten about the Irish technology post. That too is on its way!

Okay, here's what's going on in the world. East coast info is starting to trickle in, but first up, I need to remind my Seattle pals that I'll be reading and signing Shadow Kiss this Saturday, November 15, at Third Place Books at 6:30. That's up in Lake Forest Park, a little north of Lake Washington and isn't too bad a jaunt from Seattle or the east side. I hope you'll come out and say hey to me since I won't be doing any other local appearances (aside from Norwescon in April) until next summer!

Here's the first thing I can confirm (aside from my nebulous Philcon schedule) on the east coast. I will be at Books of Wonder in New York City on Tuesday, November 25 from 5-7pm. The first part will be a panel with Holly Black and other YA authors. Then, I'll have a chance to sign books and talk to people afterward, so I hope all you NYC people can turn out for it 'cos I want to meet you! Philly people, stay tuned, and all of this stuff is listed in detail on my calendar.

Other miscellany. The radio interview I did with KBOO in Portland is up on their website here. Also, get this. The German translation of the first book in the Vampire Academy series isn't called Vampire Academy (though they'll keep that as the series name). Book 1 will be called Blutsschwestern, which would be absolutely awesome, even if I didn't know what it means. But, I do. It's German for Blood Sisters, which is equally awesome.