DEAD RIVER Is Out!

Yesterday, DEAD RIVER was unleashed unto the world.

Actually, no, it had already been in B&N for some time before that. But the official date was yesterday.

SO, as usual on book release day (I've heard that after 5 books, you can start to use "usual" and "book release day" in the same sentence!), I donned my fancy pants and got ready to bask in the congratulations that would surely follow.

Only, that really didn't happen.  Oh, how I remember those days where the twitter-verse would be bursting with well-wishes from people as far away as Mars, people you didn't know existed! Oh, how I remember having to beat people off with a stick.  But today, nothing. Probably because I'd beaten those people off with a stick. My husband didn't send me flowers, my parents were like, "Um, don't you have another book coming out one of these days?" my kids still whined. Random House forgot to send me my author's copies, or else mailed them to another YA writer on their list, or else some UPS drivers are using them as doorstops. World peace was not declared.

To make matters even worse, I found myself having to run after people, shouting "IT'S MY BOOK BIRTHDAY!  LOVE ME!!  AND BUY A COPY!" It was quite embarrassing.

I know, I'm not the only one who doesn't receive confetti cannons going off when her book releases. I can't tell you how many times, lately, I've seen a book out from a favorite author of mine, one who had burst onto the scene amidst much fanfare a few years ago, and been like, "Whoa, when did that release?" There are so many books out there.  I suppose as we go along, our new releases get less interesting to everybody else. But while everyone else might be "pshaw, another Balog book," I can't help secretly squeeing to myself, like a madwoman. It's still, and will always be, a thrill.

So there you have it. Book Five. Dead River. Out in the world.

Love me.

And buy a copy.

Squee!