Interviews...

This summer, in between travel and writing and law, I managed to work in a few interviews (many thanks to all those who took the time to put together the questions and bandwidth):

Downhome Books has an updated interview, this time focusing on TOFU AND T.REX.

I was also interviewed by author Ellen Jackson for her Secrets of Success column.

YA Books Central has a brief interview accompanying their review of NINJAS, PIRANHAS, AND GALILEO.

Round Rock book signing

Saturday I had the pleasure of a book signing for TOFU AND T.REX at the B&N Round Rock. Had a great showing, including Don Tate and Varian Johnson, who also blogged about it (click on their names). Cyn blogged it too.

Also, there's a new interview with me by the good folks at Downhome Books.

Summer weather and cat behavior...

It's the middle of August, which means that it's 98 F, but feels like 105. I am definitely going to have to take this into consideration for my work in progress (my first actually set in Texas).

Also, it means I find it impossible to run (even in the AM it's a bit humid), so have been swimming at the Town Lake YMCA and at Deep Eddy Pool. Which brings me to some weird cat behavior: after I have swum at the Y (and showered with soap), our white cat, Blizzard, finds it necessary to groom me. Vigorously. Like I was covered in catnip. Since he is a long-haired cat, this is a fairly slobbery and sand-papery process. This does not happen after I've swum at Deep Eddy (a natural and constantly recirculating spring pool, they don't add chlorine). So apparently, there is some odd cocktail of chemicals in the chlorine and soap that is deeply tasty to him...

Anyway, thanks for all the birthday wishes!

While the wife's away...

So while Cynthia was in Vermont last month, what did I do?

Research for my new novel -- this included grilling Ken Appelt, husband of author Kathi Appelt, on childhood ranching experiences. BTW, the wait at Z Tejas on a Friday night at 7:30 is about an hour.

Also, I watched the extended DVDs of The Lord of the Rings. On the whole, I was very pleased, especially since LOTR is one of my favorite novels. (I may blog more about these later, after I've seen the special features - yes I am that much of a geek). For now, let me just ask, did anyone else notice that the Elves are the only ones in Middle Earth who use shampoo?

Congratulations

to Lance Armstrong (referred to on King of the Hill tonight as "that guy who rides his bike faster than French people") on his seventh consecutive Tour de France victory.

Drink a toast tonight...

Of Romulan ale. Or maybe Saurian brandy...

James Doohan, who played chief engineer Montgomery Scott of the starship Enterprise, passed away today.

Author of the Month

I'm pleased to announce that I'm the "Austin Area Barnes and Noble Author of the Month" for August 2005. In conjunction with this, I'll be signing NINJAS and TOFU at the Barnes and Noble Round Rock store on August 27.

And in TOFU-related News of the Weird, the Unviersity of Maryland reports that edible meat can be grown in the lab on an industrial scale.

Today's the day!

Today is the official date of publication of TOFU AND T.REX and the softcover edition of NINJAS, PIRANHAS, AND GALILEO! Go out and buy millions of copies. :-)

Book Links does Chicago!

The July issue of BookLinks magazine has an article titled "Chicago--My Kind of Town," featuring books set in Chicago. Ninjas, Piranhas, and Galileo is described as the story of "three diverse friends...who are trying to figure out life in the seventh grade...[T]hrough it all these guys are funny, sharp, honest, successful, and recognizable."

Interview at Smartwriters

Check out the new interview with me at Smartwriters.com!