Yep, it’s supposed to snow this week here at West of Mars. Well, outside the house with the purple trim, that is. It darn well better not snow INSIDE.

Snow’s on my mind. So’s my fiction. One plus one equals… thirteen!

1. Since everybody’s favorite fictional band, ShapeShifter, is from a mythical part of the West Coast, they didn’t grow up the way I did: with snowy winters.

2. All four boys (uhh, that’s Mitchell, Trevor, Eric, and Daniel for those of you new around here) didn’t see snow until they were on their first tour.

3. Mitchell and Trevor immediately became experts at the Art of Snowball Bombing. You know: when the person you nail isn’t expecting it.

4. Snow on the head and dripping down the back of a neck loses something when the person you’ve just bombed has long hair. The boys figured out pretty quick that nailing each other in the nuts was way more fun.

5. On the other hand, despite taking many snowballs all over his body, Eric prefers building snowmen.

6. Kerri, who grew up in a snowier climate, isn’t as enthused as the boys in the band are. Not about playing in the snow.

7. But warming up afterward? With someone like Mitchell? Hoo boy. Yeah.

8. Val, Daniel’s longtime love, hates the snow. She hates the bulky winter clothes. Hates lug tread on snowboots. Hates anything not sleek and sexy.

9. But shearling lined boots and gloves and fur coats… now, if you’ve GOT to be somewhere cold, that’s the only way to go.

10. Even being caught in a blizzard isn’t enough to dampen the boys’ love of snow. They were in Denver, where they’re used to snow. No big deal, they were told.

11. They played to a full house that night. No big deal, indeed.

12. Until THEY tried to leave, anyway.

13. Maybe one day I’ll write that story. In the meantime, leave lots of comments so I can return all your visits. Maybe all the typing I’ll have to do will keep my poor fingers warm.

Ahh, autumn. She’s arrived, in all of her colorful glory and gale-force winds. Not to mention crisp air and clear, cold nights that make hot chocolate taste that much better.

Other things to love about autumn:
1. The boys in the bands don’t swelter in their leather jackets.
2. Some of them put their summer-weight denim vests over their leathers altogether.
3. They don’t look dorky for wearing jeans All. The. Time.
4. Mitchell begins insisting the band be booked in hotels with indoor pools. As the band gets more popular and able to afford these hotels anyway, he has to switch gears and demand outdoor pools during the warmer months.
5. The guys don’t swelter under their long hair.
6. There’s always one night when one of the ShapeShifter guys says, “Remember the night we played that bonfire in the woods?”
7. Since it rarely snows in Riverview, autumn means that snow’s coming. Which means the boys will have a snowball fight or two.
8. Or ten.
9. Autumn is when the invitations to the summer festivals begin rolling in.
10. Every now and then, the promoter will serve chili or stew for dinner.
11. Halloween and its costumes.
12. Halloween and its candy.
13. And one thing not to love — a lot of the girls cover up those gorgeous, long legs for the season

Well, it was overdue, I suppose. But the quietest book release in the world is finally starting to pick up some steam — and attention. I really think The Demo Tapes: Year 2 is better than Year 1. You should read them and see for yourself.

Holly Christine, over at the Pittsburgh Books Examiner, had a few things to say.

With the drop of a puck last night, my Pittsburgh Penguins went from being the Stanley Cup champions to being the defending Stanley Cup champions.

Get the distinction? I sure do.

I’ll be brave and come out and say it: although I had goosebumps last night when those white curtains dropped and there sat Lord Stanley’s Cup at center ice (an iconic spot in and of itself), so long as the Penguins bring me entertaining hockey, I don’t care if they repeat.

However, entertaining hockey usually involves a win for my team.

Think about that, too. *wink*

(For you people reading me via your feed readers, you may want to click through and check the sticky post about the 10% sale on Demo Tapes. I’ve widened the offer!)

First off, open this link in a new tab. I’m guest blogging over at Beth’s Book Review Blog. And yep, a lucky commenter will win a free digital download (that’s an e-book) from Smashwords.com.

If you’re an old-timer around here, you might recognize some of these places in my fictional city of Riverview, USA. I’ve had to create some new places of late for some bigger stuff I’ve been working on, so I thought I’d share.

1. Java Bird — this is Lyric’s favorite coffee shop. It’s in walking distance from her shop (which you should all know about by now!) and she’s hooked. Addicted.

2. Fit Riverview — the city’s best chain of exclusive, yuppie, snotty health clubs. A number of the Riverview Otters belong there. There are four around the city, and each one is host to the city’s best after-work basketball team.

3. Baked With Love — corny name, great croissants.

4. Riverview Central Municipal Library — created for our Thirteen friend Celtic Librarian. Wait until you hear the story behind this place… you’ll have to wait until it figures into a longer piece, sad to say. (for you. And me, who needs the time to create it!)

5. Arts Unlimited — the arts supply store near Lyric’s shop. Kerri often shops there; in fact, most of the students at the Riverview Art Academy shop there. Sergei, the owner, gives nice discounts to long-time shoppers.

6. The Old-Fashioned Dime Shop — Just what it’s name says it is. If you can’t find it here, it doesn’t exist. Or else it costs a fortune. Because of their proximity to Lyric’s shop (next door!), they do a hefty business in batteries.

7. The Rocket Theater — the former drag queen only club, it’s slowly being converted into a venue for live rock music. If you’ve been to The Fillmore in San Francisco, you get an idea of what the concert hall is like. Complete with chandeliers.

8. Vic’s Vinyl — a record store that Mitchell used to hang out in. Vic, the owner, is one cool chick: half her face has a tattoo of a butterfly on it. A black, purple, blue, and magenta butterfly that’s angry and evil. Vic is a punk through-and-through, but her store’s as diverse as the rest of Riverview. (I have yet to do anything with this place except create it, but won’t it be fun to play with?)

9. All Access — You know those clubs that are guaranteed to have the cops show up? The ones that smell so badly of every bodily fluid imaginable (and some you haven’t thought of), of smoke, of beer — yeah, All Access smells so bad, you can smell it outside. People die inside All Access. It only holds about 200 people — 250 on a good night — but playing a show there gets you all the bragging rights you could want.

10. Elite Threads — a designer men’s clothing store. Our ShapeShifter boys shop there. Sometimes. (They do NOT do Trevor’s leather pants) It’s a bit too business-oriented, a bit too yuppie. Eric often finds clothes to wear to his father’s church there. Since, you know. Dad doesn’t appreciate ShapeShifter t-shirts on a Sunday morning.

11. I can’t let the opportunity go by without mentioning one of my favorite places in Riverview: Big Buck’s Best Barbecue. His Bodacious Sauce is legendary.

12. Zuckerman’s Famous Pig — Yeah, I might get sued for that one, but c’mon. What ELSE would you call a kosher deli????

13. The Slaughterhouse. More on this one to come. Much, much more.

Whee! I was named one of the Editor’s Picks in the new EasyStreet Prompts Carnival of Writing and Art. They were kind enough to send me a lovely image, so I’ll have the Tour Manager get that up. In the meantime, though, check out what else made the cut. Think about submitting something yourself, why don’t you?

The piece I won the praise for was Robin Hood, featuring Lyric and the dude in green. If you missed it, be sure to check it out. I think it’s going to launch a new feature around here: Lyric’s Customers. But first, I need the time to write this new series.

Also, if you missed me last week at Savvy Verse and Wit, go see what I have to say about size mattering. And yeah, we’re not letting Trevor put his two cents in (because we all know what he’d say. Admit it.). And yep, you can enter to win a digital download of either Demo Tapes book.

And lastly, tomorrow (Wednesday), be sure to stop by Beth’s Book Review Blog. I’m guest posting about … something. Yep, this is way too close to the wire for my liking. You’ll like it. AND have another chance to win a digital copy of either Demo Tapes book!

And with that, I’m out of here. I, umm, have a guest post to write!

I’ve gotta give props to the guys at Metal Sucks. They sure get their hands on cool stuff, that I can then share with you guys.

So I do.

And I am.

This latest is … I don’t know. Musically, it sort of reminds me of Iron Maiden. I suppose if I were a proper metalhead, I’d snicker at the penchant of the band to dress in period clothes.

Or maybe dressing in period clothes is VERY metal and I’m cool enough to admit it.

Whatever. The simple fact is that this band — the Metal Shakespeare Company — has set the works of the much-lauded William Shakespeare to metal music.

The more complex fact (as opposed to the simple fact in the last paragraph) reads like this (lifted shamelessly from their website):

A Metal Shakespeare Company show is about 70% metal and 30% theater. In addition to guitar harmonies, there are duels. With swords. Audience participation has included public readings of the bard and public executions.

By all that’s holy, this is one band I’ve GOT to see. Let me know if you manage to beat me to them.

And while we’re on the subject of cool shit, let me add this cool coloring book to the mix. The Indie Rock Coloring Book, that is. Thanks to Lindsay for showing it to me, so I can show it to you. It’s the same price as the Demo Tapes, you’ll notice. So if you want to get me a present and you’ve already bought multiple copies of The Demo Tapes (truly the best present you can give me), grab one of these. Or two and keep one for yourself. Or three. I’ll swap you a copy of The Demo Tapes (autographed!) for one.

I have all sorts of other cool stuff to share with you, and I will. But first:

Visit with me over at Savvy Verse and Wit today. Size doesn’t matter to THIS girl. Good thing; I know what Trevor looks like inside those leathers of his. The rest of the band, too, come to think of it.

And what’s that??? A PICTURE?? Of SUSAN????

Well, I wish I could say it was someone I paid to sit at my desk. Look carefully for the cat; he’s, of course, there. Hard to see, but in the picture nonetheless. (Yes, look at the cat. Not at me.)

I’ll be giving away a free digital copy of The Demo Tapes. You can pick if you’d like Year 1 or Year 2.

And for those of you with a quiet Friday night (at least Friday night Eastern Time), come join me tonight on Book Chatter!

I’ve never done this, either. I’ve done radio before; I’m licensed by the FCC, in fact. (My license was granted December 24, 19xx. I always figured if I celebrated Christmas, that was an unbeatable present) But to call in and talk about my books?

New ground.

Come join me. I really hate talking to myself.

In honor of the number seven…

1. It’s the minimum number of times Mitchell drops the f-bomb during a concert.

2. It’s the maximum number of times Mitchell calls the crowd pussies.

3. If you cloned the guys, you’d get seven. That’s because Trevor’s such an original, they truly broke the mode. He’s un-clone-able. So we’d have two of everyone else… and still too much of the one and only Trevor F. Wolff.

4. It’s the number of basses Trevor owns.

5. It’s the number of months Trevor spent rebuilding his Vincent (that’s a motorcycle, folks).

6. It’s the number of continents. However, no one’s played Antarctica, so it’s NOT the number of continents that ShapeShifter’s played.

7. Seven is a prime number. Believed by many to be lucky. We’ll leave this one as is.

8. It’s the number of drum sticks, on average, Daniel breaks during one week of recording.

9. It’s the minimum number of friends in the dressing room before it’s a true after-show party.

10. Seven pieces of ShapeShifter lore:
The Wall of Fame (bras)
Band going for ice cream after a show
Steal the guys’ undies!
The parties. Oh, the parties.
and the hangovers. Nothing’s more exquisite.
Who’ll do more than sign underneath your bra, ifyougetwhatImean.
Mitchell is unable to smile. (So says the lore.)

11. It’s the number of hits you get out of one of Eric’s hand-rolled beauties.

12. It’s the number of ShapeShifter albums on the Discography page.

13. It’s… it’s… it’s personal. And it’s good. Seven. Hot damn.

Please bear with me, guys. I’ve got a ton of stuff to tell you about.

First off, today was the Bridgewater Book Fest. What a well-run, well-attended event! Thanks to organizers Val and Cassie Brkich for a great afternoon. I got to hang out with my friend Holly Christine and her awesome husband as we chatted with the attendees. Be sure to check Holly out, if you haven’t already. She rocks.

HUGE thanks from me to the Tour Manager, who got up at 6AM with me on a Saturday morning (earlier than we usually get up). To his parents, who invited our kids into their house for a sleepover. To MY parents, who came down to the event to see me, and to my best friend Bridget, who I can always count on to take care of me. I was especially touched that my dad came with his camera and bought Holly’s book. (Holly’s mom bought a copy of Demo Tapes: Year 1 from me. Cool, huh?)

Also a big thanks and a big plug to Annette Dashofy and the lovely Pennwriters who were hanging with her. Annette and I had each other’s promo material and were helping steer traffic to each other. That’s the sign of a classy writer’s group. Even if you’re not in Pennsylvania, you can be a Pennwriter.

NOW. Onto more good stuff. (Whee!)

1. Demo Tapes 2 is now available at Lulu.com. In fact, if you’d like to buy a copy from them (a sales contest is now going on), here’s a 10% off coupon for you to use: Click “Buy” and enter code ‘LULUBOOK’ at checkout.

(If you’d rather save the postage ’cause Lulu charges a lot, and let me get a higher royalty rate at the same time, drop me an e-mail. I can autograph books, too!)

2. Calling all e-book/digital readers! I’m now on Smashwords! You can download BOTH Demo Tapes books in a variety of formats, including for the Kindle.

3. Demo Tapes: Year 2 is NOT available in the Kindle store yet. Hopefully this week.

4. Want a review copy of either Demo Tapes book? If you’ll read a digital copy, holler. I currently have no money to send out print copies.

5. Not helping the royalty/money situation, but definitely good for the karma and the “do the right thing” standpoint, Smashwords has begun an Operation eBook Drop for deployed servicemen and -women. The agreement is that we authors send the servicemen a coupon for a free copy of our books and they… read our books on their digital devices. If you’ve got a Smashwords account, or have the ability to make your book available through Smashwords, please join in. Readers are precious people and our servicefolk are even more precious. I don’t have to get all patriotic and political here, do I?

Whew. I think that’s it. I’ll be back soon with this week’s Sunday Scribblings, which is TATTOO. Tailor made for this rocker chick, huh? (and nope, no pictures of mine!)

Ever notice how you can pick out a friend’s back across a crowded room, even if everyone in the room’s wearing the same uniform?

It’s the hair

Color

Style

Their posture

Shoulders up, chest lifted

Shoulders in

Hips canted to one side

The set of the jaw, or the jawline itself

Do they talk with their hands?

Do they fidget?

Favor one leg?

If they’re wearing heels, do they rock one foot forward and anchor that heel into the ground?

Attitude.

Think about it. What makes you recognize someone? What lets your friends recognize you?

Hey, guys, once you’ve gotten your fill of Trevor, Mitchell, Amy, and the contents of Mitchell’s suitcase (and if you missed Trevor’s Word of the Moment earlier this week, you might want to go catch up and weigh in with your thoughts), be sure to stop over at Alice’s Restaurant.

Yep, I’m hanging with my good friend Alice Audrey today. Come join us.

1. 3 PM.

2. Time for my daily bike ride.

3. I’m coming down the street toward a stop sign.

4. Car coming the other way. We both slow. He stops. I don’t have to. Yet. Don’t want to, really.

5. I’m wearing a light blue jersey. Black shorts.

6. My bike’s red. Pink handlebar tape.

7. Nothing metal about me.

8. The guy in the white car sticks a hand out his window.

9. “Uh-oh,” I think. “Here it comes.”

10. Because every bicyclist has tales of encountering assholes.

(not that we’re all perfect, ourselves.)

11. He leans toward his open window as he drives past.

12. Yells, “Slayer!”

13. The only thing I can think is, “Dude, if you only knew!”

Does my voice here remind anyone of a certain Roadie Poet? Wild.

I found this great post and since The Demo Tapes: Year 2 is coming out on September 12, I thought I’d call your attention to it.

I’d change one thing, though and that’s Point #3. Yeah, it’s great if you take the ISBN number from either book of mine and carry it to your nearest bookstore and order it. That’s a great way to make a bookseller aware of me and the Trevolution. You might make new fans along the way, and that’s always a good thing.

BUT. Here’s the thing. My royalty rate slides. If you buy the books directly from me, I get the most moolah. That’s helpful because I have to front the cash to buy the books — which eats into my profits. Plus, you can get an autograph.

If you buy the books from Lulu.com, I get the next-highest royalty. The payment on the download is higher than on the print copy. I think Smashwords, once I get the store open, will fall into this next area, as well.

And finally, there’s what I get from bookstores. Ready? For Demo Tapes 1, I get sixty-six cents. For Demo Tapes 2, I get fifty cents. PER BOOK.

So… something to keep in mind.

Now, books published by the big publishing houses don’t follow these royalty rates. These numbers are unique to people like me, people off the mainstream radar.

But it’s something to keep in mind when you buy books. As is the rest of that post. If you love an author, there are easy things you can do to help him/her/me out. We’d love it if you’d try.

No, no John Lennon songs from me today, no matter how brilliant they are.

Rather, imagine a dark concert hall.

Imagine the press of bodies all around you. Holding you tight in your spot. But that’s okay. You want to be there.

Imagine the white spotlight. Four of them, one on each band member. And darkness in between. But not real darkness.

Now, close your eyes. FEEL the music wash over you. A wave. A wall that breaks over your head and collapses down your body.

It takes you somewhere new. Old. Safe. Dangerous.

Imagine the longing. To climb inside the music. To be noticed by the men making that music. To be Someone Important.

Imagine the power. The way you feel more alive than any human being ought to feel. The way it’s not just the air that’s crackling, it’s you, too. From your arm hairs down to that center core, the one where you hide the shit you don’t have the guts to let anyone see.

Feel your lips move as you sing along. Hell, you’re not even fully aware that you’re doing it, or that you’re pumping your fist in the air. That’s because you’re not inside that body that’s crackling with vitality. You’re… over it. Inside it. Under it. On the stage. In the pit. In the nosebleed seats.

See the sweat glisten on the bare, tattooed arms of the men in those white spotlights. Watch drops of it fly off long hair, wetted into tiny spears that barely block the light and yet manage to eat the light for dinner. Don’t be blinded by the glare off their teeth, even the ones yellowed by cigarettes.

Imagine the way you scarcely dare breathe as they run from end to end of the stage. You’re afraid to blink, afraid of missing something. You couldn’t even begin to explain what that something is. You’ll know it if you see it.

The hands in the front row, reaching for a hand slap, a pick, a drumstick. From where you stand, you can see the fingers trying to wrap around a wrist, to hold on. To prolong the contact. To find a deeper meaning in it — for him on stage and for you, down below.

And then it’s done. You’re as spent as they are; you let the crowd carry you out in their swell, outside, where the air is somehow sweeter and thinner and it fills your lungs and washes it all away. All of it. Except the memories.

Imagine.

Yes, boys and girls, you can’t get enough of Trevor, Mitchell, and the rest of the gang. By popular demand…

1. On September 12, you’ll be able to buy The Demo Tapes: Year 2.

2. I’ll be debuting it at the Bridgewater Book Fest outside of Pittsburgh. That’ll be your first chance to hold it in your hands.

3. You can preorder it now from me. I take PayPal. It’s $13.98 (shipping included) if you’re in the States. I’ll mail out your preordered copies on September 14.

4. Need Years 1 and 2 for some reason? Until September 12, you can get them for $23.96 — a $2 savings on the books themselves.

5. Autographs are up to you. If you want ’em, I’ll give ’em.

6. Electronic versions are in the works. You can get Demo Tapes 1 at the Kindle store now, however.

7. If you’re outside the US, contact me for shipping charges.

8. Now that we’ve gotten THAT out of the way… what ARE the Demo Tapes and why do you need them???

9. If you’ve met the fictional band ShapeShifter here on the Meet and Greet, you know how much fun they can be. And how frustrating it can be to read their adventures out of order.

10. The Demo Tapes collections take one year’s worth of fiction that I posted here at the blog and puts it onto a timeline. This lets you follow the band’s growth.

11. You also get to revisit some old favorites, like the story of how Mitchell got his pierced ear. Part of that story made up a Thirteen, if you recall.

12. There’s even a bonus piece, that never appeared on the Meet and Greet. Pretty cool…

13. So c’mon. Join the Trevolution. Pick up either version of the Demo Tapes and have some fun for yourself.

I met at new friend via Win a Book yesterday. Her name’s Martha and she blogs over at Reviews by Martha’s Bookshelf.

She knocked my socks off when she said she’s only been blogging a month.

And then she tossed those socks out the window (bummer. They were SmartWool) when she told me I inspired her.

Inspiring others is second only to being inspired by you guys. That’s definitely Only the Good.

Be sure to stop in at Shelly’s to see who else has Only the Good to talk about today. Or better yet, be inspired by me and join us!

I asked the cast of characters around here what’s worth conviction. You know: standing up for, no matter what.

I really ought to know better…

1. Trevor: Sex
(Susan would like to point out that Melody is pouting. That was her answer.)

2. Mitchell: Music
(Susan would now like to point out that Chelle is upset. That was her answer.)

3. Eric: Guitars
(Susan would now like to point out that was Mitchell’s next answer.)

4. Daniel: kindness
(Susan would now like to point out that everyone is looking at Daniel funny. That was no one’s answer.)

5. Kerri: Chocolate
(Susan would not like to point anything out. Including the half of a candy bar jammed in her mouth.)

6. Mitchell: A good show
(Susan would like to finish her chocolate bar before pointing anything out)

7. Trevor: Girls
(Susan is joining Kerri and the band in rolling her eyes. And finishing the candy.)

8. Lyric: Feeling good about yourself
(Susan would like to point out that’s what Lyric’s store is all about)

9. Trevor: Meatball subs
(Susan would like to point out that no one was going to say this.)

10. Mitchell: Love
(Trevor would like to point out that shit like this makes him gag.)

11. Eric: Faith
(Trevor would like to point out that this is more shit that makes him gag.)

12. Eric: Family
(Susan would like to point out that the band has started to think of themselves as family.)

13. Mitchell: ShapeShifter
(Susan doesn’t need to point out that everyone agrees.)

Stay tuned for news of Demo Tapes: Year 2, gang. We’re close!

I am reading Eragon right now, Christopher Paolini’s debut novel. You guys know the story: originally self-published, it was picked up by a major publishing house, became a best-seller, and found its way to the Silver Screen. (Am I the only one who uses that phrase anymore? Why? It’s such a nice one.)

The rest of this post is NOT a reflection of Eragon.

You see, I was having trouble staying awake; it’s been stressful around here, both good (company!) and bad (don’t ask. It’s actually sort of embarrassing even as it colors the rest of my life). So I’m worn out.

To stay awake until bedtime, which isn’t as dumb as it sounds, I flipped on the TV to see what was on. Even though I wanted to keep reading.

I found a movie. And no, it wasn’t the film version of Eragon.

It was Iron Maiden‘s Flight 666.

I slept really well last night. Woke up much happier than I have been. And brimming with inspiration for the boys in the bands. Yep, bands.

What? You forgot about Deadly Metal Hatchet, too?

Sheesh.

Here’s a teaser: they appear in Demo Tapes: Year 2. Sort of. It won’t be long until you see what I mean… September 12, boys and girls. Preorder info coming soon.

To Bruce and the boys, thanks. I needed that last night. Even if I kept reading Eragon during the commercials…

Check out other Only the Good Friday folk at Shelly’s.

Hey, guys. I’m hanging today at Music Savvy Mom, one of my most favorite of new discoveries in the blog world. I’ve added my own shuffle to the mix — but not the typical way (perish the thought of *me* ever doing anything the typical way!). Instead, I captured what was playing on my preset XM radio stations at the moment I composed the e-mail.

Come join me. I’m serving up some cool stuff, and some stuff that… just… shouldn’t… be.