It's another quick entry this time. More updates: An and I have finally finalized the cover for Bath Salts! I am revealing it here for you all to see. We are very proud of it and it took a lot of time to go through different versions with our publisher. I have put the final version below. We feel it captures the mood of the book, as well as the zombie-ness of it all. (It's a word!)

What do you all think?

This is going to be a relatively quick post. I've been very busy the past couple of weeks, and it's all good stuff! An and I got our edits back on Bath Salts and we're now looking at cover art. It's very exciting and I'll post again when we have an official release date. We just now that it will be quite soon! (Happy dancing now!)

As for The Strings of the Violin: I've finished going through the first round of edits and they have been sent back to my awesome editor at Prizm. Looks like the June release date is right on track!

Sitnalta is in the hands of an editor at Pandamoon, and I have been given an August release date. It's been busy, busy, busy on my end. Good stuff still to come!

And now, to kick off the excitement for the impending publication of the epic Canadian zombie novel Bath Salts! I interviewed my co-author: The fantastically fabulous, furiously talented An Tran! Here are her responses to my hard hitting questions:

1. So An, let's get down to business. Why zombies?

Why not? Yes, why not Zombies? Excuse me while I drink some more Pimms.

2. You're from Calgary. Any truth to the rumour that you're an expert hunter?

Expert Hunter of pastries, steak and booze. I can spot a delicious cheesecake brownie from 50 paces.

3. What other monsters would you consider writing novels about?

Cthulu, but he's more of an old god rather than a monster.

4. Is this the first book you've ever written? What did you think about the experience? Want to write more?

Yes. It was hard because I don't write fiction. I’m a non fiction writer.

Write more? Sure, why not! If people like reading about me fantasizing about zombie killing, who am I to tell them no?

5. Is it true there's a sequel in the works?

There’s a sequel?

6. What did you think about the co-author experience?

It was fabulous because I had never written fiction. I couldn’t have done it on my own, so it was so so helpful to have someone to work off of as a jumping point.

7. Favourite writers, and why:

I read mostly nonfiction so anything by Jacob Burckhardt the historian for one. I also love reading the Doctor Seuss propaganda cartoons. He had this thing about drawing Hitler as a mermaid with a huge rack and sparkly tiaras.  I’m on a big apocalyptic and epidemic kick still, so most of the books I read are like that. About how to create horrible viruses, zoonoses and basically how to end the world. I hope the library doesn’t think I’m a terrorist.

Oh, fiction-wise, I like the Fables series by Bill Willingham. I also thoroughly enjoy Chi’s Sweet Home by Kanata Konami. It’s about a little gray and white kitten who is really really sweet, but incredibly stupid. It could have been written about my own cat! I’m also obsessed currently with Days Missing, the compilation about a Roddenberry idea. I don’t really read much fiction except for graphic novels.

8. What is your favourite part about soon being able to call yourself a published author?

Hopefully free tables at restaurants and candy...free candy, and access to great scotch. Authors get that, right?

9. What sorts of things got you inspired to write?

Imagining the zombie apocalypse and how I’ve been preparing for it for years. Real friends kill friends who become zombies!

10. What are your top three zombie movies of all time: Not in any particular order and this could change at any time, but Shaun of the Dead, Outpost (the first one, not that piece of crap second one. Though this is really about Nazi zombie ghosts), and Cockneys vs. Zombies. I’d say Night of the Living Dead, but that’s implicit.

So there you have it. A glimpse into the wonder that is An Tran. She is truly awesome. Now stay tuned to find out when Bath Salts! will be available for all you lovely readers to buy!

This has been a HUGE couple of months for me! Not only have I gotten a contract with Prizm Books for my Hadariah series, but Severed Press has given An Tran and I a contract for Bath Salts! I have been majorly happy dancing around the house for weeks trying to keep a lid on the news until everything was signed, sealed and delivered. Now that it all has, I feel like shouting it from the rooftops. Dreams can come true!

I am legitimately shocked that something that started out as a NaNoWriMo fun project has turned into an actual novel that people are going to read (I hope)! An went in when I was done my half and told her side of the story. Working with your friends is awesome. Now we have the book in editing and soon it will be released anywhere ebooks and actual books are sold.

I have asked An if we could do an interview for next week. Here's hoping the timing works out! Until then, more news coming soon! I'll keep you guys up to date on everything!