Hi Guys and Happy New Year!

So, I do have book news, but first personal news: I have to gush.  Let me set the stage: my husband dislikes reading. If he does condescend to read something, that something is non-fiction: short “how to” and historical texts, not memoirs, stories or – heaven forbid – books.  So, upon me declaring that he is required to read THE CADET OF TILDOR, a young adult fantasy novel, he sighed deeply and said.  ”Yes, of course.  Umm… how many pages is it?”

Got the picture?  Ok, good.

So, come the holidays and the whole family is over.  And my husband hands me this long (poorly wrapped) box…  Inside the box is the pic on the left.  (on the right, for reference, is CADET’s cover)

(The inscription reads: Alex Lidell  CADET OF TILDOR Class of 2013)

How awesome?!   What did you get and give this season?

Now for book news:

THE CADET OF TILDOR release date is almost here: Jan 10th.  It’s been a long time coming – as most of you know, Penguin acquired CADET back in 2010.  I’m not planning a formal launch (hey, hey, I hear you over there making chicken noises at me) but there are some cool plans.  A blog tour is running Jan 3 – 17, with stops at about 50 blogs.  There will be reviews, interviews, fun posts and a giveaway for a $20 Amazon gift card + CADET copy + SWAG.  Here is the schedule.

Book Signing Jan 12, Hooray for Books, Alexandria, VA:  Hooray for Books, an indie store in Alexandria, VA invited me, Ellen Oh and Jessica Spotswood to do a Feisty Females Panel and book signing on Saturday, Jan 12, 2013 3:30-5:00 pm.  This will be my first book signing and I am supper excited and nervous.  So if you are around the DC area, please stop by.  And drop me a line so I can look for you there!

Panels at Arisia, SF/Fantasy Con, Boston, Weekend of Jan 19th: On Saturday Jan 19th,  I will be on several writing related panels at Arisia - a Sci/Fi Fantasy convention in Boston.  I’ll have a book signing and a reading on Sunday.  I’ve gone to Arisia as a fan several times and it is a really fun time – especially if you come in costume  There is a ton of stuff to do, including gaming, a mascarade, fandom discussions, dealers, writing panels… you name it.  If you will be anywhere around, please let me know.

That’s what I have for you.  Wish me luck with launch and let me know if you will be anywhere around DC or Boston.

-Alex

The post Keeping in Touch – January 2013 appeared first on Challenge the Odds.