Cool book news and Cafepress store update

First the cool book news. Yep, the photo above is of the map that I drew about 12 years ago and an artist friend of mine, Shari Lambert, embellished. You've seen the map before in my blogs -- and now you'll be seeing it in my books. ; ) (You can click on it to see a larger version.) I sent a JPG of it to Anne Sowards, my editor at Ace Books, and she showed it to their art department. They loved it and want to use it. I have a few updates to make to it (after all I drew it over a decade ago), and then I'll send the map to New York so the art dept. folks can scan it for use in The Trouble With Demons. Also, in the next month or so, I'll have prints and/or posters of the map available for sale in my Cafepress store. (Some of you have expressed interest in getting your hands on a copy.) I have to get my photographer Jimmy Alllen to work his magic before I can upload the map to Cafepress for sale.

Speaking of the Cafepress store (which I've named "Raine Gear"), I finished "building" the store this weekend, it's stocked with over 100 products, and it's almost ready to be opened for your shopping enjoyment -- hopefully within the next few days. I placed a "test order" on Tuesday. The ordering process was amazingly easy. And best of all, I was stunned to get an email yesterday saying that my order had been shipped. A one-day turnaround -- I was impressed. As soon as I get my goodies, and confirm that the product quality is up to my standards, I'll open the store. (I want to make sure that you'll be pleased with whatever you order.)

When I open the Cafepress store, I'll announce the link here and on my Yahoo Group, Raine's Rangers. Webmaster Todd will also put a link on my website homepage.

Coming up: Writing in first person versus third person, and the importance of book covers and author endorsements.

Lisa