Guest Blogger: Heather Graham

We're almost there! It's amazing. Every time an RT ends, everyone is sad. It was a great time, and it's over, and we have an entire year to go before there is another, a long time between seeing friends. It seems forever away.

And it was. But now, it's rushed up, and, of course, we're not ready. But getting there.

I take off on Sunday. We're stopping for a day in Philadelphia, and then heading in on Monday night. I'll be stopping by Bobbi's classes on Tuesday, and starting to get together with my vampire crew on Wednesday. So much going on! So much to do. How is it in life that we can have so much time, and then, so suddenly, we're not quite ready?

Ready or not, it's count down time.

This year, so much will be new for me. With Helen Rosburg helping out in hosting, we're sure to offer more and more at the vampire party, Friday night. Also, I'm delighted to say, we'll have a special guest in the show (actually, we're having several, but we'll give this guest his due first!)

F. Paul Wilson.

I fell in love with his work when I first read THE KEEP, and then, THE TOMB. Now, I'm crazy over his Repairman Jack series. (Soon to be a major motion picture, folks!) Life is sometimes good to us. I was an avid fan, shaking, when I found myself next to Paul at an autographing set up by Levy (some of the world's most wonderful booksellers.) The amazing thing was that I discovered he not only wrote incredible books, but he was an incredible person. Fun, down to earth. And a musician. And we wound up together again in the Killer Thriller Band, along with Harley Jane Kozak and Alex Sokoloff (who joined me last year) and Dave Simms, who will also be joining us this year. He's helped me out with Writers for New Orleans as well (yes, folks, we're doing it again! Great to see the French Quarter doing well, but the outskirts remain in some major trouble.)

So, we have quite a cast going--the Usual Suspects--though I am heartbroken to be missing Mary Stella and Beth Ciotta this year--they just couldn't make it. And Rich Devin, who had a conflict. But Helen Rosburg will up there, along with her daughter, the beautiful Ally.

Watch out. Sleeping Beauty will be making an appearance.

And, of course, we'll have all kinds of prizes, with the first prize being . . . . you guessed it!

$400 in airfare, two nights at the Hotel Monteleone, and two registrations for Writers for New Orleans.

Raffles, baskets, and books galore--thanks to Kevin Beard, who has more organization in his little finger than I have in my whole body. And, of course, Connie Perry, and I even believe that Elvis will be in the house.

Dress to kill, or dress as if you were killed, or as your favorite fairy tale character--or in that thing you were just always dying to wear. Even a little black dress.

First off, though, I'm delighted to be attending some great parties. Wednesday night, Thursday night. Wow.

It's here.

It's almost here.

Can't wait to see you all.

P.S: A few members of ye olde Slush Pile Players are headed off to the Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh on Saturday morning to entertain and bring presents. Anyone who would like to bring a new (Hospital rules!) toy or children's book to the vampire party will automatically be entered into the drawing for the Writers for New Orleans Workshop and other prizes-- guess the perpetrator of evil deeds or not! We kindly thank Scholastic books for their donation, already received.