Joel A. Sutherland

Wow, it's been a while since my last post, eh? It's been a busy time, that's for sure. Back in early July I began working at the library full time, whereas I was only working there part time previous to that. I've also been racing against some tight deadlines for school to complete enough credits to travel to Wales for my third and final study school in a couple of weeks. I've been chugging along nicely on the Scholastic book that's due in November, and have been doing a lot of work to spruce up the new pad, making it feel a little less cold and a little more like home.

But the biggest news of all is that I'm going to be a proud poppa next February! Colleen and I broke the news a couple of weeks ago and although it hasn't been taking up much of my free time yet (other than having to fetch the odd pickle or two), I'm sure life is going to be a tad crazier in 2010 than it was in 2009. I can't wait.

So amidst all the hustle and bustle, I forgot about my little Frozen Blood contest. I had said that there would be a few mystery prizes awarded along the way leading up to the deadline (which happens to be tomorrow!), but I've only given out one. I've got two more, one to give out now, and one yet to come. So here's what I'm thinking: the deadline of the contest should be pushed back, but only by a week and change. That way I can do a draw for the third mystery prize in the middle of the week, and then do the final draw for all the prizes on Tuesday, September 8th (I'll be attending a friend's wedding this long weekend, so that's out). Sound good?

Good.

So, enough blabbering from me. It's time to give something away!

What is it? With the winner's permission, I will give their name to one of the major characters in my next novel. The winner will get the choice of whether or not the character is good or evil. In fact, I plan on having the winner fill out a quick survey about what they want the character to be like, and what type of fate awaits the character at the end of the book. It could be a lot of fun, and I hope the person who has been drawn is game (I have a feeling she will be, but if not, I'll draw names until someone digs this prize).

And the winner is...Thea, from one of the grooviest book blogs on the internet, The Book Smugglers! I have to admit that this makes me pretty happy, since Thea not only read an early electronic copy of Frozen Blood and wrote a great review for her website, but also later drove to Dark Delicacies bookstore in L.A. to come meet me (dragging her incredibly understanding boyfriend along) and bought a copy while she was there. A class act, all the way.

Next draw coming soon!