What a Weird & Wonderful Week

It started on Friday night. I got dizzy. No big whoop, right? Then I got dizzy again. And again. And then I nearly passed out. Four times. Needless to say, when Saturday came and I was still dizzy and nauseous and couldn't stand up, I got pretty worried. So, I slept until Monday, when I could see the doctor. Anyone who knows me knows that staying in bed isn't my thing. Heck, sitting down isn't really my thing. So, this mystery bug had me really freaked out. In the end, my awesome doctor checked me out and told me I had Viral Labyrinthitis. Never heard of it? Me neither. (I think I caught it from David Bowie, though.) It means something in my inner ear is screwy, and I'm dizzy and feel like puking all the time. Like--even when I'm sleeping. Lasts about 10-14 days. It's day 7 now, and I have to say, I'm feeling a bit better. But I'm still in bed, which is weird. And I finally bought life insurance--which might tell you just how freaked out I was last weekend. And if that doesn't tell you, the fact that I quit drinking coffee should. Because I love coffee. A lot. BUT NOW ONTO MORE IMPORTANT BUSINESS! Earlier this week, we got news that The Dust of 100 Dogs made the ALA's 2010 Best Books for Young Adults list. This is great news. And what a great list. So many great books! I promise I will post PLEASE IGNORE VERA DIETZ cover art the minute I can. I've seen it. I love it. You will too. When that happens, my A.S. King website will be updated and we'll slowly let you in on the gist of the book. It's really different from D100D, but it's still weird, so that's good, right? Still waiting to hear the fate of EVERYBODY SEES THE ANTS, which is the next novel in the queue. Last item of business: writing the next book. But I think I'll take a nap first. IMPORTANT ADDITION FOR WRITERS! Apply before Febuary 1st, 2010 for Early Registration Discount for the Backspace Conference! GO HERE FOR DETAILS I'll be there. Will you?

The Dust of 100 Dogs made the Cybils Shortlist!

I'm stoked to tell you that The Dust of 100 Dogs is a finalist in the Cybils Award category of Young Adult Fantasy & Science Fiction! We're still fairly speechless here! The Cybils website describes their award like this:

[The Cybils] reward the children’s and young adult authors (and illustrators, let’s not forget them) whose books combine the highest literary merit and "kid appeal." What’s that mean? If some la-di-dah awards can be compared to brussel sprouts, and other, more populist ones to gummy bears, we’re thinking more like organic chicken nuggets. We’re yummy and nutritious.

Congratulations to D100D's fellow finalists--Laini Taylor's LIPS TOUCH, Sarah Rees Brennan's THE DEMON'S LEXICON, Pam Bachorz's CANDOR, Kristin Cashore's FIRE, Antonia Michaelis's TIGER MOON and Kathleen Duey's SACRED SCARS.

Telegram to Cybils: Dear Cybils, STOP Thank you so much! STOP Love, Amy STOP