Friday, February 24, 2012

The Final Countdown...

And no, I don’t mean that crappy 80’s song by Europe! The 80’s science fiction movie would be all right though.
Actually, it’s more like the countdown to Alex’s meltdown…



But I have a really cool surprise for you guys!!!

First, thanks to everyone who visited Ray Gun Revival for my interview this week. It didn’t go up until almost noon, so check it out if you missed it. Many thanks to author Bryan Thomas Schmidt for interviewing me and reviewing CassaFire!

Next, HUGE thanks to Jeremy at Retro-Zombie for the cool CassaFire banners! One at the top and there’s another at the bottom of my blog. If you need any stylish artwork, Jeremy is your dude. You can also win a Zombie Pencil Holder from Jeremy! Visit his SITE for details.

Lee has put out the call – a thousand participants signed up for the A to Z Challenge by March 1! If you haven’t signed up yet, you do NOT want to miss the biggest blog event of the year. Details and sign up HERE

Don’t forget February 28 is the Catch Fire! Blog Party! I sent out information earlier this week, so if you signed up but didn’t receive an email, let me know. There’s still time to sign up for a chance to win one of five copies of CassaFire:


Now, the surprise!

Next week kicks off my two-week/ten stops blog tour for CassaFire. I have some awesome guest stops planned, some with giveaways as well. But the party won’t go dark here! During those ten days, in addition to telling you where to find the Ninja that day, there will be:

Daily Ninja News
Pop Culture Trivia
Random Ninja Facts

And…

For everyone who comments here during my two-week tour, you will be entered to win this cool prize package from my publisher:

Is that not awesome? I want a CassaFire tote bag and mug! Not that I drink coffee. Or tea. But I do like hot chocolate.

So there you have it! Ready for two weeks of Ninja partying? Ready to test your pop culture knowledge? Ready to place bets as to whether I sleep or not next week? Ready to watch the meltdown…? (Cleanup on aisle three!) 

*And as a side note, I'm sick! I get sick once every five years and today I came home feeling like crap. Was supposed to do a book festival on Saturday, but doubt that will happen now. Better feel goo by Tuesday!


138 comments:

Kyra Lennon said...

I signed up yesterday, but haven't received an email yet. :)

The blog tour sounds like a lot of fun!

mshatch said...

already signed up for a-z and picked out a them :)

can't wait to watch the meltdown...(kidding!)

Jeremy [Retro] said...

Thanks for the shout out, I am glad I could help make your sequel a hit... not that it won't have any trouble being a hit. The book prize package is awesome, it's funny you don't drink coffee... cause you look like a coffee drinker. Wait what do you look like, oh yeah... a NINJA!

All the best and the countdown clock is ticking...

Jeremy [Retro-Zombie]
Visit The Madness:
IZOMBIE

Natalie Aguirre said...

Sounds like an awesome two weeks. And you've got great giveaways. I won't enter because I won a copy of your books on the Goodreads giveaway. Looking forward to reading it.

Cool banner too!

mooderino said...

Looks like a pretty great tote bag of stuff. I'd be tempted to just keep it.

Jeff Beesler said...

Do I get disowned as a member of the ninja army for liking that 80's song? I'd like to think not! And what an awesome prize pack your publisher has there! Can't wait to get my hands on the final copy of CassaFire!

The Angry Lurker said...

We'll be here for the mental breakdown sir....

Miranda Hardy said...

Yeah for the countdown!! Hope the tour is fantastic.

Lisa said...

I love that crappy 80s song! You're on fire, you'll have a fantastic time. Yes the countdown, I have to keep the challenge a challenge and my biggest prompt. I need it Alex.

George Beremov [Nebular] said...

Only four days remain until the release of CassaFire you must be very excited Alex. We all are. :)
The prize package looks great and so do the banners, especially the one on the bottom. I just love green you know. :)

Annalisa Crawford said...

Sounds like an awesome tour! And, The Final Countdown was not a crappy song... although I was only about ten and in love with big hair, so my memory might be a little flawed!

Rusty Carl said...

Bring it on! Wait, I'm not going to be under any pressure. You just got me so revved up there I felt like I could take on anything.

Good luck next week. Don't forget to breathe.

Patsy said...

What a great package of goodies!

Ted Cross said...

Too bad those new art banners won't show up on my browser for some reason. Are you ever going to give us numbers on how well your books are doing?

Christine Danek said...

Thanks, now I have that song in my head. What an exciting time and what great prizes. Just breathe, you can do it, and you rock.
Have a great weekend!

Denise Covey said...

What? I thought the CassaStar launch was the biggest event of the year! Looking forward to Tuesday, but I can understand you might be feeling a bit nervy.

Denise

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

Thanks, Kyra! I haven't checked it since Tuesday, so I'll send the information today.

MsHatch, it might happen!

Jeremy, you're welcome and Ninjas don't need coffee...

Natalie, hope you enjoy it!

Mood, if I had it in my possession, I just might.

Jeffrey, you will always be an honorary member!

Thank you, Lurker and Miranda.

George, you should check with Jeremy about creating one for your site.

Annalisa, they did have big hair.

Rusty, I'm sure you could!

Marta Szemik said...

Very excited for next week! Have my post ready for Tuesday as well.
I'm one of the ones who was hooked on the Final Countdown.

DL Hammons said...

All strapped in and ready to blast off! :)

PT Dilloway said...

The Final Countdown movie with Kirk Douglas and Martin Sheen was always my dad's favorite for some strange reason.

Huntress said...

YESSSSSSSS!
*fumble fingers frantically, er, typing*

T. Powell Coltrin said...

VERY exciting. I'll be here. Please don't melt down. Somebody would have to clean that up.

T

Laura Eno said...

I do hope you get a bit of sleep but I'm thinking it might all be at work. (Hope your boss doesn't read this)O.o
You won't need to have a meltdown. Your stories are awesome!

Tara Tyler said...

yes, the song came to mind, thanks!

i'm ready, i'm ready!

yay cassafire!

Civil War Horror (Sean McLachlan) said...

Nice banner!
I'm stoked for the A to Z. I'm meeting new bloggers already because of it!

Talli Roland said...

Wow, look at all that super-coolness! Bring on the Ninja Party!

Liza said...

Go Alex. Ninja away!

Michael Di Gesu said...

Hey, Alex,

Sounds like all systems go! I am so psyched for you. I know it will be a HUGE success.

You give so much to our community and we are ready and willing to do whatever we can to MAKE IT HAPPEN for you.

ALL THE BEST!!!!!

S.A. Larsenッ said...

Wow! February already. lol You are totally prepared! Everything sounds awesome. :)

Gail said...

Have a ball!!!!

Watching for your climb up the best seller list.

Rawknrobyn.blogspot.com said...

I want that mug for my hot chocolate too, Alex. Your Publisher's the best.

I'm very excited for you (and not because of the mug).

xoRobyn

Leigh Caron said...

Totally awesome. TOtally! Such Excitment!

Jai Joshi said...

I'm loving the hype and build up of all the energy around CassaFire! Truly excellent work, Alex.

Jai

Unknown said...

I also now have that song in my head, thanks! Good luck with the launch of CassaFire Alex, I am sure it will do well!
Have already signed up for A-Z challenge but thanks for the nudge!

LynnRush said...

Let's PARTY!!!!!!!!!!!! Super excited for you and your release. Woot!!!!!!!!!!!

Brinda said...

Ok. Now that earworm of a song Final Countdown is in my brain. THanks. And who doesn't like hot chocolate? You must be from the same planet as Byron and Bassa. HA!! congrats on all the party fun.

Old Kitty said...

It's the final countdown - doodoodoodooodooodoododoodooodoodooodoo -ohhhhhhhhhh ! It's the final countdoooooown!!!!

We're leaving together, but still it's farewll and maybe we'll come back to earth who can tell? It's the final countdown...

Ahem. Where was I?!?! Oh yes!

There's a mug?!?! Wow! How lovely!! Mugs are great!! Yay!!

Happy Cassafire Fortnight!!

Take care
x

Tonja said...

You'll do great! Enjoy it. :)

Charles Gramlich said...

Cool tote and mug for sure, but even cooler looking books, man!

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

Marta and DL, thanks!

Grumpy, it's a forgotten movie that needs to be rediscovered.

Teresa, I'll try!

Laura, my boss would never notice.

Sean, glad you're part of the Challenge!

Michael, thanks so much for the kind words!

CM and Brinda, you'll be hearing it all day.

Thank you, everyone!!!

Unknown said...

Remember to have fun in the process!

Bryan Russell said...

Luckily, I drink coffee, tea, and hot chocolate. Booyah.

Luanne G. Smith said...

Wow, cool prize package.

Gonna be a stressful week for you, no doubt, but hopefully well worth it!!

Enjoy your weekend!

RaveAir said...

Wow! This package looks very-very cool!

Heather M. Gardner said...

So excited for you! My fingers are crossed and I'm sending all my best of luck vibes your way!!!

Julie Dao said...

Yay, I signed up!! I want a copy!

Sangu Mandanna said...

Yay for Ninja partying! It's going to be awesome, Alex!

Jay Noel said...

I am offended that you called The Final Countdown a "crappy" song. How dare you, sir! I still jam to Europe.

Plus, they have a song called "Ninja Survive." I bet it's on YouTube!

Looking forward to helping you launch CassaFire!!!!!!

Leovi said...

Nice gifts. I like the cup. Greetings.

Misha Gerrick said...

Ooh! I want to enter, but is the competition open to foreigners?

:-)

Matthew MacNish said...

Dang! What a bunch of awesome prizes.

StratPlayerCJF said...

Wow!!! You've got a lot on your plate! Who needs sleep, right?

Best wishes on a hugely successful CassaFire kickoff!!!!

And although I've been hesitant to sign up for that big of a commitment, I'm feeling myself inexorably drawn to the AtoZ challenge... I may just have to succumb to the inevitable: Resistance is futile, right?

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

Kitty, I can handle it if you are singing!

Thanks, Charles!

LG, I hope it will.

Jay, they have a Ninja song???

Misha, yes!

Thank you, everyone!

Margo Benson said...

Have cranked my way back to the blog and will be ready for your party - those goodies look fabulous!

Thanks, I have The Final Countdown' on my brain now!

Chantele Sedgwick said...

What a fun blog tour! It sounds awesome! :D I'll definitely be back to check it out. ;) Congrats on your book. :D

farawayeyes said...

That would be a good kinda meltdown, right?

Anonymous said...

How can you avoid a meltdown when you're on FIRE? Keep up the great work, my friend. You're showing us how it's done.

Anonymous said...

How can you avoid a meltdown when you're on FIRE? Keep up the great work, my friend. You're showing us how it's done.

Arlee Bird said...

Lots of hot action in the upcoming week!


Lee
An A to Z Co-Host
Tossing It Out
Twitter: @AprilA2Z
#atozchallenge

L. Diane Wolfe said...

No meltdown - you'll be fine.

Tyrean Martinson said...

Definitely ready! I wrote a short review for Cassafire yesterday at my blog. I'll write ones for Amazon and Goodreads . . .probably Saturday. Today is ski day, and I have to run.

Christopher Hudson said...

Party hardy, Alex.

Suze said...

Al, your promotional material looks great. I want a CassaFire mug! :)

Emily R. King said...

I'm all ready to go on Tuesday! :D

Edie Silva said...

Very good this site!

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

Margo, it will be there all day!

Thank you, Chantele!

Tyrean, I saw that - thank you and I'm so glad you are enjoying it.

Thank you everyone!!!!

Andrew Leon said...

I wish I had time to read your first one before next week, but that's just not gonna happen.
I'm so behind on everything! :(

And, again, not subscribing.
bah on me, I know

Michael Offutt, Phantom Reader said...

I don't need any swag but that is pretty cool for a giveaway for someone. I thought that it was Monday that I was supposed to put up the post. I'll recheck my email and get it scheduled for Tuesday.

Johanna Garth said...

Two weeks of partying! I'm so there!!

Ciara said...

I'm ready for a great party. That's some cool swag!

JE said...

Crappy song? Really? I've totally replaced the words to that song with "Alex's Meltdown" now. :-)

~JD

Leigh Covington said...

It's almost here! That's so exciting! Looking forward to the blog tour! :)

Budd said...

if by crappy you mean iconic, then yeah. I loved that song in like 3rd grade. My friend Josh could play it on keyboards.

Have fun on the tour.

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

That's all right, Andrew.

Michael, it's Tuesday.

Justine, that's funny!

Budd, you were young when it came out!

Mina Burrows said...

I want a mug for coffee & tea! I'm super excited for you & will be sure to stop on by for the two weeks.

I'm still debating on the A-Z, though...

Maurice Mitchell said...

Awesome swag dude. I already entered and will set our blog on Cassafire next week! Jeremy does great work.

Roland D. Yeomans said...

I signed up again just to be sure. My post will be early (On Sunday) and run through Tuesday ... it's called "THE HANGOVER ... of Alex Cavanaugh" I warned you about visiting Meilori's! LOL.

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

Mina, thanks. And join us for the Challenge!

Maurice, he does fantastic work.

Roland, thanks! I really appreciate that.

D.G. Hudson said...

Don't melt, Alex. Enjoy the anticipation.

Looking forward to the tour and reading all about you and the book.

I need a good sci-fi read about now.

Pat Tillett said...

I think you're the busiest man in the entire blog world... I do drink coffee!

Southpaw said...

So much fun. I'm ready for the 28th too!

nutschell said...

Oooh! Blog tour! and that publisher swag just looks waay cool! Can't wait!

Empty Nest Insider said...

Lots of fun prizes and excitement in store! Hope you're able to get some sleep, so you're able to enjoy it all! Let the games begin! Julie

Carol Kilgore said...

Ooh, it's almost Party Day! I'm excited - I can only imagine how you feel. But behave - I don't want to have to bail you out :)

Christine Rains said...

That really is awesome! Woo-hoo!

Elizabeth Mueller said...

Aw, how fun! Will you have signed all of these delectable items for us? ;)


♥.•*¨Elizabeth¨*•.♥

A to Z co-host
#AtoZChallenge
@AprilA2Z

Nezzy (Cow Patty Surprise) said...

We'll have no meltdown here Mister...your a rock. Remember that!!!

God bless and have yourself a fantastic two weeks....keep tellin' yourself...it's gonna be great!!! :o)

M Pax said...

Yay for CassaFire. Nice swag.

Came up with my AtoZ theme, too, which I'll post about on Monday. Starting loading up April's posts, too.

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

DG, hopefully mine does it for you.

Pat, some days it feels like it.

Carol, no late night partying for me, promise.

Elizabeth, I haven't even seen them!

Nezzy, yes M'am!

Mary, that's good!

Jessica Salyer said...

Looking forward to it!

Susan Gourley/Kelley said...

I drink coffee. I drink coffee. I love totebags. I have Cassstar on my eReader. I want a print copy.
You better rest up this weekend.

SpacerGuy said...

Go-Go Ninjamobile!

Nancy Thompson said...

Party on, dude!

Tracy Jo said...

Great banners! I am looking forward to Tuesday and the Ninja partying. You are going to do great, Alex! One day at a time...

Anonymous said...

I hope you get some sleep (with no meltdown). You can always catch up on some z's after all the partying you and your blog friends will be doing.

Golden Eagle said...

Yes, I'm ready! :)

I do hope you get some sleep this week, in among all the madness.

Peggy Eddleman said...

That prize pack is awesome! And best of luck on your blog tour. Sounds like so much fun!

Elizabeth Spann Craig said...

Just say no to meltdowns! :)

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

Susan, I wish you luck then!

Tracy, one day at a time.

Medeia, I can catch up later.

Thanks guys! Trying to survive it all.

Anonymous said...

Yeah, that was an awful song. Ugh! i'll do some promo stuff for CassaStar and ask my library to order the book as I did with Cassafire.

Angela Brown said...

Mugs are great for cocoa and the tote bag is perfect for carrying around a whole bunch of books since books ROCK!

I hope you were able to suck down a bunch of Crud-b-gone so you can make it to your book festival. Either way, feel better soon.

Sarah Tokeley said...

Oh no, get well soon. Something tells me you're going to be needing your energy.

Anonymous said...

OOOOO I like Hot chocolate!

Go take some Zinc and feel better. You have a lot of work ahead of you. :-)

Helena said...

Love the prizes, and I hope your blog party is spectacular. A big congratulations to you for this milestone!

Unknown said...

Feel better! I'll be keeping my fingers and toes crossed for you and am sending you some healing thoughts.

I cann;t wait for the tour and teh Catch Fire Party. I'm so excited and happy for you. And I what an awesome prize package for the lucky commenter. I want a tote bag too come to think of it. :)

Jamie Gibbs said...

That's some awesome promo merch you've got! This blog tour is going to be badass :D

Rhonda said...

See you at the party! Hope you are feeling better by the morning :)

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

Thanks, Stephen!

Thanks, Angela. Not looking good right now though.

Melissa, maybe you'll win.

Jamie - yeah! Badass.

Thanks for the well wishes everyone. Think I'm going back to be though.

Cate Masters said...

Oh, that's awful to be sick just before release day - maybe you should start drinking tea!
Yep, very cool swag. :)

Helen Ginger said...

I am sure you'll feel better by Tuesday. Sleep, eat healthy, drink lots of water, and get outside to breathe clean air.

Oh, thank you for setting your debut day on my son's birthday. That was very nice of you.

Nicki Elson said...

Yes, you better be feeling "goo" by Tuesday. I hope the Saturday rest is working out.

And hey, I know you're insanely busy right now...and I know I've waited too long to ask (sorry!), but if you happen to think of one song that best encapsulates CassaFire please shoot me the title & name of artist (cuz I'm sure it'll be a song I've never heard of before, haha): elson.nicki@gmail.com & I'll include it in my Wed. post.

Okay, you go feel better now!

Leovi said...

I think this year dela A to Z will increase from 2,000.

dolorah said...

Aw; hope you feel better. Shame to miss a author meet.

I'll go check out the interviiew. Man, gimme gimme that swag :)

......dhole

Patricia Stoltey said...

I could really use that mug...

And 728 A to Z signups as of this comment. Wow!

Allison said...

Ah, I wish I could do the A to Z challenge, but I know I won't have time. Your tour sounds exciting, have fun and get better!

Allison (Geek Banter)

cleemckenzie said...

Kind of exciting, isn't it? I look forward to sharing in that excitement starting on the 28th!

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

Helen, I'm glad it worked out that way!

Patricia, it's growing.

Thanks everyone! I slept a lot today, so feeling a little better.

Author A.O. Peart said...

Haha! I remember that song way too well! And the big hair too!

Feel better soon. I'm looking forward to the CassaFire release party :-)))

Shannon Lawrence said...

Hope you feel better soon! I'm starting to think bugs can travel through the computer, because that's 3 A-to-Z hosts sick right now (me included). I'm hitting the computer with some alcohol and Lysol!

I thought you didn't sleep anyway? You'll do great and get through it no problem, but then you've earned a week with no computer.

That prize pack looks awesome!

Shannon at The Warrior Muse, co-host of the 2012 #atozchallenge! Twitter: @AprilA2Z

Rick said...

Count me in Alex. I've never attended a blog party, but I'm here to learn!

Julie Musil said...

I'm so sorry to hear you're feeling under the weather :(

But this lead up to your book event is so exciting!!

Rek Sesh said...

You can't call one of my "quick mood fixes" as a crappy song 'pouts'...Good luck, get some rest and let the Ninjas show their moves..and guess, next month I'll learn to comment here more often.
And the mug looks good for a Cappuccino and a cocoa latte(don't ask for it at Starbucks) not forgetting Indian spiced tea. ;)

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

Angela, they did have big hair!

Shannon, maybe it is a real 'computer' virus. Hope you feel better as well.

Thanks, Rick!

Rek, maybe you will win...

Leovi said...

I guess you're counting the hours on Tuesday, the D-Day is coming.

RHYTHM AND RHYME said...

Sounds a good 2 weeks of partying.
Will try and catch all the tours.
Hope you're feeling better,

Yvonne.

Sarah Ahiers said...

My post is already written and ready to go for tuesday!
And i'm sorry you're feeling sick. Hopefully it passes quickly.
Drink some cocoa, that should help! (we also drink a lot of cocoa in my house, too)

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

Yvonne, I am, and glad you're back!

Sarah, I have been!

CA Heaven said...

I'm glad you didn't mean that crappy hair-pop-metal song from the 80's. THere are many good bands from Sweden, such as In Flames, Dark Tranquility, At the Gates and Bathory. Europe is not among them.

Cold As Heaven

J.L. Campbell said...

Wishing you success with the release and the book tour. I suppose you've done the wise thing and rested up over this weekend.

Lynda R Young as Elle Cardy said...

Exciting times. I bet you're nervous and excited at the same time!!

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

Cold, no, they are not among them! In Flames blows them away.

JL, I have!

Lynda, yes I am!

Saba said...

Nice!!! Can I add the pic of the swag to my blog post for the party?

Saba

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

Saba, yes you can!

Trisha said...

Wow, that's an awesome prize pack! I've signed up :)

Dafeenah said...

ooh Congrats! That's totally awesome! I've been sick the last three days but I swear I didn't give it to you I wasn't even able to visit anyone. Hope you feel better soon. Lots of oj, soup, and hot tea will do the trick.

alexia said...

Yay! It will be awesome! Sorry you feel badly. Hopefully you're feeling up to speed on Tuesday.

ediFanoB said...

I just read the side note. I hope you get well soon.

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

Thank you, Trisha!

Alexia, I am better and good to go.

Edi, I was just overdoing it. Better now!