I am thankful. I know I stress about money, but the fact are this:

-I have a job. I have a job that I enjoy, even though it might not pay as much as I'd like. Lots of people have no job, or jobs they don't enjoy.
-I have a home. We might struggle, but we make the mortgage on time every month. We're not one of those people who borrowed more than we could afford, and we aren't in danger of losing our home. Lots of people are.
-I have a family. We don't always get along, but we're there for each other. Lots of people are alone.
-I have food to eat, everyday. We might have to be economical, but we have food. Lots of people don't.
-I've sold four books. Lots of people write and write and never sell one.
-I have two publishers and at least two editors who believed in those books, believed that they were good enough to sell, worth enough to put time, energy, and their own money into. I am SO thankful.
-I have readers. Not millions or even thousands, but I'm thankful for each and every last one. That I write stories people want to read and that people like is almost a miracle, and I'm thankful.


Wherever you are, I hope you have something to be thankful for.

***
Tomorrow begins the Holiday Madness. I almost never get up and do the Black Friday thing, but I'm planning on it this year. I don't have that much left to buy, and Target is so close, I think I am going to get up and hit the sales. I can go drool over the ebook reader again.

And in that vein...I know you all know that books are great holiday gifts, right? Unfortunately, the way the print release day falls for Samhain (the last Tuesday of the month), The Crown of Zeus won't be out in time for gift-giving. I know some people out there have pre-ordered it - I don't know how many have ordered it as a gift for someone.

So here's the deal: If you already pre-ordered the book to give as a  belated holiday gift, OR would like to order the book for someone as a gift, drop me an e-mail and let me know, along with your snail mail address. I will send you a SIGNED postcard with the COZ cover that you can give to your recipient on the holiday itself. Sort of like a card you give to someone telling them you've bought them a magazine subscription. Only better, WAY, WAY BETTER.

And pay attention to the blog: I anticipate a holiday pre-release giveaway of a copy (or two) of THE CROWN OF ZEUS, suitable for gift-giving.