I've already sent out the big email to Bay Area locals, but in case there are out of towners who want to come up, or in case I've missed anyone, here's the formal invite and notification:

TWO BIG BOOK LAUNCH EVENTS!

I want to invite you all to participate in the following events, to celebrate the release of "The Weaver and the Factory Maid" (St. Martin's Minotaur). This is the first book in my new series, "Murder, Music and Ghosts".

EVENT #1:

An afternoon with Tad Williams and Deborah Grabien

Borders
316 W. El Camino Real
Sunnyvale, CA 94087
Saturday, 6 December 2003 at 3:00 pm

EVENT #2:

The official series launch party!

M is for Mystery
86 East Third Avenue
San Mateo, CA 94401
Sunday, 7 December 2003, at 1:00 PM
Reading, Q&A, Signings, champagne and hors d'ouvres

We'd love to see you at either - or both - of these events. An RSVP isn't necessary, although one is always useful (especially in knowing how many cases of champagne to stock!). If you'd like to attend and need a ride, email me and we'll see about arranging something. If you'd like further details about these two events, email me and I'll fill you in.

Hope to see you there!

FDA Statement on Reported Health Problems With Remedia-Brand Kosher Soy-Based Infant Formula

[link]

I know we have Buffistas who keep Kosher. I know we have Buffistas with infants. I know at least one case of overlap (Hi Wolfram), although I don't know if the baby is bottle-fed.

According to the link above, this formula (which is possibly deficient in thiamine, and may be leading to infant death caused by beriberi) hasn't been distributed in the US, but there may be some here, brought in by travel.

If you think your baby could be consuming this formula, please read the above link (and call your pediatrician--stat).

Okay. Finally. I got my gratis copies of Slayer Slang, and the winners of free copies are:

LyraJane
Jon B.
Juliana
Cass
smonster
Nora Deirdre
Dana
amych

If any of y'all's addresses have changed in the past THREE MONTHS that it took me to GET these books, please let me know!

And for everyone else who wanted a copy, I'm sorry, but I DID find a stash of Roz Chast dictionary posters to use as consolation prizes, so watch your mail for one! (And also tell me if your address changed.)

Hey all.

I'm beta testing the registration for Wolfram & Hart Annual Revue this weekend, and will have an announcement as to when registrations will take place.

There are 325 spots available, and you are allowed ONE GUEST, whom you can register at the same time.

Tickets are $104 each (the four bucks is a processing fee).

Laistas, just a reminder-- Victor and Thessaly are in town, and a dinner is planned with them at the Rose Cafe, at 220 Rose in Venice, at 7:00 on Saturday. I will be calling to make a reservation tomorrow, so if you plan on being there and haven't told me so, please email me at my profile address.

sorry but my email to profile addy got bounced back: erinaceous, the lovely amyth gave me a copy of slayer slang already, so pass my copy down the line. if already sent, i will ship it to whoever you say.

thanks.

So, "Weaver" is shipping, according to Amazon.

And on the suggestion of my husband, who is a smartypants, I am offering a prize - a tour teeshirt featuring UK tour dates on the back and the logo of Broomfield Hill, the band headed by the book's protagonist - for the first verified on-shelf bookstore sighting.

Wheeee!

I'm going to be in Houston for Thanksgiving. As I'll be out there with family and my family is quite insane I'll be looking for reasons to not hang out with them.

I arrive on the 20th, and then leave on the 23rd, and then return on the 24, and I'm there until the 28th. Yes I know I'm gone for a day. I have to fly back to Los Angeles for an awards show, but I have to be in Houston on the 22nd for my sister's wedding, so there was no real way around it.

I'd love to see any Buffistas that are in the area.

BF and I are looking for a new place to live--LAistas and those who know LA folk, if you know of a large one or small two bedroom place in the NOHO or Burbank area going for less than $1,450, please email me at my profile addy. A small guesthouse or bungalow apartment would be ideal.

Birth control pill taking Buffistas--if anyone here uses Ortho-Tricyclen and would like free packets of pills, please email me. I was cleaning out my bathroom this weekend and found two unopened packets that expire in June '04. Since I won't be needing them for awhile, thought someone might like to save a little money.

Profile addy is good.