I just realized I was also supposed to announce the winners of the proof copies of the Dangerous Book of Excerpts.

So, the winners are: Crystal Fulcher, Bonnie Ferguson, and Danielle Yockman.

Send me your snail mail addresses and you’ll get a proof copy of The Dangerous Book of Excerpts.

Hey, everyone.  It’s time for Brenda Novak’s Diabetes Auction.  And what should you bid on?  Well, everything, really.  You get cool stuff, and plus, it’s for diabets.  But I particularly recommend the following:

• A critique from yours truly.  I don’t know whether this will strike fear or awe into your hearts, and it probably shouldn’t, but hey.
• An ARC of Tessa Dare’s awesome Goddess of the Hunt, as well as other incredible things like a pound of chocolates and gift cards and lotion.  GOTH is bound to be one of the best books of 2009, and it would be so lovely to have an early copy.  If I hadn’t already read it and loved it, I would be bidding lots of money for this one.
• A query consultation from Sherry Thomas.  Did I mention that this was the necessary first step in my signing with an agent, and then selling my book?  Sherry has insane cool karma attached to her, and if I were you (and a year ago, I was, metaphorically speaking) I would be all over that one.  Sherry’s query critique for me can be valued somewhere in the stratosphere.
• A critique from my agent, Kristin Nelson.  This was the necessary second step in selling my book.  Kristin is an amazing editor–she sees both small things and the big picture, and will nicely (but relentlessly) push you to deliver the very best.  I learned a huge amount going through her critique of my first book.  She’s incredible. (She’s also one of the best agents out there, just saying.)
• A critique from author Anna Campbell.  Two years ago, at Brenda Novak’s Juvenile Diabetes Auction, I won this exact critique from Anna Campbell.  Her comments were incisive, intelligent, and precisely what I needed to hear.  She pinpointed exactly what was wrong with my writing, and told me it in language that made it easy for me to understand.  Her critique was a real lightbulb moment for me, and I cannot overemphasize how incredible a chance this is for you.