GWENDA BOND

Starred!

So, hey, it turns out I can reveal the March 1 news early, because the review was posted online today. Here goes...

Lois Lane: Fallout got a STARRED REVIEW from Kirkus!

Kirkus! Snippet:

"This lighthearted and playful tone permeates the novel, making for a nifty investigative mystery akin to Veronica Mars or Buffy the Vampire Slayer. Readers are in for a treat. A spectacular prose start for DC Comics' spectacular lady."

This is my first-ever starred review, and I reacted with complete class and composure when my editor called to tell me. I believe my exact words were: ARE YOU EFFING KIDDING ME?

This is perhaps embarrassing to admit, but true and so I will tell you that mere days before I got this news I had told some friends that I'd come to terms with the fact that I would probably never be the kind of writer who got starred reviews. Thank you, universe, for proving me wrong. Lesson: Complaining works. ;-)

We Have A Winner

Well, all of you are winners in my book and in my heart. Thank you for being so excited for Fallout and being so game to participate in this impromptu contest. I'm a whimful creature, and so I didn't give you much warning. But it was so much fun to read everyone's posts and see your favorite Lois and Clark moments.

I thought I'd highlight a few of your super posts, before getting to the business of who is taking home this ARC:

 

I'm giving this baby away in a quick Galentine's/Valentine's #FalloutARC contest!

A photo posted by Gwenda Bond (@gwendabond) on Feb 13, 2015 at 6:23am PST

 

Here's a sampling of entries, and you can find links to a whole bunch more at twitter by searching the #FalloutARC hashtag (tumblr tags not cooperating as well for some reason, but I'm almost 100 percent certain I managed to track down all the posts made there).

Don't forget to enter @gwenda 's #falloutARC valentine's day contest http://t.co/8Yd1R4p2d4

— Maya (@mayak46) February 14, 2015

Lois Lane would be the best friend cuz she'd never let you talk down about yourself. & she'd bring the whiskey. #GalentinesDay #FalloutARC

— Aliza W. (@AlizaTweets) February 13, 2015

 

My first entry for the #FalloutARC for Galentine's day I think Lois would make a great friend because she'd tell it like it is, she's the straight up hard hitting reporter and wouldn't steer you wrong. #loislane @gwendabond

A photo posted by Marisa (@marisamay18) on Feb 13, 2015 at 7:44am PST

Today let's celebrate the great romances in the world. #1 is Clark Kent & his super woman Lois Lane #OTP #falloutarc pic.twitter.com/xkOjV6Dp72

— Aliza W. (@AlizaTweets) February 14, 2015

In a world of mendacity, Lois' search for truth & justice is heroic & awe inspiring. You can trust her. #FalloutARC

— Baudy Hallee (@baudyhallee) February 13, 2015

One of the great things about the relationship of Superman and Lois Lane; when she looks at him, she sees Clark Kent. #FalloutARC

— Superman (@All52Superman) February 14, 2015

Lois doesn't need saving, but it's always a comfort to know he'll always be there for her. #FalloutARC pic.twitter.com/MQOobri7IP

— Superman (@All52Superman) February 14, 2015

@Gwenda I wrote this last year for the release of the long awaited solo issue. http://t.co/IRIXwdYrUA #FalloutARC

— Shades of Limelight (@CertainshadesL) February 15, 2015

@Gwenda Going out on one of my favorite scenes ever at midnight. Thank you Gwenda! https://t.co/eWewaLfcTW #FalloutARC

— Shades of Limelight (@CertainshadesL) February 15, 2015

And last but not least, I loved this Tumblr gifset of reasons why Lois would make a great friend. Honestly, every single entry made me grin. You guys are the best valentines and galentines ever.

To choose the winner, I made a good old-fashioned paper drawing, giving every entry one slip. I wish you could all win, but there can be only one and that person is...

::drumroll comprised of clacking keyboards in a newsroom::

SHADES OF LIMELIGHT aka @CertainShadesL! DM me your address on twitter and your signed ARC will be en route tomorrow.

Thanks again to everyone, and you can always preorder the book if you haven't (something tells me most of you have). And there will be lots of news and sneak peeks and other things coming soon as we get closer and closer to release. Stay tuned! <3 <3 <3

Hello & Galentine's Valentine's Fallout ARC Contest

Hi there! I'm back, after a week writing like mad in sunny Mexico on retreat with several of the smartest, most awesome ladies and writers I know--Holly Black, Cassie Clare, and Sarah Rees Brennan (along with some also awesome boys). And then I went straight from there to Winter Institute to do my first Lois Lane: Fallout event, meeting lots of wonderful, amazing booksellers, as well as the wonderful, amazing Capstone marketing ninjas Shannon and John, and seeing friends old and new. Especially glad I got to catch up with one of my oldest friends Ms. Kelly Link (whose new collection you have already purchased, RIGHT?), Maria Dahvana Headley (we have been ships passing in the convention bar night for years!), Megan Shepherd (who is very fancy), and Nova Ren Suma (her new book is just as amazing as you've heard and we got to share a signing table!), and and and so many other people I will miss someone and feel terrible.

It was a great time, is what I'm saying. And then as soon as I got home, my fabulous editor Beth called with a piece of AMAZING news that I can't tell you until March 1.

Post-signing photo from Winter Institute -- and keep reading for quick contest details to win a signed ARC of Fallout:

 

Signing done! #loislane

A photo posted by Gwenda Bond (@gwendabond) on Feb 10, 2015 at 4:54pm PST

And what was I signing you might ask? Why, shiny brand-new for this occasion ARCs of Fallout, and I might have slipped one in my purse and hatched this plan for a quick Galentine's/Valentine's giveaway. Read on for how to enter!

 

I'm giving this baby away in a quick Galentine's/Valentine's #FalloutARC contest!

A photo posted by Gwenda Bond (@gwendabond) on Feb 13, 2015 at 6:23am PST

This contest will be open through midnight Eastern tomorrow night, US entrants only, and it's going to be supereasy to enter -- how easy?

1) In honor of Galentine's today, tweet or Tumblrize or Instagram a reason you think Lois Lane would make a great friend and use the hashtag #FalloutARC so I can find it.

2) In honor of Valentine's tomorrow, and Lois and Clark being the number one comics couple of all-time, tweet or Tumblrize a reason/fave gif or image set or Instagram about your favorite thing(s) about the Lois and Clark relationship and use the hashtag #FalloutARC so I can find it.

Each tagged post will count as an entry, and since this is only running a short time, feel free to make as many or as few as you want on whichever place is your fave. And if you don't win, still be EXCITED because it's out in May, which is SO CLOSE!

Beauteousness

When people ask me what my favorite part of the publishing process is, it is very easy to answer:

It's working with all the talented, amazing, smart, funny, generally wonderful people that it takes to make a book a, well, book. From agent to editors to the publicity and marketing teams and art directors, et cetera, seeing how much they rock their jobs is a joy. I've said it before and I'll say it again: Book people are the best people.

And I've been so tremendously lucky this year to work with some of the greatest of the best people. In fact, I just came back from mailing them all presents.

(The opposite of all this is true too, by the way; a big part of being a happy writer is feeling that your work is in the right hands. And I think that's true whether you're an indie and that's your own and your hand-selected team or a traditionally-published author and working with a publisher.)

Which is to say, the importance of the care the right hands take can't be underestimated. An example is the reason for this post. I LOVED the great cover Switch Press designed for LOIS LANE: FALLOUT -- so much it's my phone case and I constantly show it to people (glance over to the right for a refresher). But great was not great enough for them, so they kept working on it and voila...

We've been working on perfecting the #LoisLane #Fallout cover over here @ Switch Press HQ. What do you think? @Gwenda pic.twitter.com/bf6B0m4njz

— Switch Press (@SwitchPressPub) December 15, 2014

I LOVE IT EVEN MORE.

The cover deities have smiled on me once again. Trivia: I do believe that the newsprint is now a little snippet from the book itself, from a scene inside the videogame, which is a nice touch. Also: I've had a glimpse of the entire jacket and it's spiffy.

That's all for now, but I'm putting together my last newsletter of the year to send later this week so sign up if you want it. (Tidbits will include: Girl on a Wire made the First Lady of Kentucky's Top 10 Winter Reading List. *beam*)

Pre-Holidaze Update

Um, oops, sorry to disappear, though I can't pretend it's going to get better soon. Deadline swarm happening. But I have hatched definite plans to really and truly finally overhaul my website for early spring (in time for Lois launch madness!) and I'm sure the result will be so awesome that I'll update constantly (or at least more consistently).

And there are things afoot. SECRET THINGS of which I can say no more at present.

But there are also non-secret things, of course, though I can barely remember what I've posted here and what I haven't, but here are a few things just in case:

• I did an interview about Girl on a Wire and e-books and things with the Kids Ebook Bestsellers site;
• There have been some recent Girl reviews that made me glow too: from Mieneke at A Fantastical Librarian ("I loved Girl on a Wire and with her third novel Gwenda Bond has firmly landed on my must-read author list. If you enjoy fast-paced, fun YA with a dash of mystery and romance then do pick up Girl on a Wire, as it offers this in spades."); from Lisa at Lisa Loves Literature ("I loved this story."); and from the Book Feed ("This story is truly a modern day Romeo and Juliet retelling at its finest. ... The way Gwenda told the story not only kept me interested, but completely hooked me, so that I couldn't put the book down."). Thanks to EVERYONE who's read the book and reviewed it and recommended it to others. It means the world.
• And, as always, if you so desire, you can get signed copies of my books for the holidays (or whenever!) from Joseph-Beth Booksellers and Morris Book Shop in Lexington, Ky. And if you've been delaying getting copies of my first two books, especially in print, you might want to get on that this month. (Which is all I can say about that for now.)

And I will end with these lovely tweets that made my last week from Tim Hanley, who wrote Wonder Woman Unbound: The Curious History of the World's Most Famous Heroine:

I got an early copy of @Gwenda's Lois Lane: Fallout and read it in one sitting today. It's ridiculously good and captures Lois so well.

— Tim Hanley (@timhanley01) December 6, 2014

It's not out until May, so be sure to mark your calendars. You'll be hearing lots about it, though; I think it's going to be a hit.

— Tim Hanley (@timhanley01) December 6, 2014

*beams* *crosses fingers* *and toes*

Seriously, I still can't believe I get to write Lois Lane and anytime a Lois fan enjoys the book, it makes me the happiest girl in the world. Pre-order links here!

More soon...ish. In the meantime, happy holidays, everyone. I hope you get to spend them festiving or lazing, whichever is your preference. (I will be spending mine writing, as usual.)

Is This Thing On? And World Fantasy Schedule!

Hello, my darlings! I'm sorry to have vanished, but between launch month for Girl on a Wire and doing Lois edits (turned in Friday!) the month got away from me. First though, I want to say thank you to everyone who has read, bought, checked out from the library, reviewed or told someone about the circus book of my heart. If you haven't yet, well, there's no time like the present. *bats eyelashes* Especially after watching that Nik Wallenda city walk over Chicago. Wasn't that something? Thrilling.

It's been so long since I updated here, I've forgotten what I have and haven't mentioned, and I know I've missed a bunch of stuff too. So a rundown of a few things and info on what I'm doing at World Fantasy this coming weekend.

Girl things:

• Many thanks to the amazing Bianca Spriggs for including Girl on a Wire in her round-up for the Chevy Chaser of 10 Kentucky books from this year.
• At Intellectual Recreation, Readings on a Theme: Inspired by the Classics featuring Girl and several other fascinating-looking books, in which Girl is "the least obvious retelling of the bunch" and "full of mystery and the romance of the circus." *beams*
• I was delighted the book was included in the indefatigable Kelly Jensen's round-up of October through December (and a few early 2015) YA titles at Book Riot.
• Beth Revis, who was an invaluable crit partner on the very first draft of Girl on a Wire, featured it as one of her favorite fall reads this year for a fun giveaway and interview series about fall; you can see what she has to say and read my answers about my favorite fall reading and et cetera at her blog. Then read about all the other books, including Beth's latest, which you should get, stat.
• A shout-out to my former high school, since they gave me a shout-out on their FB page. Little did I see this coming back during my formative trouble-making days. ;-)

There have been a couple of really wonderful early reader reviews of Lois Lane: Fallout over at Tumblr, both thorough but not in the least spoilery:

• Here's the first from Maya; snippet: "Fallout exceeds everything I hoped it would be. Bond has captured Lois’s voice, infusing her with the Lois Lanes who have come before yet creating a fresh character with her own purpose."
• And here's another at Godzylla's Head; snippet: "It’s extremely nuanced, for all that it moves at a swift pace and is a fast read -- because you simply do not want to put it down once you’ve started it. Once you have finished it, you’re hungry for more. Best of all, this book is for everyone -- long-time Lois Lane fans and someone who may never have heard of her. It’s engaging, smart, and fun."

I'm reading instead of paneling at World Fantasy, early Thursday evening -- I can promise a little circus, a little Lois, and if there's time maybe a snippet of something else Christopher Rowe will pitch in a voice for. We'll see! Here's the details:

Reading: Gwenda Bond

Time: 5:30pm-6pm, Nov. 6, Fairfax

If you'll be there, you should come. I'll probably give away a copy of Girl, and I'll be happy to see you.

Antics & Etc

Deadlineville here, so mostly this is a quick wave, but a couple of fun things from the weekend.

I was at the Books by the Banks festival Saturday, where I met many fabulous readers and other writers and got to catch up with some old friends. Many thanks to the excellent Joseph-Beth Booksellers, festival staff and the great volunteers. Also! There was a Teen Scene event with the local circus school and I got to do this:

 

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I wire-walked!

View on Instagram

Thanks to those who assisted me, both in staying upright and in grabbing the video and some photos. (Yes, I'm using Instagram a lot more now that I have a  phone that will, um, use the app without crashing.)

Annnd there was this, which made my yesterday:

Oh my gosh, first two reader reviews of the Lois Lane book--so happy-making (esp as I'm doing the spiffity pass). <3 pic.twitter.com/3L3R2dd0xL

— Ghostly Gwenda BOOnd (@Gwenda) October 12, 2014

 

*beam* And now back to work on said pass! If you're going to the Kentucky Reading Association conference, I'll see you there on Friday.

Things That Are Free (Contest Winner + Books By The Banks + A Tip For NYCC Goers)

Three things:

Thing the First) Thanks to all of you who entered the YASH bonus contest and the winner is... ::drumroll::

Melissa R., who I've already contacted. Yay. Hope you enjoy the book and that some of the rest of y'all check it out too.

Thing the Second) I'll be at Books by the Banks this Saturday in Cincinnati. Admission is free, but there will be copies of Girl on a Wire (and lots of other books) on sale from the divine Joseph-Beth Booksellers and I'll happily scribble in one for you. Or just come by and say hi.

I'll also be doing “Speed Dating” as part of the festival's Teen Scene at 11 a.m. -- the participating authors are: Gwenda Bond, Mindee Arnett, Kristen Simmons, Katherine Howe, Laura Bickle, Jennifer McGowan.

I'm sure you can find much more about all of this on the festival's website.

Thing the Third) I am not at NYCC, because see Thing the Second. But if you are, then here's a little tip. Come closer... Closer...

Psst ---> RT @SwitchPressPub Hint: you may be able to pick up a #LoisLane Fallout ARC today at @NY_Comic_Con #nycc

— Ghostly Gwenda BOOnd (@Gwenda) October 9, 2014

And now I will give the usual neurotic writer caveat that the most fun part of getting an ARC will be that you can read it and the final version, which I'm working on right now. But you know you still want it. (I hope! Because sneak peek! And much will remain the same. I refer you to the "neurotic writer" modifier. ;-) (Also: I believe the locale for this score is D1 in the Artist's Alley.)

Have a great weekend, everyone! And remember, if you need reading material: I have this new book out and so *bats eyelashes*. Whenever a copy is purchased, a puppy smiles. That's just science.

A Few Things!

If you're here for the #YASH, post is right below this one or click here.

A few very nice things. Girl on a Wire is on some lists for October books:

• "Top Picks for Science Fiction and Fantasy Reads in October" by John DeNardo over at Kirkus;
• "This Is One Of The Best Months Ever For Science Fiction & Fantasy Books" by Charlie Jane Anders over at io9 (*waves to friends on this one too*);
• In the weekly Book Riot New Books! newsletter put together by bookselling legend and basic rockstar Liberty Hardy;
• And last but not least "39 Science Fiction, Fantasy & Horror Books To Pick Up In October" by Andrew Liptak over at Buzzfeed.

*beams*

Also, there are new interviews/media things:

• I was honored to be interviewed by Bianca Spriggs (an awesome poet and literary superstar) for the Carnegie Center blog about Girl on a Wire and process and the publishing biz and etc. You can also read Girl's prologue there. (And you can read a deleted scene that used to take place right after it here as part of the YASH.)
• And I was also honored to be featured in the Lexington Herald-Leader Weekender in an article by the wonderful Mary Meehan (and on the cover too). I may never live down this headline, but so flattered and I'd probably better just show you...

Speaking of which, it says you should come to the launch party at the Morris Book Shop tomorrow at 5:30 and get signed books and eat cake and watch circus performances and have SO MUCH FUN. And you should. Look at that window:

If you want signed copies, the best way to get them is to call Morris Book Shop before tomorrow night or contact Joseph-Beth Booksellers Lexington store (where Christopher works, so he can get me to sign 'em and they'll ship for a small fee) (I love both our bookstores! our booksy riches runneth over).

Have a great weekend!

Miscellany + Local Event

A few more Lois-y things:

• From Alison Flood at the Guardian (!) (complete with Margot Kidder pic, which made me happy--my first Lois, and still a great one);
• Erin Keane of WFPL talks about the Lois book and says nice things about my others (Ky. represent!);
• Some Waiting on Wednesdays from today that rightly give the cover some love-- Books, Bones & Buffy and Mostly YA Lit, plus you can vote for it in a cover battle at the Sirenic Codex. Switch Press did a beyootiful job with it; the cover deities have smiled upon me once again:
  
  
  
• DragonCon was a blast. Saw many friends and met many excellent readers, and all the panels I was on and went to were great. Kudos in particular to the team that put the YA Lit track together. I also met quite a few Lois fans there and I put up some photos on Instagram, including a Super-backpack I covet, a building where Jules does a walk in the circus book, and Leigh Bardugo and I being (charmingly? hopefully) disruptive in a Harry Potter panel that was a little too harsh on Snape:

  "@LBardugo: .@Gwenda a Slytherin's work is never done" We can't behave. Send help.

  — Gwenda Bond (@Gwenda) August 29, 2014

Hmm, what else? I have an event this weekend at the Woodford County Library. These are always fun, not least because our PENS ARE ON FIRE (not really, that would be dangerous). The details:

• Pens on Fire - Young Adult Authors: Come hear popular Young Adult authors talk about their work, writing tips, and paths to publication. Authors include Gwenda Bond, Sarah Combs, C.C. Marks, Katie McGarry, and Heather Sunseri. Free - Sign up today! 9/6/14, 2-4pm, Main Library.

And last but not least:

You can still enter to win the fancy Paperwhite with the custom cover featuring the gorgeous Girl on a Wire cover illustrated and designed by Neil Swaab: just sign up for the newsletter or comment on that post with something you love or hate about the circus. Contest ends Friday at noon.

If you snagged the book on special, read it and like it, please consider dropping a review on Amazon and/or Goodreads or spreading the word wherever you like best. And if you haven't snagged it, well, what are you waiting for? Lee Child totally edged me down in the rankings. *wink* I kid! Feel free to wait and buy a hard copy. Or ask your library to order it. Basically: please to buy or otherwise legally procure wherever you like, read, and let me or the world know what you think. Without you lovely readers, I don't get to do this. And I like doing this.

Now it's our tenth wedding anniversary, so there must be a little celebrating, and there's another book to finish. So *poof*.

DragonCon Schedule + Media Round-Up + Lois Teaser

I'll be at DragonCon this weekend participating in the YA track -- I'll happily sign books for anyone after the panels or my reading. I'll be reading from Girl on a Wire (out so soon!), but I also just might give a little sneak preview of Lois too. *whistles innocently* Come so I'm not reading to an empty room + my mom (who's tagging along to Atlanta for some R&R).

My schedule:

Title: Urban Fantasy in YA
Description: We love a little magic, monsters, super powers—but rooted in the real world. What makes a compelling urban fantasy, and what are your faves?
Time: Fri 02:30 pm Location: A707 - Marriott
Panelists: Delilah S. Dawson, Gwenda Bond, Cinda Williams Chima, Bonnie Kunzel, Mari Mancusi

Title: Reading: Gwenda Bond
Time: Sat 1:00 pm Location: University - Hyatt

Title: Beyond Genre: Behind the Boom of Realistic YA Fiction
Description: The Fault is Our Stars is just the tip of the iceberg—realistic YA fiction is booming, and there’s a lot to love beyond genre.
Time: Sun 11:30 am Location: A707 - Marriott
Panelists: Stephanie Perkins, Gwenda Bond, Debbie Viguié, Michelle Hodkin

And now the news...

I continue to be overwhelmed by everyone's enthusiasm and congratulations about Fallout -- and it is that much more fun to now be sharing it with you. It brings a tear to my cold dark-hearted eyeballs (um, might need more sleep, or more coffee) to be proven right about how much love exists for Lois. To those of you who've gone out of your way to tell me you trust me with this, I'm so very grateful. And, of course, I hope you still feel that way once you've read the book. *insert winking emoji here* Yesterday's post with more details, in case you missed it.

So, what are people saying? A little media round-up:

• Lois Lane Is Your New YA Fiction Hero - Hollywood Reporter
• Lois Lane getting her own YA novel by author Gwenda Bond | Comic Book Resources
• Lois Lane to star in new YA novel | Shelf Life | EW.com
• DC Comics gives Lois Lane the young adult novel treatment with "Fallout" - New York Comic Books | Examiner.com
• Lois Lane Is Finally Getting Her Own YA Novel| io9
• A Young Adult Novel Starring Lois Lane Will Be Published Next Spring | The Mary Sue
• DC Comics Makes Lois Lane Young Adult Heroine | Crave Online
• Lois Lane To Headline Young Adult Novel | Comicbook.com
• Lois Lane Getting Her Own Young Adult Novel | Bam Smack Pow
• Lois Lane Will Star in a New Young Adult Novel by Gwenda Bond | Comics Alliance

I'm sure I missed a couple. It's refreshing that there hasn't been much smack-talking about YA.

Now also feels like a good time to remind everyone that you should sign up for my newsletter if you want to make sure you don't miss any news. I try to keep them to quarterly, and I'll be sending out an issue next week.

Without further ado, today's teaser. This one might be my favorite. Chills.

I'm stepping out from behind the cape. @DCComics #teaser pic.twitter.com/7ksuyHCAyr

— Switch Press (@SwitchPressPub) August 27, 2014

The Secret Is Out... (!!!)

...thanks to some breaking reporting from DC Women Kicking Ass last night.  

I have two words for you:

LOIS LANE.

Oh, wait, and another one: FALLOUT.

Lois Lane is getting a YA Novel by @gwenda http://t.co/TPOu9B9LzB

— DC Women Kicking Ass (@dcwomenkicknass) August 26, 2014

But there is still more fun news to come. And more of the great teasers Switch/Capstone have designed. Here's today's -- voila!

Strong, fearless heroines have the most interesting backstories. @DCComics #teaser pic.twitter.com/6BntoNKl63

— Switch Press (@SwitchPressPub) August 26, 2014

I am completely overwhelmed -- in the best possible way -- by the reaction to the news. Because Lois deserves that reaction!

Lois is an icon, of course, a superhero without any superpowers . . . except her unmatched bravery and smarts. Not to mention her sense of humor and her commitment to truth and justice. She's also one of my all-time favorite characters -- which is why I jumped at the chance to write a novel featuring a teen Lois, moving to Metropolis and becoming a reporter for the first time. As I said yesterday, it's been an incredible honor to do this project and work with the fantastic teams at Capstone/Switch Press and DC. And, most of all, to get to put Lois front and center in the starring role, obviously. (Plus fun to write lots of banter with her maybe-more-than-a-friend from Kansas, screen name SmallvilleGuy.)

Also from last night:

She did. RT @Gwenda: Because Lois is...LOIS. And I want to do the character justice. I hope that I did and that you guys think so too.

— beth brezenoff (@bethbrez) August 26, 2014

That was my editor @bethbrez -- and now I think I've got something in my eye. Definitely something in my eye.

— Gwenda Bond (@Gwenda) August 26, 2014

Now for a geeky photo...

Me and a compendium of some of Lois's greatest moments + a T-shirt Christopher got me for x-mas + in the background a Daily Planet toy with lego Lois and a monkey finger puppet perched on top:

*dances a little*

Super-excited to have this secret out in the world so I can share it with all of you fellow Lois fans.

Now back to trying to finish a different book entirely and prepare for Dragon Con. Another teaser tomorrow!