Time's Up

Today's pub day for my fifth novel, Expiration Date. By "pub day," I don't mean that I'll be taking my book out for a beer at the nearest Irish-themed sports-type bar. (Though that might be fun.) No, "pub" stands for "publication." Huge thanks to everyone who's pre-ordered the book, entered the St. Martin's Minotaur contest, and spread the good word. Books live or die by word of mouth, and thanks to you guys, this baby has quite a few lungfuls of air.

Remember: if you have pre-ordered, or plan on buying a copy through next Monday, send me proof of purchase via e-mail and I'll send you Sand In My Gun, a 20,000 word PDF full of DVD-style "bonus" content. It's a rare peek inside my mind, circa 1999. God help you all.

So what does an author do on pub day? Well, this morning I wrote. Answered some e-mail. Kick around some story ideas. But all of that stops in about an hour. Today's also my son Parker's eighth birthday, so we'll be taking him to see Diary of A Wimpy Kid, which apparently is some kind of grindhouse-style, bloodsoaked R-rated revenge flick. (Wait... it's what?) As proud as I am of my books, I'm infinitely prouder of my boy. And birthday trumps pub day any day of the week.

Richard Stark's (and Darwyn Cooke's) Parker

I've been looking forward to Darwyn Cooke's graphic novel adaptation of Richard Stark's The Hunter ever since I heard about it last summer. Now, publisher IDW has just posted 19 sample pages on their website, and I'm pretty much in love with the whole damn thing. Can't wait to read the rest this July.

(Thanks to Robot 6 for the tip.)

Someday, Son, All of This Will Be Yours

For the record, the view from the Top of the Rock is fairly damn sweet. The kids were fascinated/terrified, which, to me, is what family holiday trips are all about.

The Statue of Libty

Chalk art by Parker Swierczynski, Prospect Park, Brooklyn.

A Boy and His Skyscraper

Happy Birthday to my sweet boy Parker, who turns 6 today. We spent yesterday in New York City, which began with a trip to the Skyscraper Museum in Battery Park. Above, Parker checks out a model of his current obsession: the still-under-construction Burj Dubai, which, when completed, will be the tallest building on the planet. (For at least 10, 15 minutes.) But all of the stories in the world couldn't contain the love his parents have for him.

(Note to Parker: No, we will not be sending you to the United Arab Emirates for your seventh birthday.)