Now in Italian!

DQC spoke 7 languages so she doesn't understand my prob.

Drag-Queen Cleo (DQC) proudly presents what just came in the mail--my novel in Italian! Every time I read the title, I sigh: 

LA LUNA di CLEOPATRA

Doesn't it just sound so much better! Everything in Italian sounds great, I think. More robust. Sexier. Stronger.

I'm not sure when it actually releases in Italy, but I'm guessing it will be out when I go to Rome in late September. I've asked my publisher if we should set up a signing somewhere--since I'll be there anyway--but that terrifies me a little because, you know, ITALIAN.

I don't speak it.

Plus, there's the ever-present (and real) fear that no one will come to the signing. I mean, that happens, people.  So we shall see.

Meanwhile, DQC wants to give a shout-out to the publishers of the Italian version, SALANI EDITORE.

I've been walking around the house whispering Salani Editore because it just sounds so awesome. And I just cannot believe something I've written is now in two additional languages (German and Italian) and soon to be three (French).

The wonder of it all still leaves me pinching myself to make sure I'm not dreaming. Bruises notwithstanding, it all appears to be true--unless I've somehow started dreaming in Italian.

Meanwhile, DQC would like to remind you that she and her real-life daughter are featured in the novel.  Because, lest we forget, it is always--and she means always--about her.

Launch Party: A Happy Hangover

The Goddesses: Janie Hardy, Robyn Hood Black and Donna Bowman. 

I'm still recovering from the launch party for Cleopatra's Moon this past Friday. And no, not because I partied too hard, but because it was so wonderful.

Apparently, you can have a happy hangover. Who knew?

The excitement came from seeing so many friends--many of whom drove a long way to celebrate with me (thanks, Kara and the Goddesses!).

My bud Ashley Parsons drove in from 'Bama, bringing Nubi with her for a tearful reunion between the handsome doggie deity and Drag-Queen Cleo. There wasn't a dry eye in the house--but not from tears, from laughter. All you have to do is hang out with Ash for a minute and you'll find yourself wiping your eyes from laughter at her quick wit and genius humor.

Then the Writing Goddesses came--Janice Hardy, Robyn Hood Black and Donna Bowman--who dazzled with their divine awesomeness. Martius (aka Martin Kealey), the Roman soldier on guard, valiantly kept order with his gladius.  Don't you just love a man in uniform?

It was wonderful being able to connect with folks who had critiqued Cleopatra's Moon in its early stages, as well as many friends from the Docent Guild of the Carlos Museum. And, of course, Diane Capriola and the staff at Little Shop of Stories were wonderful and supportive. Thanks you guys!

My friend Gail Handler made a special royal offering before the festivities began--a handmade scarab necklace for me and a lovely silver necklace for Drag-Queen Cleo! The queen loves her necklace so much she insisted I snap her picture while she modeled it. Nubi, for his part, felt compelled to stand guard over the scarab pendant because it was so lovely. Thank you, Gail!

So, yeah, there is such a thing as a "Happy Hangover." But instead of suffering with a booming headache, it leaves you floating around in a grinning, grateful daze.

Drag-Queen Cleo Announces the Winner!

Drag-Queen Cleo announces the winner of my free book contest. She wants you to know that I used the random number generator to pick the winner and it is (drum roll please....):

Joyce Lansky of Tennessee!

Thank you all for participating and helping me share my excitement about the publication of CLEOPATRA'S MOON. 

I will probably have another giveaway. Plus, I'm going to be featured in various blogs during my blog tour which usually also feature giveaways.  So, keep an eye out for those and you could win there too!

Meanwhile, Drag-Queen Cleo would like to remind you that she is making an appearance at the book launch party, this Friday at 7 pm at Little Shop of Stories in Decatur. She will be expecting a tribute...

Friday Funnies--Ancient Style!

Drag-queen Cleo asks,

"William and Kate WHO, darling?"

Source: Jeff Bacon @ broadside.net

Why classics majors rarely advance in the military.

Inventors Through History:
Sarah B. Trojan, the condom.

Friday Fun--Drag-Queen Cleo Style

I'm back from a family vacation involving regular dunkings into freezing rapids and screaming myself hoarse on a zipline. Which basically means I didn't have the time to scour the web and/or wrack my brain for anything funny (seriously, fainting takes a lot out of you).

I did, however, remember to bring Drag-Queen Cleo to the North Georgia mountains. And she had, as usual, something to say about everything:

 

Upon finding a cow, the queen proceeded to lecture it 

on the value of "adorning one's horns with gold."

A garland of flowers might help with that

bovine scent," she also suggested. The cow tried to eat her.

Mistaking a barn cat for the Sphinx, she again 

went into lecture mode. "Look," she said. "I love you and all 

that but you have GOT to come up with a better riddle, m'kay? 

That 'What has four legs in the morning, two legs at noon

and three in the evening' crap is so TIRED. Liven it up! Go 

for something like, 'How many queens does it 

take to rule the world? One! Me!"

Drag-Queen Cleo refused to go rafting with us ("Honey, 

I don't DO water trips unless they're on my golden barge.") 

However, she was not above giving the photographer

tips on improving her work. ("Go for the drama," she advised. 

"If there's not enough blood, I'll gladly have one my 

guards spear the boatman for you next time...")

Drag-Queen Cleo refused 

to accompany us on the ziplines.

 That's us!

And that's me deciding to jump straight 

into the rapids, saving myself the

trouble of falling outta the boat.

Cleopatra Action-Figure at the Ballet

After our "gummy"-asp photo shoot, I've been inspired to bring my wonderful Cleopatra action figure with me wherever I go.

Yesterday, it was to the ballet where she showed off her "man-hands" in a lovely fifth-position arm position. 

Then, because our feisty queen needed to prove that she was way cooler than any other action figure in the room, showed off her fourth-position arms because she COULD.  Go drag-queen Cleo!