“The killer unicorn book”

Reports have been reaching me that word is out about Rampant.

Well, maybe not so much Rampant, but certainly that book about killer unicorns. Which I’m pretty sure has to be mine, right?

Take, for example, this snippet from the Fuse #8 recap of Harper Collins Children Spring ’09 library preview:

“There was one more book waiting to be mentioned. And with only a few seconds left Kristin Daly (filling in for Jill Santopolo) said the two-word pitch that would haunt me long after the preview was over.

“Killer Unicorns”.

It’s called Rampage and it’s by a Diana Peterfreund and . . . . . killer unicorns. I bow before the brilliance of it all. Best. Pitch. Ever.”

Later, she calls it Rampart. Which, you know, close.

[Updated to add: the name of the title has been corrected on the link now. But whatever she called it, I’m still happy as a unicorn in bloody entrails. And plus, she spelled my last name right, which we all know is a much harder feat than any of those R words.]

How awesome is that? I can totally see Kristin saying it too, with that special glint in her eye. No wonder people thought we were joking for a while. Because, well…. killer unicorns? Sounds like an Onion article.

And though I’ve been calling it a killer unicorn book for several years now, unofficially, I think I’m going to start letting the tide take me and call it that, all official like. Because we know what happens when you don’t name your series. You have names thrust upon you. And sometimes, they aren’t pretty.

So I’ve named the file housing my synopsis for the second book, which is still untitled, “KU2.” (Killer Unicorns #2) in anticipation of it being the series name. Have no idea if my publisher is with me on the idea. I may be asked to come up with something a little more erudite than “the killer unicorn books” — something like The Mortal Instruments, or His Dark Materials — both of which, I think, are Milton-inspired?

::Drags out dog-eared collegiate copy of Paradise Lost, which opens to the part where the angel talks about angel sex. Oops.::

But by all accounts, “killer unicorns” is good and sticky. Both Justine Larbalestier and Carrie Ryan, who are working the karma angle like a unicorn hunter with a well-oiled crossbow (best critique partners ever!), have reported back from their respective tours that there are whispers on the street regarding a book about killer unicorns. I’m 90% sure there’s no other book coming out on the topic.

Let me know if you hear of one, okay guys? We could have a killer unicorn book smackdown. Maybe Jello wrestling. Red jello, natch.

In other news, HAPPY HALLOWEEN! Sailor Boy and I are headed to a costume party tonight. when I come back, I’ll bring pictures of our hopefully awesome costumes. And a giveaway. (Yes, I know I never announced the winners of the Wilson giveaway. Bad Diana! I’ll do that Monday as well.)

Also, good luck to all you NaNoWriMo-ers! I am sitting out this year, but instead, I’ll once again be sponsoring 70 DAYS OF SWEAT, which is starting on November 10th (perfect, if, like me, you are busy the first week of November) and running through January (we give time off for the holidays). I love this program, and I think it’s an AWESOME way of getting your book done. I’ll be using it to write KU2. Sign up today!