Here's the cover for Amulet 3: The Cloud Searchers, which will be on shelves in September 2010. We think the book came together nicely, and I'm looking forward to sharing it with readers. It's currently available for pre-order on Amazon, but you'll have to search for the subtitle "The Cloud Searchers". Scholastic is currently working on getting the Amazon listing updated with the new cover and "Amulet Book 3" in the title. In the meantime, I recommend acquainting yourself with the local comic reseller and place an order with them. I actually buy all my comics at The Comics Factory in Pasadena. Hanging out with shopkeeper George and his crew is one of the great things I look forward to when there's a new book I want to purchase.
On The Road Again...
I'll be heading back out on the road tomorrow, beginning with a stop in Kalamazoo, Michigan, where I will be speaking at the Michigan Library Association Spring Institute on Thursday, April 8th (my birthday). From there, I will be visiting East Woods Elementary School in Hudson, Ohio on Friday, April 9th. Soon after that, I head out to see Steve Hamaker, Jeff Smith, Vijaya Ayer, and the rest of the Cartoon Books gang in Columbus, Ohio. Of course, while I'm near Cleveland, I will drive through Chagrin Falls, the home of Bill Watterson, to have a coffee and to HUNT HIM DOWN. Just kidding. If I see him, though, I'll let you know. If I disappear, you'll know where they're hiding me.
The Columbus leg of the trip is what I am most looking forward to. I've been wanting to see Old Man's Cave and the Cartoon Research Library, but most of all, I've always been wanting to visit Cartoon Books. Jeff Smith and Bone are a big part of why I do what I do for a living, both directly (because Amulet follows in the wake of Bone's success) and indirectly (because Bone was a huge inspiration for the creation of Amulet). I may even have to work on Amulet 4 pages while I'm there. So, I'll be traveling through Bill Watterson's hometown on my way to see Jeff Smith while promoting my own fantasy graphic novel series. Now if I somehow run into Hayao Miyazaki during this trip, my brain will explode. It's moments like these that, despite the difficulties of my day to day operations, reminds me that I am definitely living my dream.
On the last leg of my trip, I will be flying into San Antonio, Texas for the Texas Library Association Conference. I will be on the Maverick Authors Get Graphic panel on the morning of Friday, April 16th. I hear it's a good show, and the folks at Scholastic were pretty adamant that I attend this one, so I'm looking forward to it!
Okay, I have to get back to work! Lots to do before I get on that plane.
