The Vampire Ball and The Witches Ball

Every year I collect donations for paranormal authors of books and goodies for the Flint Vampire Ball which is a charity event that raises funds for the local Flint Farmer's Market.

This year the goodies have already started rolling in.

I'm putting together 20-25 goodies bags this year that will be filled with books, bookmarks and any other swag and goodies authors send my way. These bags are raffled off during the Ball as door prizes.

I've already been promised signed books and other goodies from several authors including:

Jeaniene Frost, Laura Bickle, Lynda Hilburn, Kerrelyn Sparks, E Van Lowe, Mary Janice Davidson, Susan Blexrud, Kiki Howell, Katie Salidas, CJ Ellisson, Michele Hauf, Elaine Bergstrom, Jess Haines, Natalie J Damschroder, Aubrie Dionne,

and Laura Kaye

Every author that donates will be featured in the next couple months as a contributor to the ball and get permanent links in the Fang-tastic Books sidebar- you can see the 2009 and 2010 links to everyone who donated in the left sidebar.

If you would like to donate contact me for details.

I got a bunch of Night Walker trading cards from Lisa Kessler.

And signed books and bookmarks from Karen Taylor.

And this is a set of goodies I'm donating to the 2011 Midwest Witches Ball which I am sponsoring this year through Bewitching Book Tours.

It looks fun and I've wanted to go for the past couple years, this year I got in early enough to sponsor and grab a set of tickets.

I found this cute tote bag and I'm filling it with Bewitching Goodies like the mug, sticky notes, keychain and pen above- I'm also adding a signed copy of one of my books and lots of swag. I'm on the lookout for other goodies to add to the bag before I send it in too.

Now if I could just find a couple fabulous costumes

(or even one amazing costume) I'd be all set.

Flint, Michigan

To kick off Michigan month I thought I'd show you a little of Flint, Michigan which is my hometown. I live on the outskirts of Flint- outside the city in what used to farm country. Some of it still is the rest is suburban.

But I grew up going to places in downtown Flint, many of which are now gone like Autoworld. I also attended college at UM-Flint and partied at the (dismal) downtown club/bar scene in the mid 90s (I miss you Metropolis).

Flint is called Vehicle City which many assume is because of the auto manufacturing companies that were started here or took up residence here but it was actually nicknamed Vehicle City long before a car ever hit the bricks in Flint (possibly before there were bricks to drive on).

Flint was called Vehicle City thanks to 3 carriage companies that were here in Flint in the 1800s. Odd that there were 3 carriage companies then 3 car companies. Hmmm. It's always been the Big 3 here. Well- at least until the car big 3 started doing us dirty in the 80s. It's been going downhill ever since.

But enough of that.

One unique feature of downtown Flint is the beautiful Vehicle City arches that were erected in 1899 (see top photo). I am not sure when the originals were taken down. I read somewhere possibly during the war when all metal was scrapped for making weapons, tanks and all that.

In 2003 replicas of the original arches were put up as part of the downtown Flint revitalization project and honestly they look great. At night they light up- really dressing up the downtown area.

I took these photos below at last year's Back to the Bricks.

Back to the Bricks is a fun family event. If you love cars it is a must go. If you want a fun, family day out it is also a must go. It gets bigger and better every year.

My family went last year and it was a blast. The cars to see are phenomenal. Check out some of these photos.

This is the door of a Flint fire truck. My hubby used to be a firefighter so the firetrucks were the first place we stopped.

And he's a truck guy so I think we took photos of every truck there.



This year Back to the Bricks is August 17-21.

I'll be there. If you are a car person and can make it please do because it is going to be great. Everything from rolling cruises to old fashioned drive in movie events- this is going to Flint's biggest event of the year.

Another place to check out if you ever visit Flint is the Farmer's Market- fresh produce, a restaurant, a wine cellar and so much more in one of few remaining gems of downtown Flint.

In fact the annual Vampire Ball hosted by Vertigo Theatrics benefits the Flint Farmer's Market.

This year's Vampire Ball is Saturday October 16th- love to see you there.

So Flint is bad at times but there's still a rich and fantastic culture here that I haven't seen anywhere else.

Plus for me it's home.

Michigan is home...and there's no place like home.

So I hope you will join me all month long as I highlight some of the places around Michigan that I love and introduce to you some fabulous Michigan authors.

Vampire Ball and 500 Follower Giveaway

last year's ad

Vertigo Theatrics just announced today that this year's Flint Vampire Ball

will be Saturday October 16, 2010

Mark your calendars, I hope some of you can make it this year

Other quick news, I've added another book to the 500 Follower Giveaway Stack: Marked by Passion by Kate Perry

Photos from the Flint Vampire Ball

Here's me getting ready for my signing

Me and that's author Wednesday Lee Friday off to the side

I'm sitting here while I could be partying, you better buy a book damn it!


People at the ball.

Me between two hot blonds, my husband will be fantasizing for ages over this one.

My hubby and our friend Jerry




Hubby and his friend Josh

A scene from the ball, bands Volataire, Hellblinki and Belle Morte

were selling CDs and merchandise

This is my hubby above thinking he's the vampire Hugh Hefner

Yes guys this is what you missed

Jill, Jerry and Poison Ivy




Jill and Poison Ivy



Our friends Jill and Jerry

Bellydancers and the hot blonds that had their photos taken with everyone,

that's OK because they were actually really nice




Belly Dancers




Belly dancers

The host of the evening




The host, Ilona Curry and some other chick whose name I did not catch (sorry)

A scene from the evening

A scene from the ball, people having fun

Me and the hubby having fun at the Vampire Ball


By the way thanks again to all the authors who donated books, people were thrilled to receive these as door prizes and raffle prizes. You all contributed to a worthy cause. We greatly appreciate it. Maybe next year some of you can join us at the Ball.