I’ve been blogging about Extras sort of non-stop lately, and have been thinking it’s time to talk about some other series.
Luckily, this new cover treatment came in the mail today from my pals at Atom Books:
Very splashy, huh? The colors (or colours, as this is the UK edition) are actually better than this, which is just a photo taken on my floor. An electronic version has been requested!
It’s more like the Aussie covers than the US ones. See?
And speaking of which, the Australian The Last Days is out now!
In more parasite news:
One of my librarian pals at TLA told me about these parasite plush toys. Squeezable. (Thanks, Kerry!)
Boingboing just blogged Who Is Sick?, a site that allows you to post your illnesses for amateur epidemiologists to track. Sort of a GoogleMaps for symptoms. (Warning: site runs slowly.)
This is a post from Carl Zimmer’s blog about “Corydceps, a parasitic fungus that drives its insect host up a plant before growing a spike out of its head.” With video! You may remember that Zimmer’s book Parasite Rex is the inspiration for my novel Peeps.
And here’s a very amusing and fictional Powerpoint presentation for Peter Watts’ book Blindsight, a novel with a very Peeps-like scientific explanation for vampirism. It’s available here in PDF for free!
Anyway, I’m not sure when TLD comes out in the UK, but the US version of the The Last Days is available here.
*Sunday in Australia.
April 22nd, 2007 07:57
first comment… yay… cool its coming out in england, even though ive already read the american one (thanks amazon)
i hope this doesnt happen with extras, that the english one comes out way later
and you said TLS instead of TLD
[fixed! - scott]
April 22nd, 2007 08:03
Looks like Extras is coming out in October in the UK:
http://www.simonsays.com/content/book.cfm?tab=65&pid=585778
April 22nd, 2007 08:52
I own a giant microbe! Her name is Lil’ Poxy! Everyone needs a giant microbe.
April 22nd, 2007 08:58
You know, I think I like the Australian covers a lot better than the US ones. Hm. They’re all cool covers, though!!
April 22nd, 2007 09:18
Plush parasites? Now I’ve seen everything. They’re actually kind of cute, though.
April 22nd, 2007 10:44
yea the Australian covers are way cooler!!! lol and i cant wait for extras to come out!!!
also…. i kind of missed the chapters about parasites in the last days…. but naming the chapters after bands is totally fawesome!!!! lol
April 22nd, 2007 12:07
The covers are cool. As one of your librarian readers, I thought I’d mention that a new thread on LM_NET, the school librarian’s listserv is about everyone’s top 10 checkouts of the last school year–guess who made the top 10 on most high school lists? One or another of your books, and frequently more than one–true most of the time throughout the country.
April 22nd, 2007 12:21
ooh, i like:D
April 22nd, 2007 13:25
Oh, that’s awesome! (Or should I say fawsome?) That face sort of looks like one of the Night Watch angels. Well, to me. It looks watercolory, but in a good way.
Also, I want one of those plush parasites.
April 22nd, 2007 14:36
Finished reading TLD last night. Loved how you laid it out re the pov-ing & band names (which I actually ‘got’).
Covers are fawesome, but then I’m spoilt with the Aussie versions. Soon as I spied it on the shelf I was taking one home.
Next on the hit-list is Specials, so I’ll be ready for Extras when it gets here.
You give me a high writing-bar to do chin-ups on that’s for sure.
April 22nd, 2007 16:29
Have you ever watched the TV series Planet Earth? (I’m a Discovery Channel junky.) Anyway, I was watching an episode about the rain forests and it TOTALLY SHOWED AN ANT CLIMBING UP A TREE AND HAVE A RELIGIOUS/PARASITE INDUCED MOMENT! I screamed and mum came running but all I could squeak out was,
“Peeps!”
When she came back from the store she handed me a box of marshmallow peeps. Not what I meant, but I wasn’t about to complain.
Anyway, it totally showed in super-fast motion a parasite growing out of its head and the other ants carrying it way far away so the rest wouldn’t get infected.
Now I’m going to watch closely for any cats having fond relationships with cats or anything else suspicious of a Westerfeld world take over. Which I expect to happen any day now.
…I hope.
April 22nd, 2007 17:19
I love our Aussie covers, they’re really cool! First thing tomorrow i’m gonna go find TLD and buy it!
…and thank you dearly for not forgetting us all the way down here in Aussieland! Its much appreciated!
April 22nd, 2007 18:21
That cover’s pretty cool. Almost menacing. I don’t think I’d wanna run into that person in a dark alley at night.
I like the colourtasticness.
April 23rd, 2007 01:08
awwwwwwwwww i want a plushie parasite! too bad my birthday was yesterday. i would have told my friend to get me one.
. very fawsome cover my favorite cover is the Aussie version of Peeps. its so fexcelent. and hannah, i want to see that so bad. Westerfeldian world take over! yes!
April 23rd, 2007 02:21
Thats really really fool!! I WANT A PARASITE PLUSHIE!!!!!!!!!!!
April 23rd, 2007 03:30
what is the difference between the american one and the australian one?
April 23rd, 2007 05:17
the american version is not as faxsome as the australian one. http://www.amazon.com/Peeps-Scott-Westerfeld/dp/1595140832/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1/104-0377338-9990330?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1177265772&sr=8-1 heres a link to the american version of peeps. http://www.amazon.com/Last-Days-Scott-Westerfeld/dp/159514062X/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1/104-0377338-9990330?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1177265835&sr=1-1 and heres one to the last days cover.
April 23rd, 2007 05:18
i posted the difference to the american version and the australian version but its being moderated. it should be up soon. i guess.
April 23rd, 2007 06:04
Err… intresting plushies. That who is sick site is cool. Too bad it’s so slow.
April 23rd, 2007 06:07
I’m with you, Hannah, a Westerfeldian-world takeover would be fexcellent. I bet all the fans would be given positions of power.
April 23rd, 2007 07:22
OMG I LOVE the covers! They are really cool looking!
April 23rd, 2007 08:18
When does Extras come out in the States? (or did you already say?)
April 23rd, 2007 09:45
october 2nd 2007
April 23rd, 2007 09:48
cool
April 23rd, 2007 10:16
Those are FAWSOME COVERS! man, i want those instead of the one’s I own…
April 23rd, 2007 10:23
OK, get this..i start the first Midnighters book at my dad’s, then i finished it on the EXACT day i started, and i was already AT my dads! and i didnt have the second book! i was going insane the whole weekend! but now i’m back at my mom’s and i get to read it!!
April 23rd, 2007 11:24
IS the UK language the same as the american language? by the way those covers are beastly (cool/sweet/awesome)
April 23rd, 2007 11:45
what a bummer…that video did not work!
April 23rd, 2007 12:28
My science teacher has a common cold, and a stomach virus parasite plushie!
they are really cute!
April 23rd, 2007 22:19
cool covers!!!!! personally i like the Austrailian ones bettere than the US! yea the Parasite plushies are awesome (FAWESOME) i want one! culdn’t go on the other sites (VERY old computer) but i just finished Peeps and gonna get TLD soon!!!!
April 23rd, 2007 23:49
I love the Australian covers too, but I might be biased…lol.
I started reading The Last Days at one o’clock this morning (I’m werid, I know) and finished it at about five o’clock this morning!
So. Very. Good.
If you haven’t read it yet GO AND BUY IT. Now.
April 24th, 2007 01:21
I just finished reading Peeps and I thought it was one of the best books i ever read. (In the top ten) I cant wait to read The Last Days!!!
P.S Scott, You have not responded to a very important e-mail that I sent you. I was doing a project about you at scool. I did a biography about you and a poster about you. It was really fun finding quotes among your books. Other kids who actually got a response from the author they chose got a higher grade. So if you can reply as soon as possible, that would be great. Thanks!
April 24th, 2007 03:10
Oh my, those Australian covers are hot. I’m tempted to replace my US editions just so I can have the lovely covers…
April 24th, 2007 06:50
OK ppls, that Shannon wasnt me…ok? jst so everyone knows..
April 24th, 2007 06:50
i havnt red the books but cool covers!
April 24th, 2007 07:14
READ THEM!
April 24th, 2007 09:04
Thanks Scott, Now I simply must go and get a plush tape worm. I will name him Spike, and set him loose in one of those things the agility dogs run through on Animal planet, just so he can feel at home. and maybe get him a vlack death to keep him company…
April 24th, 2007 10:02
so what?? no first chapter, are you trying to change the subject or something??
parasite plushtoys?? what the heck?
April 24th, 2007 11:16
I want a giant microbe. I’m sad that they don’t have toxoplasma gondii, as it is my all time favorite parasite. Dang.
I love that cover! It is so bright and vibrant! I want it…
April 24th, 2007 11:50
HEY CAPT COCKTIEL!!!!!!!
April 24th, 2007 11:51
Cockatiel…sorry! ^_^
April 24th, 2007 12:03
I WANNTT ANOTHER BOOKS FOR THE MIDNIGHTERS SERIES! PLEASE MAKE ANOTHER
April 25th, 2007 02:08
contrary to popular belief, there are other people named shannon in this world!
April 25th, 2007 05:45
Hey Shan!!!! & other people!! jus got Midnighters 3….readin it!! no info plez about it & the Last Days.
April 25th, 2007 07:08
Shannon – Yeah, but still…i mean..w/e
Kayla- i jst finished reading Touching Darkness..it took me 2 days! I’m gonna start Blue Noon tomarrow.
April 25th, 2007 07:09
Shannon – sorry, i didnt mean to sound like a beotch or anything! seriously!
April 25th, 2007 11:55
ugggg. Scott! Could you at least mention that the powerpoint presentation is 35 MINUTES LONG!!! jeez
It was interesting though, and cool cover
Okay, now I need to work on homework now
April 25th, 2007 12:20
Shan- cool!! tell me what yo think cuz im luvin it so far!!!!
April 26th, 2007 07:07
me 2!!
April 26th, 2007 07:07
seems like a lot of ppl are reading Blue Noon
April 26th, 2007 07:20
Kalya – what pg r u on?
April 26th, 2007 08:58
I kno!! but im on like 50 somethin b/c i havn’t been readin much. dont kno how u read the 1st Midnighters in ONE day!!!! wat r u on?
April 26th, 2007 09:41
i’m a few pgs off from 200, and i started last night. Idk, i read REALLY fast when i like a book!!! ^_^ it must be a talent, my dad reads fast 2..so yeah
April 26th, 2007 15:44
Those bookcovers are so cool! They’re so enticing.
April 26th, 2007 22:09
wow!!! well dont get me wrong i LOVE it, but idk i guess i just like the small books (short pgs.small words) nobody really reads in my family unless they have to. but for skool i have to read a stupid 25 books & im on 50!
April 27th, 2007 22:40
UHG!!!!! SCOTT! HOW COULD U END MIDNIGHTERS IN SUCH A HORRIBLE WAY! I FINISHED IT LAST NIGHT, 2 DAYS TO READ!!, AND I CRIEED! AGAIN! ALL UR ENDING BOOKS MAKE ME CRRY! UUUUHHHHHGGGGG! Kayla, prepare yourself for the worst most sad ending in the world!! =’[
April 28th, 2007 05:49
OMG that really happened?!?!?!? now i REALLY have to finish it!!!! my goal will be Sunday!! ugh if it made u cry, i wonder wat it’ll do to me!!!
April 28th, 2007 07:00
Yes, sounds good… I bet you’ll cry if ur sensitive, I know i am! Well, i hope you like/dislike it! (if ur gonna read another book straight after, I’d advise to wait a day after u finish it, thats what i did, cuz i was in depression/shock/angry mode…)
April 28th, 2007 08:08
peeps has the same cover as another book
http://www.amazon.com/Laughing-Corpse-Anita-Vampire-Hunter/dp/0425204669/ref=sr_1_47/102-8895523-0049750?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1177707749&sr=1-47
(they got away w/ it too)
April 28th, 2007 09:03
woow! have u read that book, The Laughing Corpse? it looks totally fawsome! Adding to my book list!! thnx much
April 28th, 2007 10:24
hmmm i wonder who stole the cover from who….. it sounds kinda good!! but yea im sensitive…well sorta. but i usually cry at ones that are about relationships and lubbie dubbie stuff like that. besides Midnighters im readin a book called This Lullaby and its awsome!!!
April 28th, 2007 16:34
talk about finally, scott!
although i’m sure its not your fault. that its released so late.
and i could have gotten it from amazon
April 29th, 2007 08:49
oh my gosh, i go away for a week and what do u know? Scott actully posts a bit. so now i feel stupid and like a bad fan for not being in the top 50 1st posts. ergh!
April 29th, 2007 08:49
oh by the way those parasite plushie are way fawsome
May 3rd, 2007 06:58
Kalya- how can u hate reading????
May 3rd, 2007 08:00
http://scalzi.com/athenapeeps.jpg
…
Well…
That’s…terrifying.
May 3rd, 2007 14:55
I saw that, it’s really….different…lol!
May 4th, 2007 10:00
well hello Mr. Scott… Mr. Westerfeld? Mr. Scott Westerfeld? excuse me [and funky email adress, its a way way long story]. curious me just decided to watch the power point on the vampirism thing and i have never seen anything way creepier at the very moment. plus i must say Peeps is up there as one of my most very favorite books. if this means anything to you, i read the whole book in one night/morning [continually] in my closet/ “the nest”. now i must re-read Uglies for school which is kind of a bummer becasue i already know what’s going to happen. i also have to read the second Midnighters book right after i read this one book that i promised a friend i would read, right after i read Specials [different friend who i read books witrh at the same time absolutly INSISTS] but then i still have to finish this book that i started like a week ago… apparently the ending to a Midnighters book is sad?
gosh darn, this reply is kinda long isn’t it?
oh oh oh, P.S.
why is everyone dissing the American covers!?!?
May 5th, 2007 04:04
Ending of Midnighters is S-A-D!
May 8th, 2007 08:26
I never actually read laughing corpse (but now i want to)
May 10th, 2007 08:19
yeah! sounds fool
May 26th, 2007 10:12
i finished peeps and i’m reading last days!!!(i’m not coming back but if i know you go to my web page and talk to me!!)
May 28th, 2007 13:10
did u like them?
May 29th, 2007 02:35
yes i love them!!!i’m not done with the last days yet though.
May 29th, 2007 03:59
shan come to my web page and talk with me and every one eles i miss talking to you guys and gals and your a part if that now!!
May 29th, 2007 08:25
Okey Dokie…wat web page…sorry, i’m not good at catching on…^_^ i’m amazing.
May 31st, 2007 09:08
click my name and it will bring you there!!!
have fun!!!!
July 5th, 2007 20:00
I started reading Parasite Positive yesterday
Is Peeps the american name for it by the way? As in, are they the same book?