Last month, my very first illustrated children’s book Over in the Hollow was published by Chronicle Books. Unfortunately as of yet, there haven’t been any customer reviews on Amazon, Barnes & Noble or Borders (perhaps because they’ve credited me as Stephanie Britt) to speak of. This is where YOU come in, faithful readers and writers! If you own a copy of the book (and I sincerely thank you for that) or have seen it and would like to tell the world what you think (good, bad or ugly), this is the virtual soapbox you’ve always been waiting for! See your name in print (or online)! Impress your friends! Brush people aside as though they were matchsticks!

Starting today, feel free to submit a review of Over in the Hollow to your favorite online bookstore, book-related blog or literary magazine and then send me the link or clipping (and whatever clever username you used for the review) to be added to the competition. The Customer Review Contest ends at midnight, October 15th and the very best review (in my ghastly-ghoulish opinion) will be selected and the winning critic will be notified (by vampire bat) no later than October 18th. The reviews will be judged on creativity, humor and the ability to convince others that their lives (and libraries) are meaningless without THIS book! A Grand Prize will be awarded and the winning critic shall receive his/her/it’s reward just in time for Halloween. I can’t tell you what it is just yet, but here’s hoping you have room in your heart (and basement) for a beast with five hands. Better stock up on the kreature kibble, it’ll be famished when it arrives.

In other me, me, me-related news; I’m currently working on a few top secret projects that I can’t quite talk about at the moment, because even I don’t know what they are! But rest assured that I have been both briefed and pantsed on the protocol and from everything I’ve heard, I should be sentenced by the end of the week (fingers and eyes crossed). In addition to the aforementioned Customer Review Contest, I’m planning on adding some high-quality prints (of low-quality art) to my shop and I am curious to hear if any of you have a special request. Is there a particular doodle (or two-odle) of mine that you’d actually pay to hang in your wigwam or sweat lodge? What about your teepee or igloo? Regardless of where you live, any space can be improved with the proper wall hangings; why not mine? And if it’s not art you’re after, what about t-shirts? Most states have laws on the books that require you to wear a colorful and proper fitting t-shirt at all times (and yet you STILL can’t marry a horse!). Over the years I’ve printed plenty of different shirts in all shapes and sizes (mostly t-shirt shaped) and if there’s a shirt that you’d like to see reprinted, speak now or forever wear Ed Hardy! Perhaps you’ve lost or gained weight or possibly even a loved one (who took their beloved S.britt apparel with them to the grave). Don’t you think they’d want you to look and feel the very best that you can? I can’t promise any miracles (at least not since the lawsuit), but I can 100% guarantee that wearing an authentic S.britt t-shirt WILL improve your life dramatically AND fatten my wallet. Buy my product!

S.britt’s Jukebox: Family “Fearless,” The Raconteurs “Broken Boy Soldiers,” Brendan Benson “My Old, Familiar Friend,” Kevin Coyne “Marjory Razorblade,” CAN “Ege Bamyasi.” You can tell a lot about a person by the music he listens to. I’m sure by now you’ve come to the inevitable conclusion that I’m an idiot.

Recommended Viewing: Hedgehog in the Fog. My good ‘n’ talented pal Laura Park sent me this thinkin’ it might be something I would like. Boy was SHE ever right (and how)! Pass the borscht and vareniki Pa, we’re havin’ pickled hedgehog tonight!

Since you’re sitting there so quiet, not holding up your end of the conversation per usual, I’ll just keep rattling on if you don’t mind. In other “me” related news, I recently relocated to Portland, Oregon last year and boy are my arms tired (see what I was telling you about my rapier wit? Practically ALL my bones are funny). From what I’ve seen of the place, it’s coming around rather nicely. I like what they’ve done with all the trees and mountains and I hear they’re planning on adding some water features within the next few years. Yep, it feels pretty good getting in on the ground floor like that. Perhaps someday this place will finally be on the map and I’m JUST the fellow to put ‘er there! You see, I never back down from a challenge, unless that challenge is the 13th Annual Backing Down Competition and Cowards Run, of which I hold the state title. There has also been a new addition to the Britt family, which of course mad Edsel didn’t immediately take to. Seeing how seating is limited and the fact that I couldn’t afford to feed another mouth, someone HAD to go. Unfortunately, I drew the shortest straw and I’ve been living in the backyard ever since (naturally I would’ve drawn a longer straw, but my crayon broke). From what I can tell (peeping through a loose floorboard), the animals are all getting along rather well now and have even thrown a few parties for their friends and loved ones. Sometimes they let me sleep on the porch when the weather gets really bad and even gave me some table scraps on my birthday. I guess I shouldn’t really complain, especially after what I did in their azaleas.

And yet, I still find the time to work every now and then. I know, I know. I’m like a modern-day Mother Teresa, except that I don’t have to deal with all those demanding lepers, always looking for a hand out (or nose). In addition to building a spanking and sparkling new website (which I couldn’t have done without the tireless efforts of my smart and talented pal Dave), I’ve also set up an Etsy shop which will soon be crammed with countless (and useless) items specifically designed to separate you from all your hardly-earned monies. In addition to a new store, I’ve also remodeled and reopened the Fun Center, salvaging it from it’s previous state of utter despair and disrepair. Now you’ll finally have something to color besides the back of your father’s bald head on the long ride home from the Grand Canyon. And you say I never do anything for you ungrateful kids. For shame! However, apart from everything else; the most exciting, gripping, triumphantly-thrill ridingest news of my must see summer is the release of my very first illustrated children’s book, which is available NOW! You’ll laugh, you’ll cry, and if you order yours now, you’ll only kiss $11 goodbye! And with the prices of movie ticket’s going through the cotton-pickin’ roof, that’s a bargain we all can live with. If you only buy one book this year (and really, what would you need with two?), it should be this one. I’m just sayin’ is all.

S.britt’s Jukebox: The Dodos “Time To Die,” Dr. Dog “Fate,” Grizzly Bear “Veckatimest,” Kaizers Orchestra “Våre Demoner,” Various Artists “Bollywood Steel Guitar.” For me, the best part about music has always been the listening, with hearing coming in a close second.

Recommended Viewing: Lux and Ivy’s Favorites. Terrific East Bay Area artist and friend Michael Wertz turned me onto this list several months ago and I’ve been listenin’ whilst doodlin’ ever since! What a wonderful lasting tribute to a musician with a great ear for music and very little need of a belt. R.I.P. Lux Interior. Now make God rock.