Superman House

The number one email we've gotten over the past few months is: What's happening with the Superman House?

And so, finally, a true update (and you can see more on Newsarama):

As some of you know, our goal was to raise $50,000 to work on the outside of the house. In the end, we raised $101,000. So work is now going on in the inside as well. It's just beautiful.

So let this be my invitation to all: On Saturday, July 11, 2009, in Cleveland, we'll have the official ribbon-cutting and unveiling of the redone Siegel house. The roof, the siding, the cement...so much has been done to this place. They even repainted it back to historic colors (honestly, I kinda liked the red and bright blue), but history won in this one. The only thing that made me crazy was the dark green trim. Green on Superman's house? A bunch of us screamed bloody kryptonite, but again, it's good to have the history. And from what I hear, we'll have a great showing by the Siegel family for the big unveiling. So if you're anywhere near Cleveland, hope you'll join us.

Finally, the one thing people really need to know is how much work the Siegel & Shuster Society put into this. We all helped raise the money, but they did all the heavy lifting. The people of Cleveland did that. We owe them forever for getting it done.

And finally, finally, based on the success of the Siegel house, we've actually turned our attention to a new cause. So now, if people go to www.OrdinaryPeopleChangeTheWorld.com (or on Facebook too), they'll see us raising money for City Year, an organization that my wife and I recently helped bring to Miami -- but is one of the premier service organizations around the world. It's like a Peace Corps for the United States and it empowers kids 17 - 24 years old. All we're asking is for people to give one dollar. Just one. Watch the video. (YouTube link)

So to all: thank you. The government never cared about the Siegel house. Politicians didn't care about it. It was the writing and art community that did this. And it proves to me, once again, why I believe in the heroes I believe in.

My Favorite Video Ever

In honor of the paperback publication and the new dog cover, here's a new version of my favorite video we ever made (with a new ending). Jason Sherry is a genius.

Everyody still hates Brad Meltzer in paperback. (YouTube link)

Massive Guilt

I hate telling you this. But if I didn't tell you, then you'd email me and say, "Why didn't you tell me?"

And I'd write, "I didn't wanna bother you."

And you'd write, "Will you please stop with the humble nonsense? We all know you're a narcissist. Besides, you should tell us this stuff."

And then I'd feel all this guilt (even more than the usual guilt I feel).

And then I'd tell you anyway.

So.

Today's the day that The Book of Lies comes out in paperback. Same keen mystery. Same keen ending. Much lower price! And as Facebook friends know, way ultra-keen new cover with foreboding dog image.

So if you'd like to buy it (or just see the cover, or you need a small paper block to balance your couch), click here.

Most important, let me send some true love and appreciation to you and yours. Summer's here and that makes me feel young and spry and ready for a game of red rover (because let's be honest, that's as close to sports as I ever got). So so happy to have you in our lives.

Love and thanks and teddy bears,

B

Germans!

Got a new publisher in Germany, who just sent me the scariest coolest cover.
I'm now scared of myself.

Dom DeLuise Dies At 75

My father and I rarely agree on movies. But easily my favorite Dad movie memory from childhood was watching Cannonball Run with him. More specifically the outtakes at the end. When we'd watch that together -- "these bleeds?" -- all our differences melted away and our humor level was exactly the same. Of course, the key ingredient wasn't Burt Reynolds, or Sammy Davis. It was Dom DeLuise. Every time he laughed...just go watch it.

Cannonball Run Outtakes (YouTube)

I knew I wasn't alone when The State parodied it all those years ago. So a moment of silence for the man who earned those laughs.

Movies

I feel like I've been on a tear of recommending trailers. So why stop now? Here's my new favorite.

More Than A Game (Apple Trailers)

New Cover, New Song

Here's the sneak peek of the new cover for the paperback (coming out at the end of the month on May 26th). Trust me, I was surprised as you were at the image. I do like it. Skeevy. And I guess they wanted to ride the power of the dog, and so we ride...

Also, as some true love from me to you (and in honor of Buy Indie day), here's a nice little video that walks the line of schmaltz but still makes me do the smile: