A little while ago, Lauren (who designed the fantastic covers for Feed and Deadline) emailed to ask if I might have a parody of "The Night Before Christmas" that related to dead things just, you know. Lying around. I did not. But I did have a history in filk, and access to the original poem. So fifteen or so minutes later, "I do not" became "sure!" and I was able to send Lauren a nice, zombie-filled bit of Christmas fear.

Because Lauren is insanely awesome, she promptly turned it into a poster. And because Orbit is insanely awesome, you can now download this gruesome collaboration in a variety of exciting formats. It's suitable for use as an e-card, a computer wallpaper, or even a printed holiday letter.

So from all of us to all of you, have yourself a scary little Christmas now.

If 2010 was the Year of the Ghost in my weird personal cosmology, 2011 is going to be the Year of the Rabbit. One rabbit in specific: Velveteen, former member of the Junior Super Patriots, West Coast Division, reluctant superhero, and too long a stranger around these parts.

I can't commit to a story a month for the whole year, but I can commit to a story every other month. So here you go: I will be writing and posting a minimum of six Velveteen stories during 2011. Not sure who she is? Check out the series landing page for background and archived stories. I'll be bringing the website up to speed on her adventures, and then a new adventure can finally begin.

Coming in January, "Velveteen vs. the Secret Identity."

Heroes unite!