Don't You Wanna Take A Ride With Me, Through My World?

I would like to officially announce an amazing new project that author Catherynne M. Valente and I are undertaking.

Catherynne and I, together with our support crew, are launching a nationwide adventure, woven throughout dozens of cities and countless points on the internet, culminating in a train ride that will not be forgotten. You could -be- on that train with us, and a few other special guests, as we ride The City of New Orleans.

Find out more about the train, below...

This "Off the Map" adventure is based on Catherynne M. Valente's
upcoming urban fantasy novel: Palimpsest. You may recall SJ Tucker's work
based on Ms. Valente's previous books (The Orphan's Tales), and they're
collaborating again, but in an entirely different fashion.

Participants in the adventure will be party to a number of unique and
exclusive 'finds' throughout the next couple months. Expect to
discover new original music by SJ Tucker, special recordings of
readings from the book, and beautiful artwork from a variety of
fabulous artists. Keep your eyes peeled on the various websites,
blogs, forums, podcasts, and social interaction sites where you have
heard or seen Catherynne M. Valente and SJ Tucker or her music in
the past. Clues for the adventure could appear anywhere - even in
your own city... even in this post.

The game will begin with the new year and is expected to extend into
mid-summer 2009. The highlight of this adventure, however, takes
place on the weekend of March 19th to March 23rd, 2009.

We're telling you about this NOW, because it's a huge event and you'll
have to act soon to get involved and because there are advantages to
getting a head start over everyone else in the country.

SJ Tucker and Catherynne M. Valente invite you to join them as they
Ride the City of New Orleans.

Expect a beautiful train ride from Chicago (or Memphis) to New
Orleans, a dramatic Friday night about town with SJ Tucker and
Catherynne M. Valente, a full Saturday to explore the city, and an
exclusive, super-special musical performance on Saturday night.

This trip package includes round trip tickets on AMTRAK's City of New
Orleans, two nights stay at the group destination hotel, and a VIP
pass to the weekend's entertainment.

Your VIP pass will also apply at a special event in Chicago on
Wednesday the 18th, if you happen to be in town. It may -also- be
applicable at other special events that we have in the works.

More details will be revealed according to the needs of our upcoming adventure.

Ticket pre-sales have now begun. Space is very limited, so contact us
immediately if you're interested in attending and we'll try to reserve
a ticket for you.

Sign up for the trip at: http://www.skinnywhitechick.com/neworleans.php

Special advance pricing for tickets purchased before December 26th, 2008

* $295 per person, for participants starting in Memphis
* $395 per person, for participants starting in Chicago

Standard pricing for tickets purchased before January 16th, 2009

* $395 per person, for participants starting in Memphis
* $495 per person, for participants starting in Chicago

All of these prices are based on double occupancy. Please purchase
tickets in pairs or let us know whom you would like to share your
accommodations with.

Discounted sleeper rooms on the train may be available. Please let us
know if you are interested, and we will include you in our block rate request.

Contact K' Wiley for more details: kwiley@skinnywhitechick.com

bonus: so far, participants currently include such shiny folk as Alexandra Erin, creator of Tales of MU, golden-voiced Vixy of Vixy & Tony, cellist Betsy Tinney, Scifi song genius Brooke Lunderville, and fire-spinning mastermind Kevin K' Wiley.
Catherynne and I are stoked. Join us!