Princess in Waiting

Some PD10 Info

2008-06-11T18:52:00.001-07:00

These may be mildly spoilerish, by the way. Meg gave an interview to the Book Chic. Here is the text:

2) I know that you've been finishing up PD10: Forever Princess lately. Can you
tell us anything about it, plotwise? Cryptic messages are welcome.
Actually
Princess Diaries 10 is done. Here's the flap copy I can reveal (some of it
is still top secret--sorry, I can't even give you a hint):
It's the
last month of Mia's senior year, and things seem great. She's gotten accepted to
her dream college(s), and has her blowout eighteenth birthday gala coming up…not
to mention prom, graduation, and Genovia's first-ever elections.
What's not
to love about her life? Well…
-- Prince Phillipe's campaign in the Genovian
elections isn't going well, thanks to the person who's decided to run against
him (hint: It's NOT Grandmere, who now that Mia is finished with Princess
Lessons desperately needs to get a life of her own).
--Mia's dreamy boyfriend
J.P. is so sweet and seemingly perfect. But is he the one?
--Mia's first
love, Michael, is back from Japan…and back in her life.
With not just
Genovia's, but her own future hanging in the balance, Mia's got some choices to
make…which college, which guy…? How can she know what the right decision is,
especially when what she decides might determine not just the next four years,
but…

….Forever!
3) How is the Princess Diaries side project coming along; will it
be released around the same time as PD10?
The side project (an adult book
written by a Princess Diaries character and which will be published by Avon
Books) is done and will be released on the same day as Princess Diaries 10.
Both books will come out January 6, I believe.

Source: Book Chic

My predictions - she will ditch JP for Michael, they'll go to the prom, they'll have sex and Prince Phillipe will lose the elections. And she won't make up with Lilly.

As for the book, I think it's Lilly's guide to surviving high school. At least that would make an interesting read.

Princess Diaries Online for Free

2008-01-13T12:44:00.000-08:00

No, don't get too excited - Meg says that when Forever Princess is released, the journal entries that should occur between Princess Mia and Forever Princess will be released online for free:

"Meanwhile, I know some of you are freaking out about why there will be a twenty-one month leap gap in Mia’s journaling (Princess Mia ends in September of her junior year, and Forever Princess starts up again in April of her Senior year).
But just because Mia wasn’t journaling all that time doesn’t mean she wasn’t writing, and also doesn’t mean you won’t get to read what she was writing. She was, and you will. It will be available, most likely online at megcabot.com, and for free, when Forever Princess comes out. Wait and see."

So she doesn't stop writing (although it might seem like that when you read Princess Mia). I am so excited, yet sad because the series will be ending late this year.

When the series ends, this site will end as well. I will make one final redesign, and then leave it up for new readers.

Princess Mia review / Princess on the Brink paperback

2007-12-19T19:52:00.000-08:00

Meg posted a review of Princess Mia from the site Teens Read Too. The review has a few more details, such as the name of the therapist she is forced to see, and the fact that she finally gains some 'womanly curves' (probably from all that meat eating, which she also does a lot of in the book).

I am seriously more excited. The book is released on Dec 26, which is the day after Christmas (and next week) and the paperback version of Princess on the Brink is released the same day. It has new artwork, which is below:

New Post at 'I Hate Mia Thermopolis'

2007-12-18T23:04:00.001-08:00

The promotional site I Hate Mia Thermopolis is so hilarious (in a weird way, I guess) and there is finally a new post there. It is so mean spirited, and has something to do with her hair.

It's a pity there aren't more posts, as it would really 'add' to the story, of which is released the day after Christmas. I am so excited.

Longer PD9 Excerpt

2007-12-18T22:53:00.000-08:00

Wow, there's an even longer excerpt on Meg's page for Princess Mia. There is the one from the HarperTeen site, and then right after that another one, previously unseen:

Friday, September 10, 11:45PM, The Loft

Inbox: 0

No phone messages, either.

But Michael's plane is still in the air for another eleven and a half hours. He'll call me when he lands.

I mean, he has to. Right?

Okay, not thinking about that now. Because every time I do, I get these weird heart palpitations and my palms get sweaty.

Meanwhile, a hand-delivered envelope did arrive for me while I was gone. Mom told me about it (not very happily) when I woke her up to ask if Michael had called (honestly, I didn't realize she was asleep. Usually she's up watching David Letterman until the musical guest comes on at twelve-thirty. How was I supposed to know the musical guest was Fergie, so Mom went to bed early?)

The hand-delivered envelope obviously wasn't from Michael. It was on fancy ivory stationery with a big red wax seal with the letters D and R stamped in the middle. There was something about it that just screamed Grandmere.

So I wasn't very surprised when Mom said, all crabbily, "Your grandmother says to open it right away."

I was surprised, however, when she added, "And she said to call her when you do. No matter what time it is."

"I'm supposed to call Grandmere after eleven o'clock at night?" This didn't make any sense. Grandmere goes to bed right before the eleven o'clock news every night without fail, unless she's out partying with Henry Kissinger or somebody like that. She says if she doesn't get her full eight hours of beauty sleep, she can't do a thing with the bags under her eyes the next day, no matter how much hemorrhoid cream she puts on them.

"That's the message," Mom grumped, and pulled the covers back over her head (though how she can sleep with Mr. Gianini snoring away like that next to her is a mystery to me. It can only be true love).

I wasn't liking the look of that envelope, and I definitely wasn't liking the idea of having to call Grandmere at eleven thirty at night.

But I went to my room and ripped open the seal and pulled out the letter and started reading….

And nearly had a heart attack.

I was on the phone with Grandmere in about two seconds flat.

"Oh, Amelia," she said, sounding completely awake. "Good. Finally. Did you receive your letter?"

"From Lana Weinberger's MOM?" I practically screamed. I only remembered to keep my voice down because I live in a loft and my little brother was sleeping in the next room and I didn't want to risk the wrath of Mom if I woke him up. "Asking me to give the keynote speech at her women's society's big charity event to raise money for African orphans? Yes. But…how did you know? Did you get one, too?"

"Don't be ridiculous," she scoffed. "I have my ways of finding out these things. Now, Amelia, I must know. This is very important. Did she mention issuing you an invitation to join the Domina Reis when you come of age?" You could practically hear her salivating, she was so excited. "Did she say anything about asking you to pledge when you turn eighteen?"

"Yes," I said. "But, Grandmere, I've never even heard of these Domina Reis before. And I don't have time for this right now. I am going through a very stressful time at the moment, and I really have to concentrate on just staying centered--"

This was totally the wrong thing to say, however. Grandmere was practically breathing fire when she replied in her princessiest tone, "For your information, the Domina Reis are one of the most influential women's societies in the world. How can you not be aware of this, Amelia? They are like the Opus Dei of women's organizations. Only not religiously affiliated."

I had to admit, this got me kind of interested, in spite of myself. "Really? Opus Dei? That secret society in The Da Vinci Code? The one where the members whip themselves? Lana's mom keeps a weird metal spike wrapped around her leg?"

"Of course not," Grandmere said, with a sniff. "I meant figuratively."

This was disappointing to hear. I have never met Lana's mom (and she clearly knows nothing about me, because in her letter, she mentioned how much Lana has appreciated my friendship over the years, and how regrettable it is that my busy royal agenda has kept me from attending more of the parties she knows Lana has invited me to at their place. Um. Yeah), but the idea of any member of the Weinberger family with possible spikes digging into her fills me with great joy.

"And," Grandmere went on, "I know I've told you about the Domina Reis before, Amelia. The Contessa Trevanni is a member."

"Bella's grandmother?" Grandmere hasn't mentioned her arch-enemy the Contessa much since the Contessa's granddaughter, Bella, delighted the entire Trevanni family by running off last Christmas with my pseudo-cousin Prince René and getting, well, knocked up by him (Grandmere says it's more polite to say enceinte, which is the French term, but the truth is, he really did knock her up. I mean, hello, has no onein my family heard of condoms?).

After a stern talking to by my dad (and, I suspect, an exchange of cash: René was just days from signing a television deal for a new reality show, Prince Charming, in which a number of young single girls were to compete for the chance to date a real life prince…namely, René), René finally married Bella. Sadly for her grandmother, the wedding took place in a quiet private ceremony, since René took so long to finally pop the question that Bella was obviously showing, and they're still sensitive about that kind of thing in Majesty Magazine.

Now Bella and René are living on in the Upper East Side in a penthouse the Contessa bought them as a wedding present, attending Lamaze classes together, and looking as if neither of them could be happier.

Grandmere is so jealous that Bella got René instead of me-even though I'm still in high school, hello--she could plotz. Basically, we never speak of it.

"Audrey Hepburn was a Domina Rei, as well," Grandmere went on. "As well as Princess Grace of Monaco. Hillary Rodham Clinton. Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O'Connor. Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis. Even Oprah Winfrey."

A hush fell over our conversation then, as it always does in polite society whenever Ms. Winfrey's name is mentioned.

Then I said, "Well, that's all very nice, Grandmere. However, like I said, this really isn't the best time for me. I-"

But Grandmere, as usual, wasn't even listening. "I, of course, was asked to join years ago. However, due to a complete misunderstanding involving a certain gentleman who shall remain nameless, I was ruthlessly blackballed."

"Oh," I said. "Well, that's too bad. I--"

"Fine. If you must know, it was Prince Rainier of Monaco. But the rumors were completely false! I never even looked at him twice! Was it my fault he was so fascinated by me that he used to follow me around like a puppy? I can't imagine how anyone could have thought it was anything other than what it was…a simple infatuation a much older man bore for a young woman who couldn't help sparkling with wit and joie de vivre."

It took me a minute to figure out who she was talking about. "You mean…you?"

"Of course me, Amelia! What is wrong with you? Why do you think he married Grace Kelly? Why do you think his family allowed him to marry a movie actress? Only because they were so relieved he agreed to marry anyone after the heartbreak he experienced when I rejected him…."

I gasped. "Grandmere! You turned him gay?"

"Of course not! Amelia, don't be ridiculous. I-Oh, never mind. How did we even get on this topic? The fact is, the Contessa Trevanni will eat her own head if you give the keynote address at her women's society's charity gala. They've never asked her granddaughter to speak. Of course, why would they? She's never accomplished anything, except to get pregnant, which any half-wit can do, and she's such a namby-pamby, she'd probably freeze up at the sight of those two thousand impeccably-groomed successful businesswomen staring up at her--"

I gasped again…but this time for a different reason. "Wait…two thousand?"

"We'll have to make an appointment at Chanel right away," Grandmere blathered on. "Something subdued, I think, yet youthful. I do believe it's time we fitted you with a suit. Dresses are fine, but you can never go wrong with a really good wool suit--"

"Impeccably groomed, successful businesswomen?" I echoed, feeling slightly faint. "I thought they were all like Lana's mom…society wives with full-time nannies and cooks and maids--"

"Nancy Weinberger is one of the most sought-after interior decorators in Manhattan," Grandmere interrupted, coldly. "She completely furnished the apartment the Contessa bought for René and Bella. Let me see, now, the Domina Reis colors are blue and white…blue's never been your best color, but we'll have to make do…."

"Grandmere," I said. Panic was rising in my throat. It was sort of the way I felt every time I thought about Michael, only without the sweaty palms. "I can't do this. I can't give a speech in front of two thousand successful business women. You don't understand-I'm going through a romantic crisis at the moment, and until it's resolved, I really think I need to keep a low profile…in fact, even after it's resolved, I don't think I can speak in front of that many people."

"Nonsense," Grandmere said, crisply. "You spoke in front of the Genovian Parliament about the parking meters, remember? As if any of us could forget."

"Yeah, but they were just old guys in wigs, not Lana Weinberger's mom! I don't know about this, Grandmere. I think maybe I should--"

"Of course, Lord only knows what we'll do about your hair. I don't suppose it will have grown in by then. Maybe Paolo can fashion some sort of extensions. I'll phone him in the morning…."

"Seriously, Grandmere," I said. "I think I--"

But it was too late. She'd already hung up, still muttering about hair extensions.

Great. This is all I need.

Saturday, September 11, 9AM, The Loft

Inbox: 0

Which isn't weird. I mean, he's still got another three hours in the air. And then he has to go through customs.

So I just need to be patient. I just need to be calm. I just need to-

FtLouie: TINA!!!! ARE YOU THERE???? If you're there, write back. I AM DYING!!!!

Iluvromance: Hi, Mia! I'm here. Why are you dying?????

Oh, thank God. Thank God for Tina Hakim Baba.

FtLouie:
Because while I know the bond Michael and I have is too strong to be torn asunder by a simple misunderstanding, and that he's going to call when he gets to Japan and tell me he forgives me and everything is going to be all right-what if it isn't? What if he doesn't?

Oh, God-my palms won't stop sweating!!!!! And I think I might be having a heart attack…. Iluvromance:
Mia! It's going to be all right! Of course Michael is going to forgive you! You guys will get back together, and everything is going to be just like it used to be. Better, even. Because couples who go through hard times together always come out stronger for it….

FtLouie:
That's right! And whatever, right? My ancestresses have faced far harsher adversity. Such as marauding invaders and abductions and being forced to drink wine out of their murdered fathers' skulls and all of that. Michael and I will be fine!

Iluromance: Totally! So I take it you're not going tonight, then?

FtLouie:
Going to what?

Iluvromance:
To the victory party.

FtLouie:
What victory party?

Iluvromance:
You know. Lilly and Perrin's victory party. For winning the student election.

FtLouie:
I wasn't invited to any victory party.

Iluvromance:
You didn't get the email?

FtLouie:
Noooooo….

Iluvromance:
Oh.

FtLouie:
Oh, what?

Iluvromance:
I didn't think she was serious.

FtLouie:
Who? What are you talking about?

Iluvromance:
Lilly. She was saying she was never speaking to you again…But I thought she was joking.

!!!!!!

FtLouie: WHAT???? HOW CAN SHE SAY THAT??? IT WAS ONLY A PECK!!! IT WAS SUPPOSED TO BE ON THE CHEEK!!! I ONLY GOT HIS LIPS BY MISTAKE!!!!

Iluvromance:
Right. But didn't you go see Beauty and the Beast with J. P. last night?

FtLouie:
Well, yes. But it was perfectly innocent. We just went as FRIENDS.

Iluvromance:
But didn't you say in the past that your ideal man is one who can sit through an entire performance of Beauty and the Beast, the most romantic and beautiful story ever told, and not snicker in the wrong places?

FtLouie:
Yes. But that was a long time ago. And I've realized since then that I was wrong. Now my ideal man is now one who snickers. Iluvromance:
Well, you'd better tell Lilly that.

FtLouie:
Why? What's she saying? Wait a minute--how does she even KNOW what J. P. and I did last night? How do YOU even know?

Iluvromance:
Oh…you haven't seen it?

FtLouie:
SEEN WHAT????

Iluvromance:
The giant photo of you and J. P. coming out of the theater that's on the front of The New York Post this morning, with the headline Heartbroken Princess Finds New Love?

Heartbroken Princess Finds New Love

AP--It looks like splitsville for New York's own Princess Mia Thermopolis (of Genovia) and her longtime boyfriend Columbia University student-and commoner--Michael Moscovitz.

Moscovitz is rumored to have accepted a year-long appointment at a Japanese robotics firm in Tsuksuba, where he'll be working on a top secret project.

But her Royal Highness doesn't appear to be pining for her onetime love-or wasting any time getting back into the dating scene. Her former beau has already been replaced by a mystery man who accompanied the young royal to a performance of the long-running Broadway show Beauty and the Beast Friday evening. Undisclosed sources say that the young man is none other than John Paul Reynolds-Abernathy IV, son of the wealthy theater promoter and producer John Paul Reynolds-Abernathy III.

A fellow theater patron who observed the young couple in their private box asserted, "They certainly seemed cozy up there," while another stated, "They make a very attractive couple. They're both so tall and blonde."?

When asked for a statement, a Genovian Palace spokesman has said, "We do not comment on the Princess's personal life."

Saturday, September 11, 10AM, The Loft

Well. At least now I know why I haven't heard from Lilly.

Which is so messed up on so many levels. I mean, first of all, it was only a peck. And second of all, they were already broken up when the peck took place. And third of all, WE WENT TO THE SHOW AS FRIENDS. How could anyone in their right minds think I'm GOING OUT with J. P. Reynolds-Abernathy the Fourth?

I mean, sure, he's funny and cute and a nice guy and all. Don't get me wrong.

But my heart belongs to Michael Moscovitz, and always will!

None of this makes any sense. Lilly is supposed to be my best friend. How can she believe something so horrible of me?

And it's true, I was pretty awful to her brother this week. But that was only because I (stupidly) didn't realize what a great thing we had, until I went and lost it.

But I APOLOGIZED to him. It's only a matter of time (two hours) until he gets my email and calls me (please, God) and we patch things up and he sends me back my snowflake necklace and we're back together and everything's fine again.

Unless he happens to check Google News and sees the giant article about me and J. P..

But why would he believe it? He never believed any of the lies the paparazzi was always reporting about me and James Franco. Why would he believe THIS one?

He wouldn't. He can't.

So what is Lilly's problem?

Anyway. I am not going to freak out. It's true that in the past, I would be hysterical over something like this. I'd be calling my dad and begging him to have our lawyers demand a retraction. I'd be trying to get to the bottom of who'd tipped the papers off-as if I didn't know (Grandmere). I'd be frantically e-ing Michael, hysterically explaining that none of it's true.

But not now. I'm way too mature for all that. Also, I'm used to it.

And besides: I am way too freaked out as it already is. How could I possibly freak out anymore? I can barely hold onto my pen to write this, my hand is so drenched in sweat.

So…whatever. I'm going to allow Lilly a little cooling off period. I'm sure when she's having her party and everyone is there but me (I called Tina after I ran out and got the paper. I told her that of COURSE she has to go to Lilly's party, even though she was going to boycott out of solidarity with me. But I actually need her to go so I can find out what Lilly is saying about me. I swear, if Lilly's bad-mouthing me, I will call the Federal Communications Commission and report the fact that she used the S word on last week's episode of Lilly Tells It Like It Is, while she was describing the current state of affairs in Iraq), she'll start missing me and call and invite me over.

And then I'll go and we'll hug it out and it will all be fine.

I'll just sit here and do my Calculus homework until then. Because God knows I didn't pay much attention last week, so I have NO IDEA what's going on in that class. Or any of my classes, really. The last thing I need, on top of everything else that's going on, is to flunk out of high school.

And I think while I'm doing that, I'll finish off the rest of the pork dumplings leftover from Number One Noodle Son.

Because that's how a mature person would handle the situation.
TWO HOURS TILL HE LANDS!!!!!!!
EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE

Second PD9 Excerpt

2007-11-19T12:47:00.000-08:00

The HarperCollins website has a new excerpt.

Friday, September 10, 9 p.m., Beauty and the Beast,
Lunt-Fontanne Theater, ladies' lounge

He hasn't called. I just checked with Mom.

I don't think it's completely fair of her to accuse me of believing the entire world revolves around my breakup with Michael. Because I don't. Really. How was I supposed to know she'd just gotten Rocky down for the night? She should turn off the ringer if he's turning into that much of a problem sleeper.

Anyway, there were no messages.

I guess I shouldn't have expected there to be. I mean, I checked on his flight, and he's not due to arrive in Japan for another fourteen hours.

And you aren't allowed to use cell phones or PDAs while you're actually in the air. At least, not for calls or text messaging.

Or answering e-mails.

But that's okay. Really, it is. He'll call.

He'll get my e-mail and then he'll call and we'll make up and everything will go back to the way it was.

It has to.

In the meantime, I just have to go on as if things were normal. Well, as normal as things can be while waiting to hear back from your boyfriend of two years with whom you've broken up, but to whom you sent an apology e-mail because you realized you were completely and unequivocably wrong.

Especially since if you don't get back together you know you'll only live a sort of half life and be destined to have a series of meaningless relationships with supermodels.

Oh, wait. That's my dad. Never mind.

But, you know. It's me, too. Minus the supermodels.

Watching Beauty and the Beast tonight with J.P. has made me realize how completely stupid I've been this past week.

Not that I hadn't realized it already. But the show has really driven it home.

Which is especially weird, since Michael and I have never exactly seen eye to eye on the theater. I mean, I could barely get Michael ever to go with me to see the kind of shows I like, which are primarily ones involving girls in hoop skirts and things that fly down from the ceiling of the theater (such as The Phantom of the Opera and Tarzan: The Musical).

And on the few occasions he DID go with me, he spent the whole time leaning over and whispering, “I can see why this show is closing. No guy would really stand around singing to a talking teapot about how much he likes some girl. You know that, don't you? And where is the full orchestra supposed to be coming from? I mean, they're in a dungeon. It just doesn't make any sense.”

Which I used to think actually ruined the whole experience. As did Michael's excusing himself every five minutes to go to the men's room on the pretense of having drunk too much water at dinner. But really he was just checking for World of Warcraft alerts on his cell phone.

But even though I'm having a nice time here with J.P. and all, I can't help wishing Michael were here to complain that Beauty and the Beast is just a cheesy Disney musical targeted at little kids, who are hardly discriminating viewers, and that the music's really bad and the whole thing is just to get the tourists to spend money on expensive T-shirts, sippy cups, and glossy theater programs.

It's especially sad he's not here, because I realized tonight that the story of Beauty and the Beast is really the story of Michael and me.

Not the beauty part (of course). And not the beast part, either.

But the part about two people who start out being friends and don't even realize they like each other until it's almost too late. . . .

That is totally us.

Except, of course, that Belle is smarter than I am. Like, would it really have mattered to Belle if the Beast, back before he ever held her captive in his castle, had hooked up with Judith Gershner, then failed to mention it?

No. Because that all happened BEFORE Belle and the Beast found each other. So what difference did it make?

Exactly: none.

I just can't believe how stupid I've been about all this. I swear, even as cheesy as it is—and, okay, I have to admit, I can see the cheese factor in it now—Beauty and the Beast has brought new clarity to my life.

Which shouldn't be all that surprising since it is, after all, a tale as old as time.

Anyway, I know in the past I've said my ideal man is one who can sit through an entire performance of Beauty and the Beast, the most romantic and beautiful story ever told, and not snicker in the wrong places (such as when the Beast is undergoing his onstage transformation into the Prince, or when the fake stuffed wolves come—well, they can't make them TOO scary, since there are little kids in the audience).

But now I realize that the only guy I've ever attended the show with who has passed that test is J.P. Reynolds-Abernathy the Fourth. He even—I couldn't help noticing— had a single tear trickling down his cheek during the scene where Belle valiantly exchanges her own life for her father's.

Michael has never cried during a Broadway show. Except in that scene where Tarzan's ape father is brutally murdered.

And that was only because he was laughing so hard.

But here's the thing: I'm starting to think that isn't necessarily a bad thing. I think guys just might be different from girls. Not just because they actually care about things like whether or not there'll ever be a Nightstalkers movie starring Jessica Biel reprising her role as Abby Whistler from Blade: Trinity.

Or because they think it's okay to sleep with Judith Gershner and never mention it to their girlfriend because it happened before they started going out....

Sounds like more Michael obsessing...

PD 9 Sneak Peek

2007-11-11T14:33:00.000-08:00

I just found a sneak peek of PD9 at Meg's UK site. Here it is below:

The Princess Diaries: To The Nines

Sunday, September 12, 12.30 p.m., the Lof t WHY DID I SAY OK????????????????? Why didn’t I say what I really felt, that I understand the part about having some growing up to do and spending some time apart . . . . . . but not the part about just being friends and seeing other people???? Why didn’t I say what I was thinking, which is that I’d rather DIE than be with anybody but him????? Why didn’t I tell him the truth????? And I KNOW it wouldn’t have made any difference, and I just would have come as exactly what he thinks I am – an immature little girl. But at least he wouldn’t think I’m OK with this. Because I am NOT OK with this. I will NEVER be OK with this. I don’t think I will ever be OK again. Monday, September 13, 8 a.m., the Lof t Mom came into my room just now to say she understands that I’m grieving about having lost the love of my life. She said she understands how upsetting it must have been to me to have experienced such a hideous breakup as well as the loss of my best friend in one week. She said she completely sympathizes with my plight, and appreciates that I feel the need to mourn my loss. She said she has tried to give me the time and freedom I need in order to grieve. But she said a whole day in bed is long enough. Also that she’s sick of seeing me in my Hello Kitty flannel pyjamas, which, if she isn’t mistaken, I haven’t changed out of since Saturday. Also that it’s time to get up, get dressed, and go to school. Of course I had no choice but to tell her the truth: That I am dying. Of course I know I’m not really dying. But why does it feel that way? I keep hoping it will all just . . . go away. But it won’t. It doesn’t. I keep hoping when I close my eyes and go to sleep, that when I open them again it will have all been a terrible nightmare. Only it never is. Every time I wake up, I’m still in my Hello Kitty pyjamas – the same ones I was wearing when Michael said he thought we should just go back to being friends – and WE’RE STILL BROKEN UP. Mom told me I’m not dying. Even after I had her feel my clammy palms and erratic pulse. Even when I showed her the whites of my eyes, which have gone noticeably yellow. Even when I showed her my tongue, which is basically white instead of a healthy pink. Even when I informed her that I went to wrongdiagnosis.com, and that it’s obvious I have meningitis. In which case, Mom said, I had better get dressed so she could take me to the emergency room. I knew then she’d called my bluff. So I just begged her to let me stay in bed for one more day. And she finally relented.

You can view it here.

I hate Mia Thermopolis!!!

2007-10-13T14:48:00.000-07:00

No, I don't hate Mia - she's great, despite her faults.

The 'I Hate Mia Thermopolis' site is now live - this is the website from the ninth book, Princess Mia, in which a mysterious person is writing horrible things about her on the Internet for everyone to see.

The site is a blog, and new entries may be added between now and the book's release.

Site URL: http://www.ihatemiathermopolis.com/

Larger PD9 Cover; Back cover blurb

2007-09-20T23:22:00.000-07:00

Meg has posted the new cover and the back cover blurb on the message boards.

Here is the part that's new:

~Heartbroken Princess Finds New Love~

From the New York Post:

Is it splitsville for New York’s own Princess Mia Thermopolis (of Genovia) and her longtime boyfriend Columbia University student—and commoner--Michael Moscovitz?

Moscovitz is rumored to have accepted a year-long appointment at a Japanese robotics firm in Suksuba, where he’ll be working on a top secret project.

If so, her Royal Highness doesn’t appear to be pining for her onetime love—or wasting any time getting back into the dating scene. Her former beau has already been replaced by a mystery man who accompanied the young royal to a performance of the long-running Broadway show Beauty and the Beast Friday evening. Undisclosed sources say that the young man is none other than John Paul Reynolds-Abernathy IV, son of the wealthy theater promoter and producer John Paul Reynolds-Abernathy III.

A fellow theater patron who observed the young couple in their private box asserted, “They certainly seemed cozy up there,” while another stated, “They make a very attractive couple. They’re both so tall and blonde.” 
When asked for a statement, a Genovian Palace spokesman has said, “We do not comment on the Princess’s personal life.”

The rest of it I've posted before. Can't wait to read it, though!

New PD9 Cover / Princess Diaries Yearbook 2008

2007-09-08T18:35:00.000-07:00

There is yet another PD9 cover - the new one is now red instead of pink, and has a star-shaped locket. Very Christmassy. Oh, and I had the release date wrong on the previous entry - it will be released December 26, 2007.

Anyway, the UK fans have something exclusive - the Princess Diaries Yearbook 2008 has been released this week. It contains an exclusive short story called Princess in a Panic. It's about how Mia loses her diary and fears that someone may be reading it. Not sure when it is supposed to take place - maybe between books 8 and 9.

Possibly final PD9 Cover

2007-08-19T16:39:00.000-07:00

There seems to be a new cover for Princess Diaries 9, Princess Mia. It is plain pink with a small tiara, the title of the book and an image of a locket to the right. The book will be released on December 29, 2007.

Cover for Princess Mia / New UK covers / Site

2007-07-23T20:31:00.001-07:00

Meg has posted the cover of the ninth book, Princess Mia, on her blog. Synopsis of the book also appears on her blog.

I will also post the cover here:

A larger one is on her blog. Anyway, about my site - I know the layout is rotten and I really want to change it and the site really needs an update (broken pictures, etc), but I have run out of disk space, and can't afford to upgrade. :-(

The UK versions of the entire series will receive new covers - they have big crowns on them with the title of the book inside the crown, and a colorful, busy background. You can see them on her official UK site.

PD2 Delete Scenes

2006-12-12T21:54:00.000-08:00

The PD2 Deleted Scenes pages are down. The host has been having major problems, and didn't even notify me of my outdated account info.

Anyway, I will upload them this weekend.

Valentine Princess Excerpt / PD8 Synopsis

2006-12-06T21:13:00.000-08:00

This blogger beta things sucks. I edited the last post, but it isn't working, so here is the PD8 synopsis from Barnes & Noble:

"In the latest addition to Meg Cabot's hit series, 'The Princess Diaries', Mia is now a junior in high school. She has completed her year as student body president and has made it thru Algebra and Geometry. And Michael is still her boyfrend. As Lana was a bit off about what college bos expect from their girlfriends, or else Michael (as we know) is just a great, out-of-the-ordinary guy. So life for Mia is finally settling down, right? Ermmm... no. First off, Mia decides a haircut is in order. How was she supposed to know that she would end up looking like a cotton swab? Then Lily decides that since Mia didn't turn over her student body president-ship as planned last year, she will just have to nominate Mia for a second term. But those are minor problems, although they sure don't seem like it to Mia when it is happening. Little does she know what major event is about to happen. Michael is leaving. For Japan. For a year. And he's excited. What nerve!He has a once-in-a-lifetime chance to work on a powerful robotics arm for surgeons to use to perform closed-chest open-heart surgery. Naturally, this throws a major, major wrench in Mia's plans. So, what is a Princess to do? Start making plans to get Michael to forget the whole robotics arm in Japan for a year deal, and stay happily close by, where Mia can keep him out of the clutches of all those hot Japanese women. Mia tries all the normal tricks first, coaxing, cajoling, pleading, crying, whining. Nothing works. Michael is determined to take this amazing opportunity, and will not be discouraged. So Mia decides to offer up the ultimate sacrifice and seduce Michael, with the hopes he will decide to stay. After all, he IS a college guy, and has to be tired of all those cold showers. Will Mia succeed, or will she 'chicken out'? What amazing move does Grandmere make to help Mia on her quest to 'save' Michael? What about Mia's 2 lab buddies? Will they muck up the picture a bit? Meg Cabot delivers yet another charming and hilarious peek into the life of unlikely princess of Genovia, Mia Thermopolis. Fans of The Princess Diaries will not be disappointed by this book arriving in January 2007"

You can also read the Valentine Princess excerpt at Meg's site.

2nd Princess on the Brink Excerpt

2006-12-06T20:50:00.000-08:00

Meg's site has been redesigned, and with it comes an excerpt of Princess on the Brink.

Here is a longer synopsis of the book...apparently Mia is going to use sex to keep Michael from going to Japan for a year...

"In the latest addition to Meg Cabot's hit series, 'The Princess Diaries', Mia is now a junior in high school. She has completed her year as student body president and has made it thru Algebra and Geometry. And Michael is still her boyfrend. As Lana was a bit off about what college boys expect from their girlfriends, or else Michael (as we know) is just a great, out-of-the-ordinary guy. So life for Mia is finally settling down, right? Ermmm... no. First off, Mia decides a haircut is in order. How was she supposed to know that she would end up looking like a cotton swab? Then Lily decides that since Mia didn't turn over her student body president-ship as planned last year, she will just have to nominate Mia for a second term. But those are minor problems, although they sure don't seem like it to Mia when it is happening. Little does she know what major event is about to happen. Michael is leaving. For Japan. For a year. And he's excited. What nerve!He has a once-in-a-lifetime chance to work on a powerful robotics arm for surgeons to use to perform closed-chest open-heart surgery. Naturally, this throws a major, major wrench in Mia's plans. So, what is a Princess to do? Start making plans to get Michael to forget the whole robotics arm in Japan for a year deal, and stay happily close by, where Mia can keep him out of the clutches of all those hot Japanese women. Mia tries all the normal tricks first, coaxing, cajoling, pleading, crying, whining. Nothing works. Michael is determined to take this amazing opportunity, and will not be discouraged. So Mia decides to offer up the ultimate sacrifice and seduce Michael, with the hopes he will decide to stay. After all, he IS a college guy, and has to be tired of all those cold showers. Will Mia succeed, or will she 'chicken out'? What amazing move does Grandmere make to help Mia on her quest to 'save' Michael? What about Mia's 2 lab buddies? Will they muck up the picture a bit? Meg Cabot delivers yet another charming and hilarious peek into the life of unlikely princess of Genovia, Mia Thermopolis. Fans of The Princess Diaries will not be disappointed by this book arriving in January 2007"

--Source: Barnes and Noble

Princess on the Brink/After Eight Excerpt

2006-10-12T17:03:00.000-07:00

Yay - an excerpt for Princess on the Brink/After Eight, found at Meg's UK site:

"The Princess Diaries: After Eight

THE PRINCESS DIARIES: AFTER EIGHT
Publishing on 5 January 2007

Tuesday, September 7, English

MIA!!!!! Aren’t you EXCITED??? It’s a whole new school year! We’re JUNIORS!!!! JUST ONE YEAR AWAY FROM RULING THE SCHOOL!!!! Oh, your hair looks great by the way. - T

Do you really think so, Tina? About my hair? Mom and I took Rocky to Astor Place Hairstylists yesterday for his first haircut, since it was the only place open, seeing as how it was Labor Day. He wouldn’t stop screaming bloody murder about it, so I volunteered to let them trim my hair first, to show him it didn’t hurt. I have to admit, I was kind of startled when they got the clippers out!

I think it’s great. You look just like Audrey Hepburn in Roman Holiday! What did Michael say when he saw it????

I haven’t seen him since I got back from Genovia. We’re meeting at Number One Noodle Son tonight though. I can’t WAIT!!! He says he has something VERY IMPORTANT he needs to tell me, that he can’t tell me over the phone or IM.

What do you think it is???? And Number One Noodle Son? That’s a little way out of his neighbourhood, isn’t it? Hasn’t he moved into the dorm yet?

No, not yet. Something about his housing. I think that’s what he wants to tell me. Maybe he’s getting his own apartment or something.

OH MY GOD!!! Can you imagine, if he had his own place????? No room-mates to burst in on you. And his own kitchen!!! He could make you romantic dinners!!!!!

I don’t KNOW if that’s what it is. He was very vague about it on the phone.

He’d better be getting his own place. What does he think, you’re going to make out at his parents’ place, in front of Lilly . . . not to mention his MOM????

Ha. Although Michael’s mom probably wouldn’t even notice, she spends so much time at his dad’s apartment.

Are the Drs Moscovitz getting back together???

I hope so! Michael says they’ve started ‘dating’. Each other!

Well, that’s better than if they were dating other people, I guess. Still, they might as well just get back together, in that case. Save money on rent. God, I’m glad my parents just ignore each other, like a normal couple.

Totally. Speaking of hair, what do you think of Lilly’s highlights?

She says J.P. prefers blondes. I don’t know. I never thought LILLY would be someone who’d change how she looks for a GUY. J.P. must be a total sexual dynamo.

TINA!!!! They haven’t Done It!!!!!

Oh. I just assumed.

OH MY GOD, WHY????

Well, he DID go to her place in Albany that weekend.

Whatever, that was just because his parents were checking out some summer stock companies upstate! If they’d Done It, she’d have told us. I mean, don’t you think she’d have told us?

She’d have told you, maybe. She’d never tell ME. Lilly thinks I’m a goody-two-shoes.

She does not!!!!

Yes, she does. But that’s OK. I AM a goody-two-shoes. I mean, I don’t even want to SEE It. Let alone Touch It. Could you imagine having one? I’d die. Do you think Lilly’s touched J.P.’s?

NO WAY!!!! She’d have told me. I mean, it’s true I haven’t seen her since I got back from Genovia for the summer. But still. She’d have told me if she’d . . . you know. At least I think so . . .

She touched Boris’s. WHAT????? Also AAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!! WHY DID YOU TELL ME THAT????????

Well, I didn’t want to know either!!!!! Boris told me!!!!

WHY DID HE TELL YOU THAT?????

Because of that book my aunt gave me – you know, Your Precious Gift.

Oh, right. That one about how your virginity is a precious gift that you should only give to the person you marry, because you can give it only once, and you don’t want to give it to someone who won’t value it.

Yeah. Only the book doesn’t say anything about what you’re supposed to do if after you marry the person you find out that he’s gay, something you might have known before you went to all the expense of a wedding if you hadn’t waited. But whatever. Boris saw the book on my shelf and was worried I might be upset that Lilly had touched it before I did. Even though he’s still, you know. A virgin. It was touching.

Did she touch it OVER or UNDER the pants?

Under.

I’m sorry, Tina. I know Boris is your boyfriend. But I am totally going to throw up now.

I know. Let’s face it, Mia. You and I are going to be the Last Virgins at Albert Einstein High.

Wow. That sounds like the title of a book.

You should totally write it!!!! THE LAST VIRGINS.

- Two girls cursed with Israeli-trained bodyguards, paid by their fathers to protect their daughters’ Precious Gifts . . . with their lives!

No man shall know them – UNTIL PROM NIGHT!!!!

Oops, Sperry’s looking this way. I guess we should pay attention. So you have any idea what she’s talking about?

Who cares? This is way more interesting.

Totally. So . . . you really think she’s touched J.P.’s too?

I already told you! I think they full on Did It!

No. She’d have told me. Don’t you think she’d have told me?

You’re the one who’s know her since first grade or whatever. Only you would know the answer to that. But she IS blonde now.

Hey! I’m blonde! And I still have my Precious Gift!

Oh yeah. Sorry. I forget."

From Meg Cabot's UK Site

After Eight Cover

2006-08-27T18:58:00.000-07:00

For some reason the cover for After Eight wasn't included, so here it is:

Valentine Princess Summary / UK Cover

2006-08-27T18:48:00.000-07:00

Here is a summary for Valentine Princess, and the cover that will be released in the UK:

When Princess Mia finds one of her old diaries, she's taken back to her first ever Valentine's Day with Michael ...Grandmere's personal astrologer has predicted that Mia will find long-term happiness with a Leo. But it cannot be true. Michael is a Capricorn! Now Mia has to make sure her first Valentine's Day with Michael is totally perfect. Then the terrible truth comes out: Michael doesn't even believe in Valentine's Day! Can Mia convert her Valentine Hater boyfriend in just two days - and prove their love is written in the stars?

Here is the cover for The Princess Diaies: In Love:

Sweet Sixteen Princess Excerpt / Valentine Princess Cover

2006-05-22T22:48:00.000-07:00

This was posted a while ago, but Meg has posted an excerpt of Sweet Sixteen Princess, which will be released Tuesday, May 23:

Sweet 16 Sneak Peek

Also, here is the cover for the next novella, Valentine Princess:

Princess on the Brink cover

2006-04-29T22:00:00.000-07:00

Here is the cover for the eighth book in the series, Princess on the Brink:

Here is a summary for the book:

It's the start of a new school term - and trouble's already brewing for one disaster-prone princess. On top of Mrs. Martinez daring to suggest that Mia's 'not ready' for Advanced Creative Writing, Grandmere is being booted out of the Plaza during renovations. Can any other hotel in the world live up to Grandmere's standards? As if! But Mia's problems fade to nothing when she hears the most terrible news of all. Michael might be moving...to Japan! Can Mia's perfect prince really love her if he can go away for a year? Or is being halfway around the world from Mia just what Michael needs right now?

It will be released in late December of 2006. You can read more about it at
Meg's Blog.

Archives Fixed

2006-04-05T18:38:00.000-07:00

I just realized that the archives were not working properly, so I have fixed it. You can now view previous posts, including the first post. The first post for this blog will lead you to the blog I have with Tripod, which contains even older posts that might be of interest.

Synopsis of PD 8

2006-04-05T18:26:00.000-07:00

I am sure all of you know that Party Princess was released last Tuesday. I was browsing the Party Princess message boards at Meg's Book Club and found the synopsis for the next full-length novel:

Synopsis of princess Diares Eight:

It's the start of a new school term - and trouble's already brewing for one disaster-prone princess. On top of Mrs Martinez daring to suggest that Mia's 'not ready' for Advanced Creative Writing, Grandmere is being booted out of the Plaza during renovations. Can any other hotel in the world live up to Grandmere's standards[unk] As if! But Mia's problems fade to nothing when she hears the most terrible news of all. Michael has been accepted on a year-long computer science course ...in Japan! Can Mia's perfect prince really love her if he can go away for a year? Or is being halfway around the world just what Michael needs right now?

You can read the thread here, which includes a poll (you can only vote if you register and sign in).

Party Princess Excerpt / PD 8 Title

2006-03-05T00:19:00.000-08:00

Meg has finally posted an excerpt of Party Princess. Read it here.

The title of the eighth book will be Princess on the Brink.

Seventh Heaven / Party Princess Excerpt

2006-02-01T09:37:00.000-08:00

Meg's UK site has an excerpt of the seventh book.

Seventh Heaven / Party Princess Excerpt.

Also, in her latest blog entry, Meg has said that the Princess Diaries series will end with book 12. The seventh book will be released next month, and since one full-length novel is released per year, that means we have about five more years of The Princess Diaries. The 12th book will take place during Mia's final semester of her senior year in high school.

New Layout

2006-01-21T19:06:00.000-08:00

Not much PD news to report, but I have finally created a new layout. It launches in a pop-up window and utilizes frames - navigation might be a little annoying, but not completely impossible - just do a right-click on any page and choose 'Back' from the menu. I will add 'Back' and 'Home' links to all pages next week.