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We're really excited about the movie Pixels. Aliens. ‘80s. Vintage video games. Peter Dinklage. This movie can straight up suck and we're still going to be happy watching Pac-Man confronted by his creator, Toru Iwatani.

So in true Quirk fashion, our brains start to spin out some weird (or possibly genius) ideas. In this case, what if vintage video games infiltrated literary classics? Hope you're ready, player one.

We know a doomed character when we read one. Of course, we would never be dense enough to go down that dark alley alone looking for clues, or decide to take a shower right after being chased through an old hotel. But is surviving a muder mystery really that easy? Inspired by the new anthology, Manhattan Mayhem, edited by Mary Higgins Clark, here's a flowchart to test your sluething metal and measure your chance of survival in a gritty murder mystery. 

Prison’s hard, yo! Just ask the ladies of Orange is the New Black who deal with kitchen wars, psycho guards, religious extremism, baby-mama drama, love feuds, back stabbing, manipulation, the SHU… 

Okay, so yes, they’re in prison for a reason and it’s supposed to be punishment but I think the prison library can do with some new books to keep these ladies sane—and teach a few of them a thing or two. So let’s smuggle in some books!—

(Er… Dear NSA, what I meant was I’m going to legally donate to the OITNB prison library for season 3, premiering this Friday.)

Ah, Hannibal Lecter. No other fictional murderer has captured the collective unconsciousness quite like Thomas Harris’s culinarily-inclined mastermind. What is it about sleek, erudite monster that makes him so indelible? Four novels, five films and a television show might have destroyed another character, or at the least made him over-exposed. Only classic nightmare fodder such as Dracula and Frankenstein’s monster seem to exist in that same rarified air as Hannibal, where repeated use does nothing to fade their own personal brand of darkness.

Part of Hannibal’s continued appeal must lie with the way Harris has chosen Hannibal’s antagonists. The women and men who go up against Hannibal Lechter are all formidable minds in their own right, and so Hannibal’s victories (and defeats) against them are always well-earned.

So how might Hannibal fare against some of the greatest detectives in literary history?

"It's like geek heaven, you gotta check it out!" — anonymous guy on his phone at our BEA/Bookcon booth, who basically gave us the best endorsement ever. 

We’re really excited to be publishing Sam Maggs’s first book, The Fangirl’s Guide to the Galaxy.  And not just because she appreciates the film Pacific Rim and understands when we say we have a “drift compatible” author / publisher relationship.

Although that is certainly part of it.

There’s a lot planned for this book’s debut. We made an AWESOME book trailer. We released an epic poster at New York Comic Con (that subsequently took on a life of its own on Tumblr); we revealed the cover on The Nerdist; we’re putting together a blog tour; and Sam is busy lining up epic appearances at conventions throughout Canada and here in the States.

But what about YOU? Well, we’ve put together a pre-order campaign, just for you Sam Maggs fans out there. Read on to find out how you can get signed bookplates, limited signed posters, and other awesome Fangirl swag.

NOTE FOR ALL PRE-ORDER-ERS: To enter, email a photo or a screenshot of your receipt to [email protected] with the subject line "Fangirl Pre-order." Make sure you send us your shipping address with your entry!

This campaign is open to US and Canada only. 

FIRST TIER: THE SIGNED BOOKPLATE

Fangirl Level: Squee!, Status: OPEN, UNLIMITED (Until Pub Date)

EVERYONE WHO ENTERS WINS THIS!

Want to get a signed bookplate to place in your brand new, shiny copy of The Fangirl’s Guide to the Galaxy? Pre-order a copy, email [email protected] with a screenshot of your receipt and the subject line "Fangirl Pre-order" and you'll receive a free, signed bookplate from Sam Maggs to sticker inside of your book!

On Twitter? Tell your friends you pre-ordered by using the hashtag #FangirlGuide! The more pre-orders that roll in, the more perks get unlocked!  

SECOND TIER: LIMITED FANGIRL BUTTON PACK

Fangirl Level: I Ship It, Status: UNLOCKED, 50 Packs Available!

UNLOCKED AT 25 PRE-ORDERS

A button pack of fangirl terminology, custom curated by Sam Maggs! These buttons read "I'm The Doctor, Not A Companion!" Each pack comes with five buttons.

Once open, the first 50 pre-order-ers will get a button pack, as well as a signed bookplate. Email [email protected] with a screenshot of your receipt and the subject line "Fangirl Pre-order," and keep tweeting with the hashtag #FangirlGuide! There are more perks to unlock!

THIRD TIER: LIMITED SIGNED POSTER

Fangirl Level: ZOMG!, Status: UNLOCKED, 200 Available!

UNLOCKED AT 50 PRE-ORDERS

Want a copy of The Fangirl’s Guide to the Galaxy poster, which features Sam Maggs’s Fangirl Manifesto on it? This poster took off on Tumblr, went quickly at New York Comic Con, and we’ve got a few left just for you!

The first 200 pre-orders to email a photo or a screenshot of their receipt to [email protected] with the subject line "Fangirl Pre-order" will receive a free, limited signed poster from Sam Maggs. And again, keep tweeting with that hashtag, you guys, Let’s unlock these bigger perks.

FOURTH & FINAL TIER: THE WONDER WOMAN

Fangirl Level: EPIC, Status: LOCKED, 1 Available

UNLOCKS AT 200 PRE-ORDERS

THE FINAL LEVEL! One lucky pre-order-er will score a special Fangirl’s Convention Survival Kit, curated by Sam Maggs. Inside, you’ll find everything pictured below. You’ll also get a pin pack, bookplate, and a signed poster.

Contents of the Fangirl’s Convention Survival Kit include: Strong Female Character Tote Bag, water bottle, poster tube, Cards Against Humanity, colorful Sharpies, sewing kit, hand sanitizer, hand moisturizer, and lip balm!

So come on, start sending us your entries! Email a photo or a screenshot of your receipt to [email protected] with your shipping address, and the subject line "Fangirl Pre-order." And don't forget to tweet with the hashtag #FangirlGuide.