This is the time of year, of course, when catalogs flood my mailbox--everything from Archie McPhee's punching nuns to Eddie Bauer's cable knit sweaters.

But today, the mailbox held a different kind of catalog. A very special kind of catalog: the Bethany House Summer 2006 catalog.

As eagerly as Ralphie tore open his package holding the Little Orphan Annie Secret Decoder Pen, I tore open the package holding my catalog. And there it was, on pages 28 & 29: a two-page spread (two pages!) devoted to Waking Lazarus.

After ten seconds, I finally took a breath. Once more, after telling myself I'm getting used to the whole idea of being a published fiction author, I find myself positively giddy with another development. Hey, look! I want to yell to everyone. I'm in this catalog!

"Supernatural Suspense with a Jaw-Dropping Twist," the headline at the top of the spread says, and the bulleted copy tells me "T.L. Hines here establishes himself as a riveting storyteller readers won't be able to predict." Jaw-dropping twists and riveting storytelling. And they're saying that not just about any book, by my book.

And over there, on the side, is my ISBN number! My very own ISBN number! And an endcap merchandising kit! And a shelf-talker! And did I say before: a two-page spread in the catalog?

Robin Parrish, founder of InFuze Magazine and a first-time novelist himself, occupies pages 30 and 31 of the same catalog--and, I see, is just as excited to see himself listed there. (Robin's book, Relentless, and Waking Lazarus will be merchandised together--how cool is that?)

You won't get this cheddar-eatin' grin off my face for months.