News for me

So, this week is a big week for me. In a few days I have my first book signing! Hurrah! It's at a school in Utah - even though I don't live in Utah. Kind of a long story, but I have connections, and a school invited me to do an author presentation and then do a book signing. What could I do but say yes? :) It's not open to the public - sorry! - so I won't post any info online.

Next, I've got another review posted at Squeaky Clean Reads. I was thrilled with this review. Honestly, I worked pretty hard to make my book a clean read, so I was beyond pleased that it got such a good rating. Check it out here. Leave a comment and agree with how amazing my book is. I will love you forever.

Also, the amazing folks at SQC are hosting a fabulous giveaway by yours truly. You can head over and enter the giveaway here. Spread the word.

Lastly, I have decided not to accept any more books for review. I have a stack (literally) of books that need read and reviewed and the Summer Reads Contest to judge. Besides that, I've got a book to promote and a sequel to write. I've got a very full plate. I have to be a little more picky with my time, and though I love reading and reviewing, it just has to take back seat for a few months. I'm sad about this decision, but I feel like if I want to have a chance at being a good wife/mother/author, something has to get cut.

Sad, but true. Pin It

YA New Summer Reads Competition

Don't forget! The YA New Summer Reads Competition will begin accepting submissions on April 15th. Hey, that's tomorrow!

From BookTwirps:

This competition is available to any book (published or self-published). The only stipulation is that it must be published between January 1 and August 1, 2011. Also, only the author, author’s agent or author’s publisher may submit the book.

Since this is the first year of the competition, our resources are a bit limited, so we will only be accepting novels in the following categories:

* Contemporary Teen Fiction & Teen Romance
* Paranormal/Fantasy & Dystopian Teen Fiction

1. Submissions will begin April 15 and go through April 30, 2011.
2. A maximum of 50 entries will be accepted in each category
3. The judges will begin reading excerpts on May 1
4. The top 5 in each category will be announced on May 22. These 5 will move on to the final round.
5. The top 5 authors MUST send a copy of their book to each judge. The book must be received by June 1.
6. The winners in each category will be announced on August 1.
7. Each judge will post their review of the winning book on their site, as well as here on Book Twirps, Good Reads, Amazon, Barnes & Noble and LibraryThing.
8. Each judge will also host a Q&A with the winning author in the category they judged on their blog, and also host any giveaways the author would like to participate in.

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So if you've published a novel between January 1 and August 1, 2011, run over to BookTwirps and check out the submission requirements. (And while you're there, you might as well Meet the Judges.) If you've recently read a great book you think could win it all, contact the author or publisher and let them know about the contest.

Spreading the word couldn't hurt either. You never know what budding novelist reads your blog and could very well be the next big thing. Pin It

A couple of things.

First of all, I woke up this morning to a fantastic surprise! An email from fellow Author (with a capital A) - Allie Burke. She has a three-book series, The Enchanters, and I won book one of the series: Violet Midnight. I'm beyond thrilled. I've been wanting to read this book for a long time now.

Thanks Allie! (Check her out and give her some blog love.)

**

Second, I got a cool email today from O'Dell at BookTwirps. I've been picked as an official judge in the YA New Summer Reads Competition!

Authors - do you have a YA book released between January 1, 2011 and August 1, 2011? Then this is your chance! See the submission guidelines here. Good luck! I actually considered entering The Gifted, but since I'm a judge in the category, I think it wouldn't be too fair. :)

I'll keep you updated with progress and reminders. I'm very excited about this opportunity. It's an honor.

**

Third, I got a knock on the door tonight, and was presented with another surprise. In honor of my book release, my friend brought me a cake:

(I'm the cutie on the right. I didn't even photoshop this picture at all, so you get to see my big toothy grin.)

Isn't that amazing?! She even used the colors of my book cover and the copied the cover's embellishments. Wow! Now THIS is friendship. Can you see there are even pages and a book mark? She is so sweet and fantastic.

Thanks, M! You're amazing.

**

And lastly...


TOMORROW (3/28) IS RELEASE DAY!!!!!!!!!! (Insert never-ending happy dance here)

That means I'll be up until well after midnight tonight making sure everything runs smoothly and that The Gifted shows up on Amazon and on the estore via the publisher's website. Luckily, my sweetheart let me take a nap today while our little guy was asleep. And hey, if I get drowsy, I've always got cake to keep me occupied! :) (That and Firelight)

See, lots of really exciting stuff! Sorry I crammed it all into one post, I just didn't think I could wait on any one of them. Pin It