it's "P" Day!

Like the troops storming the beaches of Normandy, people will be storming their local bookstores (or online bookstore websites) to pick up their copy of...Paranormalcy!

Yes, the much-anticipated release by Kiersten White hits stores today! So give up your lunch break (like I am) and cross town (like I am) and pick up your copy! (like I am)

a total bust

Well, it looks as though my very first giveaway was a roaring success! (I like to live in Fantasyland, where things are much sweeter)

I would still like to give something away for those of you who were kind enough to click 'follow' on this blog, so I'll peruse my stack of books and find something you might want.  If anyone has any suggestions, let me know!

book festival...southern style!

So we constantly hear from those "other" authors (ya know, the published ones?) that networking and learning the craft are great assets for a writer to have. That we should be attending workshops and book signings and events every single chance we get. And I agree, as I'm sure most - if not all - of you do.

So this year, I'm hoping to attend my very first Book Festival! I happen to live about 4 hours from what is known as the largest independent book festival in the country, The Decatur Book Festival in Decatur, GA. It's held in September, full of authors and writers and author/writer supporters, and best of all? IT'S FREE! That's right, it's a completely free-to-the-public book festival. How cool is that?

Well it gets even cooler. Not only will there be a writer's conference on Friday afternoon - where you can attend FREE workshops! - but the opening keynote address this year will be given by none other than...Jonathan Franzen! Yes, that Jonathan Franzen (the guy from on the cover of TIME). Wow, Decatur. Wow.

So, if any of you happen to live nearby (or not but just absolutely love to drive for hours on end), head on over to Decatur, GA and join in what I'm sure is a really awesome weekend! Hopefully I'll see you there!  

it's giveaway time!

To the folks who pushed me over the double-digit followers mark, I salute you.

To those of you who have been here since the beginning (not that it's been that long), I say a hearty Thanks a Million!

And as promised (though not when promised, sorry), here is my FIRST BLOG GIVEAWAY!! That's right folks, I"m giving away something great, something I really enjoyed and is now time to pass on to someone else, something SIGNED...

And it is...

                                        

                                                        Meg Cabot's Airhead!!

Yay!! And remember, IT IS SIGNED! Double Yay!!

 I loved this book...it was so good, as is all of Ms. Cabot's works. 

So please, leave a comment and tell me, what's the thing about writing that scares you the most? Is it not knowing if you're good enough? Fear of failure? Fear of success (hey, some people have that, honestly)? Whatever it is, tell us...we won't judge.

And that's all you have to do. Just comment on this post sometime between now and midnight on Friday, August 27th, and you're in like Flynn! (And you get extra points if you tweet/blog/etc...if I happen to hit 20 followers before next Friday, I'll throw another book into the mix!)

I'll randomly pick a winner, and send you your winning! And thanks again to my few but loyal followers...you guys rock!

giveaway in sight

As promised...I'll be doing my first giveaway! It'll be something signed, just not sure what yet.

Hope to have it up tomorrow, so check back!

can you keep a secret?

If so, then you’ll have one more requirement under your belt when the Publication Fairy drops her dust on you.

Have you noticed on author blogs, tweets, etc. those posts titled something like “BIG NEWS I CAN’T SHARE YET!” or “SOMETHING MAJOR TO ANNOUNCE SOON!”? Then within the next day or so, those same bloggers are singing the high praises of their freshly-signed contracts? I’ve always wondered why the wait? Why do these people hold off on announcing their joyous successes?

Is it because all writers are nothing more than big teases, reveling in the torment those headlines cause their blog followers? Or maybe they just like to build suspense on their blogs to practice for their books? Or maybe it’s because they’re required to, by their new agent or editor or publishing house?

Any thoughts? Why do you guys think there’s a pause before shouting from the rooftops “I GOT AN AGENT/BOOK DEAL/CONTRACT!!”?

vacation...and a contest?

So as my previous post said, I’m on VACATION!!!

Hopefully I’m busy working on getting my new house in order, cleaning yards, and writing (since I’m writing this post before my vay-cay actually starts, who knows)…or at the very least not sitting in front of the TV watching a Cake Boss marathon (luv that show!).

I just wanted to throw this out there…and maybe The Universe will send some love my way...if by chance on Monday (8/9) when I’m officially back to real life I have double-digit followers…I’ll be holding my VERY FIRST GIVEAWAY!!

(Crowd cheers and applauds his generosity)

Seriously folks, if you know of anyone who may not mind clicking the “follow” button on my sidebar, send them on over…not sure yet what the giveaway will be (well, it’ll be a book – just not sure which one), but it will definitely be SIGNED…AND GOOD. I have several to choose from, so put the word out…and if by some Cosmic Interference I hit DOUBLE double digits (like, 20)…then I’ll give away even more!

So I’m going to start my VACATION now (don’t hate), but I’ll try to sneak in some blog time, too…have fun!