Wednesday, February 27, 2013

You want *more* pictures??

Okay, so maybe you don't want more pictures, but you're getting them anyway because I don't believe I forgot to show you these from my launch party in Utah:



My awesome friend Sara Raasch (who recently sold an awesome book, by the way) made these lovely cupcakes for me. Yes, that is my MC from Pivot Point, Addie, on the cupcakes. Even cooler? She is facing one way on the chocolate/jr. mint cupcakes (that's right, my friend made me jr. mint cupcakes) and another way on the vanilla cupcakes. That was Sara's genius idea. Have I mentioned she's awesome?


Also, what party of mine wouldn't be complete without a bowl full of Junior Mints? Yum! Which reminds me of a story. I saved a box of Jr. Mints for the plane ride home. When I got on the plane, so excited to eat this treat I had resisted eating all week, I opened the box, and they were MELTED!! All of them stuck to the side of the box! It was tragic and heartbreaking. Ask Natalie Whipple, I was very upset about this occurrence (Gah! I don't know how to spell the word 'occurrence'. It took me four tries.) 

Monday, February 25, 2013

Picture Overload!!!

I'm finally home and getting back into my routine. The last week and half has been awesome! I've met so many fun people. Some of whom I've known online for a long time. So now is the time where I show you lots of pictures. All these pictures were actually taken by other people. I brought my camera but didn't take a single shot. I know, I'm weird.

So the day after my launch here in my hometown, I traveled to Utah where I signed in this really cool bookstore called The King's English. If you ever visit Salt Lake you should check out this bookstore because it's such a cute store with its different levels and stairs and seemingly hidden rooms. It's a bookstore that seems like it belongs in the pages of a book.
Photo courtesy of Jenny Weech (Thanks for taking pics, Jenny! And thanks for coming all that way to see me! You're awesome!)


This is me and my good friend, Michelle Davidson Argyle. I bought two of her books when I was in Utah and I can't wait to read them (The Breakaway and Pieces). And thanks for taking pics as well, Michelle!



Next I went down to Provo for a conference called LTUE. It was my fourth year going and I adore this conference. It has such a great mix of readers and authors and illustrators. And it just so happens that four of the thirteeners were with me (All our books coming out this year). They are some of my best friends, which always makes a conference that much more fun. From left to right Renee Collins (Relic), Jenn Johansson (Insomnia), Me, Natalie Whipple (Transparent).

And here are even more awesome people that were at the conference. Yes, I'm the floating head in the back. (Also, that floating head next to me is my best friend, Candi. And, as I'm searching pics, it's the only one I can find of us at the conference, Candi! Why did we not take more pictures together? Probably the same reason I brought a camera and never used it.....yes, laziness.)



Natalie Whipple almost won the award for taking the most awkward shots of me for these awesome pics:



But then I went to San Diego to sign with Kiersten White for her launch of Mind Games and the lovely Ava took this shot and totally won the prize:




I don't know if it was the angle or what, but that picture could be used by the next circus that comes through town. "Come see the giant woman, folks!"

This angle is a much better. Although Kiersten wins the prize for best mid-sentence expression. 

Also, I got to meet the lovely Cindy Pon. She is so nice and adorable. I've known her online for quite some time so it was great to finally meet her in person.

It was such an awesome week. I love authors. I love readers and librarians. Thanks to everyone who helped make my launch week amazing. 




Tuesday, February 19, 2013

YAppiest Day on Earth!!


Have you guys heard about the Disneyland author event?? I can't wait!! It's going to be so fun. You should totally come and hang out with us. Look at all the authors that are going to be there. I may be fangirling a little over here. :)

Here's the official announcement:



What’s better than books? Nothing! But rollercoasters come close. On Saturday, March 30, 2013, sixteen of your favorite young adult authors will put on their mouse ears for THE YAPPIEST DAY ON EARTH, the first (that we know of) YA Day at Disneyland. Bloggers, booksellers, librarians, and fans are invited to come spend the day riding with authors and chatting about current and upcoming releases. The event will culminate with a group signing at the Anabella Hotel, across the street from California Adventure.

To participate, meet the authors inside the gates of Disneyland at 8:00 AM on March 30th 
Or, join us at the book signing at 5:30 PM at the Anabella Hotel, 1030 W. Katella Ave. Those too far away to participate may order books to be autographed through Mysterious Galaxy’s website at http://mystgalaxy.com/.

The YAPPIEST roster include: Elise Allen, Carrie Arcos, Sean Beaudoin, Jennifer Bosworth, Martha Brockenbrough, Cecil Castellucci, Rachel Cohn, Kevin Emerson, Chris Howard, Lish McBride, Gretchen McNeil, Robin Mellom, Shannon Messenger, Cat Patrick, Kasie West, and Gabrielle Zevin.
The day will be tweeted live by participating authors and fans, using the hashtag #YAPPIEST.

Event Breakdown:
What: THE YAPPIEST DAY ON EARTH 

When: Saturday, March 30, 2013 
8:00 AM All YAPPIEST participants should meet inside the gates of Disneyland. Look for the authors in YAPPIEST T-shirts! 
4:45 PM All YAPPIEST author/reader groups should meet in front of the entrance to the Tomorrowland Monorail Station to ride/walk to the signing location 
5:30 – 7:30 PM Group Book Signing Anabella Hotel
1030 W. Katella Ave
Anaheim, CA, 92802
Phone: 714-905-1050 
Visit https://www.facebook.com/events/290371664423066/?ref=2 for more information.

Wednesday, February 13, 2013

Book Launches and Contest Winner!!


So, I'm tired. It's been a crazy two days. But an awesome two days!! I love you people. And I had soooo much fun at my book launches. Thanks to all those who came out. :) Here's just a few pictures (stolen from the people who posted on facebook. Post more pictures, everyone, because I need more) :)

This is a pic of me at my Fresno book launch watching my daughters sing/play the guitar. I was so proud. Can you tell by the smile on my face?


This is me and one of my dear friends and critique partners, Linda.



This is me at The King's English launch. I don't know I what I was saying here, but I'm sure it was awesome and important. 


I used to teach a class at church and this was one of my beautiful students. I loved seeing her. 

I loved seeing everyone. It was so fun. More pics in the next few days as people upload them.


So, on to the winner of my pre-order contest. The lucky number is  9 (as shown below)

Generate a random number between  and   = 9   

And, do you know who was slotted in the number 9 spot?? HANNAH!!! (I think I need whatever luck juice you're drinking) YAY!!! Congrats, Hannah! I'll email you details.

Monday, February 11, 2013

It's here.....finally

It's almost here. The day I've been looking forward to, anticipating, dreaming about for years. And now. I don't know what to do with myself. I've been going through a range of emotions over the last few weeks. They go something like this:

















Needless to say, I'm a mess. But a good mess! :) I'm so happy and grateful and a little bit in shock. Thank you, everyone for all the support. Tomorrow, my book is out in the world! Today is the last day to enter my pre-order contest. If you were planning to order Pivot Point anyway, this is a great way to have the possibility to win something! :)


Friday, February 8, 2013

Blog Tour!!!

So with less than a week until Pivot Point comes out, a blog tour is up and running. With it, comes a chance to win a copy of Pivot Point and see excerpts and reviews of the book! So you should check it out. :)

Go here to view all the sites participating. Click on the links provided for your chance to read excerpts and win prizes!! Yay!

Also, I added an appearances tab on my blog so you can keep updated on where I'll be and when in case....you know....you want to see me or anything. :)

And lastly, if you have already, or are planning, to pre order my book. Don't forget to enter this contest to win cool prizes, including a Nook or a full ms critique!

Monday, February 4, 2013

Super Bowl!....and the commercials.

Yes, I'm a football fan. And as a born and raised Californian, you might have guessed that I was rooting for the Niners last night. And by rooting I mean screaming at the television, yelling at the refs, jumping out of my seat on several occasions. I may or may not be more vocal than my husband when watching sports. I may or may not have found this out while watching my daughter's basketball game a couple weeks ago. But let's not go there. And let's not talk about the outcome of last night's game either. I'm still slightly upset about that. Let's talk about another aspect of the Super Bowl that I love: the commercials. I have my winners in several categories. So if you didn't get to see the commercials, here is my recap for you.

Most "made me want to write a new YA novel" goes to the Audi commercial:

Most "made my sister-in-law laugh for five minutes which made me laugh for five minutes" goes to the Doritos goat commercial:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p64TKy_huyk

Most "made me want to go buy a farm because I was super inspired" goes to the Dodge Ram commercial:

Most "made me laugh because it was funny and smart and I love Amy Poehler" goes to the Best Buy commercial:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=61fXa9hTowY

What were your favorite commercials??