Everybody Got Their Something

So I totally forgot to mention it before--but yesterday was my book-deal anniversary. Four years ago, on 02.04.2004, I was returning a rental car to John Wayne Airport (yes, there is even a huge bronze statue of The Duke in baggage claim) when my then agent called with the news. 

And then--

And then everything goes sort of foggy. I remember lots of squealing and excitement (me) the mention of "St. Martin's Press" and "two-book deal" (him) followed by even louder squealing (me) and then "maybe you should pull over?" (him again).

By the time I made it the drop off point, those poor Avis guys didn't know what to make of me. And after telling my husband and calling my mom, I grew very quite and still, wondering if I should tell anyone else, afraid of breaking the spell since it all seemed surreal. After months of rejections, frustration, and loads of self-doubt, I finally got to that one single "yes!" And even though it's a moment I'll never forget, I didn't feel comfortable spreading the word until I saw it in print.

I can still be like that when it comes to good news, wanting to keep it close, not tell anyone until all the papers are signed. Mostly because--well-- I'm not really sure why. I don't even know where that came from, though I'm blaming my mom. (Hi mom!) And I've no idea how many times my friends and family have heard me say, "Omigod! You'll never believe what just happened--but don't tell anyone--I don't want to jinx it!"

My husband says that the power of "the jinx" is all in my mind. And while I'm sure he's right--what if he's not?

I just can't take that chance.

What about you?  Are you afraid of jinxing things? Or do you just shout it from the roof tops before the print's even dried?

*And, just a reminder--I'm giving away a signed copy of EVERMORE Here!

*And, it's the last day to sign up for signed copies of Ally Carter's awesome books Here!

*Oh, and I'm also blogging HERE today, so if you want, stop by and tell me if you'd want psychic powers, and what you would do with them!

Have a good day everyone!

Release Day Activities

So yesterday was one of those really great days! You know the kind where you just wake up happy, stay that way throughout, and then go to bed with a smile on your face?

It was pretty much like that!

I guess because it was EVERMORE's official release day, which, let's face it, release day is always pretty exciting, but still, this one was a little more so than usual. I heard from so many excited readers via Myspace, Facebook, my bulletin board, e-mail--I could hardly believe it! (You guys read fast and your kind words mean the world to me! And yes, I will get back to all of you soon!). Not to mention all those awesome teen bloggers who were nice enough to interview me (links in blog posts below and more to come!). And then of course, there's the YA author community in general which is so warm, friendly, and supportive--I'm proud to be a part of it!

Oh, and speaking of cool YA authors, the uber cool Melissa Walker sent me this photo of EVERMORE taken at the B&N in Union Square:

Seriously, how sweet is she?

But the other part of what made the day so great-- is that I got to do a few of my favorite things like: hit the bookstores!! I love bookstores. Always have. I even have this recurring fantasy of owning a little bookstore in a location so remote, with so few  customers, I get to sit at my unused cash register all day and just read!! My husband who, luckily, is a little more practical, business minded, and left-brained than me, assures me this particular fantasy should not be acted on. Anyway, back to the bookstores, well, it didn't really go as I'd planned, so here's the report: some of the B&Ns didn't even get their EVERMORE copies yet! (Gasp!)  Though they assured me they have bunches on order and expect them to arrive "any day now." And then some of the Border's had already either sold out (!) and/or only had one left, but since they're supposed to order more, I'll definitely check back and sign then! And since the area I just happened to be trolling had no independents, I'll be checking in on those later this week! 

So, not really getting the signing fix I was after, I moved on to my mom's where I foisted stacks and stacks of bookmarks on her before heading out to a Mexican restaurant for dinner, which, seriously now, is there anything better than that guacamole they make right at your table?

I think not.

And by the time I finally made it home, eager to watch the season 7 disc 5 Buffy DVD that Netflix had so kindly sent me, I found that my awesome editor had sent me this:

That's EVERMORE in the Feb/Mar issue of Justine magazine- chosen as a Page Turner pick! Squee!!

And then after watching The Spike Show, er, Buffy (oh, Spike how I love thee!), I checked my Amazon numbers one last time (I know, I know, but I just can't help myself!) and saw that EVERMORE was in the top 25 books in teen Sci-Fi--

and that's when I went to bed happy!

Oh, and for those of you wanting to get your hands on a signed copy, stop by Stephanie Kuehnert's blog where later today she's kindly featuring me as a Woman Who Rocks (trust me, Stephanie's the one who rocks!), and giving away a copy of EVERMORE to one random commenter! 

And speaking of signed copies--don't forget to stop by Free Book Friday Teens for your chance to hear the Ally Carter interview and win one of 4 signed copies of her phenomenal GALLAGHER GIRLS books!

That's it for now--have a good day everyone!