Yes--the time has finally come for me to freak out tell you about some of the exciting things I have planned for the release of KEEPER OF THE LOST CITIES. Specifically the terrifying Launch Parties!
And yes--I mean parties plural. I figured, I was already worrying that no one would come to one launch party, so why not double the stress????? :)
No, really, what it came down to is that there's one Indie Book Store that not only holds a very special place in my heart, but is a large part of the reason KEEPER exists. So I couldn't imagine not doing my launch there. BUT, when I started telling SoCal friends and family that the launch would be in Arizona, well... lets just say they were less than happy with me (I'm now very glad I didn't have a destination wedding--it would not have gone over well).
SO, I'm doing TWO launches in TWO different states in ONE action packed week---and then probably collapsing or fleeing to Mexico. Should be good times!
Here are the details for both events:
SoCal Launch Party
When: Tuesday, October 2
Time: 6:30 pm
Where: Barnes & Noble Oceanside
2615 Vista WayOceanside,
CA 92054
760-529-0106
Changing Hands Launch Party
When: Saturday, October 6
Time: 5:00 pm
Where: Changing Hands Bookstore
6428 S McClintock DrTempe,
AZ 85283
480-730-0205
I really hope some of you guys can come. In fact, I will love you forever. Like, SERIOUSLY. You have no idea how many sleepless nights I've had about this:
SO, if you live in or near any of those areas I am begging hoping you'll decide to make me the happiest person ever (seriously, EVER) and come hang out.
There will be rambling! And nervous giggling! And awkward moments where I can't decide if I should hug or handshake so we do that sort of clumsy half step-dancy thing!
Who DOESN'T want to be there for all of that????????
And
since I am not above bribing you because I love you guys, there will also be exclusive swag and prizes! (Some pretty awesome things, if I do say so myself.) I'm also working on getting food and other yummy things. I'm not sure what the stores will allow, but I'll do what I can to have a few treats.
So mark those calendars! I'll update with any additional details as I figure them out and do my best to remind you guys (warning: I will probably be a bit obnoxious about this--I am SO SCARED no one will come). You can also find info on all my upcoming events on my
Appearances Page.
Hope to see some of you there!
Really quick, really random post today (sorry guys--been a crazy, CRAZY week!). In fact, I wasn't planning to post at all, but I had a winner to announce and some random things to tell you and celebrate and...yeah, it had to be writtern. Okay--here we go!
1) HUGE CONGRATULATIONS to the fabulous Natalie Whipple for selling not one, but TWO books! I find it hard to believe that you guys haven't already congratulated her--but if SOMEHOW you missed it, go HERE to join the celebration (and hey--she has a contest!) Oh, and Natalie--if you see this: HUGS! So happy for you. And so happy I can celebrate publicly with you now!
2) One of the questions I get ALL THE TIME is: how do I find critique partners? Well--WriteOnCon is helping you with that. Go HERE and find special forums and a matchmaking system to pair you with the CP of your dreams. Don't be shy. The forums will be open for a while, so there will be plenty of time to make sure you find people who "get you"
3) Speaking of WriteOnCon--we haz news. And no, it's NOT what you're expecting. A vlog is in the works (yes--more Shannon Shame. *sigh*) and an announcement will be taking place next week and EPICNESS will surely follow. Be excited guys. And in the meantime--don't hate me for being such a tease! (Well...you can hate me a little. I am rather enjoying leaving you in suspense)
4) I'm off to San Diego this weekend to celebrate my 7-year wedding anniversary (SEVEN years??? Where has the time gone????) and I will be *trying* to unplug as much as possible (though we all know I'm so going to hop on FB and Twitter occasionally. It's a sickness the hubs has learned to accept by now). So if you are waiting on an email from me--sorry, there will be a tiny bit more of a delay. But I WILL get back to you--I promise!
5) Last but not least--the FOREVER winner. Lots and lots of entries for this--and I seriously wish I could have given one to all of you. But I only have the one so...
*drumroll please*
The winner is...
Yay!
*tosses sparkles*
If that's you--PLEASE email me with your mailing address at packratx (at) hotmail (dot) com and I promise I will ship out your prize first thing next week.
For everyone else, have a wonderful, WONDERFUL weekend, and I promise I will have more awesome contests next week!
Yesterday was the first "Fall-ish" day here in Southern California. Gray, misty skies. Temperatures cold enough to require jeans and jackets (well...for us wimpy SoCal-ers at least. You cold climate types would probably be in tank tops).
And I couldn't help thinking all day:
I hope this lasts.I love Fall. Soup for dinner and heavy blankets in bed and all the stores smelling like cinnamon and selling pumpkin flavored treats. But it doesn't last very long over here. We get a few, scattered days where we put our wool coats and boots to good use. And the rest of the time it's hot and sunny and we walk around wondering if we're ever going to stop running our air conditioners. It can get a little frustrating.
Which is why I'm trying to adopt a new attitude:
celebrate now. I'm going to try to stop wishing I could have more or less than what I have at the moment, and just enjoy what I have right here, right now. Because nothing lasts in this complicated world--and that's actually a good thing. For every refreshingly crisp Fall day that I wish would last forever, there's a yucky humid, windy day that I can't wait to have over. Good things don't always last. But neither do the bad. So just enjoy the good when you have it and
celebrate now.
And I think the same thing applies to writing. We all have our days where we want to delete every last word, back over our computers with our car, and flee to Canada to start a new career as a Zamboni driver (okay, maybe the rest of you handle the bad days better than I do). But there's also many,
many days where the words are flowing and the characters have pulled me into their world and I can't ever imagine doing anything else--ever.
I'm going to embrace those days more--cling to them more, celebrate them more. So I have them ready to carry me through the bad.
So in that vein, I'm going to dust off my favorite pair of boots and head outside to enjoy SoCal's tiny sample of Fall. Maybe I'll even indulge in a pumpkin flavored treat--without even wondering how many calories are in it.
And then, I'm going to write. Because I'm celebrating now. I'll deal with what comes tomorrow when it happens.
Anyone else want to join me? What do you feel like celebrating?
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I know the fear of no one coming. You have a lot of friends though, so I bet you'll have a great turnout. So excited for you Shannon! Wish I lived near to you so I could come too.
If I could come, Shannon, I would. I live in North Dakota. If I still lived in Arizona (I grew up there), I would totally support you. I know how it feels to be SO scared nobody will show up. I did a book signing a month ago, and I was terrified. But you know what? It turned out way better than I thought. People showed, and I sold all my books. So you'll do great. Try not to worry, and I'll be with you in spirit cheering you on. :)
I'll be there in spirit!! LOL!! Awwww ENJOY and huge huge huge congratulations!! Take care
x
I actually can come to that-looking forward to picking up a SIGNED copy!!!!
Man oh man....wish I could be there!! You will rock it, I know. And those nerves? They will make you all the better and help you really shine...trust me. Goooooo Shannon!!!
YAY--THAT IS AWESOME! Can't wait to meet you! *dances* :)
You know I'll be there!! :) :) I'm putting it on my calendar...NOW!
Ohhhhh! How fun! I so wish I could be there! We have THE MOST AWESOME indie (just for kids and teens) bookstore in Minneapolis--WIld Rumpus Books. Come there! On a book tour maybe? It has real live animals (some of which are CATS) parading around the store. It's simply the best. store. ever.
Sorry, Arkansas is a little to far away. But I'll be thinking of you!!! (And ordering my own copy!)
OMG!!! You're coming into my area!!! OMG!!!
So cool! I wish I was closer!! I'd love to come.
I wish I lived near, so that I could come. It'd be so awesome to meet you in person!
Hi, Shannon! I wish I lived near one of your launch locations, because I would so be there. I'll be sending good thoughts your way. I'm sure both launches will be very successful! : )
Nice! But, unfortunately for you, EAST COAST FTW! Altough, most book stuff happens in California. or, if on the East side of the US, in Florida, or the South. It's really annoying. I mean, I live in MD, right next to DC actually. Why aren't there more signings and whatnot in DC?! I would totally make the 40-minute drive to DC. Anyway...
SO sorry I can't come - I really do want to :(
I'm going to do my best to make it to Oceanside. It's hard for me to get down that far on a school night, but I'll do everything I can to be there to celebrate with you!