Seven Years Ago

Okay, so it's Spring Break where I am. Yay! I don't work in the summer either, but for some reason, I am so much more productive during Spring Break. I get a lot of cleaning done, and I try to get a lot of words on the page.

Seven years ago this week, I began my third novel. It was titled Control Issues all the way until it was sold and renamed to Possession.

I can't always remember when I wrote certain sections or sometimes even whole books. But with Possession, I remember that Spring Break vividly. I'm pretty sure I ate cold cereal for every meal, sitting on the couch as I wrote, and wrote, and wrote.

I don't know how much I wrote during the week of Spring Break, but I know I started Possession on Monday, and 17 days later, I finished the rough draft. It was 90,000 words. (Take that NaNo!)

I didn't start querying it until 13 months later, because hey, I'm a "dirty drafter." I need lots of time to clean up my books before they're fit for anyone to see.

Anyway, my publishing journey over the past seven years has been twisty. Sometimes I feel like I'm on the right path and things are going in the direction I want. Other times, I feel like I've taken a lesser traveled path, and it's sort of dark on this side street.

Each trail, whether well-worn or choked with brambles, has been an adventure. I've tried different genres, I've tried collaborations, I've tried lots of things. And I'm excited to keep trying!

Where were you in the journey seven years ago?

It's Beginning...

So ABANDON comes out in just one week! ONE WEEK. I'm not hyperventilating with this release. I'm not on the edge of my seat with all my fingernails bitten to the quick. In fact, I've been pretty zen (see what I did there?) about the whole thing.

Sure, I have to prepare a speech for the launch party (at The King's English -- everyone is invited!) next week, and I have no idea what to do/say. Yes, there is a scavenger hunt devoted to the series that runs for 10 days, and I've prepared over 60 posts for that.

But today, it begins. On twitter, I'm putting up #POSSESSIONcatchup and #SURRENDERcatchup reminders of what happened in the first two books so you can be ready for the release of ABANDON next week.

So come join the party! I'll be posting pictures, reveals, trailers, and everything you need to be ready for ABANDON -- all in 140 characters or less.

Today, Do Something You'll REGRET

Dude, there are no words for this, and I think it fits nicely with the Insecure Writer's Support Group going on today (and every first Wednesday of the month). 

Covers can be controversial. Putting your writing out there for others to read can be enough to make you curl into the corner and rock yourself into a coma.

But there is a cover and a story, so I'll just lay it out for you.

About REGRET: Set in the world of Possession and Surrender, this riveting, original eBook reveals pieces of Jag’s mysterious past and the inner workings of the Resistance.

When Jag, the leader of the Resistance, goes missing during a mission, Indy feels like her heart might break. But as Jag’s second in command, she must put her feelings for him aside and take charge. With Jag in the Thinkers’ hands, the Resistance needs Indy’s smart strategy and calm leadership now more than ever. Indy knows that wherever Jag is, he’s counting on her to continue the fight.

But then Jag returns . . . with a girl named Vi.

Indy doesn’t know who this new girl is, or what she has to do with Jag’s disappearance, but she can see the way Jag looks at Vi, and it makes Indy’s heart stop cold. Now that Jag has returned with a new girl at his side, does Indy even have a place in the Resistance?

This eBook-exclusive story includes special excerpts from both Possession and Surrender.

That's right! I wrote that story, and you can read it on April 24! It's only available in digital format, and you can pre-order for your Kindle here and for your Nook here. (You don't have to buy a Kindle or Nook. You can download free apps for your phone, computer, or tablet. Kindle here and Nook here.)

Order today... I promise you won't REGRET it!

Also, because I can't help myself, I have to do an amazing giveaway to go along with this announcement. I have two of these, and you could win one...

I'm using Rafflecopter to collect entries, so you can do any of the following:
1. Pre-order REGRET (10 entries) Link here and here.
2. Like REGRET on Amazon (1 entry) Link here.
3. Like POSSESSION on Amazon (1 entry) Link here.
4. Like SURRENDER on Amazon (1 entry) Link here.
5. Tweet this blog post (1 entry) Click here.
6. Like the Possession by Elana Johnson fanpage on Facebook (1 entry)
7. Leave a comment on this post (1 entry)

Enter below.

a Rafflecopter giveaway
Enter for the next 48 hours only; contest closes at midnight Thursday.

Now, seriously. I didn't think I could ever love a cover as much as the butterfly in ice. But this? THIS? Yeah, I love this. (Insecure writer begone!) What do you think?

Ahh! Look at them together. *faints*

The YA Scavenger Hunt Is Coming...

Dude, so I'm participating in the Spring YA Scavenger Hunt, coming up on Thursday of this week. It's an amazing opportunity to meet new authors, find new books, AND win amazing prize packages of books!

I'm on the Red Team, and you will have an opportunity to win 20 books if you follow our loop. There is also a Blue Team and a Yellow Team. Go here for full details.

I'm giving away TWO copies of POSSESSION -- one as part of the 20-book main prize, and one if you can find my secret content on the Red Loop... so see if you can find it beginning Thursday, March 29 at Noon Pacific Time.*

And my secret content? It has to do with SURRENDER and The Insider's Case Files, a fantastic prize you can enter to win by following the instructions on this post, and reading the Official Rules on this page...

Hope you'll join us for the hunt!


*I will be blogging on Thursday this week, at Noon Pacific Time, and then revealing the winner of the Red Loop POSSESSION copy on Monday, April 2.

More marketing tips -- including joining together with groups like the YA Scavenger Hunt -- coming on Wednesday.

This, That, And Some More

Okay, so lots going on in my neck of the woods recently.

This: I moved my free short story, Insider Information, to my Facebook page only. In fact, my Facebook page is going to be the hub for all exciting book-related things--and there are some EXCITING things coming up! So you should be over there, liking that, if you haven't already.

That: Possession is a bargain book on Amazon right now. With the new paperback launching the new look of the series very soon, this is going to be the last time you can get a sparkly white cover. I would seriously love you forever if you bought it.

It's only $7.18 right now, and you can't even really go to McDonald's for that much. (Don't be a hater. You know I love the Bic Mac.)

If you already own Possession, maybe you'd consider buying it as a gift. No one has to know you got it for 60% off...

Some More: I have an ARC of STARTERS by Lissa Price! This is an amazing dystopian novel that comes out on Tuesday, March 13.

A quick synop: In the future, teens rent their bodies to seniors who want to be young again. One girl discovers her renter plans to do more than party--her body will commit murder, if her mind can't stop it.

If you'd like to win the ARC, just leave me a comment on this post.

So there you go! This, That, and Some More. What have you been up to lately? If there are exciting things, I better be getting an email!

Introducing... Twins!

This is like when your in-laws come to the hospital to see your new baby. And you have no makeup on and that thin hospital gown? Not a whole lot of coverage there. But you're just so happy to see them and show off the new addition to your family!

Well, here's my new baby...

And it's twins!

Up first, the paperback cover of POSSESSION got a redesign. WITH COLOR. And a new (uber-fantastic) font. AND an extra line on the tagline!

And for twin #2, SURRENDER received a matching design, just in time for the hardcover release, which is coming on June 5, 2012.

You can preorder these books now!

• POSSESSION paperback
• SURRENDER hardcover
• SURRENDER on Kindle

Of course, you can always get the POSSESSION hardcover (or POSSESSION on Kindle), which is still available in all its shiny whiteness.

I'm almost afraid to ask... But what do you think of the new covers? You can see them side by side (with my short story INSIDER INFORMATION -- oh my heck! It needs a new cover too!) on my newly designed website.

An Experiment I Want to Try, If Only I Weren't A Chicken

Okay, so prepare yourself for me to talk about my books again. I swear I'm not trying to spam you here on the blog. But if you don't want to read about my promotional stuff for POSSESSION, you can stop reading now.

No one will blame you.

So last year, about this time, I had bookmarks made for POSSESSION. And stickers. And jewelry. I was planning countdown giveaways each month from March - May. I had forms made for ARC requests and for people who wanted to host me on their blog for the release.

This year, I have nothing. None of that. Not one thing. (Okay, I do have an ARC request form. But that's it!)

Is this what happens to the second book? Is it "second child syndrome"?

I don't know, but I do know one thing. With POSSESSION, I didn't want to look back and go "I could've done more."

I can do that. I can look back and go, "I did everything I could've possibly done to ensure the success of my book."

With SURRENDER, I almost want to do the exact opposite. That's right. DO NOTHING. I want to see if it makes a difference. Does the blog tour really matter? Do people really care about stickers and bookmarks and jewelry? Will my sales be affected because I didn't answer five thousand interview questions?

I have a theory about what makes books sell, and I want to do this experiment to see if I'm right. But I am a huge chicken (which is ironic, because I'm terrified of all feathered animals. Especially ducks and chickens).

I'm not sure I can do it. I'm not sure I can just sit back and DO NOTHING. I keep putting it off, but I know that unless I make a commitment, eventually I'll DO SOMETHING.

So...should I commit to doing nothing? What do you think about promotion these days? Blog tours? Swag? All that jazz?

Talking To Teens -- And To You!

Okay, so I'm speaking to a group of junior high kids tomorrow. I'm pretty stoked about it, because I love talking to teens. They *get* me and my book--and they laugh at my jokes, even when they're not funny.

I'm taking copies of POSSESSION to sell for $10 (an ultra low price for a shiny hardcover. Hey, it's all about getting books in the hands of teens). I'll be signing them if the teens want.

So there's that. Dunno why I was impressed to tell you, but I was.

In addition to that, I am participating in NiNoCon, which is a Ninja Novel Con, a one-day awesome conference run by the awesome Ali Cross. I am doing a live query letter chat from 10 - 11 AM Mountain time on February 4. And you can submit your query for my shreddage... er, help. Yeah, help. Go here for details and to submit.

Go here to learn more about NiNoCon.

I don't really have a question for this post. Dangitall. Wait. What joke should I open with tomorrow?

Surrender, Surrender

Okay, first there's this:


You can click on that and listen while you read. You'll like it. (I KILL on this song on Guitar Hero. K-I-L-L.)

Second this:

It's hard to believe that my second book is coming out soon. Don't they look pretty next to each other?

Third, if you are a book blogger/reviewer, teacher, librarian, Simon & Schuster has SURRENDER on their Galley Grab now. This will be an e-galley.

If you're not any of those things (or if you are and don't want an e-galley), you can sign up to be considered for an ARC of SURRENDER by filling out this form.

Fourth, the POSSESSION paperback comes out on May 8. You can preorder here!

Fifth, this has all be promotional, so I'll just throw in that I dyed my hair a week or so ago and almost died when I saw that the dye was this funky blue/purple color. Upon closer inspection, I realized I'd bought the "blue black reflective" dye. My hair has a slight blue shimmer when viewed in the sun. I wish it was like this:

But I teach kindergarten, so...

Maybe in June. Maybe around JUNE 5. Maybe for the LAUNCH PARTY of SURRENDER on/near JUNE 5.

I'm looking forward to having SURRENDER out in the wild! I really loved writing this book, and I can't wait to share it with everyone.

What are you looking forward to?

INSIDER INFORMATION

*WARNING* Only read on if you're an Insider. (If you don't know what that means, well, then, yeah.)

Yesterday the YA Scavenger Hunt began. Author's secret content went live, including an exciting short story by none other than myself!

Dustin Hansen designed the cover! Isn't he a genius?

INSIDER INFORMATION: A Possession Short Story is available for FREE in all digital formats.

Click here to get it.

Click here to see Angela Corbett's exclusive part of the Scavenger Hunt, enter to win great prizes, and follow all the hunt action.

A Season of Thanksgiving

Okay, so November is one of my favorite months ever. It's not really because of Thanksgiving, but I do have a lot to be thankful for this year. My first book got published. I visited more cities this year (Phoenix, New York, Las Vegas, New Orleans, San Diego, and Denver) than I have in the past decade. No lie.

In addition to a few other big moments in my life, I signed with my agent in November.

Yeah, November is a great month.

And I've decided that you all get to benefit from my November love-fest. So, each Friday from now until the end of the year (skipping some holiday Fridays), I will be giving something away. Could be a book, or a piece of jewelry, or whatever.

Today's prize is a bar code ring and a bar code bracelet.

If you've read Possession, you know where these bar coded things come from. If you haven't read Possession, well, you should get on that. ;)

For the duration of this Thankful Giveaway, there's only one way to enter: through the Possession Facebook fanpage. You do NOT have to like the page to be entered (but I would love it if you'd like the page), but there will be activities associated with each giveaway.

To participate this time around, all you need to do is comment on the fanpage wall about what you're most thankful for right now. (Open from now until next Thursday night.) That's it. Then I'll know that you want to be entered to win the bar code jewelry.

Then, stay tuned to the fanpage for more happenings--every day, with giveaway announcements on Fridays.

Oh! And I'm giving away a signed hardcover of CROSSED. Click here to enter to win that.

So...what are you most thankful for right now?

It's an 800th Post Party!

Dude, so there are some exciting things afoot in the POSSESSION world. Also, this is my 800th post. EIGHT HUNDRED POSTS. I don't know whether I should be proud of this or hide in embarrassment that I've posted eight-freaking-hundred times. Jury's still out.

1. POSSESSION Book Battle! Crushing on Zenn or Jag? Are you a Goodie or a Baddie? Who will win in the POSSESSION saga? YOU get to decide--play the POSSESSION Book Battle on Facebook.

I'm so excited about this. I can't even tell you how often I go check the results, and it's only been live for 2 days! I am just that lame. I would love you forever (as if I don't already) if you'd go play just so I can have my daily hourly minutely fix of checking the poll results.

Good thing I get Facebook on my phone, so I can access this at work.

2. POSSESSION playlist on iTunes! Admit it, you want to know what songs inspire authors. I know I do. Music is a huge part of my writing life, and I have different playlists for each of my novels--and separate playlists I listen to while editing those novels.

You can check out the POSSESSION playlist, and maybe see if some of the songs inspire you in your writing!

3. POSSESSION Fall Tour! That's right, friends! I am leaving Utah! I hope the world is ready for this. Heck, I hope I'm ready for this. I do have about a trillion events right here in Utah, so if you're around, please see if you can come! (Or tell your teenagers, their teachers, librarians, etc.)

My fall schedule as of last night. (There are still a few things in the works.)
Utah RWA Meeting
Pitching to Agents & Editors
Saturday, September 17, 2011
Murrary Library, 10 AM
Click here for more information

Utah Valley University Book Academy
Blogging Basics
Thursday, October 6, 2011
Utah Valley University

Book Signing with authors Becca Fitzpatrick, Moira Young, and Michelle Hodkin
Tuesday, October 11
Provo City Library
550 North University Avenue
Provo, Utah 84601
7:00 PM

Book Signing/Panel with authors Tyler Whitesides and Amber Argyle
Saturday, October 15
Logan Library
255 North Main
Logan, UT 84321
2:00 PM

Book Signing with authors Kirsten Hubbard, Jessi Kirby, and John Corey Whaley
Wednesday, October 19
Mysterious Galaxy
7051 Clairemont Mesa Blvd. Suite #302
San Diego, CA 92111
7:00 PM

Book Signing with authors Kirsten Hubbard, Jessi Kirby, and John Corey Whaley
Thursday, October 20
Oceanside Barnes & Noble
2615 Vista Way
Oceanside, CA 92054
6:00 - 8:00 PM

Teaching Through Literature Discussions
Thursday, November 10
Alpine School District, Professional Development Center
575 N. 100 E.
American Fork, UT
4:00 - 6:30 PM

Provo Teen Book Festival with authors Ally Condie, Robison Wells, and Kristen Landon
Saturday, November 12
Provo City Library
550 North University Avenue
Provo, Utah 84601
12:00 - 5:00 PM

I think I'm most excited about meeting Becca Fitzpatrick and Michelle Hodkin and Moira Young. Or maybe the trip to California. Or maybe the Teen Book Festival--they're decorating like the world from POSSESSION!

Okay, maybe I'm just easily excitable.

I know POSSESSION is my book, and I'm the most excited about these things. Thanks for visiting today! I have some super-exciting things coming up in celebration of my 800th post--and they involve POSSESSION-inspired art. I'm hoping to put all the details together for a giveaway next week... Stay tuned!

Do you listen to music while writing? Do you attend author events? Am I pathetic for having so many blog posts? Wait. Don't answer that last one...

What You've Waited Your Whole Life To See

Oh, come on. Maybe not your whole life.

Without too much introduction, I give you THE POSSESSION TRAILER.

I am in love. Vania did an amazing job. Cora Kass, the actress, is fan-freaking-tastic. The hair. The messages! Ahhhh!

Watch.

Love.

Die.

Buy.

Read.

Die again.



So tell me. Does it make you more interested? If you've read POSSESSION, does it represent?

And when I saw the trailer last week, I got a sudden inspiration for a giveaway. See, the whole iPod giveaway is over now, and well, I'm just not complete without a giveaway going on. Stay tuned for more details!

Also, I have winners!

The winner of Zenn's approved iPod Shuffle is: Tom M Franklin! Email me, Tom, with your mailing address so I can get this to you! elanajohnson(at)gmail(dot)com.

The winner of yesterday's epic YA Scavenger Hunt of Awesome, POSSESSION prize package is: Martha Mendoza! Congrats--an email has been sent.

The Awesome Is Coming

Not the WriteOnCon awesome, because we already announced that whole win-$1000-thing. You missed it? Click here.

Not any of the awesome that was last week, what with all those ARC giveaways. I mean, that was cool, but... oh, I still owe you a winner for THE NEAR WITCH, yes?

Yes.

Okay, the winner is: TheJay2xA

Congrats! Email me at elanajohnson(at)gmail(dot)com with your email address and I'll get this in the mail.

And now onto the awesome that will be taking place next Monday, August 1. Colleen Houck, author of THE TIGER'S CURSE, has organized a scavenger hunt where YA authors are going to be unlocking the vault on some exclusive material for one day only. (Click here to see more details on Colleen's blog.)

That's right. 24 hours of awesome.

You'll get the day to go around the Interwebz and find all the cool stuff. Many authors are giving away prizes and books in conjunction with this amazing scavenger hunt, so be sure to come back here on Monday, August 1, and you can start the hunt from my blog.

You can also start the hunt from any of these author's blogs: YA authors Josephine Angelini, Angela Corbett, Andrea Cremer, Kady Cross, Heather Davis, Bree Despain, Clare Dunkle, Marley Gibson, Abbi Glines, Colleen Houck, Tara Hudson, Alexandra Monir, Lisa Nowak, Gregg Olsen, Amy Plum, Beth Revis, Lisa and Laura Roecker, Inara Scott, Sophie Jordan, Lani Woodland and more!

I'm not going to tell you what my super-sekrit part of the hunt will be, but I will say that there will be a POSSESSION-related prize!

So, guesses as to what my secret content will be? What "extra" would you like to see from authors?(Not just me.)

Goodgrounds Approved Contests from Zenn and Vi!

Yeah, so Zenn here. That's right, that Zenn. You know, Zenn Bower from Elana Johnson's POSSESSION.

I'm a Special Forces recruit for the Goodgrounds. I follow rules. And I make sure other people do too. Today I'm going to be discussing Goodgrounds approved items every Citizen is allowed.

1. Hats. Must be worn at all times to prevent dangerous sunlight from discoloring your skin.

2. Transmissions. Must be plugged in for the mandatory eight hours each night. A device, such as a projection screen, for sending e-comms is permissible.

3. ID cards. Must be carried at all times, regularly updated, and turned over when requested by the authorities.

4. Long-sleeved shirts. Must be worn at all times, no matter the season. Goodies are required to be covered from ankle to hip, wrist to shoulder, and everywhere in between.

To celebrate the rules, I'm giving away a Goodgrounds approved device: an iPod shuffle! All you have to do is comment here to win!

There are three ways to get extra entries, and you'll need to fill out the Google form to be counted for them.
1. Make a Resistance video. Examples are found here, and you can comm the videos to Elana (elanajohnson(at)gmail) to be used on the fansite.
2. Purchase POSSESSION from July 8 - July 31. Any retailer, any purchase (ebooks too) from now until the end of the month.
3. Leave a review of Possession. Write a review and post it on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, or Goodreads (or your favorite site) from July 8 - July 31.

This giveaway runs until July 31, and winners will be announced on Monday, August 1.

So. Are you a Goodgrounds approved?

Zenn, out.

----------

Yeah, Vi here. For my part of the contest, I'm going to be giving away a signed copy of Possession. But not here. That totally wouldn't make sense, because I don't want the Thinkers to know.

But I do want everyone to read the book.

So go over to Goodreads and enter to win over there.

Aaand, it looks like the Thinkers on GOODreads haven't approved the giveaway yet. Don't worry. We'll outsmart them. The contest runs until July 31, so you'll be able to slip in an entry once I have Jag hack into their system and approve the giveaway.

"Pending approval." Like that's gonna to happen. Oh... just got word: Jag is on it.

Goodreads Book Giveaway

Possession

by Elana Johnson

Giveaway ends July 31, 2011.


See the giveaway details
at Goodreads.

Enter to win

Exhaustion Is A Good Thing

Phew. Okay, so the POSSESSION party was amazing! You guys never cease to amaze me. From the winners on twitter, to the many questions in the forum, to the fun live chat, I had a total blast.

And I am now exhausted. But it's a good thing. It means I've done some work. I always feel like this after writing or editing too. So yeah. Exhaustion. It's a good thing.

Today, I'm just going to announce the winner of the prize package from yesterday. If you won, please email me at elanajohnson (at) gmail, so I can get your mailing address.

POSSESSION prize package: Amber! Congrats.

Also, if you left a question in the forum or on the chat, and we didn't get to it, I'll be answering those on my blog in the near future. And if you entered to win a prize package on the forum, those winners have been announced over there.

So. What exhausts you this fine Friday?

POSSESSION party!

Okay, so today is the virtual launch of POSSESSION! So many of you have helped to shape my journey thus far, and I wanted to celebrate with everyone, not just my friends and family here in Utah.

Thus, the POSSESSION online party was born!

Today, you can win any number of things, in any number of social medias.

1. Twitter: There will be three prize packages to be won on twitter today. Tweet using the hashtag #POSSESSIONparty from 8:30 - 9:30 AM Mountain time (10:30 AM Eastern). Then again from 12 - 1 PM (2 PM Eastern). And once more from 5 - 6 PM (7 PM Eastern).

The prizes for the twitter contests will include book and swag packages from the Elevensies, some Utah authors, and a dystopian package. Watch the #POSSESSIONparty thread for details.

2. Inside the Resistance fan site: There will be three prize packages to be won in the forums of the fan site. Each has it's own thread, and all you need to do is go over there and comment in the thread of the package you'd like to win.

Prizes include book and swag packages from the Bookanistas, the Elevensies, and a dystopian package.

Also, anyone who asks a question in the "All About Elana" forum will be entered to win:
1. A 30-minute Skype chat for your book club. (1 winner)
2. A 30-minute Skype chat for your writing group. (1 winner)
3. A 30-minute Skype chat for your classroom. (1 winner)
4. 15 winners will get to choose a song from the Vi song list, the Jag song list, or the Zenn song list.
5. All who post a question in the forum will get a swag package mailed to them. All you have to do is go to the "All About Elana" forum, ask a question, and then fill out the form in the "Claim Your Swag Package" thread.

Fansite website: http://www.insidetheresistance.com/

3. On the blog: Right here, right now, you can enter to win a POSSESSION package, with some Bookanista swag!

Prize package includes:

• Signed hardcover of POSSESSION
• Character items: sunglasses for Zenn, a choker for Jag, and a bar code bracelet for Vi.
• 2 “tagged” stickers
• Signed POSSESSION bookmark
• Signed ACROSS THE UNIVERSE (by Beth Revis) bookmark and bookplate, an ACROSS THE UNIVERSE trilogy pin
• Signed POSSESS (by Gretchen McNeil) bookmark and POSSESS-inspired temporary tattoo
• Signed LIKE MANDARIN (by Kirsten Hubbard) bookmark and postcard
• Signed TEXAS GOTHIC (by Rosemary Clement-Moore) bookmark
• Signed MOONGLASS (by Jessi Kirby) bookmark
• Signed AUDITION (by Stasia Kehoe) bookmark
• A SCARY SCENE IN A SCARY MOVIE (by Matt Blackstone) bookmark
• EMOTIONAL INTENSITY IN GIFTED STUDENTS and 101 SUCCESS SECRETS FOR GIFTED KIDS (by Christine Fonseca) bookmark

Just leave a comment here and be a follower, and you could win! This contest closes at midnight tonight (one day only!) and is open internationally.

4. Simon & Schuster UStream live chat: It's tonight at 7 PM Mountain (9 PM Eastern) here. You can log on and ask me questions or just chat!

Hope you'll come party with us all over the place today!

Virtual Launch Party

Okay, so if you want to come to an event and "meet" me, but you don't want to stand in this line...

My signing line at the live launch party = stretched to the street, and beyond!

Then the POSSESSION Virtual Launch Party is for you!

The details, as short and specific as I can get them:
1. Thursday, June 16.
2. All day.
3. There will be a post here on the blog for a prize package. You'll have to comment and follow to enter.
4. There will be 3 giveaways on Twitter, at random times during the day/night. (**I realize some of you aren't on twitter. Sorry. You can still enter the contest outlined in #3.)
5. We'll be tweeting with the hashtag #POSSESSIONparty for the prize packages. Watch the thread for the giveaways to begin and end! Winners will be drawn from that stream.
6. A keynote speech via vlog on the fansite.
7. A live chat on the Simon & Schuster UStream channel at 7 PM Mountain time (9 PM Eastern).
8. A forum where you can ask questions--every person who asks a question will be entered to win some amazing prizes! We're talking Skype chats for your book club, your classroom, and/or your writer's group. And songs that inspired Vi, Jag, and Zenn. And book prize packages! And swag! Lotsa swag.
9. Since POSSESSION is out, the forum is the place to talk about it! The characters, the world, and the ending. You know you want to talk about the ending...
10. Okay, I don't have a number 10. Wait, yes, I do. Go here and click on "Forum" to register so you can participate in the discussions, ask questions, and be entered to win the prizes!

Questions? Concerns? Let me know in the comments!

Authors Are Real People

Well, now that POSSESSION is out into the world, I hope you're ready to settle back into just, well, this.

"Never before have so many people with so little to say said so much to so few."

Exciting, I know.

I've been thinking a lot, and you all know what that leads to. That's right: blog posts.

Today's is about book reviews/feedback. See, now that my book is out there, I've been getting some feedback. Let me clear about a couple of things:

1. I don't read reviews. I'm too emotionally intense. If I think it will be a good review, I *might* click on it. Or if you're my friend, I *might* click on it. I'm grateful for all the reviews, good--bad--whatever, but I just can't stomach reading them. (Don't hate me!)

2. The Internet is virtual, but I'm still a real, live person.

That said, I've been getting feedback. This usually comes in the form of an email. And it's not all good. I'm not saying it has to be, but I'm wondering at what point do people realize that authors are, in fact, real people (as stated in #2 above)? At what point do you, as readers, keep from sending an email to an author, and instead just talk to your real, live friends about the book you may or may not have liked?

I don't want to discourage anyone from emailing me, ever. But surely readers understand how much work goes into a book. How many hours. How many buckets of tears, and countless sleepless nights, and maybe even 20 (okay fine, 25) extra pounds.

Readers do know that authors slave over their books, right?

I'm not saying they have to like it. I'm not even saying they shouldn't voice their opinions--whether positive or negative. I am a voracious reader, and when I love a book, that's when I *might* email an author.

So yeah. I don't know.

So what am I saying? I'm not really sure. Maybe just that I am a real person, too.

Do you view your "friends" on the Internet as real people? Do you view authors as breathing humans, with feelings and goals and families? Or has this virtual world made us less sensitive?

DON'T FORGET: The POSSESSION virtual launch party is this Thursday, June 16. Festivities are happening all day long here on my blog, on twitter, and on the fansite. Don't miss out!

Click me. I'll take you to the fansite.

Launch Day Madness: Picture Proof

Dude, holy bar coded cows! Yesterday was amazing. So many blog comments. So many twitter messages. I knew that if I didn't consciously decide to stay offline, I would feel this great need to respond to them all.

So I decided to stay offline for the most part. I appreciate the book birthday wishes and all the comments and everything. I did read them all.

Today, I present you with picture proof of what actually happens on your typical launch day.

Up first: tennis. Bright and early at 7 AM. This is me afterward, in my unshowered condition.

Next: breakfast. My husband with his hot chocolate. He was all like, "Take my picture with my face covered with cream." #keeper

Wha? It's BACON.

Yum.

After eating: the bookstore. In the window, at the local Barnes & Noble.

On the shelf at the local Barnes & Noble. It took a few minutes to find them, and I was seriously getting nervous. But there they are!! I didn't cry, for the record.

Off the shelf at the local Barnes & Noble. I thought, "They have SIX copies! Yay!"

We shopped a bit, and were going up to buy the books, and I stopped short and said, "OH MY HECK, THAT'S MY BOOK." There was a whole display at the front of the store!! We'd walked right by it coming in. (We were focused on the Nook, in our defense.)

The whole family. My husband sold a copy to the girls taking our picture. I signed it. :)

After that, I went to the spa to get a hot stone pedicure. I got blue polish and butterfly decals!

Then: Dinner with writer friends!! Christine Fonseca, me, Jamie Harrington. One word: epic.

And my favorite: A card from my six-year-old daughter. I get a little teary when I see it, and I'm currently using it as a bookmark. <3

Tonight, I'm participating in the launch party of amazingness. There will be prize packages and talking and music and cookies. If you're in the area, please come! It's at The King's English (1511 S. 1500 E. in Salt Lake City). If you're not in the area, mark your calendars for the virtual launch party, which will take place on my fansite (www.insidetheresistance.com) on Thursday, June 16. All day, so be prepared!

Thank you again for all the well-wishes and whatnot. I swear I won't be blogging about my book forever.

Also, planning a release day takes time. What will you do on yours? Because you will have one. Oh, yes, you will.