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Monday, December 30, 2013

Happy New Years!

Hi my lovely readers!

A day late, but that's what happens when you're at holiday/football parties. But now I'm here!

So some updates on the two possible book readings. Unfortunately, I may have been a little too presumptuous with saying something could happen before I go back to school; nothing's happening. Also, it seems that the independent bookstore, The Raven, doesn't exactly hold book readings for young adult; I spoke with the manager today, and young adult readings aren't exactly popular in her store.

But there's still good news. The Raven has bought copies of my book, and according to the manager, they are now on sale (so for all my KU friends, go pick up a copy). Ms. Raak (the manager) also suggested calling back in a few months to see about doing a reading at the Lawrence library (which she suggested).

And as for the Bares and Noble, Mr. Thomas has received my book and availability dates. He's handing it off to some people and teachers to try to spread the word around while thinking up of how to do this event. I can't wait to see what's in store!

Weekly (Dis)likes:

Like 1: CHRISTMAS! I had a wonderful Christmas. My whole family went to Christmas Day mass, and then we spent the day at my grandparent's place opening gifts. Some highlight presents:

an electric teakettle
the latest Black Veil Brides CD
big buck gift cards to Barnes and Noble and Amazon
nice stud earrings
J.R.R Tolkien's complete Lord of the Rings trilogy (I've been meaning to read that. I hope it's good.)
a fancy schmancy makeup kit

This year's been hard, but this Christmas was fantastic. I wouldn't want to spend it with anyone else. :)

Like 2: After Christmas shopping. Got myself some nice little goodies, and I now have a dress to wear for my college graduation.

Like 3: Parties! My mom's friend Barbara had a party this Saturday at her beautiful house. There was delicious food and friendly people, and I had a really good time. And just yesterday the family hung out at the grandparent's place to watch football and snack on Hawaiian pizza.

Dislike 1: I go back to school this Thursday because classes start on Friday. Not that I hate Knox, but I just wish break was a little longer. :P

And quote!

"I'd rather be hated for who I am, than loved for who I am not." --Kurt Cobain

Bye bye,
Colleen

Sunday, December 22, 2013

Let's Do It Again (Maybe)

Hello Internet surfers. Hang ten, bro!

So, after last blog's hype about the release party/book signing, there's a chance for a few more (book signings, though, no parties). My grandpa was able to get me the contact info to the public relations guy from the Leawood Barnes and Noble. I wrote to him, asking about a possible reading, and he wrote back! Apparently, B&N schedules readings like six weeks in advance, so it won't be until March at least (during my Spring break), but still! Barnes and Noble! Big chain bookstore! How can I pass this up? Either way, he wrote that to start the whole thing off the process, he'd need a copy of my book and available dates for the reading. This week I drove over and delivered them. Haven't heard from him yet, but given it's the holidays, he's probably busy. I can wait. :)

A sooner possible prospect is another independent store. It's called The Raven Bookstore in Lawrence, and a good friend of mine from high school gave me the contact info for the owner. I sent her an email as well, but unlike B&N, I haven't heard from her. When it's been a week, I'll try calling her to talk just in case she didn't get my email.

Still on a hype from the book signing! YAY!!!

Weekly (Dis)Likes:

Like 1: Christmas is this week! Bring on the good times!

Like 2: My sister Allison is coming home tomorrow from studying abroad in Ecuador. It'll be so good to see her; I've missed her. She does have 33 hours and at least six planes she has to go through to get home, so here's praying she makes it here safe and sound.

Like 3: Look what I found at Barnes and Noble during the delivery:
Note the stack of books to the right. Either B&N didn't have much to put out, or people have bought all but the two here. I'm betting it's the latter. :)

Dislike 1: It's gotten really cold. I don't like the cold. :P

And quote!

"I learned that courage was not the absence of fear, but the triumph over it. The brave man is not he who does not feel afraid, but he who conquers that fear." -Nelson Mandela (God bless you, man.)

Bye,
Colleen

Saturday, December 14, 2013

The Book Release

So, of course, we have new concerning the fact my book's release, officially making me an author, and the release party on Dec. 3rd. How did it go?

IT. WAS. AWESOME!

We showed up, placed the food out, and I sat at the table the store owners had set up with plenty of books. A lot of people showed up, many people I haven't seen in ages (and it was so nice to see them all), and I signed so many books my elbow started cramping up from keeping it folded. In the middle of the party, I did a reading of the first chapter, and then a Q and A session, then finished up with more book signings. It went incredibly well, and I'm very pleased with how things turned out. Here's some pictures for those who couldn't come (this is the reason this is a bi-weekly blog; it took some time to get this all together):











More pictures and even video are possibly on the way.

Secondly, I'm thinking of doing more readings. My grandpa found some info on how to contact the local Barnes and Noble to ask for a signing. And a good friend of mine in Lawrence mentioned me to one of the independent bookstore owners; the owner was interested, so she gave my friend the store email address, which my friend gave to me. Haven't gotten anything back yet, but I hope something does.

Finally, we already have some reviews for SA! A Spanish blogger wrote about SA (my sister's currently on translating duty), and we have another review from INSERT DATA LINK HERE. Check them out!

Life is good. :)

Weekly (Dis)Likes:

Like 1: The release. I'm an author. :)

Like 2: The book release party. See above.

Like 3: The review. It makes my book sound so good.

Like 4: Birthday shopping with my grandmother. Me and my sisters have a tradition of doing this around our birthdays. Since I wasn't home for mine, I got to do it now, and now have some beautiful new cloths.

Dislike 1: It's getting cold. And I hate pointless cold. If there's snow on the ground, it's not pointless, but there is no snow, now is there?

And quote!

"Success comes from knowing that you did your best to become the best that you are capable of becoming." -John Wooden

Bye,
Colleen

Sunday, December 1, 2013

IT'S COMING!!!!

Oh my gosh it's almost here!

This Tuesday is, of course, THE BIG DAY!! I'm so excited, but so nervous. There's going to be family friends and school friends all coming...I hope everyone will have a good time. Meanwhile, we're looking up food recipes and finishing up the final details. Here's hoping for a good night!

And for the last time, don't forget to come to the SWAMP ANGEL release party on Dec. 3rd, at 6:30 pm at Mysteryscape! Hope to see a lot of people there!

Weekly (Dis)Likes

Like 1: Thanksgiving. Yum. And do you know that Thanksgiving and Hanukkah fall on the same day once every 79,000 years?

Like 2: My aunt and her family came visiting. So fun to see them all!

Like 3: My grandmother from Arizona is visiting as well. What a cool lady.

Like 4: Winter break started! Time to kick back and relax (mostly).

Dislike 1: Wasn't even home for a day, and I got an email from one of my future professors telling us already what books to get and 'recommending' that we should start reading. -_- It's called vacation for a reason.

Dislike 2: Mom giving me a new mission; basically, start checking out the employment office and basically signing up for all the interviews they offer. I know it's important if I want to get a job out from college and practice interviewing skills, but what's the point of interviewing for a job that you don't want or you don't have the qualifications to do? A English major can't work in, say, engineering for a company looking only for hands-on workers.

And quote!

"It is well to read everything of something, and something of everything." -Joseph Brodsky

See you at the party!

Colleen