Fun Times

Hi all!

How’s fall treating you so far? (Or spring for those of you from the Southern Hemisphere.)

The book signing at Barnes & Noble’s Local Author Day went spectacularly well. Lots of folks showed up, much to my delight! *big squishy hugs*

I got to meet a writer friend whom I’ve known online for years but never met in person. What a nice treat! 

  
(There are some autographed copies available at Colonie Center’s B&N.)

My birthday was also fab. Got lots of books–YAY! AND I had a lovely time visiting the Adirondacks with Mom. 

   
   
  
Even more exciting is I’ve been working on a couple of writing projects. One is a YA contemporary with dueling POVs (point of views). Lana and Mason’s stories are raw and dark, but their perseverence is striking. And when they meet, sparks fly. The other, still in outline form, is a YA historical fantasy about a female privateer forced to fight the king of France in order to save her family. Work is slow on both projects, but it’s nice to be actively creating worlds and words again.

  
So what’s next? Well, in a couple of weeks I’ll be heading to Glens Falls for the Chronicle Book Fair. It’s on SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 8, 2015 from 11am-3pm.

   
 
I’ll be selling copies of The Zodiac Collector and Lore (a YA/NA anthology of folklore retellings). 

  
I’ll also have a fun “game” with prizes, as well as giveaways (limited quantity), and plenty of swag & chocolate. 

   
   
(Magic Star Dust) ⬆️

If you’re in the area, I’d love to see you! 

Hopefully my new banner will help you see me (I’ve got a stand for it; fingers crossed I’ll know how to use it, lol!).

  

Local Author Event on Sept 19 at Colonie Center Barnes & Noble

Hi gang! *waves*

In three short weeks, I’ll be part of a local author event at Colonie Center’s Barnes & Noble, signing copies of The Zodiac Collector along with about ten other authors from the area. Their books range from children’s picture books, to young adult (like mine), and historical fiction. 

I know I can’t wait to meet more writers AND hang out with YOU.

So if you’re near the Albany area and would like to chat, get a signed copy of my book, or pick up some swag (can you say bookmarks, chocolate, and magic fairy dust?), please stop by Saturday, September 19, from 1-4 pm. 

   
   
   
 

Book Signing Fun

  

Last Saturday, I drove down to Kingston, NY for an author event at Barnes & Noble. It was my FIRST bookstore signing, and I had a blast! 

Thanks to Amie Borst and co-author Bethanie Borst (who penned the Scarily Ever Laughter series, Cinderskella, Litke Dead Riding Hood, and upcoming Snow Fright), myself and MG contemporary author Andrea Pyros got to host a successful event!

Lots of people showed up, kids and grown ups alike. It ended up being standing room only!

I did my FIRST READING EVER and it went really well. (Boy, was I nervous!) 

It was a total blast answering the kids’ questions and seeing how excited they were about reading. 

YAY! 

 Here’s our table, pre-swag:

  
Our books!:

  

The authors! (Left to right) Me, Amie Borst, Bethanie Borst, and Andrea Pyros: PS: I feel like a giant, lol! ;p

  

Holding our books:

The signing:   

I got signed copies too! 

   
 
Lots of organizations helped spread the word for the signing too, from WAMC (a local radio station), to Woodstock Radio, to AMC (where I used to work & still have privileges at), and to local papers from Poughkeepsie. Thank you!

   
 
My next signing will be Saturday, September 19 at Colonie Center Barnes & Noble for a local author event. There probably won’t be time for a reading, but it would be great to chat with you if you’re near by! 😉
Here’s a couple extra photos…

The Zodiac Collector with swag, including a knight to represent the Renaissance Faire, which is a prominent setting in the book: 
Zodiac charms and stardust from Zeena, The Zodiac Collector (the kids really liked this):  

Author Event on Sat June 27, B&N Kingston, NY!

 

If you’re anywhere near Kingston, NY on Saturday, June 27, please stop by the Barnes & Noble (1177 Ulster Ave, Kingston, NY 12401) to see me and two other semi-local, middle grade authors. 

I’ll be signing copies of my YA, The Zodiac Collector (it can cross over to middle grade), Amie & Bethanie Borst will be signing copies of Little Dead Riding Hood (Book Two in their Scarily Ever Laughter series), & Andrea Pyros will be signing copies of My Year of Epic Rock.

The signing goes from 1-3pm. There will be time for Q&A, signings, and chats. And there will definitely be some swag (including bookmarks, stickers, and magic star dust!!!!) and yummy goodies (can you say chocolate?)! 

We would love to see you! 

Here’s some more info about our books:

*** The event on Facebook ***

The Zodiac Collector

  

Little Dead Riding Hood

  

My Year of Epic Rock 

  

Hope to see you there! 🙂

Bookstock, Woodstock, VT

On Saturday, I traveled to Woodstock, VT to take part in Bookstock, a weekend festival dedicated to art and books. I joined some Spencer Hill Press peeps (author & editor Jennifer Carson, author & publicist Jennifer Allis Provost, & author & editor TJ Woolridge) and got my signing on. Since Zodiac isn’t officially released yet (it’s coming in September!), I signed ARCs. It was super fun chatting with readers & other authors (one press had turned classics like Shakespeare, Mary Shelley, Mark Twain, etc books’ into graphic novels–so cool!). I mean, who doesn’t like to talk about reading and books and writing?

My Drabbit friend, Julian, also had a fun time meeting & greeting readers. 😉

Have you been to book festivals? What’s your favorite aspect?

BEA Signing

I posted about my experience at BEA on YAtopia’s blog. In short, it was a TON OF FUN! There’s pics of me and some Spencer Hill folks, like the one below! 😉

Lessons from a Book Signing

Last Monday, I posted over at YAtopia. I thought I’d reprise the post here today in case you missed it. 😉

This past Saturday I had the opportunity to meet writer pal, Amie Borst, FACE TO FACE at one of her book signings for her debut novel, Cinderskella. Amie did a great job introducing her book, the story of how it came to be, and she even did voices for each character when she read the first chapter!

After the signing (I got an autographed copy!), we had the chance to chat. It’s no surprise that the publishing industry is fraught with rejection, but what we both agreed on was how important it is for writers and authors to band together. Sure, lots of writers and authors connect via social media and those relationships are invaluable, but meeting in person brings a whole new (and super awesome) aspect to the writing life. I mean, we get to know folks via their profiles, what they post on Twitter, FB, blogs, etc, but the spontaneous in vivo interaction isn’t there. When we meet in person, we get to “SQUEE!”, hug, chit chat, commiserate, and be real. It’s priceless.

What’s more? WE ALSO GET TO INTERACT WITH READERS! Seriously, how awesome is that?

I have to say, Amie inspired me that day. She showed me how important it is to get out there and be visible. She offered positive, encouraging support that renewed my conviction to continue writing. And she reminded me of the real reason I write: to share stories with others.

So, whether you are a writer or a reader, what’s your experience with book signings? Have you been? What’s your favorite part? What do you take away from interacting with the author?