Win ALL FIVE *SIGNED* copies of the Breathless Books!

This contest is now over. Thank you for entering! 

I had such an amazing time on tour--I'm working on uploading photos now--and I loved meeting everyone so much that I wanted to share the awesome with you guys, my wonderful blog readers.

So, I forced asked all the girls on the tour to sign copies of their books, and so today, I am pleased to announce one of my biggest contests ever: signed copies of ALL FIVE of the Breathless Reads books!

As you know, I'm a fan of all these books. But here's my super-short reasoning for why you want each one:

• THE ETERNAL ONES by Kiersten Miller is a fast-paced, adventurious love story that involves reincarnation, secret societies, and fire.
• THE REPLACEMENT by Brenna Yovanoff is a hauntingly beautiful book that scares the pants off me.
• NIGHTSHADE by Andrea Cremer is not about werewolves--it's about true wolves that can shapeshift into people written by a brilliant scholar who incorporate history into the tale.
• MATCHED by Allie Condie shows us that love can break through any barrier, and the most important thing is to not go gently...
• ACROSS THE UNIVERSE is the book that I wrote and I would really like it if you liked it. Also I think you're pretty and want to be friends with you.

To enter this contest, all I'd like you to do is to tell a friend about it. That's it. You can just lean over and tell  a random stranger about this contest, and we're kosher. But you can also tell people in different ways, and I am going to try to make it really easy for you.

YOU CAN BLOG ABOUT IT:

And I've made it simple--you can just cut the html code below, and paste it into a blog post, and the image will automatically load, including a link back to the contest! Note: The html code only works if you paste it into blogger on the "Edit HTML" tab, not the "Compose" tab. In the compose tab, you can resize the image however you want. You can also just copy and paste the image if you like.










<center><a href="http://bethrevis.blogspot.com/2011/03/win-all-five-signed-copies-of.html"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3PUGlUfYUF4GJxoMtfNGIlRXF-A4iD9aTH1YwdULRktLqxy2czQ1X5_De3HJmGdb_comVIiqesGNLDl7NWI8Tyv3Wg4YBgL5UcoFLQvywans975UTWOMSDpqa6M8OIeJYQ6nR-HobVer6/s1600/breathless-banner.jpg"></a></center>



YOU CAN TWEET ABOUT IT:
Tweet anything you like--as long as you use the #WinBreathless hashtag, I can find you and give you credit. To make it even easier on you, though, I'm adding a button here--all you have to do is push that button and the tweet will come up on your Twitter, already linked, hashtagged and ready to go! Edit: Apparently, the auto-tweet button won't work with links or tags--you can tweet it like it comes up here, or add the link yourself: html://tinyurl.com/winbreathless. Sorry for the trouble!

  This contest is now over. Thank you for entering! 

YOU CAN FACEBOOK ABOUT IT:
Just post a link to this contest on your Facebook. But first--go to the Breathless Reads page and, if you haven't yet, like them. This isn't a requirement, I just think it'd be nice to do it--since Penguin did put together the tour and everything, and this is a way of showing them you like the tour and the books. Anyway, if you like the Breathless Reads page, then when you post about it on Facebook, you can type @Breathless Reads in your post, and it will link back to them so that (a) other people can show Penguin their appreciation and (b) you're gonna make Penguin feel all kinds of warm and fuzzy that people are linking back to them and sharing the love.

And that's it!
Just spread the word in SOME way and you're entered! And if you spread the word in extra ways, you of course get extra entries :)

One rule--I can only ship to the US. I'm sorry! But five hardback copies of books are expensive to ship! I promise the next contest will be internationals. Also: make sure to fill out the form so I can count you! Contest is open from March 11-21. Winners announced March 21.

This contest is now over. Thank you for entering! 

Bookanista Feature: Kirsten Hubbard's LIKE MANDARIN

Today, we're celebrating the book birthday of LIKE MANDARIN by Kirsten Hubbard!

First, a little bit about the book:

LIKE MANDARIN is about a girl in a small western town, who wants a lot of things, but mostly, she wants to be like Mandarin, the rebellious, beautiful, untouchable girl of the town. The story's about friendship, love (of all kinds, but especially platonic and familial), bonds (to our families, whether we like it or not, to our friends, to our past, to where we're from, to who we are, whether we want to be that way or not). It's beautifully written, and just the sort of book that fans of contemporary YA such as John Green (PAPER TOWNS) or Kody Keplinger (THE DUFF) would love.

You can also enter to win a copy of the book here! Go now!

But today I'm not just going to tell you about this book. I'm also a part of the blog tour welcoming LIKE MANDARIN into the world, and so, without further ado...

In Like Mandarin, 14-year-old Grace Carpenter would give anything to be like Mandarin Ramey. Mandarin is seventeen, self-assured, irreverent and mysterious; the notorious wild girl of their small Wyoming town. 

From Grace:

Sure, maybe most of the attention Mandarin got was negative. But it wasn't the kind of disdainful brainfreak attention I got, when I got any at all. Hers was lust. And jealousy. Because even as they condemned her, every single girl wanted to be her.

               But nobody more than me.

I want to be beautiful like you, I thought, as if Mandarin were listening.

I want apricot skin and Pocahontas hair and eyes the color of tea. I want to be confident and detached and effortlessly sensual, and if promiscuity is part of the package, I will gladly follow your lead. All I know is I'm so tired of being inside my body.

I would give anything to be like Mandarin.

Grace's fascination with Mandarin borders on obsession. When they're paired together for a project, their explosive friendship rocks Grace's world – which makes Mandarin's betrayal even more devastating.

Was there somebody you would have given anything to be like when you were a teenager? 

And here's where I'm going to get a bit embarrassing...and I hope not too creepy. Because, honestly? If I could have been like anyone when I was a teenager, I would have wanted to be like Kirsten.

I didn't know it at the time, of course, because I didn't know who Kirsten was then. But in a lot of ways, I was like Grace (minus the beauty pageant background). I wasn't that confident in myself, and the only way I really defined my life was by what I wasn't. And what I wanted. And what I wanted, more than anything, was to travel fearlessly.

Now I have traveled rather a lot in my life--but I've not traveled like Kirsten. I mean, check out her bio!

Kirsten Hubbard has hiked ancient ruins in Cambodia, dived with wild dolphins in Belize (one totally looked her in the eye), slept in a Slovenian jail cell, and navigated the Wyoming badlands (without a compass) in search of transcendent backdrops for her novels. 

And don't forget the adventure she had in Belize that she wrote about for my Across the World tour (read more here). She says the sinkhole had mermaids and dude. I believe her. Because Kirsten's cool enough to know where the mermaids really are.

So, as cheesy as it sounds...the person I most wanted to be like when I was a teen (and today!) is Kirsten: an author, a fearless traveler who throws herself into adventure.

*sigh* I guess I'm just going to sit here in my coffee shop in my boring sweater and dream about being like Kirsten some more...

Want to find out what the other Bookanistas are raving about today?

• Elana Johnson devours Demonglass
  LiLa Roecker shines a light on Clarity
  Christine Fonseca joins The Liar Society - with giveaway
  Shelli Johannes-Wells swoons over Possum Summer
  Scott Tracey leaps for The Liar Society - with giveaway
  Myra McEntire invites Lisa & Laura Roecker into the fort
  Beth Revis hosts a blog tour stop for Like Mandarin
  Carolina Valdez Miller gushes over Imaginary Girls
  Bethany Wiggins falls for A Change of Heart
  Shana Silver is mad for Bad Taste in Boys
  Carrie Harris drinks in Bloodthirsty
  Sarah Frances Hardy loves The Liar Society
  Stasia Ward Kehoe wonders at Where She Went
  Veronica Rossi delights in Delirium

Salisbury, NC Event!

If you live in or around Salisbury (or if you don't and just want to come anyway), please stop by my booksigning this Saturday!

What: Book signing and Q&A for Across the Universe


When: Saturday, March 12, from 1:30-3:30

Where: The Literary Bookpost 110 South Main Street, Salisbury, NC

For more information, click here! I hope to see you there!!

There are Stories Everywhere

...and I sort of wish I could be a part of this one.

Here's The Thing: Don't Be A Jerk

So I disappeared for a week. Sorry. I do that near deadlines. *g*

And while I was gone, there was a whole mafia in the works! A YA Mafia!

By this point, there's really nothing I can add to the "debate," be that what it is. And if you're not sure even what the so-called YA Mafia is, click here for some links. That's where I first heard about it, anyway.

So, this post isn't really about the YA Mafia. Instead, it's a little bit about blogging/social networking because honestly? That's what it all comes down to (or at least, it seems that way to me).

Here's the best advice I can give to anyone about being online:

• Don't be a giant jerk
• Don't say something online that you wouldn't say to someone's face
• Really, just don't be a jerk

Story time! 

A few weeks ago, there was someone on Twitter (I won't say who) who was...being immature. She was being mean about an author and her book for the sake of being mean and shocking people in an effort to generate attention for herself. The author (whom I know) saw--and it hurt her feelings. This wasn't just a negative review--this was taking it to another level. A level that's usually reserved for mean school children on a playground. It was the equivalent of telling a rude joke at someone else's expense...and doing it over and over again for well over an hour in a public forum.

Neither I nor the author I know are in the YA Mafia because (a) I'm not cool enough to be an any mafia and (b) the YA Mafia isn't even real, y'all. This twit on Twitter (who is an aspiring author, btw) isn't blacklisted, this won't effect her chances of being published...nothing. But, honestly? If she does get a book published, it's highly unlikely that my writer friend will blurb her. Would you? And you know what--that's about as much power any author has over any other author's career. 

The only person who has any effect on your career as a writer or any other profession is you. This means, you have to write a good book to be published--that's all on you. This also means that if you create an online persona of someone who's difficult to work with and is, in short, a giant jerk, some people may not want to work with you. But that's all on you. And there's a difference between giving someone a critical negative review and being a giant jerk. If you don't know what that difference is, really, you should probably not be online. But it's your career and your decision. 

You might notice that I don't do negative reviews on this blog any more. Long time followers will know that (on very rare occasions) I've given a few negative reviews...and have since deleted them. There's a couple of reasons, but the main one is simply this: I've gotten to the point where I've realized that authors are real people, and many of them are real life friends. I can't separate my personal feelings from their professional work, so I'm just not doing any more negative reviews--but I will give shout-outs to friends' works and to works that I really truly love--in the same way that I'd promote any friend in any endeavor.

If you're worried about the YA Mafia and/or being blacklisted or whatever, just step back and ask yourself: am I being a giant jerk? No? Then you're good.

Writers for the Red Cross: Auction for AtU!

This week is going to be a little crazy for me, but I wanted to make sure you all knew about this charity organization: Writers for the Red Cross.

Throughout March, the WftRC will be holding daily auctions of prizes donated by writers. The first week (this week) includes signed books, consultations with publishing experts for aspiring authors, and more! It just keeps going every week after that--for a full schedule of the month's events, check here (and click through at the bottom of the page for pages of more auction items).

There are lots of ways to participate--not only can you bid on auctions for the items, but if you donate at least $25, you'll get a free book.

Now, there's a reason why I'm telling you all this, beyond just telling you about this great event in support of a great charity.

From March 1-6, you can bid on a signed hardcover copy of Across the Universe!

Check it out today--look through the great auctions going live tomorrow and later this week--and spread the word about this amazing charity event!

Breathless Tour: Raleigh Stop

My Favorite Things about the Raleigh City Stop:

• Seeing so many friends--
• I had a pile of former students there who I taught in high school and who are now going to my college, NCSU. I taught them well ;) It was just so so so so so wonderful to walk into the bookstore and see my old students there. I admit: I was a little teary-eyed. But I won't be telling them that!
• And I loved seeing my former roommates (hi Lori! hi Melissa!) showed up, as well as some great friends from college who I'd not seen in forever (hi Amber! hi Melissa! hi Lisa!)
• And meeting new friends--bloggers and readers and fellow writers!
• And, since this stop was so close to home...I was able to bring my mom! Don't tell her, but I liked having her around ;)

My Favorite Things about Quail Ridge Bookstore:

• Coming home! This was my home turf, y'all! I used to go to Quail Ridge when I had a little money saved in college, and wander around the store dreaming. And tonight I was there! It was AMAZING.
• The crowd. Was. WOW. We got to the event late--there was a bit of mix-up with our driver, and then traffic was terrible due to the hockey game. (Which meant we missed out on our one-on-one interviews :[ ) But when we walked in the door, we were FLOORED by how many people had come! It was such an amazing crowd! There were TONS of chairs...and they ran out of them! People were standing, sitting on the floor, leaning on bookcases!!! It was insane! And WONDERFUL.
• GREAT questions from both the moderators and the audience! I had to think on my feet a few times! I'm afraid, also, that I've lead them down the wrong path...I kept talking about exploding things, but that tends to happen more in Book 2. My mind is SO stuck in Book 2, though, that I'm starting to get everything muddled up!

Some WOW Moments:

• There was a beautiful bouquet of roses on the table. They were GORGEOUS. They were all different sorts--crimson, pink, orange, and--my fave--blue moon. When I sat down, I couldn't help but smell their lovely fragrance. And then the bookstore people told me those flowers were FOR ME! That my wonderful critique partner and friend, Christy, had sent them to me!!!! *died* I was so shocked and touched!!!
• Also, Extreme Reader brought us custom-made individual beaded bookmarks that matched our books. Stunning beautiful!
• And have I mentioned seeing my students? And friends from college? Because I'm getting all sappy thinking about it again. I <3 you guys.
• After the event, Kiersten, Ally, Andrea, Brenna, and I (and my mom) all went back to the hotel for a late supper. There are three things that were amazing about that. (1) the truffle-oil flavored french fries, (2) the Nutella mousse cake, and (3) having dinner with these awesome ladies. I can't believe it's over. But this was truly a time I will never forget!

Buy Signed Books of All Members of the Tour from Quail Ridge Bookstore Here!

...and that's it. The end of my first book tour. I can't imagine there being anything more wonderful: it was filled with laughter, hugs, friends, and books.

TEN Signed Copies of THE LIAR SOCIETY!

So, you know how I've been saying you need to get pink? That was no joke, my friends! Today it is my pleasure to announce that we (Shannon, Elana, and I) are launching a contest in celebration of THE LIAR SOCIETY---and YOU are the ones who'll win.

Win what, you ask?

Why, you can win one of TEN signed copies of THE LIAR SOCIETY!

To enter, all you have to do is one (or both!) of the following:

1. Tweet! Use the hashtag #liarsociety (so we can find you). If you have pinkified your avatar in some way, you get an extra entry. We'll randomly be selecting one hashtag user Monday through Friday next week. (PS: @ reply @landlroecker and they'll pink your hair FOR you. So no excuses.)
2. Blog! Just put our button for THE LIAR SOCIETY somewhere on your blog, preferably front and center where it's easy to spot. And we made that easy for you, too--just copy and paste the code under the button and it'll show up in your blog easy-peasy, all linked up and ready to go.

<center><a href="https://spreadsheets.google.com/viewform?formkey=dHZNRHllNzdUSjg4YmJjSERPZDNlWFE6MQ"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwhyHGwlTUaVAFimNokjhUAEPNw2QQTadEuqgxzAMyEzu86fEdX3QeboJia77lbMnkTHHa7zUaNbr-oRmnLIGgjiyJKp4CAgvILV9H2VpqKeMs8Rz9rLuuAq6u4CyO9FZ6xyOGQyL1L5rl/s320/tls+button1.jpg" width="150”" height="150" /></a></center>

Don't forget to fill in the entry form here!

Questions? Ask 'em in the comment section! I'll be on the road this weekend, but I'll answer as soon as I can! To head off a few:

• America only (sorry!)
• Contest runs Monday-Friday next week (but feel free to put the button up/tweet earlier!)
• 2 winners per day--one from blogs, one from tweets

And speaking of being on the road...

TODAY, I am going to be a QUAIL RIDGE BOOKSTORE in Raleigh, NC, starting at 7pm, along with the other Breathless Reads girls! Hope you can come out and join me--and if not, don't worry...I've got another contest coming after this one to celebrate the Breathless Reads tour!

Resistance is Futile: Kim Can't Resist TLS

And that's it! The epic journey of TLS Fandom!

So who's the biggest The Liar Society fan? Could it be....YOU?!

Suzanne Becomes Obsessed: TLS Fandom, Part 4

At least Wednesday's over!!

As you can see, this is definitely a book worth obsessing over. And don't forget....get pink now in preparation for PRIZES next week!

Bookanista Feature: Lisa and Laura Roecker's THE LIAR SOCIETY

As if you couldn't guess already....this week, my Bookanista post is going to be all about Lisa and Laura Roecker's THE LIAR SOCIETY!

I was lucky enough to read an early draft of this novel and it is just as fun as the cover suggests. So, in case you've not heard of this novel (and how could you not have, given the pink flooding Twitter?) here's a quick summary: Kate is grieving the death of her bff when she suddenly gets an email...from said dead bff. That email launches her onto a search to find out what REALLY happened. Kate's not going to let anything stand in her way--bedecked in her inherited pearls from her bff, she is willing to tear apart the very foundation of her elite prep school to uncover the truth. Problem is, someone doesn't want that truth uncovered. Throw in a nerdy boy, a hot guy, and enough sass to merit the pink hair, and you've got a great story!

Things I loved about THE LIAR SOCIETY:

• Kate's voice. You hear over and over and over how important voice is to a novel. Well, wanna know what good voice looks like? Check out Kate.
• The little details. This is what makes a good novel great. It really is the small things, like Kate demanding a full-fat frap, her nickname for her frenemy, the smell of smoke...all those tiny little details make the story that much more vivid.
• A good mystery. You KNOW I love twists and turns and who-did-it-zomg-who-did-it!?!?!?! This book has all of that. AND MORE.

I hope the vids this week have done a lot to convince you to go out and pick up a copy! Get pink, photoshop (or dye!) your hair, and see you next week for some AWESOME SIGNED prizes! (YES! I SAID PRIZES!!!!)

Want to find out what the other Bookanistas are raving about today?

• Elana Johnson is tickled pink for The Liar Society
• LiLa Roecker is blown away by A Touch Mortal
• Shannon Messenger can’t lie about her love for The Liar Society
• Shelli Johannes-Wells burns for AngelFire
• Scott Tracey is more than a touch impressed with A Touch Mortal
• Myra McEntire is A Touch Mortal this week
• Beth Revis tells the truth about The Liar Society
• Christine Fonseca is leveled by Leverage
• Carolina Valdez Miller has tons to say about One
• Jessi Kirby soars for Across the Universe
• Jenn Hayley adores The Liar Society
• Shana Silver can’t imagine you not reading Imaginary Girls
• Katie Anderson wants to be Like Mandarin
• Matt Blackstone loves The Hate List
• Stasia Ward Kehoe falls head over heals for Fall for Anything
• Sarah Frances Hardy sings her praises for Mockingbird
• Veronica Rossi thinks Unearthly is otherworldly
• Michelle Hodkin champions A Dog's Way Home

Could *I* Be the Biggest Liar Society Fan?

There are many things you could do OTHER than watch this video. Take a walk. Play with some puppies. Bake cookies. Bake cookies and then send them to me (I like snickerdoodles).

Look, this isn't false modesty here. The other videos in the series are WAY awesomer than this one.

Fine.

Whatever.

Don't say I didn't warn you.



Told you so.

I'm gonna distract you from this video with the promise of PRIZES. Many, many, many prizes. Coming SOON. Get pink!

Biggest TLS Fan, Part Deux

OMG I AM DREADING WEDNESDAY.

Also: have you been on Twitter lately? Noticed the preponderance of pink hair? I'm just saying...you might want to explore some pink-ifying option in the NEAR future. There are PRIZES and such coming SOON....

Who's the Biggest Liar Society Fan, Part 1

I am dreading Wednesday, lemme tell you.

Ask Me Anything!

So....

Working on a deadline here.

BUT! I actually have ALL my posts for next week planned! HaHA! It involves pink (see picture below) but...they're planned!

But after that, I can foresee myself juggling actual need-to-do work (read: finishing edits on Book 2) and not-actually-necessary-to-do work (read: blogging). Which makes it the perfect time for me to do an "Ask Me Anything!" call out!

So, go ahead! Ask me anything! Leave questions in the comments, and I'll tackle them the week after next! If I'm still alive after edits.

PRIZE WINNERS & A Taste of What's Coming Next Week...

I'm dreading Wednesday. And that's all I'm saying. Oh, well, that and:

• Next week will be quite pink
• The week after will be quite prize-ful
• And if you have no idea why, click here.

Meanwhile, I do have prizes to give out! Last week, I posted about a contest for signed posters (TEN of them!) from the Breathless Reads tour! Well, I selected the TEN! winners, and they are:

1. Becky from Nebraska!
2. Katie from Texas!
3. Patty from Pennsylvania!
4. Anita from Alabama!
5. Andrea from Maryland!
6. Nicole from Florida!
7. Kay from Indiana!
8. Krystal from California!
9. Ashley from Ohio!
10. Lorena from Pennsylvania!

Bookanista Feature: Jackie Dolamore's MAGIC UNDER GLASS

I am, perhaps the last person on Earth to read MAGIC UNDER GLASS by Jackie Dolamore. But for today's Bookanista post, I wanted to feature this title, even if I am the last person on Earth to read it.

First: good news! The sequel to MAGIC UNDER GLASS will be out next year, titled MAGIC UNDER STONE. So, if you, like me, are late in reading this book, you also have a shorter time to wait for the sequel. And you're gonna want the sequel. 

A little about the plot of this book: Nimira is a music-hall girl from a foreign country, hoping to make a living as a dancer and singer. When a local sorcerer picks her out of the dance hall to work as a singer with his piano-playing automaton, Nim jumps at the chance to raise her status (and income). But the automaton isn't what he seems to be, and soon Nim finds herself trying to discover just what--or who--he is.

Thoughts on MAGIC UNDER GLASS:

• Lyrical writing: Nim's voice is careful and evenly paced in a style that reminds me of Laini Taylor's writing.
• Hard choices: Nim is in a truly hard position in society and in choosing which path she'll take, with more than one perfectly reasonable and viable option for her. 
• Detailed consequences: I don't want to give anything away, but that THING that happens to the automaton that involves SKIN was...ew. EW. And also: sad. So sad. 
• Hopeful end: This book doesn't end with a bow on top--but it does end with hope. I'm satisfied as a reader, but still very eager for the sequel.
• Strong protagonist: I liked Nim. I mean, I really liked her. I wanted to sit her down and talk to her. I wanted to help her decide what to do. I cheered and cried for her. She's definitely the kind of character I could get behind.

Want to find out what the other Bookanistas are raving about today?

• LiLa Roecker hosts a sunny tour stop for POSSUM SUMMER
• Christine Fonseca shares her Guestanista Post: The Lost Hero
• Shannon Messenger spotlights the cover of SO SILVER BRIGHT
• Scott Tracey is inspired by ANGELFIRE
• Michelle Hodkin toasts DEMONGLASS
• Beth Revis finds amazing MAGIC UNDER GLASS
• Carolina Valdez Miller uncovers WORDS IN THE DUST
• Megan Miranda leaps and shouts for THE LIAR SOCIETY           
• Bethany Wiggins glows for RUBY RED
• Shana Silver gets psyched about WITHER
• Jen Hayley raves about RAISED BY WOLVES
• Gretchen McNeil gushes over BLOOD AND FLOWERS
• Rosemary Clement-Moore revisits HOWL'S MOVING CASTLE
• Sarah Frances Hardy is nuts for THE NINTH WARD                     
• Matt Blackstone is loving THE HATE LIST
• Corrine Jackson delights in DIVERGENT
• Stasia Ward Kehoe celebrates THE LIAR SOCIETY

I May Have to Do This Tomorrow Just to Get Work Done

In Charlotte Tonight: Trends in YA Literature

If you're in the area, you're invited to an evening panel with authors, bloggers, and a literary agent!

What: WNBA Panel on YA Literature


When: Tuesday, February 15, from 6:30-8:00pm


Where: Quail Hollow Estates Clubhouse, off Park/Johnston Road, 7301 Quail Meadow Lane, Charlotte, NC


Who:

• Snow Wildsmith, moderator: A writer, book reviewer (mostly graphic novels), and former teen librarian. Snow has served on several YALSA committees: Great Graphic Novels for Teens, Popular Paperbacks for Young Adults, and the 2010 Printz Committee. http://www.linkedin.com/pub/snow-wildsmith/9/b1b/b98
• Tracey Adams: Tracey is a Children's and YA Literary Agent with Adams Literary. http://www.adamsliterary.com/aboutus/tracey/tracey.html
• Beth Revis: Beth's book Across the Universe (her first published work) was just released this month. She is a former high school teacher.http://www.bethrevis.com/
• Carrie Ryan: Carrie is the author of the YA trilogy The Forest of Hands and Teeth (a NYT Bestseller), The Dead Tossed Waves, and The Dark and Hollow Places (coming in March 2011). http://www.carrieryan.com/
• Lois Moss: Lois is a book blogger and photographer whose reviews and pictures can be found at Lotus Rising: http://lamoss.blogspot.com/.

Hope to see you there! There will be books available for purchase by both Carrie and myself, and it should be a pretty interesting discussion!

Breathless Tour: Salt Lake City Stop!

My Favorite Things about the Salt Lake City Stop:

• o.O <--My face when I saw how big the auditorium was, and then:
• O.o <--My face when I saw how many people filled up the auditorium.
• This one was mean, but I didn't intend it to be. One of the audience questions was, "Is it hard to get published?" and I burst out laughing like a hyena. I'm sorry, questioner! I wasn't laughing at you, I was laughing at me!!

My Favorite Things about Salt Lake City Library & The King's English Bookstore:

• What. A. Beautiful. Library. 
• It was kind of cool how I saw it--I missed it while driving in, and then the driver took us to the parking deck. When we exited the elevator, we were right in front of the library, and it was all shiny and pretty from the sun.
• Also: At the parking deck, as we were getting on the elevator, this girl walked out, tapping on her phone. It was totally Elana Johnson. So I said her name, she looked up, and we both started screaming and jumping up and down like crazy people.
• Tickets! The King's English gave out tickets (that looked like bookmarks) for people to organize the signing--I thought it was cool that they were so unique in this, and several people had their tickets signed. Very neat.

Some WOW Moments:

• ELANA FREAKING JOHNSON CAME TO THE SIGNING!
• HEATHER FREAKING ZUNDEL CAME TO THE SIGNING! 
• COLLEEN FREAKING HOUCK CAME TO THE SIGNING!
• Presents!!! (I am easily bought)
• Ally gave all the girls on the tour a BEAUTIFUL necklace with a charm that says "breathless" and a gem that matches our cover. Holy wow. 
• Heather gave me a boat from Thailand that has KOI FISH in it!!!
• Some wonderful charming girls who were just adorable gave all of us great bracelets that they made themselves--beads (color coordinated with our book covers) that said Aloha BR!

Buy Signed Books of All Members of the Tour from The King's English Here!

Don't Forget to Enter for a Signed Poster Here!

Meanwhile...if you were at the event and took pics, I'd love copies! Please email me--I'll post them here with a link to you, if you'd like. I have a feeling my mother won't believe any of this has actually happened unless I show her pictures :D

And don't forget: if you're tweeting, use #breathlesstour 

Next event: Raleigh, NC! Come to Quail Ridge Bookstore on February 25th from 7:00-10:00pm. Details here.