Month: August 2018

This Is Not a Writing Post

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Surprising, I know.

Yes, there *are* some other things that occupy my day besides writing, wanting to write, thinking about writing, and Oreos. In fact, these things occupy *most* of my day because writing/eating Oreos is only something I can do in the evening, and maybe for an hour or so (sadly). So, what do I do with all my time?? Besides visiting my cubicle daily, I think these pics speak for themselves.

         

Yes, I like taking pictures of Appa. And rain. And yes, Batman and I go antiquing/thrift store shopping A LOT because you never know what kind of cool ass shit you’re going to find. Me, I relish in discovering a 1986 My Little Pony lunchbox for a whopping 2.50, whereas Batman is on the hunt for old-school vintage/retro videogames (believe me – he finds plenty). Sometimes we find them in thrift shops. Sometimes we find super creepy dolls.

What about you? What do you do in your free time? What are the pictures on your phone from?

*If you’re wondering about that car interior/inflatable Mario, I don’t always go into the game stops with Batman. He goes in and shops while I read posts from my writer groups. It’s a wild and crazy life we lead.

**Oh, and in the rear view mirror, the lady was driving with her door open. The. Entire. Ride.

Is This The Official “I’ve Made It” Moment?

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Something cool happened 😊

Besides the whole releasing-my-book-last-week thing (which was great and we’ll get to that in a minute), I had someone sign on as a new patron. For those who don’t remember the several two occasions I might have mentioned it, I’m on Patreon, a platform for patrons to support the artists they like, and in turn, get various rewards or goodies (most enjoy behind-the-scenes/extra content). And we, the artists, get to create and share our work with people we know will enjoy it and it helps keep the lights on. So. Win-win.

I’ve had two patrons for the last few months and they have been AWESOME. But now, someone I don’t know read my books and liked them enough to GIVE ME MONEY. Not only that, she sent me a message telling me she loved both BTT & BTN, was looking forward to BTY, and was really excited about the bonus content she signed on for.

Let’s review:

A person (I don’t know) wants to give me money so I can write more of what I love?

Is this the official “I’ve made it” moment? I can’t tell. I thought it would have been the release of Escape From Harrizel, or would it have been my first two patrons on here? GAH—I don’t know! But it feels awesome, and it’s going to kick my butt in gear to get my Patreon going the way I want. Guys—I got a new patron! And she’s already requesting certain scenes from different POVs! Which she can do! Click here to lurk in the shadows while you scour my Patreon page.

The book release: I think I sold a whopping 1 copy on the actual day, which is pretty reflective of the zero advertising I did. The good thing is that I can continue to advertise going forward while I prepare for the third book’s release in November and kick ass over at my Patreon page and maintain this lovely weekly blog and go to work, take care of Batman and Appa and have a social life. I GOT THIS. And if I don’t, I have wine, so, all is well. 😊

BUT GUYS I HAVE A NEW PATRON!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

More to come. 😊

(it’s today)

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Friday? Well, yeah, but not just that.

Rob’s birthday? Yeah, that too, but it’s not what I’m talking about.

The 229th day of the year? Dude, stop asking stupid questions. We all know what day it is. Let’s say it together, shall we?

IT’S RELEASE DAY MOTHERFUCKERSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS

By say, I meant scream, because that’s what I did. There’s no other (correct) way to announce your book release other than screaming it with definite use of profanity. Which is what I did, so, bravo to me. But YES to the few of you who know about the Better Than This series, book 2 releases today and picks up right where book 1 left off. That’s all I’m going to say. Go get it and read so we can dish and squee and obsess over all the things. 😊

Better Than Now can be found here.

With the talent show behind them, Autumn and Alex can finally begin their relationship. It took a school assignment, but they’ve managed to move beyond their awkward past to become one of the most popular—and gossiped-about—couples in school. Dating was supposed to be the easy part, but now that they’ve been plunged into the spotlight, Autumn isn’t sure she can keep up.

Things at home aren’t any better. Being grounded already sucks, but when her mom outright refuses the idea of Alex, things only get worse. It isn’t until a family secret is exposed that Autumn understands the depth of her mom’s disapproval, and the role it plays in her future with Alex.

With all the attention at school and her lack of support at home, Autumn fears for her relationship. She knows that for everything to work out, something drastic will have to change, and when it does, she’s faced with a choice that determines the rest of her life.

Goosebumps, guys. Goosebumps.

P.S. Happy birthday, Rob!

All The Reasons To Celebrate

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As you know (and has been previously stated) I’ve done shit for advertising BTN. We can all agree to this—yes? Good. With that said, I didn’t *totally *drop the ball because I did manage to get featured on Loni Townsend’s blog today AND I’m hosting the IRPR (Indie Reader’s Party Room) tomorrow from 6:30-9:30. Don’t remember? Probably because I only mentioned it that one time BUT I AM STILL DOING IT BECAUSE I KEEP MY PROMISES. And doing takeovers are fun 😊

So, what’s a takeover? (I think it’s when) I get control of the group/space (MUAHAHAHAHA!) and can steer the party wherever I want, hoping to interact with whoever (virtually) shows up. Since Better Than Now is releasing on Friday, one guess as to what I’m talking about. 😊 Yep. All themes based on high-school, musicians and first loves. Oh, and living in the early 2000s, which is when the first two books of the series takes place. So, if you’re feeling all share-y and want to dish about music and boys and high-school romances, come hang with me tomorrow. I’ll be here.

Other than that, TWO DAYS PEOPLE.

Seriously, though, where did the time go? Oh, and there are other writerly topics that I want to discuss but we’ll chat about them post BTN, okay?

Yay Loni Townsend’s blog today!

Yay IRPR host tomorrow!

Yay Better Than Now releases on 8/17! (AND it’s Rob’s birthday!) (AND it’s fucking Friday!)

ALL THE REASONS TO CELEBRATE!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊

It May Have Been My Stupid Brain

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Okay…

I had this whole other post about Amazon being terrible and glitchy and keeping my corporate-day-job-spirits down with their LIES. But, um, *cough* it may have been my stupid brain not looking in the right place. Maybe.

*looks at feet*

*glances away*

*hopes virtual blush isn’t sssssuuuuupppppeeerrr obvious*

It is good to know the lightbulb—be it delayed from time to time—comes on eventually because THANK GOD I didn’t send Amazon an email asking for something—now that I think about it—is pretty damn obvious. Hopefully I’ll remember this for BTY in November. I should. If I don’t, someone remind me that it’s pretty damn obvious where I need to look for pre-orders. Okay? You’re all in charge of that. Share the responsibility wisely.

For those of you who’ve ordered: thank you 😊 I can’t wait for you to read it!

One week, guys. One week from TODAY.

SEVEN DAYS.

(but the good kind. Not the kind where you die by a gross well-dwelling girl who needs a major haircut. Definitely not that kind.)

(Slight Melancholy) Squee!

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I’ve done shit for advertising BTN.

I know, because I don’t have a single pre-order, which is cool, except that it isn’t because it kind of sucks seeing absolutely zero interest after the first one released in May. Maybe I should be drinking while I write this.

*looks over shoulder*

Nevermind. Kitchen’s too far away and I’m comfortable. But no, the zero lack of sales isn’t what kept me from posting on Wednesday. It’s because 1.) it snuck up on me like always and 2.) I wasn’t really sure what to write about and oh, 3.) WE’RE WATCHING TWO EXTRA DOGS AND THEY WON’T STOP BARKING/WHINING. Well, one of them won’t. And when she does, she’s usually ripping something into shreds which means I must watch her AT ALL TIMES. That, or fall victim to the bark/whine orchestra that makes my eyes want to pop. So, we’ll just recap and say I wasn’t in much of a “writing mood” these past few days.

I’m still totally thrilled about BTN’s release next week (yep! Next week, folks! I mean, how did three months fly? #amiright?) but I’ve been a bit…melancholy over the whole thing. Not just the lack of sales *cough zero sales cough* but the pressure of everything, and how much I don’t know and everything is so much of a long shot that sometimes the whole thing feels…unattainable. It’s a terrible way to think but we all have these days.

Anywho, I know I’m going crazy and posting late on a Thursday, but I couldn’t let all of you three reading this not know that I was okay. I am, thank you for wondering. As always, I’m flattered. Better Than Now releases next Friday, August 17th (Rob’s birthday) and yeah, I’m excited about it. I also should do some kind of advertising but the good stuff costs money and like we’ve talked about on numerous occasions, releasing three books three months apart maybe wasn’t the best idea. Again, lesson learned.

But still, I’m super excited for the next chapter of Autumn and Alex’s relationship to be out there! (slight melancholy) squee!

How have you been? Anything exciting/fun happening in your neck of the woods?

I (Finally) Have A Link

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And here it is:

THE MOST AWESOME LINK EVER

Woop! This, my friends, will take you to the magical place where you can have Better Than Now sent to your reading device. It won’t appear until August 17th (Rob’s birthday) but STILL. You can get the book by clicking here. Right here. Or even here.

A quick recap is in order, yes?

Better Than This

Autumn Sommers wants to forget what happened on the bus. It’s been three years, but avoiding Alex Wolf has become standard, especially since everyone knows about his sketchbook—and the drawings of her inside. The incident followed them from junior-high and now, in their sophomore year, the two have been paired on a project.

Autumn just wants to get through it. She needs to maintain her grades to keep her terrible Aunt Milly from moving back in, but working with Alex might be impossible since they have to pretend to be a couple for their assignment. Forced to put their past on hold, the two focus on their fictitious relationship until the lines between real and fake get blurred, and they discover there might be some truth to the façade. But things have changed since seventh grade. Alex has a secret, and it could mean the end of their new friendship…and more.

After everything they’ve been through, Autumn isn’t sure she can go back to the way it was. With their project—and her heart—on the line, she’ll need to prepare for whatever happens, even if it means a return to silence with the boy she wants the most.

Better Than Now

With the talent show behind them, Autumn and Alex can finally begin their relationship. It took a school assignment, but they’ve managed to move beyond their awkward past to become one of the most popular—and gossiped-about—couples in school. Dating was supposed to be the easy part, but now that they’ve been plunged into the spotlight, Autumn isn’t sure she can keep up.

Things at home aren’t any better. Being grounded already sucks, but when her mom outright refuses the idea of Alex, things only get worse. It isn’t until a family secret is exposed that Autumn understands the depth of her mom’s disapproval, and the role it plays in her future with Alex.

With all the attention at school and her lack of support at home, Autumn fears for her relationship. She knows that for everything to work out, something drastic will have to change, and when it does, she’s faced with a choice that determines the rest of her life.

Woop! Two weeks, guys! I’m stoked. Are you stoked? Let’s be stoked together. Okay? So CLICK ME to pre-order Better Than Now and we’ll stoke like no one’s ever stoked before. It’ll be glorious.

Also: I won a tote from my online romance writer’s group (which is AWESOME) All The Kissing! Look how cool it is! Hands up for participating in the RWA online party 😊

Oh, and Happy Birthday, Ari!!!!!!!

This Friday, IWSG

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Guess what I’m doing this Friday? (besides, like, crying with excitement that the weekend is here, and wishing Ari a happy birthday (happy birthday, Ari!))

Give up?

I’m making my second book, Better Than Now AVAILABLE FOR PRE-ORDER, MOFOS!

*What?*Really?*No way!*You sure?*

Yeah. It’s pre-order time. Already. The time has come and good God does it fly. Like, wasn’t I just here babbling on about Better Than This? It feels like yesterday. May feels like yesterday. 2005 feels like yesterday and I don’t understand why I’m 32 and not 16. I digress.

AUGUST 3RD. This Friday. The Link. The legend. If you still need to read Better Than This, 1) yes, yes you do, and 2) it’s not terribly long, so you could probably catch up. Fast. Lightening fast. Just click here. For the rest of you who have read it, can we just take a moment and squeal together because GUYS I’m *so* excited for you to read this one. More banter. More guitars. More…steam. WINK. NUDGE.

*SQUEE*

All the excitement all over the place. 😊 Other than my coworker, Rob’s birthday, nothing crazy important is happening on Better Than Now’s release date: August 17th. For Better Than This, it was pretty much a national holiday: Deadpool 2 premiered. For Better Than You, it WILL be a national holiday (in my heart) because The Crimes of Grindelwald comes out. So, mark your calendar for BTN’s release and Rob’s birthday. It’s going to get crazy 😊

Has anything cool happened on your release days? Did you use it any marketing strategies? Asking for a friend.

Insecure Writer’s Support Group (IWSG) is a monthly blog hop for writers at all levels to share their fears and insecurities in a safe and encouraging place. Please drop by and say hi to Alex Cavanaugh who started this nifty concept in bringing us all together.

Also, I caught a fly in a water bottle the other day.

I think this definitively proves I’m a ninja.