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Monday, June 13, 2011

Christmas come early?

All right so that title may be a bit misleading... perhaps implying that Christmas has come early this year when, in fact, I'm asking (very politely I think) for it to come early because... are you ready... my release date has been moved to DECEMBER instead of October. So while this does mean more time for me to sit here and wait (Slightly impatiently) for my book to come out, it also means that my book will be out just in time for Christmas. So... looking for the perfect Christmas present this year? For your friend/spouse/child/relative/acquaintance/flat mate/stranger on the street? I have the perfect gift idea! You can buy them the new YA fiction book "The Break Up Artist"! What's that you say? I read your mind? Well I'm just trying to help you out. So you're welcome. Although really... if you wanted to get me a Christmas present you could just buy my book and call it even. I definitely won't mind.

So, we now have a new release date but I know what you're thinking yet again, "Shannen, why would you go through the effort of creating an entire blog post for just one little bit of news when you usually take 4 months to update your blog?" Well my friends, I will answer you by saying that first, this one little bit of news is pretty important. Second, I'm surprised this is the question you're asking when I can obviously read your mind which is a little scary. And third, that's not the only news. Laura at Cedar Fort just did a lovely write up of the author workshop I attended. You should all check it out. And if you look closely you'll see that she mentions me and a very savvy and intelligent comment I made... OK maybe my comment wasn't all that savvy and intelligent... more like flustered and awkward. But it still got a mention which makes me feel a bit famous. So follow the link below and check it out!

http://www.cedarfortbooks.com/author-training-recap/?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=facebook

Other than that I have no news... and no pictures... I'm starting to realize this blog has a severe lack of pictures. I promise to rectify the situation once I start going to book signings and such where I can actually take pictures.


Until then friends!

Shannen

Sunday, June 12, 2011

Brainy Specs, Marketing, and Fandom.

Well I realize that every time I post I say something to the effect of "Wow it's been a long time since I last posted. I promise to be better about that in the future!" But you know me (... sort of), and I know me. And we both know how scattered I can be some times. So we'll just skip that part of the post... if you can call what I just did "skipping it".

As far as "The Break Up Artist" goes, not much new to report on that front. I should be hearing from my editor soon though the poor, unsuspecting editor will then be bombarded with questions from me, namely, when I can see my book cover. Because let's face it, who doesn't judge a book by it's cover. I, of course, don't judge the metaphorical book by its cover (so never fear friends) but book books... I definitely do. In fact, I'll admit to the great sin of purchasing the "Luxe" series based solely on the fact that the girls on the covers wore pretty dresses but you know what? My spidey sense did not disappoint. Those books are fantastic. Hence, why I'm so anxious to see my cover. So keep your fingers crossed that it's made of awesome and rest assured that when I finally do see it I'll be texting every last one of you at two in the morning to send you a picture and find out what you think. Be prepared.

In other news, on Friday I went to a workshop about online marketing at Cedar Fort. I must say, I was geeking out. A lot. Meeting all of those authors made me feel so... well... author-y for lack of a better (or real) word. I got to chat with them about book signings and the publishing process and marketing. I felt like I should put on my brainy specs and bath robe right then and there just to solidify the fact that I am, in fact, an author. Because what is an author if not a person who wears brainy specs and a bath robe? But the workshop was absolutely fabulous! It was taught (mostly) by Nate Moller of Nate Moller Marketing. He was funny, informative, and very easy to talk to. Probably all good things for someone in the marketing industry. From this workshop I learned how to use Twitter and Facebook for all sorts of fun things, including making a Facebook fan page which you should all join (since I am now taking part in shameless self-promotion). The link to like the Facebook fan page is in the contact section of this web site. Also, I'll probably make a fan page for "The Break Up Artist" the second I get the cover art for it so look out for that!

As always, keep checking back for updates that will (hopefully) become more frequent as the release date nears. And if you own a bookstore or know someone who does, or if you live near a library, or read, or... well... pretty much anyone reading this blog, request to have me do a signing with your local bookstore or library! Heaven knows I'll be requesting it!

Signing off!

Shannen