2. As I’m writing this I’m a day and a 1/2 into the first phase of the 9 Day Isagenix Cleanse. As predicted I’m mean, crabby and hungry. Grrrrr I also have a headache. It sort of reminds me of drafting–I forget how hard it is until I’m actually doing it LOL! But I also remember how great it is to come out the other side.
My brilliant cleanse observations…
*Toxic crap is much more enjoyable going in than it is going out.
*Life is about perspective. If you told me to exchange three regular meals for two healthy shakes and a small healthy meal I would have felt deprived. On the other hand after two days of cleansing and not eating much at all–those shakes and a small meal are looking pretty darn good LOL!
*There are people in the world who are hungry like this all the time and they never know when it’s going to end.
3. My Friday Reads…
Yes, I’m reading them all at once. LOL! Some are on audio, some are with my kids, some are stuffed in my pocketbook and some are on my nightstand. And no, I never used to read multiple books at a time, but having kids allows you to multitask.
5. I’m also thrilled to be participating in the 2013 NYC Teen Author Festival!!!! The festival (a mix of public and private events) starts on Monday March 18th and ends Sunday March 24th with roughly 90 authors participating over the week and almost 50 authors doing a Mega-signing at Books of Wonder. To get the full schedule and the most up-to-the-minute news, be sure to stop by Facebook and hit the LIKE button…
I am so excited to announce that I’m participating in the 2013 NYC Teen Author Festival!!!! The festival (a mix of public and private events) starts on Monday March 18th and ends Sunday March 24th with roughly 90 authors participating over the week and almost 50 authors doing a Mega-signing at Books of Wonder. To get the full schedule and the most up-to-the-minute news, be sure to stop by Facebook and hit the LIKE button…
Here are the public events I’ll be participating in…
Saturday March 23, Symposium (42nd Street NYPL, Bergen Forum, 2nd Floor, 1-5)
2:10-2:40 — New Voices Spotlight
Description: Each debut author will share a five-minute reading from her or his work
J. J. Howard
Kimberly Sabatini
Tiffany Schmidt
Greg Takoudes
Sunday March 24: Our No-Foolin’ Mega-Signing at Books of Wonder (Books of Wonder, 1-4):
2:30-3:15
A.S. King (Ask the Passengers, LB)
Emmy Laybourne (Monument 14, Macmillan)
David Levithan (Every Day, RH)
Barry Lyga (Yesterday Again, Scholastic)
Brian Meehl (Suck it Up and Die, RH)
Alexandra Monir (Timekeeper, RH)
Michael Northrop (Rotten, Scholastic)
Diana Peterfreund (For Darkness Shows the Stars, HC)
Lindsay Ribar (The Art of Wishing, Penguin)
Rainbow Rowell (Eleanor & Park, St. Martin’s)
Kimberly Sabatini (Touching the Surface, S&S)
Tiffany Schmidt (Send Me a Sign, Bloomsbury)
Hope you get a chance to attend one or more of these events–I would love to see you. And just so you know, every time I look at this list, I’m Fan-girling all over the place (so many amazing authors that I love) but I can’t help myself from pointing out one in particular…SQUEE!!!!! I’M SIGNING WITH A.S. KING!!!!!! I just finished Ask the Passengers and I adore her books and her writing style. OMG!
After you’ve checked the full list on FB, tell me who you’re fan-girling off the list and would die to meet.
I don’t know how the holiday spirit works for you, but I have what I like to call my inner holiday elf. He fights with my inner procrastinator, my inner bah-humbugger and my mother (just kidding) to get everything that needs to be done, done for the holiday season. He’s like Doby the house elf, but he’s only around from Thanksgiving until the New Year and he poops glitter. It just so happens that I have a picture of him right here (sans glitter–that would be rude)…
His name is George and it’s his goal is to make the holiday merry and bright for me and my family and friends. This year, because George is an overachiever, part of his merry-making involves a deep desire to get a copy of TOUCHING THE SURFACE under every Christmas Tree, Menorah or Kinara. The problem is, that’s a lot of work for such a little guy. He can’t do it alone. I’ve looked into other options and unfortunately, getting a supplementary inner holiday elf isn’t possible. You should see the paper work involved. *head thunk* But wait–there is still hope. In the spirit of the holiday season, Oblong Books & Music has volunteered to deliver signed copies of TOUCHING THE SURFACE to your doorstep in time for your holiday gift giving extravaganza or for your post-holiday collapse in front of the fireplace, where only a cozy read will do. Yay!!!
Here’s how you can get a signed copy of TOUCHING THE SURFACE and save the life of an overworked inner holiday elf at the same time…
I’ll be at Oblong Books & Music by mid-day on 12/14 to personalize any copies that you would like and then they’ll be shipped to you in time for the holidays!!!!! In addition to getting a signed copy of my book, you’ll have helped to support a wonderful indie bookstore and you’ll be revered by all inner holiday elves EVERYWHERE. Completely cool. Additional glitter will be consumed in your honor. *smooches*
Of course, George and I would also love it if you’d help to spread the word. Thank you so much.
Now that we’ve encouraged books sales, the support of indie bookstores and spread kindness to inner holiday elves everywhere, we can move on to the fun portion of this blog. Love glitter? Hate glitter? Where is the most unique spot you’ve managed to find glitter residue? Any tricks for removing hard-to-remove glitter?
My deepest thanks to everyone at the Barnes & Noble in Poughkeepsie and Oblong Books and Music in Rhinebeck. Both events were amazing and I will remember them for the rest of my life. And much love to all those who attended or who purchased a book in support. It meant the world to me. <3
Okay….here it is…my first time seeing my book in a bookstore. Take your Dramamine because between the fact that I was trying to walk, talk and video, in addition to being pretty darn nervous/excited–motion sickness is a reasonable outcome LOL!
Don’t you love how I’m “trying to be incognito?” Like there might be swarms of people ready to pounce on me. ROTFL!!! It’s just that I didn’t really know what to say–it’s pretty darn overwhelming. I can tell you that I stopped the video where I did so I could pick up one of my books and hold it. *heart squish*
Don’t forget I’m still looking for at least one person for every state to become a Hot Spot!!!! Sign up and get a TOUCHING THE SURFACE T-shirt!!!! And possibly an annotated copy of my book. Click HERE to find out how to be a Team Tipping the Surface Hot Spot. And yes, I did get a map to hang in my office like I worked at NASA or something and it might look something like this…
Bigger map picture to come when I’ve got all my Hot Spots up! Right now I’ve got the first eight out and in the mail!!!
So…does anyone else have any strange visual strategies that help them to motivate and organize? If I ever get that last pile of stuff off of the office floor, you’ll see a couple more LOL! Soon. (I’m totally lying.)
It’s Wordless Wednesday and I thought this was appropriate because I was speechless yesterday when I found out that my local B&N had a Preemie. TOUCHING THE SURFACE hit the bookshelves early and people were buying my book!!!! I have photographic proof. Then, to top off that amazing news, Team Tipping the Surface (all the folks working extra hard to tip TOUCHING THE SURFACE into going viral, was in action at dance class last night. Everyone has their T-shirts ready to go!!!! I’ll shut up now. I’m totally wordless–for now. *grin*
I usually get all sappy, talking about this topic, but today I’m going to keep it light. You didn’t know I had it in me, did you? LOL!
What is the opposite of banning a book? PROMOTION!!!! Every time you spread the word about a book you love, you help to marginalize the impact of narrow minds. It gives me tingles just thinking about it. So, this week I’m encouraging you to spread the word about books you love–particularly those that are banned. *rifles through drawer to find banned books bracelet*
And because it’s October and TOUCHING THE SURFACE launches in 26 days!!! *jaw drops* I’m running a little contest that will help me with my own promotion. I just ordered TOUCHING THE SURFACE T-shirts and they should be here in about 2 weeks. I’m giving one away on Facebook and one here on the blog. If you pre-order a copy of TOUCHING THE SURFACE between now and the time the T-shirts arrive, you’ll be eligible to win one. Here’s what they are going to look like…
All you have to do to be entered is let me know the date you pre-order SURFACE and also let me know what your favorite banned book is. Feel free to write it in caps so I know you’re shouting it to the world. <3 Additionally, if you share this blog post–leave me the link and you’ll get an extra entry.
To make it easy on you–here’s some awesome places you can pre-order…
You can also find out more about Banned Books Week (September 30th-October 6th) HERE. I have soooo many beloved banned books but the first one I’ll shout out is…TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD by Harper Lee!!!!
Sorry there was no post on Friday. The server for my web host was down Thursday into Friday. But I’m back now and I’ll try to get you updated on everything. Soup to nuts.
First off, it’s *gasp* THIRTY FIVE days until TOUCHING THE SURFACE hits the shelves. Back in February 2011 the birth of TOUCHING THE SURFACE seemed like it was light years away. And now that it’s almost here…
…it seems as if I’m going to run out of time long before I run out of things to do to get ready for this amazing new chapter of my life.
Since I know I will never be “ready” the least I can do is invite you to share in the chaos with me.
On October 30th, TOUCHING THE SURFACE’s official book birthday, I’m going to have a launch day challenge. Tweet, Facebook or email me a picture of TOUCHING THE SURFACE out in the wild and you’ll get a chance to win this…
Which is really this…
A silver origami crane necklace. I have one of my own and I’ve given one to my agent Michelle Wolfson and my editor Anica Rissi. I’ve been holding on to this one for the big day.
Of course I’ll be reminding you about the contest again right before the launch.
My very first author event will be taking place in ELEVEN DAYS! I’ll be doing a reading of TOUCHING THE SURFACE at COTA (Celebration of the Arts) in Hasbrouck Park–New Paltz, NY.
The event takes place from 11am-5pm but I’ll be reading at 1:30pm. Afterwards I’ll have swag to sign for anyone who is interested. And OMG! I’m reading right before one of my larger than life writing mentors, KL Going. I don’t know how I’m going to keep from bursting into a million pieces from a combination of pride and nerves.
I also have several wonderful book launch events planned and I’m hoping that if you’re nearby, you’ll be able to attend one.
*The first event is a NYC Cocktail party on Thursday, November 1st at 7:00pm, thrown by my very wonderful husband–yes, I am the luckiest girl in the world. The information is HERE. Feel free to add yourself to the evite or if you’re having trouble, just contact me with your name and email and I’ll add you to the group.
*The second event is going to be held on Saturday, November 3rd at 2:00pm at the Poughkeepsie, NY Barnes & Noble. You can find out more about this event HERE. The Poughkeepsie Barnes & Noble is a fabulous bookstore and I am so excited to be launching my book there. This B&N is the site of my local SCBWI Shop Talk, the place where I began learning how to be a writer. It has so many wonderful writerly memories for me. It is also the closest bookstore to my home, so you know I’ve spent a lot of quality time there. This is my community bookstore and I can’t believe I’m going to get to share this day, surrounded by people who have known and loved me since I was just a little kid. Signing my books here will be a mind blowing experience.
*The third event is going to be held on Sunday, November 4th at 4:00pm at Oblong Books & Music in Rhinebeck, NY.
This is one of two very special indie bookstores in my area and I can’t freaking believe that I’m going to be the author at a Hudson Valley YA Society event!!! I love going to these events to eat cookies and drool on my favorite authors. I can’t tell you how many times my husband and my boys and I have attended these events and then talked the whole ride home in the car about how someday they might ask me to do a book signing. Surreal.
Oblong books is asking for an RSVP to the event and if you can make it, you can respond on Facebook or RSVP at Oblong.
If you can’t make any of the formal book launch events–I’m completely bummed–but Oblong is taking orders for SIGNED COPIES OF TOUCHING THE SURFACE. I’ll be signing them that very afternoon, so there is a really good chance that the book will have residual festiveness tucked between the pages. How awesome is that?
Oh, and before I forget–I’ll be activating my newsletter function really soon, so don’t forget to sign up at the bottom of any page of this website.
Wow! I think I finally have all the up dated info properly laid out for you, so Wednesday we can get back to chatting about regular stuff LOL! But before you leave, my friend Linda Hanlon has recently been clarifying her bucket list. And this post absolutely is going to give me a few things to check off on my own list. So, I’m wondering what’s on your bucket list? Since not everything in life revolves around books (really?) I’ll also tell you another one of the things on my bucket list…I’d love to learn to play the piano. My list is L-O-N-G so I’ll add in more in the comments. Feel free to leave more than one.
The Hudson Valley YA Society (HVYAS): http://www.oblongbooks.com/hvyas was co-founded by Jennifer Laughran, formerly of Books Inc. in San Francisco, creator of “Not Your Mother’s Book Club”, and Suzanna Hermans, co-owner, Oblong Books & Music. The events attract avid teen readers and teen book bloggers, as well as grownup YA fans and writers, in fun party-like “literary salon” atmosphere, with refreshments, conversation, and giveaways for attendees.
Author: Kimberly Sabatini
Title: Touching the Surface
Date: Sunday, November 4, 2012
Time: 4:00pm:
Event: Book Launch Party w/discussion, reading, Q&A, & book signing
Location: Oblong Books and Music
6422 Montgomery Street (Rt. 9)
Rhinebeck, New York 12572
*yeah…still dancing*
I know it’s a little early to start to promote this event, but I just had to share it with you. Kind of like a “Save the Date” pre-invitation. This is a FABULOUS bookstore and I’ve sat in the audience at Oblong many times, always having an amazing experience. To get to be on the other side of this–it’s truly a dream come true. Kind of like coming home after a long journey…
I’m also working on some other events for the week of my launch. I’m very lucky to live and write in a community that is so amazingly supportive. I want to have plenty of opportunities to share this experience with everyone who has been there for me. It isn’t easy to declare yourself a writer before you become published. It isn’t unusual for people to think that you have a “cute little hobby” or that perhaps–you’re a little looney. My friends and family have never done that to me. My community has always stood behind me and I feel lucky to live where I do. They have encouraged and supported and believed and it has made all the difference. So, as soon as I finalize the other arrangements, I’ll let you know about them in the hopes that everyone I love can be a part of this with me. And when things get a little bit closer, I’ll have the official invites…everywhere LOL!
Any tips for book launches that you’d like to share? What would your dream book launch look like? Have you been to any book signing events that have knocked your socks off? I’m always interested in any good advice you have to share.
PS I’m on vacation next week. You can call me Bahama Mama. Going swimming with the dolphins. That bucket list is getting it’s butt kicked lately. *grin* I’m planning on blogs magically appearing on Monday, Wednesday and Friday…but if they don’t…it’s the dolphin’s fault. *grin*
