I had a dream.  It wasn’t an earth shattering, life changing, Martin Luther King kind of a dream, although I do have those from time to time.  This was a dream that my book, TOUCHING THE SURFACE, was out at Net Galley.  I hadn’t expected it to come out while I was sleeping and I may have peed myself a little bit at the thought.  Phew…it was only a dream. *goes and changes underwear*   And here’s the thing, dreams can mess you up.  They take you outside of the box where you’ve neatly laid your crap and they force you to look at what is below the surface.  Sometimes they even qualify as nightmares.  I still have vivid memories of a few harsh unrealities that have clung to me over the years.  The subconscious mind is a powerful thing.

But that is not always a bad thing.  Because dreams can be catalysts and goals.  They can be clarity and honesty of self.  They can be hope.

Freedom Writers-I Have a Dream

Worst nightmare? Best Dream?

Tags: 2012, Freedom Writers, I Have a Dream, Kim Sabatini, Kimberly Sabatini, Martin Luther King, Touching the Surface, YA Author, YA Novel, YA Writer

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*******THE YAmazing RACE IS NOW CLOSED!*******

Welcome to the very first Apocalypsie YAmazing Race with MGnificent Prizes.  And as a special bonus–welcome to the launch of my brand new website.  I’ll give you all the information for the YAmazing race first and then if you stick around I have a contest of my own.  Are you ready racers?  On your mark…get set…go!

Welcome to my stop on the YAmazing Race with MGnificent prizes!!!  The race is a crazy whirlwind Apocalypsie blog hop featuring over 50 debut authors and prize packs featuring ARCs, gift certificates, swag, and more! If you haven’t yet been to the Apocalypsies website, please click here [link to Apocalypsie website] to start from the beginning and read the complete rules.  Although this post is up and ready to go, REMEMBER THAT THE RACE DOESN’T OFFICIALLY BEGIN UNTIL MONDAY 1/16 at NOON-EST! Now on to the race!

TOUCHING THE SURFACE  By: Kimberly Sabatini

September 4, 2012

Simon Pulse – Simon and Schuster

Life altering mistakes are meant to alter lives…

When Elliot dies for the third time, she knows this is her last shot. There are no fourth-timers in this afterlife, so one more chance is all she has to get things right. But before she can move on to her next life, Elliot will be forced to face her past and delve into the painful memories she’d rather keep buried. Memories of people she’s hurt, people she’s betrayed…and people she’s killed.

As she pieces together the mistakes of her past, Elliot must earn the forgiveness of her best friend and reveal the truth about herself to the two boys she loves…even if it means losing them both forever.

Have you been paying attention? Store all that information away in your brain for the quiz ahead! And remember, you must complete ALL FIVE quizzes to be eligible for a prize pack.

But before you go…BONUS CONTEST!!!!!

This is very easy way to win a pre-order or a copy (if it’s already out) of the Apocalypsie book of your choice…PLUS… some TOUCHING THE SURFACE swag. (Yes! I’m starting to get some swag together.) I’ll be picking two winners at random–all you have to do is take a peek at my new website and leave a comment about what you think.  Your comment can be about something you like, or feel free to let me know if you notice something that would make the site better or easier to use.  I absolutely adore my new “home,”  but I’m still molding the site and would love to hear your feedback.

Thanks for stopping by for the YAmazing race and for the launch of my new website.  Now here’s your link to your next stop on the YAmazing Race…J.A. Souders!!!!!  Good Luck!!!!!

Tags: Apocalypsies, Kim Sabatini, Kimberly Sabatini, Touching the Surface, YA, YA Author, YA Novel, YA Writer, YAmazing Race

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Monday is the kickoff of the YAmazing Race with MGnificent Prizes!!!!  That means that the Apocalypsies are hosting a crazy whirlwind blog hop featuring over 50 debut authors and prize packs that include ARCs, gift certificates, swag, and more! On Monday January 16th I’ll direct you to the Apocalypsies website, or you can just stop by there to start from the beginning and read the complete rules.  The race doesn’t start until noon EST on that Monday.

So what do you do on a blog hop?  Here’s a quick rundown of the rules…

Participants will be directed to the Apocalypsies blog, where they will find an introductory post that that explains the rules and how to run the race. The race is broken into five Legs. Participants will click on the first blog which will lead them to the next, and the next. At the end of each Leg, they will take a quiz with questions about the books they just learned about in that Leg. The Apocalypsies blog will have links to the start of all Legs, in case people want to spread them out. The winners will be whoever get the most questions correct – in the case of a tie, winners will be picked at random.

Easy and fun!  So mark your calendar and get ready to race!!!!

Tags: blog hop, Kim Sabatini, Kimberly Sabatini, YA Author, YA Novel, YA Writer, YAmazing Race

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Between reading every night and whenever I can sneak it in durning the day, then reading to my kids every night and listening to audio books, I managed to rack up a respectable 107 books read in 2011.  I thought I would be happy about this until I realized a couple of things…

I think I’m a slow reader.  I’m watching bloggers, friends and my uber awesome agent Michelle Wolfson tear through books at a mind boggling speed.  What’s weird is that until now, I had no idea that I was such a slow reader.  Because I’ve always read a high volume of books, I’ve been under the impression that I was fast.

Yeah…I was living a pipe dream.

I’ve never been more aware of this than this week.  Gina Rosati of the Class of 2k12 is the first person (that I know of) to get an ARC of TOUCHING THE SURFACE.  She’s the first in line for the Class of 2k12 ARC TOUR.  This means that she is READING IT RIGHT NOW–ironically at the same time that I’m reading it for my last round of edits.  I started days before her and I’m crossing my fingers that she doesn’t finish before me.  Why do I care?  Well, because I’m weirdly self conscious of my overly long second toes and now my pokey reading skills.  Duh.

My second reading worry is that after making friends with all these wonderful debut authors, I’ve come to realize that if I only read their books–I still wouldn’t have enough time to read them all.  I’d come up short by about 40-50 books at least.  *sheesh*  This doesn’t leave me any reading time for the books I read with my kids, adult books, or books by already established authors that I love or I’m interested in!!!!  *head thunk*

And of course, if you’re wondering, this in no way prevents me from buying more books.  Because hell, I’m an optimist!!  I work hard to be a better dance.  I train to run faster and longer.  By golly, I’m going to read more books.  Is it realistic?  Can I become a faster reader?  Who knows, but I think I’ll have a fun time trying!!!!  And if I can’t learn to read a little faster than I’m just going to have to do less laundry.  :o)

So, my Goodreads 2012 Reading Challenge goal is 110 books.  Secretly I’m hoping to make at least 120–maybe even 125.

What’s you’re reading goal for 2012?

Tags: 2012, Goodreads, Kim Sabatini, Kimberly Sabatini, reading, Slow reading, YA Author, YA Novel, YA Writer

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I went skiing for the first time this weekend.  Once, twenty years ago, I slapped on a set of skis (without any instruction) and slid down a big hill on my butt, but I’m pretty sure that doesn’t count as experience.

I know this sounds like the most obvious piece of information EVER–kind of like–if you fall down, the best way to get up is to stand on your feet, but I swear it hadn’t occurred to me.  In my mind, the whole point of skiing is to go DOWN THE HILL and the best way to slow down is to hit the brakes and snow plow.  And of course–if that doesn’t work–fall down.  

But, seriously, shouldn’t it be obvious that reversing direction slows that trajectory?  


My mind kept returning to the simplicity of the concept.  When life is moving too fast.  When things are out of control–slow down and turn around.  Go back to the place and the speed where you feel comfortable.

Wait for it…you know it’s coming…

In my mind, being a debut author is an exhilarating, once in a lifetime, wind-in-your hair kind of journey and sometimes–without warning–you find yourself traveling downhill way too fast.  I’ve seen people throw on their snow plows while leaving a smoke trail behind.  They rapidly burn through all the energy that they have.  I’ve seen people crash when they couldn’t put the breaks on fast enough.  I’ve felt myself have those moments where things begin to happen way too quickly and in a panic, I make a not so advantageous snap decision. And then I’m kicking myself afterwards.

I think that from now on, I’m going to try to remember what I learned on the slopes.  I don’t need to panic, I just need to make a gentle turn and head up hill until I’m moving slow enough that I can make a thoughtful decision about where to point my skis next.  I need to use my environment and my skills to my best advantage.  There is nothing wrong with setting your own pace and being comfortable.  It’s a lot more fun to make it down the hill dry and on your skis than it is to roll down on your face–cold and wet–too afraid to ever try it again.  :o)

So, have you ever been skiing?  Best tip?  Funniest story?  Biggest fear?  

Tags: debut, Kim Sabatini, Kimberly Sabatini, skiing, YA Author, YA Novel, YA Writer

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Right about now–the first week of the new year–folks are hard-core into their Resolutions.  Overall this is a wonderful thing.  All around the world, people are striving to become better versions of themselves.  Yay!

BUT…

Sometimes they annoy me.

So here is my pet peeve for the new year.  I absolutely hate going to the gym in January and having to wait to use a machine (that the eleven other months of the year) is usually empty.  Grrr.  This hasn’t been as bad for me this year because I’ve come to love running outside, but that won’t hold out forever.  Weather is a fickle friend.  Soon–inevitably–I’ll be in that gym.  Glaring at the resolute as they mess with my workout mojo.  In my heart I’m happy they’re at the gym.  I really am.  I just wish they weren’t there at the same time as me.  :o)

Come on–get grouchy–what’s your pet peeve for the New Year?

Tags: Kim Sabatini, Kimberly Sabatini, resolutions, YA Author, YA Novel, YA Writer

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 I mean this with all my heart…It is my pleasure to share this book with you…NEVER EIGHTEEN by Megan Bostic.

Seventeen-year-old Austin Parker wants to help the people he loves live—even though his own future is uncertain.

Austin Parker is never going to see his eighteenth birthday. At the rate he’s going, he probably won’t even see the end of the year. But in the short time he has left there’s one thing he can do: He can try to help the people he loves live—even though he never will.

This was the very last book I read in 2011 and it seems to me that it was supposed to be that way. My dad passed away in 2005 during the early morning hours of New Year’s Day. Today it is New Year’s Eve–seven years later. I’m not sure you ever get over losing a parent or a child, but the way that I’ve tried to make sense of my personally horrific loss, has been to make my life matter. In honor of my father, I’ve chosen to live with courage and hope. The truth is that I would not be a debut author if my father died. So bitter sweet.

As I’m writing this review, I’m terrified that I won’t be able to do it justice, that I’ll be unable to express just how much it moved me. This book is beautiful. It speaks softly, but resonates deeply. It has everything that a real life has…love, shame, mistakes, friendship, hate, hope, loss, fear, regret, laughter and belief. It has the belief that it is never too late to want more from your life–even when life is short.

I found a connection with every single character in this book–saw myself in bits and pieces of every human interaction, but I loved Kaylee and Austin. They will haunt me–I’ll think about them often. This is one of those books that doesn’t feel like a story. It feels like it was real. I know them now and they are a part of me and I’m better for having had them in my life.

Megan Bostic is my fellow debut author at the Class of 2k12 and the Apocalypsies, but I urge you to champion this book. My love and admiration for it have nothing to do with my connection to her. This is a book that matters. This is a book that I believe in.

I would be extremely grateful if, when you read this book, you’ll stop by and share your thoughts on it with me.

Tags: debut, Kim Sabatini, Kimberly Sabatini, Megan Bostic, Never Eighteen, YA Author, YA Novel, YA Writer

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The next time I write a blog post it will be 2012!!!!  I have to say, I don’t think I’ve ever looked forward to New Year’s Eve quite as much as I am this year.  I know it’s silly, but dipping a toe into 2012 feels like hitting another big milestone.  TOUCHING THE SURFACE is roughly 9 months away!!!

I’ve had three kids…I know what kinds of things can happen in a 9 month period. LOL!

So what are some of the things happening in the new year?  Well, first off–I have my first pass pages!!!  (Yes, I’m aware of my spastic over use of the exclamation point–it can’t be helped.)  If you’re not familiar, first pass pages are large sheets of paper that have my book laid out the way it will look when it’s really printed into a book.  Do you want a sneak peek?

Tags: 2012, blog, first pass pages, Kim Sabatini, Kimberly Sabatini, NY12SCBWI, website, YA Author, YA Novel, YA Writer, YAmazing Race

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I love to share the nifty gadgets that I stumble upon and I’ve got a great new one–straight from under the Christmas tree.  I’ve been looking for the perfect lap desk for quite a while now. I find myself writing on my bed or in a big oversized chair more and more now that my hamstrings are so sore from running and dancing.  I’ve also hypothetically wanted a dog.  I stress the HYPOTHETICALLY part.  I want the neighbor’s dog to come over and visit when I’m in the mood, but then I want to to be able to send her back across the way for someone else to take care of.  Yeah, I’m not kidding.

My compromise…

The LapDawgx4!!!!

Okay…it really has nothing to do with dogs except the name, but as a lap desk it rocks!!!  It’s so perfect, I keep forgetting about ever wanting that dog.  Check it out…

What holiday gift did you get that I should know about?

Tags: Kim Sabatini, Kimberly Sabatini, Lap Desk, LapDawgx4, Writer, YA Author, YA Novel, YA Writer

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I know I’ve mentioned this before, but the Gift of the Magi was a Christmas story that fascinated me from an early age.  I can remember thinking that if I ever wrote stories, I would want them to illicit the same kind of emotional response that the Gift of the Magi did. I didn’t say it in quite those words, but what I knew was that it gave me the same feeling I’d get when I was tickled by my dad–I wanted it to stop AND never end at the same time.

I crave being smack in the middle of an ending that is both emotionally rich and mind bogglingly complicated at the same time.  I want it in life and I want it in my stories.  Even when I was younger I think I sensed that my world could never be flat–it must have it’s ups and downs.  It made me want to have flow–the ability to understand that everything is about perception.  I have my moments of desperation and frustration, but what drives me is my need to be endlessly surprised by our capacity to exceed our own expectations.  

Here’s another Christmas gift that gets me every time.  This one tugs at my heart strings even more than the Magi because it reinforces how I feel about kids–they are constantly underestimated.  If I watch them closely enough, they teach me everything I need to know.  It’s why I write for them.  They are the smartest audience out there.

What story or movie ending do you find perfectly imperfect?

Tags: christmas, Gift of the Magi, Kim Sabatini, Kimberly Sabatini, Little House on the Prairie, YA Author, YA Novel, YA Writer

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