My amazing weekend!

On Saturday, I attended the LDStorymakers Conference, and it was awesome! I'm kind of a shy girl, especially in large social situations where I don't know anyone. I tend to shut down and pretend to be invisible. But once I quit hiding in the bathroom, I met some really cool people and went to some great classes. And I got the chance to spend some time with one of my critique partners, Melanie. Check out her alternatively touching and hilarious blog at www.readandwritestuff.blogspot.com. (Tried to link, but I'm fairly certain it didn't work. It's pathetic how technologically challenged I am. ) Anyway, it was so much fun to spend the day with her-- she was kind enough to hang with me so that I didn't look friendless. :) I can't wait until her book is published and I can say proudly, "I know that girl!"

I also got to meet Sarah Eden, an amazing writer who I was betting on to win for Best Romance...and who was kind enough to very sincerely congratulate me when I won instead. If you haven't read Seeking Persephone, you must check it out! If you like Jane Austen, you will love her gorgeous Regency romances! You can find her at www.sarahmeden.com.

I met lots of other authors and bloggers who I am in awe of, but I don't want to go off on a name-dropping tangent: raging anxiety + hero worship = faulty memory. I know that someone will inevitably be forgotten. The only regret I had was that I didn't get a chance to meet EVERYONE- there just wasn't enough time. Next year, I'm definitely going for both days. And if I cut back on the time I spent hiding, that should help as well.

The Whitney Awards were that night, and I have to say that the whole thing had a rather dreamlike quality. When I arrived, I wasn't worried about losing my balance and breaking my neck in my heels or having to make a speech because I'd read the other books that were nominated with mine and I knew that I'd be happy cheering for any one of them when THEY won. I felt so lucky just to be nominated with a group of such talented authors that to actually win was so far beyond my expectations. But I DID, and it was incredible! No matter what else I write, I will always remember that moment and how it was wonderful and terrifying at the same time.

And I even managed to stay upright in my heels. :)

Where you can find the new book...so far :)

Just an FYI-- some people have been telling me that they're having a hard time finding My Fairy Grandmother on the Cedar Fort website. If you go to the old website, www.cedarfort.com, click on the bar at the top of the screen that says, "Test drive our new site". This will take you to the new Cedar Fort beta website where you can buy the book. And if your internet explorer isn't new enough to support the website, you can also get the book on Amazon. I haven't heard for sure which stores will be carrying it yet, but it took a few weeks last time for them to start appearing on the shelves.

Thanks everybody! Be sure to let me know what you think-- I really hope you enjoy it!

It's HERE!!!

My copies of My Fairy Grandmother arrived yesterday, and I had to stop myself from jumping up and down and hugging the UPS guy. :) I haven't have a chance to flip through it yet, but the cover is gorgeous. You can pre-order it on Amazon and it should be available on the Cedar Fort website any day now-- www.cedarfort.com

VERY exciting news!

Just found out this week that Spare Change has been nominated for a Whitney Award in two categories-- romance and best book by a new author. I am thrilled and surprised and mostly humbled, all at the same time! I am very honored to be included in this group of authors I admire so much.

Valentine's Day Book Giveaway

Brittany Mangus is sponsoring a book giveaway for Valentine's Day on her blog. So, if you're interested in a drawing for some awesome FREE books, head on over there and enter! And check out her book, Prepare Now for the Temple. It is written specifically for young women, but definitely appropriate for any girl who has questions about what she needs to do to prepare for this sacred experience.

www.authorbee.blogspot.com

Also, I just got some excellent news from Cedar Fort. My next book, My Fairy Grandmother, is due to be released in March. I've seen the cover, and it's perfect. They have also accepted my Christmas comedy/romance novel for publication during the 2009 holiday season! It's going to be a busy year, but I'm really looking forward to it!

Finally working on my new book a bit. I had the idea about four months ago and I've been trying to figure out how to get it started, but it's giving me fits. I've finished about thirty pages and I'm still not sure it's going to take off, but I'm going to keep at it a while longer and see what happens.

I had a very nice email from someone named Vani, but there was no email address for me to get back to her. So Vani, if you happen to see this, send me your email address and I'd be happy to answer your questions! Thanks!

It's Official...

I am a terrible blogger. I knew I would be, even from the beginning.

I think the main problem is, my life just isn't that interesting. But I did have some news about the next book. It was originally slated for release in November, but they've changed the date to March. So hopefully, the four people who occasionally check this blog to humor me will look for it then. :) I will post more info about it once I find out more specific details.