Dissected Giveaway

Now that things are coming down the line, I've decided to host a giveaway on Goodreads. Click here to enter. I'm giving away two copies. You have to live in US, Canada, UK or Australia to enter. The end date is November 12, which is what I'm hoping is the release date for the book *fingers crossed*.

My proof copies should be coming in the mail today if all goes as planned. I have one person who is going to read one of them as I don't think I can stomach another read of the novel right now. If you're a writer, I think you know what I mean. If you're not a writer, think about reading the same book 20 times in a row. Even if it's your favorite, you'd get sick of it after about the 3rd time.

So, go enter the contest. If you're in the area, expect an invite to the release party soon. I think it's going to be held at Garfield Books at Pacific Lutheran University.

Contest winner and new video series

Two birds with one stone. Releasing my new video series AND announcing the winner to my Never Eighteen Half Birthday Contest! Enjoy!

Birthday contest and getting better with age

My class reunion

Okay, first off, I want to mention my Never Eighteen half birthday contest. I haven't received very many entries and it ends tomorrow!! That's right I said tomorrow!!! All I want you to do, is tell me six things on your bucket list.  Winner will be chosen randomly because all the answers have been so good so far I can't pick myself. But don't do it here on this post, do it here.

Okay, enough of that. I went to my 25th high school reunion on Saturday. I know, I know, you're thinking, 25 years! Megan can't possibly be that old. But alas, I am. I was thinking to myself as I schmoozed and mingled with my fellow alumni, wow, everyone looks great!!

Now, I will admit, five years ago at the last one (yes we do one every five year at the tens we do the fancy schmancy one, at the fives we keep it more casual in a bar) I thought the guys looked a little rough around the edges (if any of them read this I hope they aren't offended, I didn't look that great either), but the women looked fantastic.  But this year, the guys looked awesome and the women did too.

Me 1986

I think we've all aged well. In high school, I think I was cute enough, but I had a fat face (I think a lot of us had fuller faces back then) and of course was a bit self conscious about my body. My face has thinned and yeah, I dye my hair, the purple isn't natural ;) I've got some wrinkles, I'm softer in places than I'd like to be, but I really do think I've aged well.

Me and my friend Heidi 2 days ago.

Maybe it's just wishful thinking I don't know. Of course, Maybe I'm just appreciating the cycle of life more now that I'm getting older.

Life is Fragile

I don't know how many times we're reminded of this throughout our lives. I've seen people in losing battles with alcohol and drugs. I've seen them in vehicle accidents. I've seen death. Too much of it for my age I think. Two people I knew died while I was in high school. Two right after. Many along the way up until now. My own daughter almost died on me when she was only five weeks old.

Yet still, and I'm guilty as anyone, we sit idle. Become complacent in life. Live an unhappy existence. I even wrote a book on the subject and I still find myself at times, sitting back watching the world go by.  Not as much as I used to, but still, a little.

I have tried to live up to the message of my book though. I've done a lot the last couple years. I've written books, gone to New York, Arizona, Sundance. I've started running, biking again. I'm getting out of my comfort zone. I try to touch people's live in a positive way. But still, I let myself get all crazy and frustrated by the things I can't control. I need to learn to let it go. YOLO. That's the motto. You only live once.

Do I want to live it frustrated all the time? Letting the smallest thing get to me? No. I merely want to LIVE it, and live it well. Live it to the best of my ability with no regret.

I'm having a contest. I posted it Monday. Enter here. Just post 6 things on your bucket list.

I'm dedicating this blog today to my niece, Gina. She was in a car accident yesterday. As you can see, she's amazingly beautiful and full of life. Could you send some good vibes, prayers or whatever you may do? Injuries seem to be minor, but everything helps, you know?

Live and love without regret,

Megan

Never Eighteen Half Year Birthday Contest!!!!!

First, let me say, it's been a wild ride. Never Eighteen has been selling pretty good, especially here in the Pacific Northwest where the book is set. But I've actually sold copies all over the world.

It started out tricky, as the night of my release party we had a major snow storm, which kept some people away. We also started a little early, so people could get home earlier, of course, this pissed others off. Also, a box of books didn't come in because of the snow. Luckily I had a couple boxes of my own in my car, but we still ran out. There were a couple other snafus, but I told myself, especially after hearing about the snow, it is what it is.

I've done 1 Skype school visit to Illinois, 3 library visits, 6 book store events, 7 interviews (not counting blog interviews), 14 school visits, and many more online events and had fun with every one of them.

I've lost an agent. I've struggled to write a second book. It took me over a year, which is unprecedented for me. I don't have a second book deal, nor do I have any foreign rights sold for Never Eighteen. I've spent just about every dime I have marketing Never Eighteen. Those are the frustrating things about the business.

I've met tons of cool readers, writers, librarians, bookstore owners, teachers. I love those connections so much.

And that's pretty much how my last six months have gone.

Okay, I've figured out the contest. For Never Eighteen's Half birthday I want you to tell me in the comments below, 6 things on your bucket list. I will pick the winner. What will you win? A signed copy of Never Eighteen, a CD of some of the songs on the playlist in the back of the book, and swag. Always swag!!!

photo by Charlie Wolf

Here are some of the things on my bucket list.

1. Take my kids to NYC
2. Go to Australia
3. Apologize to people I need to apologize to and welcome anyone who thinks I've wronged them to step forward and talk to me.
4. Thank all the people in my life you has helped me along the way.
5. Participate in a triathlon
6. Yeah, throw the big party.

Your turn. Six things on your bucket list.

Never Eighteen Giveaway!!!!!

Everyone loves prizes, right?  Well, it's officially two months until the release of Never Eighteen, and so I'm giving away a bunch of Never Eighteen swag which includes a sack pack, notebook, water bottle, sticker, button, bookmark, t-shirt, a signed ARC, and a pack of tissues.

To enter, go to my Facebook notes here, and leave a comment and email address.  That's it.  No posting this elsewhere, no having to share five places, no having to get your friends to "like" me.  Simply comment.  Don't enter  here, I don't want your comments buried under other posts.

Well, you may have to "like" me on Facebook, I don't know for sure.

Winner will be chosen randomly and announced on December 17, the one month mark!!!!


Good luck!!

F³A: The first author event

Yes, so tonight is my first author event and I'm scared out of my wits.  I'm doing a five minute reading and bringing a bunch of swag.  Wish me luck I don't mess up or puke or something.

I'm also thinking about running my first giveaway.  What does everyone like to get? Arcs, marked up arcs? Never Eighteen swag? Skype visit? Um, other crap? Let me know. 

(The pic of Aaron Johnson is just because I had no picture to post and I want him to play Austin in the move version of Never Eighteen, if that ever were to happen)

I think that's all I have today, except for the Nibbles of course:

Random iPod shuffle song: Story of My Life by Social Distortion.  Love it.

Book of the week:  Still OyMG by Amy Fellner Dominy.  I will read this weekend.  I just haven't had the time!!!

Netflix of the week: Monk.  I'm loving it.

Quote of the week:  "The human brain starts working the moment you are born and never stops until you stand up to speak in public.

— George Jessel

Writing Wednesday: Sad

 

   Keep in mind, this is all unedited.  If any of you would like to be a guest writer on my Wednesday blog, give me a shout.  And don't forget I'm holding a contest for the 200th follower and their referral.  I'm thinking $10 Amazon gift cards (though I haven't really decided).  Maybe a pair of knee socks.

David and I decided that if we were going to be ready together, and the night was to be perfect, we’d have to plan it.

     “Prom night,” David said shoveling some fries in his face at Baldy’s, our new favorite hangout.

      “That’s pretty cliché,” I said.

      “No, because we’re not going to prom.”

      I stopped mid fry and looked in his eyes.  “We aren’t?”

     “No, prom is for the superficial and desperate.  We’re skipping it.”  He took a sip of his mega-pop than had to be at least eighty-five ounces.

     “What if I don’t want to skip it?” I said, finally finishing my fry.

     David gaped at me like he couldn’t comprehend what I was saying, as if I was speaking a foreign language.

     “What?”  I said.

     He pointed a French fry at me and said, “What sounds better?  Wearing uncomfortable clothes and conforming to the conventional, phony social rituals of a misguided youth while listening to banal music created by mamas boys wearing guyliner whose hearts have been broken into a million pieces all while witnessing the doldrums of fake ceremonious elections for elitist snob kings and queens while everyone else’s hope and dreams are scattered all over the floor with the leftover streamers?” He took a breath.  “Or, would you rather have a romantic evening in a beautiful hotel suite with the love of your life, feeding each other chocolate covered strawberries and drinking champagne while giving completely and profoundly of yourself, and then tangling up together and falling asleep in each other’s arms?”

     “Well, when you put it that way—”

     “Exactly.”  He shoved the pointer fry into his mouth. 

Tooting the Horn Tuesday

I got nothing.  I mean, I'm sure there are great things going on for people all over the world, but I've been too busy to keep up with them this week. SO, I'm just going to say, go check out the debut writers at the Class of 2k11.  They always have cool stuff going on, selling rights, getting deals for their sequels.  Plus, they have some really cool contests.

Speaking of contests, seriously, I'm giving a prize to my 200th follower.  So, you could spread the word, or follow if you don't already.  If they have a referral, that referral gets a prize too.  Now, it's just going to be something small and sweet, I'm a struggling writer you know.

Another group of debut writers to check out is the Apocalypsies.  These are a group of 2012 debuts (including yours truly).  Right now they have some great interviews with the Elevensies on their blog.

And  the Class of 2k12 is underway.  We're still looking for debut novelists for next year.  If you're interested, let me know.