Category: Take the Reins

Choosing interview clothes? Argh!

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On Thursday, I’m being interviewed by the NE Chronicle–a sister publication of the Tallahassee Democrat. The local press has been super receptive to running articles about Canterwood and I so appreciate it.

I’m excited and that means I’ve been spending too much time in my closet choosing clothes. Yeah, did I mention they’re taking pics? Uh-huh. I won’t be able to decide what to wear until about an hour before the interview.

But I think I’ve narrowed it down to:

black pants
the most awesome boots ever (I can’t, like, walk in them. But they’re pretty!)
a sweater of an undecided color

Or, if I’m feeling casual:

dressy black shirt
dark skinny jeans tucked into the most awesome boots ever

And really, they’re not going to get my legs in the shot. Hmm.

After the interview, I’m going to visit Borders, Books-a-Million and Barnes and Noble. They restocked TTR, so it’s off to sign those copies. Alyson Noel (author of EVERMORE) has been roadtripping around CA to sign stock too. It’s soo fun! Alyson makes me feel like a slacker though ’cause she’s doing a hundred mile radius. 🙂

There was something else…but I forgot. *grins*

And…

The winner of the Dover giveaway is… Harnessphoto from LiveJournal. 🙂 Yaaay! Harnessphoto, please email me (jessica [at] jessicaburkhart [dot] com) your address!

Favor?

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If you’ve read Take the Reins and have 2 minutes, I’d sooo appreciate it if you could review it on Amazon. Long. Short. Whatever you feel like. But honest reviews, of course! 🙂

If you review it, let me know and I’ll send you a signed postcard if you’d like one.

Thank you, guys!!

Take the Reins at the Lip Smacker Lounge :)

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Check it out! 🙂

I’ve been waiting a while to share this! I’ve teamed up with Lip Smacker and they’ve featured TTR as a PDF download, which is super cool. I’m pretty much obsessed with Lip Smacker products and so (surprise, surprise) is Sasha. I’m super excited!

Plus, girls can leave comments about the book. Fun! 🙂

Thank you to everyone (LR, VW, KA, BB) who made this happen! Yay!

Also, If you’re in Tallahassee and you’re looking for a copy of Take the Reins, Barnes & Noble, Books-a-Million and Borders are currently sold out. They’re on reorder, though, so definitely check back. I’ll be visiting the stores to sign the stock when they come in. 🙂 Thanks so much to everyone who picked up a copy in Tally! You all rock.

22 and review! Party!

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Take the Reins was reviewed in the February/March 2009 issue of Discovery Girls! Thanks so much to Jan Fields! 🙂 Ahhh! So exciting! It makes the perfect birthday gift!!

Yep, I’m 22 today! Woo! Birthday and book launch in one week = crazy fun.

Last night, I did a drive-by signing at my local Books-a-Million. Yep! I signed the four-copies they had on shelves and it was so fun!

Take the Reins is here!! And a giveaway!

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La, la, la! It’s finally here!!!!!

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That’s right! TAKE THE REINS officially hits stores today! OMG! Seriously, if you’re my agent, editor, friend, someone I’ve known for five minutes–I’ll apologize now because you’re going to be getting a very hyper/excited phone call from me. Possibly more than one. And I will not apologize! 🙂

I’ve been waiting for this day since early spring 2007 when TAKE THE REINS sold. I’ve gone through a lot in two years–personally and professionally–and those experiences only make me appreciate this moment even more. It’s surreal to think that my book is out there. Wow. Just wow.

I can’t say enough that I’m surrounded by the best people in the business–my Trident Media Group and Simon & Schuster families. I wouldn’t have made it here without them–thank you! 🙂

Last night, I read though my 2006 posts documenting the writing of TAKE THE REINS. They’re funny and often embarrassing–like an old journal–but I’m glad they’re still there. They remind me that I’ve grown as a writer, but I still have a loooong way to go. Cheers to that!

So….

To kick off the official release day festivities, Dover Saddlery has ponied up a $25 gift certificate for me to give away. I’ll also include a personalized postcard to you or the person of your choice.

You don’t need to own a horse to shop at Dover. They’ve got tons of horse-themed gifts such as books, DVDs and more.

Ready for the rules? Yes, there must be rules!

1. The giveaway will run for a week starting today! It will end on Tuesday, February 3 at midnight.

2. For an easy chance to win, leave a comment here (Blogger) and/or on this same entry cross posted to my LiveJournal.

3. Want more chances to win? Leave another comment on this post (or on the LiveJournal one) with a link to your mention that TAKE THE REINS releases on January 27. You can make it a Facebook note, MySpace bulletin, vlog, blog post–whatever you like! The more mentions of TtR you make, the more entries you get in the contest. Keep coming back with the new link every time you mention TtR. If you’ve already done it, remind me in the comments and you’ll have an extra entry.

4. Or, snap a pic of you with TtR or of TtR at a bookstore. Send me your pic (and whether or not I can share it on my blog–I’d love to post it!) for an extra entry.

5. Steal this banner! Click on it and it’ll take you to Photobucket where you can nab the code of your choice. Put it up and let me know! By the way, there are other banners (smaller ones) to grab, too.

Photobucket

6. Review (love it or hate it–be honest!) TAKE THE REINS on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Books-a-Millon or any other book site. Put the review link in the comments.

7. You decide! Get creative! 🙂

Now, the fine print…

The prize will only be mailed to a US address. Sorry, everyone else!

I’ll draw the winner on Wednesday, February 4. Check back then for the name. You’ll have one week to email me (jessica [at] jessicaburkhart [dot] com) with your name and address.

Good luck, everyone! 🙂

Special thanks to Dover for providing such a great prize!

Tomorrow, tomorrow!

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Even though many people have spotted TAKE THE REINS in stores, tomorrow is its official release day! Woo!

I’m trying (unsuccessfully) to stay focused on the TRIPLE FAULT draft. But really? I want to be out there looking for my book and, you know, shoving it into people’s hands. 🙂

My local paper, The Tallahassee Democrat, is running an article tomorrow. I’m excited to see it and will post the link.

If you e-mailed me and I haven’t responded, I will! Promise! Your email is flagged for a response and you’ll get one. Before spring. Kidding.

How do you stay focused when you’re waiting for something? Share!

Canterwood Crest in the Effingham Daily News

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Yay! The Effingham Daily News posted their article about Canterwood Crest! You can read the online version here. I used to live in Dieterich, IL, which was about 10 minutes from Effingham. But I went to school in Effingham and spent a lot of time there.

Thanks so much to Bill Grimes for writing the piece! 🙂