Wow, it’s Thursday already and Secret Society Girl 2 still isn’t done. I keep writing and writing. Guess that instant gratification thing isn’t working out like I expected. (The RTB readers burst into hysterical laughter.)
Last night I dreamed about the release of my book. Oddly enough, this is the first of those dreams that I’ve had. You had the usual stuff: people hating it, people loving it, etc. In general, I prefer the latter.
I prefer stuff like this which, all in all, might be even better than Hokey Pokey!
It is a quirky, well-paced, clever, and fresh novel from debut author Diana Peterfreund. Amy is a charming, funny and smart character. I really liked her. There are hilarious, laugh out loud moments (loved the comment about Amy’s friend-with-benefits, Brandon, looking like a sidekick in a WB show LOL). I read this book, from start to finish, with a smile on my face and will definitely be picking up the second installment in the series. Highly recommended.
I’m prety sure this is Lanie, because I don’t know who else in New Zealand has read my book. She can officially say she’s the first person on the continent to get her hands on it! Also, fab blog. Hot soccer players. What’s not to love?
Yesterday I went to what is called “a bookseller lunch.” Nice work if you can get it. Basically, what it means is that I had lunch with several local booksellers and talked about my book. Honestly, it might be the most fun I’ve ever had. In a stroke of genius, the publisher representative sat me between two booksellers, Pam and Susan, that I’d accidentally met at BEA while standing in line to meet Geraldine Brooks (Pulitzer Prize-winning author of March). Another attendee, Allie, reminded me of my hard-working heroine — not only was she a bookseller, she was also a senior in college, and headed to some sort of summit in Miami (you know, in between all her other duties)! One bookseller, Dan, even showed me around his store after lunch. (Hence the earlier post about things I’m not allowed to do.)
Now, the best thing about having lunch with booksellers is you are guaranteed to be surrounded with book lovers. Oh it was a big booklove-in. I have so many recommendations now that I’m not allowed to read. Factoid: I learned that there are actually people out there resisting Harry Potter until all seven are out. Booksellers LOVE Harry Potter. They get very dreamy looks in their eyes when you say Harry Potter. I covet that look. I want it to happen when you say my book, too.
Joy of joys, most of them had actually read my book already, and they wanted to talk about it and what parts they’d liked best and etc. etc. etc. We had a little casting call, and then debated about “whom Amy should end up with” and chatted about my inspiration, the romances hiding under my bed, and what we liked about BEA. They each got a copy of the book, which I signed.
It ended up being a lovely event, and I enjoyed meeting the new caretakers of my book. It’s basically out of my hands now, and in those of the good booksellers of North America. Or, will be, in, oh nineteen days.
Eek! Nineteen days!















June 29th, 2006 at 9:01 am
How exciting, Diana! Can’t wait to read it! I love booksellers too. Had a chance to have coffee with last years RWA bookseller of the year. She is marvelous, but I love anyone you can talk books to.
Teri
June 29th, 2006 at 9:25 am
How exciting! Your book is going to fly off the shelves!
June 29th, 2006 at 9:27 am
What a smart thing for your publisher to organise. They are taking care of you! Congratulations!
June 29th, 2006 at 11:10 am
That does sound like a wonderful way to spend the afternoon. All that “book excitement” is contagious. Lucky you to be the center of all that attention! I bet those booksellers will be doing an awful lot of hand-selling…
June 29th, 2006 at 11:35 am
Whooohooo on the bookseller lunch!!! Tres happy for you, as I continue to say. And what a great review. All of it’s true and I couldn’t have written it better myself. Can’t wait for your READERS to get this book in their hands. I’m going to every local bookstore and get obnoxious, running around the store with the book in my hands, hawking it and telling everyone how fabulous you are….at least until they bring the straight jacket in to get me. :::EEEG:::
= )
June 29th, 2006 at 5:11 pm
Um…wow. Your publisher loves you. Your book is going to hit major lists very early on.
You heard it here first.
I am first, right?
Or has Kerri already told you that?
July 2nd, 2006 at 7:49 pm
Oh it is all so exciting! And yeah Diana, that blog is mine and the rather snort review LOL. Short, sweet and snappy, that’s me.
I’ve re-read SSG and yep, it’s all good the second time around. Now the ARC is winging its way to Beijing with my best friend. She needed something for the plane and I mentioned SSG and she’s like “yep, I’ll take it” LOL.
So, I was the first to read it on this continent (or, even hemisphere??) and now it’s in China. How cool.
July 2nd, 2006 at 7:50 pm
er, that should be short (the rather snort review). Stupid keyboard LOL