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I got some exciting news yesterday! It led to the purchase of the suuuperfun hoodie and the tank below from the place where, um, most of my paycheck goes--VS's PINK line.

The news? Take the Reins earned out its advance! Yay! It wouldn't have happened without *you,* the readers, and my ridiculously talented editor, Kate Angelella.

We decided some celebratory online shopping was in order, so I snagged that doodle zip hoodie and the pretty tank. I love that mix of blue and gray! Plus, I'm always cold, so I can't get enough hoodies.

Again, I'm so grateful that Take the Reins is doing so well and in it's . . . 6th (?--I should check that . . .) printing. I'll be working as I start to feel better on Initiation this weekend and I'm counting down the days until Chosen releases in May. I've got a lot of fun giveaways during release week! :)

Anyone else a PINK fanatic? What's your go-to store when you want to celebrate with clothes, accessories--whatever?

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Wow. It's crazy to think that two years ago on January 27, TAKE THE REINS was released into the world. I was a total newbie author with a four-book deal and had no idea if I was doing anything right. The only thing I knew for sure: I had a book that I loved and was passionate about.

I have to first thank Molly McGuire for acquiring the series. Then, all thanks, praise and hearts go to Kate Angelella for turning a four book series into twenty books including a super special. It's rare to find an editor who turns books such as THE ROCK AND THE RIVER into an award winner and a commercial series like Canterwood into a long-running series. I am incredibly grateful to Kate for the countless hours she has put into my books. But she wasn't just focused on Canterwood or award winners. She stayed at the office till 11 many nights (I was there!) and worked all weekend on her projects. I'm friends with several of her authors (hello, Lauren Barnholdt!) and wish they could have seen her in action.

Now, as TAKE THE REINS is almost 2 years old, book 12 has just released--ending Sasha's reign as the narrator of Canterwood. It's an exciting, happy, sad thing all at once!

I cannot wait until May when you will all get to meet our new narrator in the JUMBO sized super special. (Seriously, it's HUGE.) :)

I'm working on #13 INITIATION and Kate and I are preparing to bring you something amazing in between waiting for Canterwood--our new e-book novella series--WELLINGTON PREP. More details to come as we move forward on this new venture.

Thank you all, Team Canterwood, for sticking with me since the first book. I owe you many thanks because you allow me to do the job I love. Thank you. <3

Here's the post I wrote in 2009. :)

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Check this out!

In the FAB Lane reviewed TAKE THE REINS and they're giving away a copy. :)

Thanks, guys!

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Editor K gave me the go ahead to share the news that TAKE THE REINS went into its second printing! Yaaay! I'm super excited about it and thank you to everyone for supporting the book. I so appreciate it.

Also, I have finished copies of BEHIND THE BIT, which comes out May 19. I'll take pics and will post them soon.

The blog is a little quiet since I'm finishing up edits on BEST ENEMIES. But regular blogging will resume soon. :)

Happy Monday!

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Great news! :)

Take the Reins is an April 2009 pick for ALAN. Yay! Thanks so much to Julie M. Prince for reviewing the book.

Fellow S&S author Lisa Schroeder's Far From You is also a pick for this month. Yay, Lisa!

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Jessican Burkhart is the author of a new series for tweens called Canterwood Crest. The first book in this series, Take the Reins, was released in January. Jessica was the guest author yesterday on Book Bites for Kids

.

Listen as host, Suzanne Lieurance, talks with Jessica about this new series.

You’ll find out that Jessica is only 22 years old, yet she landed a multi-book contract from Simon and Schuster’s Aladdin MIX.

Watch this video for another interesting interview with Jessica.

Book Bites for Kids, Canterwood Crest, Jessica Burkhart, Take the Reins

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I finally found the March/April issue of YOUNG RIDER at my local Books-a-Million. See that “true story” bit at the bottom left corner? That’s the article about Canterwood Crest. If you see the issue, check it out. There’s a Canterwood giveaway inside, tons of pics and a fun Q&A. A few girls have already emailed me about the issue--thanks for saying hi! :)

Big thanks to Lesley and Allison for running the article!

Yesterday, I met Jennifer from Tallahassee Magazine. We had a great chat at Starbucks and talked about Canterwood, mean girls and more. Thanks for interviewing me, Jennifer!

I've got a phone interview with the Lake City Reporter on Thursday. That means I don't have to get dressed in my fancy interview clothes. Or, maybe I still will...I kind of like the idea of getting out of my usual writer clothes even for a phone thing. :)

I just finished the outline for Canterwood Crest #5 and feel that relief of, "Oh, good. I didn't forget how to outline or come up with ideas." :) I *always* have that fear when I open a blank Word doc to start an outline. I'm convinced of the following:

1) I'll have zero ideas.

or

2) My ideas will be super awful.

and

3) Agent A and Editor K will be like, "Um. What is this?"

But I made it through the outline. Whew.

And, finally, big congrats to agent sis Lauren Barnholdt! She posted a bunch of great news yesterday, including a new YA sale. Yay, L!

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First, thanks to S&S for featuring me on the author page. How awesome! And I love my quote, LOL. Maybe I shouldn't have told people that I greet animals. :)

Yesterday, I meet the awesome Jessi for an interview for the NE Chronicle. That was so much fun. :) Thanks, Jessi!

Then, I drove around and visited Tallahassee's Borders, Books-a-Million and Barnes & Noble. Borders and BAM were sold out of TTR, but more are on order. B&N had two copies left, which are now signed. In purple. Just in case it matters. ;)

Thanks so much, Tally people! I'll keep visiting stores and signing stock as they come in. The local support has been amazing--thanks!

Next week, I meet with a writer for Tallahassee Magazine. It's a gorgeous local publication and I'm super excited to be included in an upcoming issue.

And, perhaps most exciting of all, I turned in Triple Fault (Canterwood Crest #4) to Agent A yesterday. Now I'm staying busy by plotting CC #5 (it has the coolest title!) and am not driving myself crazy with "she's going to hate it" thoughts. :) Not at all.

I also can't seem to ignore my new YA WIP. It keeps bugging me and I'm finally like, "Fine! Okay! Okay! I'll type just a little bit."

What's everyone working on?

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Thank you, thank you to Jen (wldhrsjen3 on LJ) for her sweet review of Take the Reins. You rock, Jen! Thank you! :)

I was especially nervous to have Miss Jen read my book because she's a horse fanatic too. But she did ask me to name her new horse, if she gets another, so I think I passed.

Off to:

Meet an extern for my interview
(We're meeting at Starbucks and I'm going to get hyped on caffeine.) :)
Sign stock at Barnes & Noble
and Books-a-Million
and Borders

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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!!

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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.

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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!

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Fabulous author and friend Melissa Walker posted my story about how the Canterwood Crest covers were designed. Check it out!

Thank you, Melissa!

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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!

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Two quick things...

I talked horse books and TAKE THE REINS over at Whitebrook Farm. Thanks so much to Mara for interviewing me.

I also stopped at Bri Meets Books for an interview. I spilled the truth about how Editor K makes me cry when we talk ideas. *sniff* Go read it and you'll see what I mean! ;) Thanks so much, Bri!

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The awesome Tina Ferraro and Kelly Parra invited me to stop by YA Fresh. They asked me a few questions and I shared my daily writing schedule. Yep. I did. It's not what you think...

Check it out here.

Thanks, T and K!! :)

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So, obviously, I finally had time to post trip pics!! I had THE most amazing, wonderful, crazy time in New York City. On Friday, my editor, Kate Angelella, threw a meet-and-greet for me at Simon & Schuster. Yep, as if she wasn't busy enough, she took time to gather everyone together on a Friday. Amazing, huh?

Going to S&S was one of the most surreal experiences I've ever had. I was such a dork that I was even excited to see EK's desk! That's where the magic happens, you know.

Everyone gathered in the boardroom (sounds like an episode of The Apprentice!) and we got to chat before Kate introduced me. I knew most everyone from phone calls or emails, but it was so wonderful to meet them in person. After my introduction, I had the chance to thank everyone for supporting Canterwood Crest. Yay, S&S team! :) They make my job easy as an author and when you know people are supporting you and your work, it elevates your drive to work even harder.

As if that wasn't enough, I also got to have lunch with Agent Alyssa and we had a blast! I hadn't seen her since the first Canterwood Crest photo shoot, so it had been a while.

I had a wonderful time and can't wait to go back. They'll probably be like, "Jessica Burkhart? She's here? Again? Call security..."

All photos were taken by Editor Kate. Not one blurry shot. ;)

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Omigosh! :) The awesome Book Chic reads from TAKE THE REINS! Thank you, BC! Read his post and see him read from Eileen Cook's book here.



(Everyone's support for TTR means SO much. You all have no idea!)

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Last night, I hit 50 pages on the Triple Fault draft. It's a start! :)

This week is just insane for me. I've been doing lots of blog interviews (thank you, all, for hosting me!) and have been lining up all of the publicity stuff that needs to be done over the next couple of weeks. Now is the time when I'm sooo glad I spent all of those hours months ago making my PR plan and compiling lists of what needed to be done in January. I think I'd be overwhelmed if I tried to start planning publicity at this late stage. And anyway, I'll learn what works and what doesn't for Take the Reins and can apply it to Chasing Blue. March 24 isn't that far away. :) I'll have to make a new countdown clock when TTR's expires. On January 27. :)

By the way, did I ever mention how much I LOVE that pub date? Two days before I turn twenty-two. That'll be quite a week! I'll be at the height of my book store stalking. You know, hanging out like a creepy person in the MG aisle and saying to anyone who walks by, "I wrote that!!" My local stores will probably take my picture and put up a poster warning the employees not to let me back inside.

:)

Soon, I'll be annoucing the release week giveaways and details about how those will work. Yay! Fun!

Also, I'm starting to feel the need to vlog (read: gush) about my excitment over Take the Reins. But I'm afraid it might turn into a weepy Oscar-like thank you to everyone who helped with TTR. Sappy, right? Um, yeah.

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On Monday, I get to slip into my PR Ninja costume! (I really should find an avatar for this...) I'm going to meet someone downtown to do a PR-related thing. Could I be any more vague, LOL?

I'll spill when it goes online. :)

(Other 2009 debut authors, does it just freak your freak (thanks, Ellen!) to see your countdown clock go down?!) I get dizzy/tingly/crazy watching my Sprout countdown clock tick.

P.S. My blog had its highest monthly hit total in December 2008 since I started blogging. Thanks so much, guys!

P.P.S. Want to win a signed copy of TAKE THE REINS? Check yesterday's post for details.

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My friend and fellow author Keri Mikulski is giving away a signed copy of Take the Reins on her blog! She's also giving away two other books--one of which is Lauren Barnholdt's Reality Chick.

Check here for rules and to enter! You have until 1/31 to leave a comment on the entry to win.

Thank you, Keri! :)

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Oooh, cool!

My agency put up a list of January/February 2009 releases! So. Cool. :)

See it here!

They list TAKE THE REINS and fellow Aladdin MIXer Julia DeVillers and her sis, Jennifer Roy, have their book, TRADING FACES, on the list, too.

It's starting to feel official now!

By the way, FAR FROM YOU author Lisa Schroeder did a wonderful post on her LiveJournal called "supporting authors when your heart is bigger than your wallet." It's a must read!

Yesterday:

14 first draft pages down (oh, the horror of the first draft!) ;) (Really shouldn't be winking...)
2 1/2 cups of green tea consumed
1 cup of coffee (refilled at least twice)
0 instances of hair pulling


And, finally, I can't believe it's the last day of 2008. I'm sooo ready for 2009 to start and I'm ready to kick if off tonight!

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I got something AMAZING in the mail this morning.

Finished copies of TAKE THE REINS!!

OMG. The book that I've obsessed over, cried about, loved writing and enjoyed plotting is in my hands.

TAKE THE REINS started as a "I don't know if I can do this, but I'll try" NaNoWriMo 2006 project.

Wait, wait. How about a little time line instead? 'Kay. Here goes.

Oct. 2006--I want to switch from magazine writing to novel writing. Can I do this?

Nov. 1, 2006--Yes, I can! Let's write this book!

Nov. 15, 2006--Um, wait. Does this thing totally suck?

Nov. 17, 2006--Yes, this might really suck. But I'll keep going.

December 1, 2006--*tired* Wow. I have a reallly bad finished draft. But it's a draft!

December 2006--Revises.

January 2007--Agent A emails.

January 2007--OMG. An agent? Emailing me? Really? *Emails Diana Peterfreund for advice*

January 2007--Diana tells me to chill and not faint when I talk to Agent A for the first time.

January 2007--Talk with Agent A. We click and I don't faint. Sign with Agent A.

February-May 2007--Revise, worry that I completely suck, revise, ooh! TTR is getting better, revise, graduate.

Late May 2007--TTR goes on sub. No time to obsess--gotta start next project

Late May 2007--Offer from S&S. I cry, scream and go through every possible emotion in all of five minutes.

And that's how it happened! Of course, there were lots of revisions after that and all of the superfun stuff like the photo shoot, galleys, copy edits and finalizing titles happened between June 2007 and now.

But wow. The experience of holding your first book in your hands is a fantastic one that I'll never forget.

Pictures to come! :D

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