Saturday, September 15, 2012

Snapshots from Publication Week!

It's been a whirlwind of a week for me! Origin hit stores on September 4th (I can finally say that in the past tense!) and so many amazing things have happened since! I want to share some snapshots of my publication week with you.

1. Origin Release Party
The Origin Midnight Release Party was a blast! It took place at [ash-ling] Booksellers in downtown Toccoa, Ga (where I live--and have lived for my entire life). It was so special to celebrate the launch of my first book with friends, teachers, librarians, babysitters, and family who have known me for my entire life, as well as new friends I've only known a short while. Here are some pics from that amazingly fun night!

The owner of the bookstore made this exact replication of Pia's birthday cake, complete with Skittles and orchids! And it was delishiusssss.

My husband helped me cut out this life-size Pia and everyone got their pictures taken with it throughout the party (and the braver party goers slapped on some Ai'oan facepaint!)


Ash-ling Booksellers decorated their windows with tropical plants and we played jungle drum music--awesome!!

We did a mini-version of the Origin Olympics. Everyone divided into teams and competed with scavenger hunts, trivia, and book poetry! The winner of the night was Team Anaconda, and they each got a Origin bookmark as a prize.

 I have to thank YA authors Susan Dennard (Something Strange and Deadly) and Sarah Maas (Throne of Glass) for their wonderful suggestion of using a copy of Origin as my guest book! So now I have my own copy filled with notes from everyone who came to the launch. So special!!


The team at Ash-ling are super savvy! They put on a fantastic party that I will always remember as the perfect start of my career as an author. I'm so grateful to them for their hard work and enthusiasm! If you want to order a signed copy of Origin, contact them through their Facebook page--right now they're the only store able to stock and ship signed copies.  


2. Barnes & Noble
I found out that Origin was both a Barnes & Noble Bookseller's Pick and a Best Book of the Month! My jaw dropped at both of these incredible honors--I couldn't believe it! I went into my local B&N (and by local, I mean it's a 50 minute drive away--I'm a country girl, y'all) on the 4th to peek at it on shelves. When I walked through those big glass doors, my stomach was fluttering so much I nearly turned around and left! All my life I'd been walking into B&N's dreaming of seeing my book inside--and that dream finally came true! I rode up the escalator, intending to make for the YA section to hunt for it, but as I stepped off I saw it! Right next to Elizabeth George and James Patterson! I almost toppled right down that escalator. (PS. note to authors--B&N loves for authors to sign their stock, and if you do, they'll likely move it to the front of the store w/those fancy "autographed copy" stickers).

3. Apple iBookstore
B&N wasn't the only major bookseller to highlight Origin--Apple also chose it as one of their Books of the Month! Which meant if you went to the iBookstore in iTunes, you'd see this! I was just floored.


4. SIBA
I had the privilege of attending the Southern Independent Bookseller Association's annual trade show in Naples, FL this past weekend, where I signed copies of Origin, met a lot of fantastic bookstore owners, and some very cool authors! On Friday I spoke on a YA panel with Jackson Pearce, Gigi Amateau, and Kat Zhang--definitely a highlight of my week! What talented authoresses these gals are, and you guys should check out all their amazing books!

5. Just when I thought things couldn't get any better, USA Today chose Origin as one of their top recommended weekend reads--along with books by Michael Chabon and Junot Diaz! My eyes are still popping from this one!

6. Completely unrelated to Origin, I began watching Dr. Who this week, after hearing so many people rave about it for years--including my mom, who grew up watching it. So when I saw it on Netflix, I shrugged and muttered to myself, "Oh, all right. I'll see what the fuss is about, I suppose..." Anyway, suffice to say, I'm now a bonafide Whovian. There's no going back (I'm currently on season 4). 

On top of everything else, I've really enjoyed seeing the photos people send me when they buy my book, hearing about the random places Origin has turned up, and most of all, dwelling on the euphoric realization that dreams come true, and mine just has. And as a country gal who had zero connections, zero publishing credits, and zero experience--well, if I could do it, anyone can. So all you aspiring writers dreaming of your own publication week, let me tell you--it's totally, completely, and absolutely possible. Keep writing, keep querying, keep dreaming--because these things do happen!

So as you can see, I've been incredibly busy these past few days! I can't even describe how surreal and wonderful this week has been--and considering my line of work, that's saying something. It's truly a dream come true in every way! And because I'm just so overwhelmed with good feelings, I'm going to give you guys a chance to win a signed, finished copy of Origin! And I'll probably throw in some swag too, so enter below for your chance to win! =)


Cheers!
Jess

North America only
a Rafflecopter giveaway

57 comments:

  1. Girl, I am so super proud of you! You are representing us small time women! I feel like a proud mom lol

    I am also from GA too and our closest B&N is in Athens, GA (about 45 minutes away from us). We are in Hartwell.
    Congratulations! You are an inspiration to us all to get out there and write and more importantly, believe in ourselves. Thank you!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Congratulations on your book! It must be an amazing feeling! :) I'm so excited about your book. And the cover! Oh, it wonderful! :)

    ReplyDelete
  3. Congrats on your book! This is amazing news and it's so inspiring! :)

    (On a completely random note, that is SO awesome that you started watching Doctor Who...it's like my favorite show ever :D)

    ReplyDelete
  4. OMG that is soooo exciting!!!!!!!!!!! Congrats!!!!!!!!!

    ReplyDelete
  5. Your book is so big Jess! You must be SO proud!!!! <3

    ReplyDelete
  6. I can't wait to get a copy to read and to SHARE!!! Congratulations, Jessica! You deserve it!

    ReplyDelete
  7. Love to hear how well your release went!

    Also so excited to hear you started watching Doctor Who! It is simply one of my favorite shows ever :)!

    -K8
    http://froze8.blogspot.com/

    ReplyDelete
  8. Terra:
    Congrats on your book! This is amazing news!

    ReplyDelete
  9. EEEEE!!!! I am so happy for you!!!! Let every single happy thought go to your head! You totally deserve it!

    ReplyDelete
  10. How exciting! Congrats! The cake is beautiful, and the guest book is a neat idea.

    ReplyDelete
  11. So awesome!!! Can't wait to read Origin!

    ReplyDelete
  12. That bookstore window is truly awesome! I can't wait to read Origin!

    ReplyDelete
  13. Congrats! I've been seeing your book all over the web. Can't wait to read it!

    ReplyDelete
  14. Wow! What an amazing week you must have had that beautiful cake all the fanatic people!!! I can't even image how awesome you must feel!!! Super congrats!!! P. s. I LOOVVEEEE EEE EIO!! ima steal him from pia. :3

    ReplyDelete
  15. Great looking event. It must be really cool to have these folks go to that kind of effort to promote the event. Congrats and all best wishes.

    ReplyDelete
  16. That is the coolest cake I have seen. It looks like it was loads of fun. I am so excited about the book and can't wait to read it! Congrats!
    wendyrailey@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  17. I'm so glad that Origin is the book of the month on iBookstore. It totally deserves it!

    ReplyDelete
  18. Congrats on the release week!!! The party looks like it was a blast. Enjoy it :D

    ReplyDelete
  19. Congratulations! I'm so happy for you! It looks like a great party and I can't wait to read Origin! Best wishes for your continued success.;)

    ReplyDelete
  20. That is so amazing. And that cake--wow. Jess, this is so completely awesome and you deserve it! :D I'm so happy for you. :)

    -Juli

    ReplyDelete
  21. Congrats on your books success! It sounds like such an awesome experience! Can't wait to read it!!!

    ReplyDelete
  22. I've already Origin and I loved it! Thanks for writing such a great book, and for the advice. And congratulations!

    If I don't win, no worries; I'll save a few dollars, but I was planning on buying it anyway.

    Thanks again, and by the way--I really want a pet Jaguar!

    ReplyDelete
  23. Thank you for another grate giveaway!

    ReplyDelete
  24. CONGRATS!

    Doctor Who! Nice choice. Love that show.

    ReplyDelete
  25. Awesome post!
    I'm so glad everything's doing good for you! Completely deserved! Congrats!
    And thanks for this giveaway!

    ReplyDelete
  26. Hi!
    Thank you for the post and the giveaway. Congratulations on the release.
    Beautiful cake!

    ReplyDelete
  27. Congrats!!! I'm so happy for you and your big release and success. The cake is so cute and pretty. I love orchids.

    ReplyDelete
  28. Congrats on getting your book featured in so many awesome places :)

    ReplyDelete
  29. Hi Jessica,
    Congratulations! i read the e-book version and loved it. i would love to have it in print also. thank you for the chance at such a great giveaway.

    tammy ramey
    trvlagnt1t@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  30. Hi Jessica,
    CONGRATULATIONS! The release party photos are awesome! The cake looked yummy and I love the decorations :D! Thanks for this great giveaway :D!

    ReplyDelete
  31. Congratulations! It looks like your release week party was a lot of fun. It sounds amazing. Thanks for the pictures. And for the giveaway. I have been waiting for your book:)

    laura thomas

    ReplyDelete
  32. Looks like you've had an incredible week! Congrats on the release :)

    Side note: wow, look at that cake! So pretty!

    ReplyDelete
  33. This is really great, Jess. I'm really happy for you. :)

    ReplyDelete
  34. So happy for you! Congratulations! And thanks for the encouragement!

    ReplyDelete
  35. OMG! this is so awesome I'm thrilled for you XD
    Congratulations \\_// \\_// cheers!
    keep up the good work.

    ReplyDelete
  36. Congratulations! Really excited to read it!!

    ReplyDelete
  37. What an awesome cake and I love the jungle decorated windows!!

    ReplyDelete
  38. Yay congrats on getting your book highlighted on the iBookstore it looks absolutely awesome sitting there :) I love your cake too!

    ReplyDelete
  39. Sounds like an amazing party! Congratulations on your launch!

    ReplyDelete
  40. Yay for Georgia authors! :-D And it looks like your midnight party was awesome. Congratulations again!

    ReplyDelete
  41. Congrats on getting all those honors and mentions so soon after pub date! :D Your cake looks amazing (and the bookstore looks decked out in jungle decor!)

    I love Doctor Who! It's such a good show and it's so amusing!



    ReplyDelete
  42. Congratulation with your new book :) Love the cover and the trailer!! and thank you for the giveaway :D

    ReplyDelete
  43. I wasn't able to make it to the release party, but know that we're proud of you, especially last semester's Advanced Comp class. :) Can't wait to get my hands on a copy and maybe one day teach the novel!

    ReplyDelete
  44. I love giveaways and I RT messages about them, like I did yours. Thanks.

    ReplyDelete
  45. Hurray!! I just finished Origin (I guess sorta for the second time?) tonight - oh my. Jessica. It's beautiful. I know I've said it before, but ya done good! :D

    ReplyDelete
  46. I am DYING to read this book! It looks amazing and I couldn't be happier for your success and the success you will have! I am SO proud and you deserve it after working so hard! I already love it,and know I will be obsessed with it after I read it all! Congratulations!!!

    ReplyDelete
  47. Half way through the book so far has not disappointed me thus far ;) dying to finish it

    ReplyDelete
  48. I can not wait to have one these pretties in my hand....

    ReplyDelete
  49. Sounds like it was a great week! Congratulations! Can't wait to read!

    ReplyDelete
  50. That cake looks awesome. LOL. Congrats on your book. I'm can't wait to read it. :D

    ReplyDelete
  51. Congrats on your awesome release party!! That cake looks SO delicious. It seems like you had a total blast! =) Your story is so inspiring, it definitely shows that we all can become authors. <3

    Thanks for the giveaway Jessica!

    ReplyDelete
  52. That's an amazing accomplishment for someone so young! Congrats :)

    --Markella

    ReplyDelete
  53. Hooray for Whovians!! It's my fav series currently on TV. Don't forget to watch Planet of the Dead, Waters of Mars and End of Time Parts I&II before you get to Season 5. Otherwise you're going to be so LOST. Plus they're some of David Tennant's finest moments as the Doctor. Sorry for the novel. I'm obvs a Who fan :)

    ReplyDelete
  54. I am super excited. I hope I Win! eclairre(AT)ymail(DOT)com

    ReplyDelete