This Week and That and Also the Next

You know every once in a while when you have that week where everything kind of runs together? When you are so crazy busy that you forget what day it is, and all your deadlines are cut down to the very last second and you forget silly things like scheduling blogs and eating breakfast?

That week is happening right now for me. It's FINALLY time for my all-time favorite writer's conference, the annual LDStorymakers conference in Utah.

I'm already in the state, finishing last preparations and squeezing in as much visiting as possible. This actually involves planning down to precise minutes in some cases. It's a good thing, trust me.

And good news! Despite a few troubles with the printing company, my copies of BIRTHRIGHT have arrived! I will have them at the conference. Also, I've been watching Amazon, Barnes and Noble, iBooks, and Kobo, and am seeing the links pop up live in all of them now. Even the paperback is available. You can officially buy BIRTHRIGHT at your favorite online retailer and start reading.

If you do, and you enjoy it, please consider leaving a review. As much as we authors wish it wasn't so, reviews make a huge difference in the sales of a book. Plus, if you do, and you come back here and leave me a link, I will send you a signed, double-sided bookmark.

I may not remember to post next Tuesday, since I am heading home that day, but if you follow me on social networks, I'll try to post pictures of my journey. Or at least of the conference. Or other interesting things. Like the wildebeest that tried to eat me last week. (Yes, that is how it's spelled.) I'm just random like that.

Happy spring!

Last Weekend at Barnes and Noble

Okay, I know I’ve been talking a lot about conferences and events and stuff, and sorry if you’re sick of hearing about them all. I promise, this is the last event I’ll talk about for a while. Because, well, it’s the last in-person event I have scheduled for now.

(Although, the DESCENDANT blog tour is still happening for a few more days, so if you haven’t entered to win yet—you still have lots of chances.)

I’ve never done a signing in Texas before. In fact, I’ve never done a signing outside of Utah. So you can imagine my trepidation and nerves upon showing up at the Barnes and Noble in Corpus Christi, Texas—which is roughly 1500 miles away from all my strongest, most dedicated supporters and fans. And my biggest worry was that I wouldn’t sell enough books. Or that I wouldn’t sell any books, and would spend the whole afternoon twiddling my thumbs and looking like a loser.

It’s true. Authors worry about this. Every time we go to sign somewhere.

Anyway, there was traffic on the way there. And I ran into the store with like, five minutes to spare, and found a line had already formed for my signing partner, Marcia Mickelson, who lives in Corpus Christi. Believe it or not, we had a fairly steady flow of people for most of the afternoon, several of which bought both books. I saw a number of my new friends from church, and met a bunch of new fans. Marcia and I both sold quite a few books. All told, I think Barnes and Noble was happy with us. I had a great time, and there was no time for thumb-twiddling. 

*sighs in relief*

Unfortunately, though we took a lot of pictures, a lot of them ended up fuzzy. Just how it goes. Sadness!  

So yeah, that’s the end of my signing schedule for the time being. And now my focus will shift to moving, packing/unpacking, and decorating. And then…

SUMMER!!!

So. What scary things have you done lately and what are your plans for summer?

Supply Season

Quick question. Who else is excited about buying school supplies this year? Notebooks and pens and paperclips and more notebooks and…yeah.

That’s not to say I’m excited for school to start again, because, well, that means summer is over and that just makes me sad. Also, our schools have ridiculous fees (yeah, it’s public school—I think it’s a rotten deal too), and I’m dreading getting the bill.

But also, also…books. And guess where you can get some great books, for a good cause, and also meet some amazing authors (including me)? The Pleasant Grove library is hosting a fundraiser tonight at 7:00, and if you’re anywhere in the area, you should stop by and say hey! But even if you don’t stop by, what upcoming releases are you looking forward to reading this fall?

A Not-to-be-Missed Event!

And guess what? I will be there too. Come say hi!

Multi-author Book Signing

August 1st from 7-9 p.m.

30 E. Center Street, Pleasant Grove, UT

Come join your favorite local authors at the Pleasant Grove City Library 

and support the cause of literacy!

• Julie Coulter Bellon

• Monique Bucheger

• Rachelle Christensen

• Loralee Evans

• Julie N. Ford

• Nichole Giles

• Heather Justesen

• Angie Lofthouse

• Heather (H.B.) Moore

• L.L. Muir

• Andrea Pearson

• Tristi Pinkston

• Suze Reese

Proceeds from the silent auction will go to benefit the library, as will a portion of the proceeds from book sales.

Super-Spectacular, Uber-Fun Party/Event—You’re Invited!

I don’t know if you’ve been to my events page or not, but this week I’m participating in an uber-cool, super-de-duper fun event in celebration of the launch of the newest Tristi Pinkston release in the Secret Sisters series, Hang ‘em High. Now, you know I’m not a blogger who frequently uses this space as an advertisement, so it should say a lot about how excited I am that I’m shouting about it here.

So check. This. Out. (Yeah, I took a picture of the flier--so shoot me.)

Did you see my name on that list of authors? Yeah. Not only will I be signing, but also handing out balloons and candy and whatever else needs doing. So come say hi. Bring your friends. And your neighbors. And your kids and their friends. And your extended family members. And when you meet me, tell me you read about this event on my blog. I *may* have a special treat just for my readers. Cuz I love you all so much.

Hope to see you there!

AuthorPalooza and Things I Love, Day 2: Being an Author

In keeping with my goal for the week, I'm stopping for a minute to reflect on the things I love. I'm thinking about AuthorPalooza on Saturday, and how it feels to sign my name inside a book I created. Well, okay, so I helped create it anyway, since I wasn't alone in the work.

And how it will feel to have my name on the cover of another book I can then sign. It makes me think back to what has happened since I started writing, and the incredible growth I've experienced. All the people I've met who are now my friends. People I might not otherwise have the opportunity to meet.

These people are another group of friends for whom I'm eternally grateful. And whether I'm close to them or just getting to know them, my author friends are special to me. We're there to help each other learn and grow and become successful in the writing and publishing industry. I love them all.

At the signing event on Saturday, there were 40 of us, and I was so proud to have met most of the other authors. The rest...well, I've met them now. I think. Most of them. (It's entirely possible I missed someone, and if you're that someone, I'm so sorry! Track me down next time and we'll meet for real.)

Before everyone left, I took a few minutes and ran around the store snapping pictures. Granted, I was in a hurry (because I left my signing table and we'd had a steady stream of people) so some of these are blurry and bright--but pictures are still pictures and I'm happy to have them.

Make an on-line slideshow at www.OneTrueMedia.com

Today, I love being an author and creating stories from life experience and pure imagination. 

Two Days to Launch, Prizes to Win, and an Awesome Gift Idea

Okay, so first of all, the book launch for Mormon Mishaps and Mischief is in two days. Two days, people! This is crazy cool, and before you ask, yes, I'm totally excited. This will be my very first book signing in which I'm actually on the author side of the table. Yahoo! And I'm lucky because if no one shows up, at least I'll have my co-author Cindy to talk to. No hours spent twiddling our thumbs and feeling stupid for us. No-sirree. (But please, show up. Please, please, please...okay, so I told myself I wouldn't beg. Enough of that!)

Now, lest you have forgotten in all my many posts, you are all invited to this launch. And I'll just add that Cindy and I are in the process of putting together the prizes and gift baskets, and this is going to be one launch you don't want to miss. But...if you can't make it, check out my sidebar for one of our other December signings. We're planning to have a few giveaways at those as well.

We'd love to meet you!

Now, moving on to other cool news:

I'm told there are several blogs giving away copies of Missing by Ronda Gibb Hinrichsen. In case you didn't read my review the other day, scroll to the blog below this one or click here. This is a must read!  Click here, here, or here and enter to win.

Also, if you're looking for awesome cool prizes, don't forget about the Original Scrapbox 12 Blogs of Christmas giveaway. Click here to enter and find out more details.

My good friend, Mary Greathouse, has just released her newest creation, The Family Record Keeper. This handy-dandy little book is an organizing genius for vital information for everyone in the family. I've been waiting anxiously for this book to be released, and now it's here! Thank goodness. And just in time for the holidays, too. It's a great gift idea.



Here's the scoop:

A personal record journal for parents, children and grandparents  

Keep all of your important personal family records from babyhood through senior citizen years.,  All in one place.
.
Personal information                          Education                                              Resume of my life experiences        
Identification records                           Medical records                                   Things I'd like my family to know
Immunization records                         Military                                                    Financial records, if desired
Employment                                          Religious activities                              Marriage and family
Organizations & activities                    Youth Activities                                     Scouting records

Customize to your needs

• Compact,  7" x 9"  3-ring binder with removable pages
• Add or remove pages to fit your needs
• Individual sections for 5 different family members, more individual sections available
• Each section includes 38 pages
• Emergency information section includes contact information, meeting places, special instructions, etc.
• Extra pages for  Special Occasions,  School schedules,
• Year in Review section to track major life events, year-by-year.
  
• Movable address pages
  
• Lots of extra note pages to move to where you need more record keeping room
• Grab and go in an emergency.  All of your records in hand

Click here to order your copy.

Got to run now, people. Lots to do! More later. Until next time, Write on!

Nichole

 

So Many Giveaways and More Free Stuff

Oh my goodness, it's December already. Or, um, it will be in a few hours. Where has the year gone?

So, in honor of the upcoming holiday, and to coordinate with the end of blog tours and other events, I'm going to share with you--my ever faithful readers--links to some way fun giveaways and ways to get free stuff.


1. My good friend Heather is giving away TONS of stuff on her blog this week. One prize a day, every day this week, except today--today's the jump off day--and Saturday. Not one prize on Saturday because...she's giving away three. Yes, that's right, three on Saturday for a total of nine prizes. All awesome stuff, too. Click here to enter. Oh, and by the way, I saw that cake in person. It was beautiful, and tasted great too.

2. My other good friend and co-author Cindy is giving away a gift card for Baskin Robbins Ice Cream. Very good stuff, if you ask me. Click here to enter her drawing.

3. Ann Bradshaw, queen of blog giveaways, is giving away a copy of Missing by Ronda Gibb Hinrichsen.I'm reading this book right now, and so far am completely hooked. Not only is it a great read, but is a great gift idea as well. Click here to enter Ann's drawing.

4. This week is my friend Karlene's birthday week, and to celebrate, she is giving away several prizes. No one knows what she'll give away until she announces it, so you'll have to click here and scroll through this week's posts to enter. 

5. This coming Friday, I'm participating in a really awesome, incredible, HUGE giveaway that includes a very large prize that many people will want. Keep watching here to find out more information about this incredible opportunity. (Seriously, you're going to love it!)

Is that all?  Well, okay then. Now I can update you on my news.

Mormon Mishaps and Mischief appearances and signings:

Wednesday, December 9th, 6-9pm
Barnes and Noble Booksellers
University Crossings Plaza, 330 East 1300 South, Orem, UT 
(801) 229-1611

Saturday, December 12th, 11:00 am-1:00 pm
Barnes and Noble at the Gateway
6 North Rio Grande Street, Salt Lake City, UT 
(801) 456-0100

**Wednesday, December 16th, 6-9pm
Borders Booksellers
4801 N University Ave # 910, Provo, UT 
(801) 224-2720


Saturday, december 19th, 11:00 am-1:00 pm
Barnes and Noble
South Towne Marketplace
10180 S. State Street
Sandy, UT 84070
(801) 233-0203

** Tentative date, not confirmed. I'll let you know for sure if Borders will have books for us to sign on that day. If they do, we'll be there!


Come say hi to Cindy and me. Eat treats. Enter our drawings.  Buy a book or two and get them signed.  


Have an awesome week, kids. I now officially give the weather gods my permission to let it snow! (Just not too much, please.)