Grand Prize Winners!

As of today, Night of the Giving Dead is officially closed for business. But there are still grand prizes to give out! So without further ado...

The winner of the Kindle is Daphne!

The winner of the 6 month mentorship is Savannah!

Congratulations and zombie hugs to you both!

And that's that. I'd love any feedback you've got, either here in the comments or by email. What did you think? Should I do another of these next year to celebrate BAD HAIR DAY?

I'll be back on Monday with our regularly scheduled nonsense. I need today and tomorrow to get caught up on processing all these prizes!

The GRAND PRIZE...and then I will officially shut up!

Late tonight (or maybe early tomorrow morning), I draw the grand prize winners for Night of the Giving Dead! If you've been visiting your relatives in Kankakee, or avoiding me because of something I said (dude, I'm SORRY), or been on an internet sabbatical while you alphabetize your collection of foreign soaps--in short, if you've missed the details--lemme tell you a little about this! I'm giving away a Kindle. And a six month writing mentorship, in which I can give you ideas on how to handle your collection of foreign soaps, if it comes to that.

What do you need to do? Just fill out this form! You don't have to have participated in the auction to enter. And while the auction items are closed, there are still a lot of ways to get extra entries and make a difference for the kids of Mott hospital, like tweeting/FBing/blogging about what I've been up to, or making a $10 (or more) donation to the Giving Library, or buying a copy of Bad Taste in Boys! As a thank you, you can also sign up for some free swag from some SUPA AMAZING authors when you register for the grand prize.

Get your entries in by midnight EST to be included in the drawing! I'll announce the winners in tomorrow's blog post and on twitter.

And after the grand prize is drawn? I'LL TALK ABOUT SOMETHING ELSE FOR A CHANGE!?!?!

Last Day for Night of the Giving Dead!

You people astound me.

I don't have final numbers yet, but I think we're hovering around the $7000 mark for Night of the Giving Dead. Think of how many books that means for kids who really need them. HAPPYHAPPYHAPPYHAPPY.

There are still a few items left for today, including some great signed books and an ARC pack that I REALLY want. I also got some notes from people yesterday who REALLY wanted critiques but got outbid at the last minute. So as a thank you from me, I'm offering BONUS CRITIQUES. There are three of them closing throughout the day today, and since they're only open for one day, they should be affordable. I hope you'll bid on them.

And don't forget to fill out the grand prize form! I'll be drawing winners of the Kindle and mentorship tomorrow!

As a parting shot...this is what it's like to see me speak live. You can do that at the Kerrytown Bookfest here in Ann Arbor in September. More deets later!

Night of the Giving Dead LAST MINUTE STEALS and bidding giveaway!

It's the last day to bid on many Night of the Giving Dead items! The closing time is noted on each item--we have things closing at noon, 2P, and 4P, all EST. And there are some huge steals to pick off that are going for much less than they're worth! Go here and look for the items marked STEAL and snap them up before someone else does! Don't let someone outbid you at the last minute!

I'm also giving away a 100 page critique to someone who bids today. Entries will be calculated based on the dollar amount of each valid, unretracted bid. So if you bid $20, you get 20 entries. If you bid $100, you get 100 freaking entries! This critique is FREE and doesn't require you to win anything! All you need to do is place a bid to be entered. I'll be drawing the winner around 4:30 EST today, so get those bids rolling! Remember, every dollar goes to sick kids who need a good book to distract them!

To help motivate you, here is a picture of my head on David Hasselhoff's body.

BID! BID LIKE THE WIND!

Surprise LOLZOMBIE and the Night of the Giving Dead home stretch

And now, for the LAST LOLZOMBIE OF THE WEEK. I think it's probably obvious what movie musical this one's from!



And now, a quick reminder that many Night of the Giving items start closing on MONDAY, at times throughout the day. The newer items have an extra day for bidding to even things out a little. And don't forget to fill out the grand prize entry form--you won't be entered to win the Kindle or six month writing mentorship without it!http://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gif

How about some featured items to carry us through the weekend?

• A three chapter critique plus a follow up phone call from my agent, Kate Schafer Testerman. (And really? I'm jealous of anyone who gets to talk to her. She's THAT nice.)
  
• A September release ARC pack--ENTHRALLED and THE SHATTERING. (Get your hands on two great upcoming releases well before the rest of the world!)
  
• A signed copy of BESTEST. RAMADAN. EVER. by Medeia Sharif. (This is a new listing, great deal, and a must read!)
  
• A signed copy of THE FAERIE RING by Kiki Hamilton and a 25 page critique. (Kiki is one of my crit partners, and she is AWESOME.)
  
• A signed, annotated copy of BAD TASTE IN BOYS. (You'll get inside info on edits, backstory, and a few sneak tidbits about the next Kate Grable adventure, BAD HAIR DAY.)
  

Lolzombie of the Day and Featured Steals

Look! Look! It's a lolzombie cleverly disguised at John Travolta from Saturday Night Fever.



I totally see the resemblance, don't you?

Night of the Giving Dead has started hopping, because we're getting into the home stretch on some of these items--but there are still some mucho fabbo steals out there. Take a look at these:

• A signed copy of MOONGLASS by Jessi Kirby. (A perfect choice for a contemporary YA fan--I loved this book!)
  
• A critique of 10 pages of a MG or verse novel or a full PB from author Caroline Starr Rose. (And she's not only adorable and kind--she's also TALENTED.)
  
• Name a character in Barrie Summy's next middle grade book. (Imagine how cool your tween will be if he/she is the inspiration for a BOOK. Very ridiculously cool, of course.)
  
• A copy of HOKEY POKEY signed by author Lisa Wheeler. (This is one of the most adorable picture books EVAR.)
  
• A 30 minute phone call with agent Michelle Wolfson. (A REAL LIVE AGENT! ON THE PHONE! WITH YOU!)
  
• An original 9" by 12" watercolor by K. Marie Criddle. (SHE DRAWS ZOMBIES. Also other things that are awesome.)
  

Singin in the Rain lolzombie and some featured items!

I love lolzombies! If you ask me, SINGIN' IN THE RAIN and lolzombies go together like...uh...

Let me get back to you on that.



And here are some featured items from Night of the Giving Dead! Not only are they awesome, but every dollar you bid goes straight to the hospital to put great books in the hands of sick kids. Which is the LEAST they deserve.

• A signed ARC of WOLFSBANE by Andrea Cremer! (AAAAAAAH! Ren reduces me to total incoherence!)
  
• A signed copy of MEMENTO NORA by Angie Smibert and a 10 page or query and synopsis critique! (MEMENTO NORA is stylish and creepy and just plain awesome. So is Angie...well, she's not creepy but you get the picture.)
  
• A custom book trailer from Megan Bostic! (I've tried playing around with video, and MAN IS IT HARD. But it really gets the word out about your book. Let Megan work her magic with yours--you won't be sorry!)
  
• A signed copy of Nathaniel Fludd, Beastologist: THE BASILISK'S LAIR by R.L. Lafevers! (Adventure! Snakes! Basilisks! It's like mini Indiana Jones, and it is AWESOME.)
  
• A signehttp://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gifd copy of THE MOCKINGBIRDS by Daisy Whitney and an ARC of THE RIVALS! (These books are ZOMGHOLYCRAPSTICKSGOOD! And THE RIVALS isn't out until next year, so you will get to read it VERY early and taunt people with your awesomeness.)
  
• A blog design package courtesy of Parajunkie! (Looking to prettify your blog? Parajunkie does some FABULOUS work, and right now, this item is a huge STEAL.)
  
• A signed copy of DOGSLED DREAMS by Terry Lynn Johnson! (Another fabulous middle grade adventure that will keep some lucky kid glued to the pages.)
  

Bidding's starting to get competitive! Don't get left behind on the awesome!

Flashdance lolzombie AND featured bidding items!

Durr. Slayer called me this morning to tell me something was up with the blog. "But I wrote something!" I thought. Yeah. I posted it on Night of the Giving Dead by mistake. Whoopsie.

Today's musical inspired lolzombie is from Flashdance. Because nothing says awesome like a zombie in 80s dancewear dumping a bucket of water on its head.



I'm so pleased to report that Night of the Giving Dead is going strong! I've gotten a few more donations that I plan to put up today--make sure to stop by to bid on these awesome deals. You will want them. Heck, *I* want them!

Need some ideas on what to bid on? Here are some great deals!

• A signed animal picture book pack by the awesomely adorable Lisa Wheeler! (I like to keep a few signed picture books on hand for baby showers. Because I am lazy.)
  
• A signed copy of SPARROW ROAD by Sheila O'Connor! (Maybe I should keep signed copies of middle grade books too. This one is beautiful and intriguing and oh-so-lovely!)http://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gif
  
• Signed copies of IF I STAY and WHERE SHE WENT by Gayle Forman. (Guys. It's GAYLE FREAKING FORMAN! AAAAAAAAH!)
  
• A signed, annotated copy of ANNA AND THE FRENCH KISS by Stephanie Perkins! (You realize what this means, right? INSIDE ETIENNE INFO!!!! DOUBLE AAAAAAAAAAH!>
  
• A critique by Curtis Brown agent of awesome, Sarah La Polla! (Depending on how much the final bid is, she'll do MORE pages!)

Oklahoma lolzombie and today's features

It's the lolzombie of the day! I am working on one for Breakin 2: Electric Boogaloo, but that's TOUGH. But it's okay, because we have one for Oklahoma! Unfortunately, every time I look at it, I get that song stuck in my head, and I only remember about two lines of it. Hopefully you fare better than I did.



Now. Hopefully by now, you've heard of Night of the Giving Dead. And today, I'd like to point something out. Usually, critiques go for upwards of 500 buckaroonies. But because I put a slew of them up at once, these have been flying under the radar. They're a STEAL, peeps. Why not place a bid and get in on the action???

• A signed copy of OyMG, an OyMG t-shirt, and a three chapter AND synopsis from the delightful Amy Dominy. (And synopses are always so fricking HARD! Amy's got a great feel for pacing and character; she'll help you out.)
  
• A 50 page manuscript critique by multitalented author Robin LaFevers. (Robin AWES me. She's pubbed in MG; her YA comes out soon, and I suspect she could write cereal boxes and make them interesting. Whatever you've got, she can help you with it.)
  
• A critique of 10 pages of a MG or YA or a full PB from the awe-inspiring Cynthea Liu. (This is the kind of thing that's perfect to get your first pages sparkling, even if your project isn't finished! And Cynthea writes such TERRIFIC books that you will be in TERRIFICKER hands.)
  
• A full manuscript critique plus a 30 minute follow up phone call by agent of awesomeness Suzie Townsend. (Just reading this makes me squealy. This could be just what you need to whip that manny into shape before subbing! And don't get me started on what a steal this is right now.)
  
• A full manuscript critique from me. (I cannot promise not to crack any jokes during the execution of said critique. But I promise to make it worth your while.)
  

Quick! Quick! Get cracking before someone else snaps these things up!

Dirty Dancing lolzombie...and a serious note

Today's musical lolzombie is from Dirty Dancing, and it's probably my favorite. I also think the zombies put a new twist on that song they sing at the end of the movie about joining hands and hearts and voices.


Now. On to some slightly more serious stuff. Yesterday was one of those really difficult days where my husband had to have The Talk with a family at the hospital. Those days make you want to hug and kiss your kids and thank whatever deity you happen to believe in that you've been so lucky. On the other? You kind of want to shake your fist at the sky and demand an explanation that makes sense.

There's nothing that will make this okay, but I really want to put lots of books in these kids' hands and give them a smile or two and a few moments of escape. If you've got a minute, please place a bid, make a donation, or sign up for the grand prizes! There's a kindle and a six month writing mentorship up for grabs!

And if all those items are way too much to go through, here are some features! All are going for less than retail value, and they're just plain awesome.

• Signed copies of the NYT bestselling picture book THE POUT-POUT FISH and THE POUT-POUT FISH IN THE BIG-BIG DARK by Michigan writer Debbie Diesen! (I secretly love these picture books and am always putting them on the top of the stack and then asking my kids to "choose.")
  
• Signed copies of middle grade novels ZOMBIES FOR LUNCH and MIKE STELLAR: NERVES OF STEEL by KA Holt! (A zombie haiku book for kids--the concept alone cracks me up.)
• A signed copy of young adult novel THE YEAR WE WERE FAMOUS by Carole Etsby Dagg! (Adventure! Floods! Historical figures! Bloomers!)
• An audio book of EDGES by Lena Roy! (This edgy contemporary YA is FABULOUS, and I'm not just saying that because Lena's Madeline L'Engle's granddaughter and kind of makes me fangirl.)
• A 100 page critique from editor Tracy Marchini, plus a copy of her book PUB SPEAK!

And thanks again for all your support! The word's still spreading...and I'd really REALLY appreciate anything you can do to help get it out there!

Lolzombies...and Night of the Giving Dead update

I'm attempting to chill out now, if by "chill out" you mean "leave the computer for at least an hour a day." So I've been looking through my archives for something that you might like to see again. And one of the things that I'm most proud of on this blog is the lolzombie series. I did a bunch of them based off of dance movies, because WHY THE HECK NOT?!? And I know a lot of you new people haven't seen them before. YOU MUST. They are snarfy, and snarfy is good.


I have a whole series of these...what dance movie do YOU want to see?

And while we're at it, you do know about Night of the Giving Dead, right? Short version--online auction to benefit book program at children's hospital. Two grand prizes up for grabs--a Kindle with a BTIB ebook and a 6 month writing mentorship. Check out the link for more info.

Don't have the time to go through all those items? Here are today's features!

• I think this package of picture books and dragon puppets by the lovely Shelley Moore Thomas would make the world's most awesome baby shower gift. And as I'm writing, it's going for less than market value!
• POWERLESS by Matthew Cody was one of my favorite books of 2010. It's got superheros and comic books and bullies and shady villains. This is one heck of a terrific middle grade read.
• I'm not the biggest sports fan in the world, but I devoured Keri Mikulski's HEAD GAMES and STEALING BASES. Sporty girls + romance + school drama = awesome. These are quick YA reads for contemporary fans.
• MG and YA writers, you need to check out Bettina Restrepo's critique prize! Not only will she critique 10 pages, but she'll follow up with a phone call to discuss your project. This could be exactly what you need to get through that roadblock!
• Shhhh. Don't tell anybody, but there's a full YA manuscript critique by lovely agent Weronika Janczuk flying under the bidding radar right now. I won't tell anyone else if you don't.
  

Launch Day Play-by-Play

Ever wonder what it's like to see your first book go out? I kept a running file open and live blogged it, only I didn't post it live, so maybe it's an undead blog? Either way, here's what it was like for me...

*gets up way too early because of excitement, bypasses dirty dishes and messy floor, goes straight to computer*

Oh, YAY! More Night of the Giving Dead auction bids! YOU ARE AWESOME PEOPLE. I AM SENDING YOU PSYCHIC HAPPY VIBES.

*writes blog post, begins soda consumption despite the fact that it's only 7:30 in the morning, because coffee makes me even more hyper. Scary, eh?*

ZOMGWKFGRDFSYSERYT$EAAEW!!!! Megan Bostic zombified herself on Facebook! BAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!

Wait a tick...a whole slew of people did it? IS THAT A PLUNGER IN HER HEAD?!?! I am crying over zombies, and that makes me laugh, and the result is NOT PRETTY AT ALL. Holy crapsticks. I have the coolest friends in the whole entire world.

Yes, son, I'm crying over zombies. This shouldn't surprise you.

I still can't get over that plunger.

I have officially become one of those annoying twitter people who types everything in all capital letters.

Whoops. I got so distracted by all the messages...and pictures...and PLUNGER that I forgot I'm supposed to be stalking my book on Amazon. Gotta get on that.

SOMEONE BOUGHT IT IN A STORE! LIKE, A REAL ONE! AND THEY PAID MONEY FOR IT! AND IT WAS ON THE SHELF! AND NOW I'M HYPERVENTILATING!

Daughters, please don't hit each other in the head any more. I need to get back to freaking out over this book. EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE.

Okay, so maybe it's time to take a freak out break. I think I'll watch some Strong Bad emails. Because they are awesome.

Belated lunch. Slightly disappointed that my B&N doesn't carry the book, but there's another one across town that does! I WILL STALK THEM TOMORROW.

My cheeks hurt from smiling too much. Someone say something mean before my cheeks fall off! Actually, don't, because I'm hyperemotional right now.

Yes, I will color princess pictures. Maybe my cheeks will stop hurting.

Didn't work.

I will not read reviews. I know I'm not supposed to read reviews. I will not do it. I have the self-control of a...self-controlly thing.

Who am I kidding? Maybe I'll start with reviews from people I know. They'll be gentle, right?

THANK YOU FOR BEING GENTLE, PEOPLE I KNOW.

I am ordering pizza for dinner. There will be no cooking in the Harris household today, because I am busy basking in the awesome! I'll only have one first debut day, right?

First official shelf picture, courtesy of KM Walton!

I really want to go out and strike up a random conversation with somebody, like in Target or something, and ask them what they do for a living so they will ask me. And then I can say, "Yo. I'm a published author!"

I can't believe I just said YO.

Actually, I can.

If you can't tell, it's getting toward the end of the night, and I'm really slappy and exhausted and thrilled and grateful and so so so SO happy.

I could totally get used to this.

BAD TASTE IN BOYS hits shelves today!!!

I used to dream about what this day would feel like. I dreamt about holding the book in my hands, and seeing it on the shelf, and going to the bookstore and taking a picture with it on the shelf while the employees debated on whether or not I was a total nutter and should they call the cops. I've held the book, and I fully intend to do the other two today. I'll let you know if the cops show.

But what I didn't expect was waking up to find the blogosphere alive with sugar lips and zombified book bloggers with plungers stuck in their heads. I didn't expect the thrill of getting emails from people who read the book or wanted to, and who thankfully didn't mind getting responses back in all capital letters and punctuated by 10 or more exclamation points. I didn't expect the videos or packages.

I didn't expect to make so many FRIENDS.

Thank you for being total nutters with me. Thank you for making me laugh, and for every single one of your notes and comments. If you ever need a laugh, or someone to listen, or someone to stand by your side during the zombie apocalypse and shout helpful things like, "AIM FOR THE HEAD!!!!" I'm there.

Thank you for being a friend.

Image awesomeness courtesy of chuckhodi.net.

Happy Monday!

Holy frijoles, people. Bad Taste in Boys comes out...tomorrow. I'm all like this:

Personalize funny videos and birthday eCards at JibJab!

I'm a happy mad scientist!

I am also apparently a happy pickle. Which sounds a lot pervier than it really is.

If that's not enough excitement, Night of the Giving Dead starts TODAY! You can bid on ARCS, signed books, critiques, and lots of other fun prizes. And there are grand prizes, one of which rhymes with windle and the other of which rhymes with fix grunth plighting tentorship. If that doesn't pique your curiosity then...well, you're a lot more normal than me.

And there's one more bit of excitement that I'd like to share. The people of Delacorte are moving their offices, which means PACKING. And like the rest of us, when they pack, they FIND THINGS they didn't even know they had. Like ARCs.

One of the best things about this whole experience has been YOU GUYS. Your comments crack me up. So I'm giving away a personalized BTIB ARC today to one random person who comments on this post. It's my way of saying thank you for being awesome. Comment before 7 PM EST to win! And if you follow me on Twitter, make sure to check out the giveaway there too!

Sugar Lips BTIB Giveaway Winners!!!

YOU MADE THIS SOOOOO HARD ON ME, AND I LOVE IT.

The first bit was easy. I made a list of everyone who participated in the Sugar Lips BAD TASTE IN BOYS giveaway, and Random.org picked the winner. The lucky participant who gets the last BAD TASTE IN BOYS ARC is...

Lisa B!!!

Congratulations, Lisa! Drop me a note with your address, and I'll get your copy to you!

And now for the hard part. Honestly, I had SO MUCH FUN watching your entries come in. The fact that you took the time to make something for a book you haven't even read blows my mind, and clicking on the links to your creations is one of my favorite things about this whole publishing process to date. THANK YOU!

I had no idea how creative you really are! Some of the people who really made me squeal and deserve special mention are:

• BookluvrMindy, with her horde of sugar lipped kids and the DOG! The dog kills me!


• Yolande, who actually hand-drew a sugar lips pic...with sugar.


• Vivi, whose sugar lippy Han Solo video made me snarf things out my nose.


• Taylor Lynn, who took my trailer and made it awesomer.


• Louisse, who facebook bombed me with so many pictures that I went into sugar shock.

Clearly, the creativity is there, so the only way I could choose was to look at which person balanced creativity with MASSIVE VOLUME. This person changed four of her profile pics to BAD TASTE IN BOYS. She started tweeting and didn't stop. She blogged, sugar lipped herself, created a movie poster (with George Romero as the director), and made a sugar lip ring out of what looks like sculpy and beads.

The winner of the ARC with special sekrit notes is...

LESLEY!!!

Congratulations, LESLEY!

Since the sekrit notes were such a hit, I'm going to give away one more sekrit note copy...and I'll be doing them individually, so each will be totally unique. That post will go live on the 11th...because I'm taking an internet vacation next week! I've got so much excitement planned for the month of July. (Are you ready to bid on the charity auction? Because I've been writing up items like CRAZY.) So I'm going to take a week to spend with my family.

BUT, you won't be totally Carrieless, because my blog tour starts on Monday! Find me in the following places while I'm gone--

• Monday, July 4: Bailey at IB Book Blogging (Tens List)
• Tuesday, July 5: Tara M at Tara Writer (Character Interview: Kate)
• Wednesday, July 6: Elizabeth at Swords For Fighting (Review)
• Thursday, July 7: Andrea at So Many Books, So Little Time (When I’m Not Writing)
• Friday, July 8: Tara G at Hobbitsies (Review)

See you back here on the 11th, which is the first day of NIGHT OF THE GIVING DEAD! Check it out while I'm gone!