Elise Allen's Blog, page 14

I'm Baaaaaack!

Woo-hoo!  Just spent six days in Disney World with my family, and it was spectacular.  We even took a side trip to the Wizarding World of Harry Potter.  Lots to tell about the whole trip, including how cool it is to ride Splash Mountain at the stroke of midnight, and how helpful my 40-years-younger baby sister was in fetching the family FastPasses.

On the book front, Populazzi has been all over the place in my absence, including a very cool TV Guide piece about who would be the best choices for a hypothetical Populazzi TV show.  There have also been some amazing blog reviews I want to tell you about, and I still haven't posted about the book signing at the beginning of the month!

Clearly, there's lots to share… but right now I'm sitting in a house of disarray, and I have the bends from surfacing so quickly back into "real life."  It takes me a solid 24 hours post-trip to get re-acclimated.  If I don't take that time to unpack and make my to-do lists, I feel like I'm floundering for the next several weeks, so that's what I'm off to do.  However, it begs the question…

When you travel, do you need time after you get back to re-adjust to daily life?  Do you schedule your trips accordingly, with a day at the end to get your ducks in a row?  Or are you able to dive right back in without losing stride?

When It's Bad to Pick Up a Book

I got a giant box in the mail yesterday, full of books I'd ordered from Amazon.  Yes, I already have a big TBR list, but there have been some titles lately I couldn't resist, and I have a trip coming up with lots of airplane time (I'd love to use the wide swath of plane time for work, but I find it impossible to do so).

Unfortunately, the books showed up yesterday, not the instant before I left for the airport.  I say "unfortunately" because I dove straight into Thirteen Reasons Why.

Nothing else got done that night.

Now, I'm sure everyone out there is more or less like me, in that there's never enough time to do everything that needs to be done.  Yet right now I'm particularly in need of work time… but I really want to stay within the pages of this book until it's done.

It'll be an effort, but I'll force myself away to do something or other… at some point… maybe… shoot, I see it sitting on the couch… and it would make sense to take a picture of me reading it for this post… I wouldn't have to actually read it for the picture… maybe just a few words…

Before I pick it up (just to pose, of course), tell me — do you have trouble doing anything else once you've picked up a good book?

 

Shelf Esteem

HEY!!!

SOOO much to tell you!  And given that it's summer and most of my time is spend frolicking (happily) with Miss M, there hasn't been a lot of time to tell it.

I'll catch up though, I promise.

In the meantime, I want to start with a HUGE thank you to everyone for all the amazing positive feedback about Populazzi.  Blogger reviews have been incredible (I'll be posting links – on my to-do list), as are the reviews posted on Amazon and Barnes and Noble.  I'm so grateful to everyone for their support, and their help in spreading the word!

Saturday I had my first book signing, which I'll post about tomorrow.  First I want to do a LONG overdue post about something that happened last week…

I SAW MY BOOKS AT A BOOKSTORE FOR THE FIRST TIME!!!!

I was in Santa Monica, on the Third Street Promenade with my daughter, sister-in-law, niece, nephew, and my niece's friend.  We had just seen The Smurfs (I'd scream "Don't see it!", but the kids all loved it, and my husband did all the art for the promotions and merchandise, so instead I'll scream, "Buy the toys!"), when I suddenly realized it was August… and we were less than a hundred feet from a bookstore.

I strode in, my passel of familial groupies backing me up.  Speaking half to myself, I kept repeating, "There's no guarantee they'll have it.  They might not have it on the shelves.  It's very possible it's not even there, and if not, that's okay."

We troop into Barnes and Noble, take the escalator upstairs, zoom towards the YA New Releases, and I immediately see books from authors I love and chat with regularly: Katie Alender's From Bad to Cursed, Jennifer Jabaley's Crush Control, and Jessica Brody's My Life Undecided.  Then I see it – sharing the same shelf area – Populazzi!!!

The great: It was positioned full-cover, facing out, centered beneath a sign blaring "New Teen Fiction."

The less great: It was on a bottom shelf.

There was only one course of action.  I moved it to the top shelf.

One of the many reasons it's good to know other authors?  I would never in a million years displace the book of a friend in favor of my own.  I recognize that shouldn't make a difference, but um… all I can do is extend my humblest apologies to Jan Blazanin and plug her book A&L Do Summer here because… well… I swapped my bottom shelf books with her top shelf ones.

Next my family and I got goofy and excited posing with the newly-placed tome, myself in particular:

After the photos, we backed away a respectful few feet to watch.  Every time a teen entered the row, all six of us whispered, giggled, and grabbed at one another as we stared — would she choose Populazzi? 

When one of the teens looked at us with terror in her eyes, we decided to vacate.  Driving away the clientele was not so much in our best interests.

Then I got an idea — I went to the Information desk and asked if they had "Signed by the Author" stickers because I happened to be {polish nails on chest of sweatshirt} an author with a book on their shelves!  The woman behind the desk (let's call her Gayle) was all kinds of excited, and "pulled the stock" to have me sign the books.

"The stock" was the three books on the shelf.  This didn't bother me — I'd rather them have to order more than send inventory back.  My daughter, however, is apparently auditioning to be my new agent.

"That's all?" she asked.

"Well, um," stammered Gayle, "that's all for now.  We can always order more.  You know, when these sell."

Miss M glared poison.  Gayle shivered.  Not even kidding.  Have I mentioned Miss M is six years old and cute as a button?

"Well," Miss M finally huffed, "I have never been so insulted in all my life!"

This might not have been the best way to make friends at the bookstore, so I swallowed my laughter and assured Miss M that three books were in fact wonderful.

Then I signed 'em.

I came home glowing, and when I told my husband the story he said, "So… did they ask for your I.D.?"

"No."

"So you could have been anyone saying you wrote that book."

Cue the light of inspiration.  I could have been anyone!  Why, if they're not checking, I could send out minions all over the world to sign my books so they'd get that "Signed by the Author" sticker, and bookstores would display them more prominently!  In no time, Populazzi would rule the Autographed Book World!!!!

Okay, that would be wrong.  I'll stick with trolling bookstores myself.  A tour of the country, stopping into every bookstore imaginable…

Or maybe I'll just go back to the Promenade in a few weeks and see if they have a few more I can scrawl on.  I might want to leave The Muscle at home though — Miss M packs a lot of intimidation into that little frame of hers.

Your turn — authors, do you seek out your book in stores?  Do you ever "adjust" its positioning on the shelf?  Do you ask to sign the stock, and if you do, have you checked back to see if the book is stickered-up and more prominently displayed?

Readers, do you look for autographed books when you're in a store?  Are you more likely to buy a book, or at least pick up a book, if it's autographed, or does that not make a difference to you?

Can't wait to hear!

 

 

The Band So Nice They Named It Twice!

I have a beautifully well-crafted post I want to write about seeing Populazzi on the shelf at a bookstore, and I swear I'll write it up shortly… but it's 3:30am and I woke up completely nauseous and am half convinced it's the ground turkey I had for dinner DESPITE the fact that I assiduously cross-referenced it with the recall and it was NOT on the list.

Point is, I need to sleep, so I'll just say this:

I got a text message today from my Immediate Superior (that was his role when we were writers assistants together, and he remains ever thus).  Last time he had a Big Birthday, I treated him to a Duran Duran concert.

Guess what he's doing for my recently-passed same milestone?

WE'RE GOING TO DURAN DURAN!!!!

Yup, the boys will be here in L.A. in September, in a small venue, and I'm GOING!!!!

SOOOO excited!!!!!

Are you a Duran acolyte like me?  What's your favorite song/video/moment/concert?

CANNOT WAIT!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, POPULAZZI!!!

OMG, Populazzi is now completely out in the world!!!!  Yesterday was its official release day (I know — it's weird I didn't post, but Monday is my Debutante Ball day, so I usually don't double-post), so now it's everywhere: on shelves, at online retailers, and available for download.  Thanks to everyone who has already ordered and/or bought the book, and to everyone who has posted the fabulous reviews (which I'll be adding to the "Press and Reviews" page soon).  I can't even tell you how much I appreciate it.

As you might remember, the wonderful Kristi, a.k.a. The Story Siren ran a debut day giveaway for me, and I'd like to announce the winners.  Congratulations to Mayra, Faith, Emily, Jennifer, and Kristen!  I'll emailing each of you to let you know what you won.  Huge thanks to the five of you, and to everyone else who entered!!!

Now I have a question.  This Saturday at 2pm, I'm having a book launch party at Vromans Pasadena.  It'll be lots of fun.  I'll have music from the book, delicious sweet treats, and I've just been told I can have drinks there too (for those who are of-age).  Since it's the middle of the afternoon, I'm thinking something Prosecco-y… any thoughts about what's yummy but not to pricey, maybe from Trader Joe's?  Also, any thoughts on a fun non-alcoholic drink to serve as well?

Thanks in advance for the input, and if you're in the L.A. area, I hope to see you there!

I'm a Happy Camper

Know what I did last weekend?

I went to camp!!!!

My daughter's day camp had a family sleepover, where all the parents got to act like campers along with their kids.  The picture?  I'm on a bungee trampoline!  I even flipped over backwards… and of course practically tore my rotator cuff because I'm that inflexible… but it was FUN!!!  Miss M and I played Hide and Seek and Tag in a massive inflatable, we went down a huge waterslide, we watched a magic show, had a late night dance party…

It was spectacular.

I'm always juggling a zillion things in my head, far too many of them neurotic, but at camp I let it all go and just played with Miss M.  When it got late, we crawled into our dew-covered sleeping bags and slept under the stars — something I'd never done before.  In the morning, coffee never tasted so good.  We were up at the crack of dawn, wandered zombie-like but cozy in our pajamas for a couple hours, then the fun revved up again: more bungee, more bouncer, more waterslide and pool… by the time Closing Circle came, I had never been so tired, or so relaxed and happy.

My head can be a crowded, confusing, noisy place.  Twenty-four hours outdoors and on the go stopped the chaos and replaced it with a single imperative, which is in fact the #1 rule of this camp — it's even posted:  Have Fun.  And in my case, Have Fun With Miss M, which made it even more special.  The mental getaway of camp was more effective than a week of spa days.

I hope they do it again next year; I'm already looking forward to it.

What's your favorite way to unplug and de-stress?  Does it involve a giant inflatable?

O.M.G… The Coffee Machine Has Broken

I kinda feel like the title says it all.

It happened yesterday (so if you're wondering if my post on scheduling changed my procrastinatory habits of posting at the last minute, so far… no).  Mid-afternoon I was craving a shot of hazelnut-cinnamon caffeinated goodness, so I loaded up the filter, filled the reservoir with water, flicked the switch to "on"…

And nothing happened.

I repeated this several times, and in the end made a pot of tea and was done with it.

That was in the afternoon, when one can scoff at a lack of coffee.  Now it's 6am, I'm newly awake, and nothing is right with the world because there is no coffee a-brewing at casa del me.

My husband will not be pleased when he wakes up and realizes.  If I were a really good wife, I'd probably run to Starbucks while he's still asleep so when he wakes up, I could chirp, "Sorry, sweetheart, the coffee maker's on the fritz, but look!  Here's a great big cup of Sumatra, steaming hot!"

I'd of course be in full makeup as I did the chirping, wearing something that made me look beautifully composed with a hint of naughtiness… like a slightly sexier Jane Jetson.

Hmm.  Just heard him get up and attempt the coffee machine, and I'm Starbucks-free, still wearing flannel pajama pants and an oversized Back to the Future T-shirt (see pic), with hair looking (appropriately enough) like Doc Brown's.

Guess I'm not that good a wife.

I'm going to see if I can help assist the coffee maker trauma.  In the meantime, tell me — what's your morning poison?  Coffee?  Tea?  A super-healthy greens smoothie?  Do you make your own morning kick-starter, or do you have to buy it someplace specific?  When you can't get it, do you have a backup second choice?

Virtual Running Buddy?

In a true medical curiosity, I've suffered a major running injury… on someone else's body.

My fabulous running partner Michelle has a busted ankle.  She can run a little, but not much, which puts a huge crimp in our joint plans to run the New York City Marathon this year.

I'm still going to do the race, but training will be a bit of a beast.  I love the feeling after I've conquered a long run, but getting my butt out of bed, dressed, and into the car for the early morning schlep from the Valley to the beach is much easier when I know I can look forward to Michelle's excellent company and conversation.

I've already started training for the race, and can't stop to find a new running pal out here, but I wonder… is there anyone out there also training for NYC who might want to compare notes and workouts along the way?  It won't be the same as putting in the hours and the miles side by side, but it's the next best thing, and meeting in person before the race would be a blast!

Whaddaya think?  Anyone?… Bueller?… Anyone?

To Schedule, or Not To Schedule

Me in my natural writing habitat -- unwashed, post-run, at Panera

I've been blogging for — wow — over a year now (first post last JUNE!), but I'd be lying if I said I have it down to a science.

One thing I've been really bad about is scheduling posts.  I tend to do my posts the night before they post.  Partially this is procrastination, but even when I have time to sit and schedule, I tend not to, in case something comes up that's new and relevant?

I realize I could always unschedule a scheduled post for breaking news, but then I wonder if the scheduled post will still be relevant after I push it off.

Of course, by not scheduling, I tend not to post at all when things get too busy, or when I go away.

So here's my question for you bloggers out there: do you do your posts in bulk, scheduling them in advance, or do you post pretty close to when the posts go live?  And if you do schedule them, how far in advance do you do so?  A week?  More than a week?  And if you do schedule far in advance, do you find yourself rearranging posts a lot for breaking news, or interesting things that happen in the meantime?  What has been the most successful blogging routine for you?

 

The Story Siren Populazzi Giveaway!

Pretend the Thank You card isn't backwards... curse you, Photo Booth!!!

You, my friends, are amazing.

Can I tell you what happened yesterday?  For starters, I watched two brilliant episodes of The Daily Show, the one with Daniel Radcliffe and the one with Steve Carell, but that's neither here nor there.  Actually it's there — I linked to them and they're great.

Know what else happened yesterday?  Populazzi jumped in the Amazon rankings from somewhere in the 200,000′s to 30,000, which is a massive leap forward!  Lauren from Lauren's Crammed Bookshelf also posted a stellar new review there, for which I'm very grateful.

I want to keep the momentum going, and I want to celebrate, so I'm working with the lovely Kristi, a.k.a. The Story Siren, to do a super-fab giveaway based on the book.  Prizes include a Kindle, a gift card to Sephora (which comes with a style consult from the experts at Populazzi.com), products from L'Occitane, a copy of Mean Girls and Macbeth (in honor of the Publisher's Weekly review that compares Populazzi to both), and a personal writing consultation with me.

To enter, check it out at The Story Siren!  The giveaway is open between now and August 1st (official release day) — so good luck to all, and THANK YOU for your continued support!!!