Colleen Houck's Blog, page 64
January 10, 2011
Congratulations to the Kelsey's Suitcase and Book Giveaway Winners!
Hi! I am so excited to announce the 5 randomly chosen winners of this adorable version of Kelsey's suitcase and a signed first edition copy of Tiger's Curse!
Vanessa Manley
Melinda Cottam
Joanna Walker
Kyra Stadtlander
Pirunrat Lertnimitr
Thank you to all who entered and completed Quest 2. Winners will be receiving their prize in about a week and I really hope they love it! Hopefully the lucky winners will share photos with their book and suitcase on Facebook.
Stay tuned for future giveaways. One more day to go until book launch!
Colleen
Vanessa Manley
Melinda Cottam
Joanna Walker
Kyra Stadtlander
Pirunrat Lertnimitr
Thank you to all who entered and completed Quest 2. Winners will be receiving their prize in about a week and I really hope they love it! Hopefully the lucky winners will share photos with their book and suitcase on Facebook.
Stay tuned for future giveaways. One more day to go until book launch!
Colleen
January 9, 2011
ALA Days 2-3
Hi!
I am now writing from the seat of an AMTRAK train heading to Los Angeles. It's quite a fun way to travel. There's plenty of leg room, a little fold out desk to work on, and a conductor actually came by asking for tickets. He even had a hole punch just like in the Polar Express movie. It's too dark to see the California coastline but it's much more comfy than flying and the tickets are value bargains.
We have our five winners of the first edition signed copy of Tiger's Curse in the limited edition souvenir Kelsey suitcase. We have announced to the winners and are waiting confirmation to share their names with all of you.
So yesterday I had a fabulous breakfast with Cindy and Judi, my editor and marketing director, at the hotel then we met up again at the convention center. As I got ready to sign books a line formed around the side of the booth and Chris, who was running our show, schmoozed the crowd. I had a great assistant, Simone, who flapped all the books, which means she opened them to the page I needed to sign and wrote the name on a post-it so I didn't have to ask how to spell names. A great crowd formed since fantastic treats were being offered which were provided by Sterling's library marketing team, led by Chris Vaccari. They even had chocolate fondue! Some teen bloggers came in, bought the book, and then returned. One brought a friend, shoved her to the table and said, "Buy this book." The other came back to tell me what chapter she was on and that she loved it.
We held an impromptu reception for a few people specially invited for appetizers and goodies in the hotel lounge and then all the girls, me, Cindy, Simone, Judi, and Danielle had a girl's night out dinner at Quarter Kitchen. My favorite dish there was the burrata cheese with mint walnut pesto and grilled country bread. The cheese and pesto was served in a Mason jar. Best appetizer ever!
Today I had breakfast at Cafe 222 which was featured on on of Food Network's Best Things I Ever Ate show. Bobby Flay loved their peanut butter and banana French toast. I actually saw that show. I ordered it and it was good but I had to take out the banana. I haven't been able to eat them since my 20's but still breakfast was fun. I spent the afternoon with Judi. We drove all over San Diego signing books in stores so they'd have autographed copies ready to sell on Tuesday and then we hopped the train.
I'm using my phone as a wi-fi and my batteries are almost dead so I'm not going to upload pictures right now but Judi, my travel buddy, just loaded pictures on the facebook page that you can check out. The Facebook page is just called Tiger's Curse.
Have a great day and I'll check in with you next from Los Angeles!
Colleen
I am now writing from the seat of an AMTRAK train heading to Los Angeles. It's quite a fun way to travel. There's plenty of leg room, a little fold out desk to work on, and a conductor actually came by asking for tickets. He even had a hole punch just like in the Polar Express movie. It's too dark to see the California coastline but it's much more comfy than flying and the tickets are value bargains.
We have our five winners of the first edition signed copy of Tiger's Curse in the limited edition souvenir Kelsey suitcase. We have announced to the winners and are waiting confirmation to share their names with all of you.
So yesterday I had a fabulous breakfast with Cindy and Judi, my editor and marketing director, at the hotel then we met up again at the convention center. As I got ready to sign books a line formed around the side of the booth and Chris, who was running our show, schmoozed the crowd. I had a great assistant, Simone, who flapped all the books, which means she opened them to the page I needed to sign and wrote the name on a post-it so I didn't have to ask how to spell names. A great crowd formed since fantastic treats were being offered which were provided by Sterling's library marketing team, led by Chris Vaccari. They even had chocolate fondue! Some teen bloggers came in, bought the book, and then returned. One brought a friend, shoved her to the table and said, "Buy this book." The other came back to tell me what chapter she was on and that she loved it.
We held an impromptu reception for a few people specially invited for appetizers and goodies in the hotel lounge and then all the girls, me, Cindy, Simone, Judi, and Danielle had a girl's night out dinner at Quarter Kitchen. My favorite dish there was the burrata cheese with mint walnut pesto and grilled country bread. The cheese and pesto was served in a Mason jar. Best appetizer ever!
Today I had breakfast at Cafe 222 which was featured on on of Food Network's Best Things I Ever Ate show. Bobby Flay loved their peanut butter and banana French toast. I actually saw that show. I ordered it and it was good but I had to take out the banana. I haven't been able to eat them since my 20's but still breakfast was fun. I spent the afternoon with Judi. We drove all over San Diego signing books in stores so they'd have autographed copies ready to sell on Tuesday and then we hopped the train.
I'm using my phone as a wi-fi and my batteries are almost dead so I'm not going to upload pictures right now but Judi, my travel buddy, just loaded pictures on the facebook page that you can check out. The Facebook page is just called Tiger's Curse.
Have a great day and I'll check in with you next from Los Angeles!
Colleen
January 7, 2011
ALA Conference-Day 1
Hi Everyone,
This trip started out excellent! No traffic on the way the Portland was the first thing that went right, then I got an upgrade to first class on the flight to San Diego which is really awesome! My new luggage I got for Christmas has roll any direction caster wheels on them and they are super easy to maneuver plus they are white tiger striped with cobalt blue trim (really zebra but I say tiger) which makes it easy to spot. Also sporting one of about 10 new tiger print handbags I got for Christmas. I don't want to turn into crazy tiger stripe woman so I'll probably be giving some of those away for contests. My hotel is right on the Marina overlooking the ocean which is where my husband and I spent our honeymoon almost sixteen years ago.
I spent the afternoon watching sitcoms then headed down to the convention center. The center is right next to the hotel but its long. Probably covers several blocks. Once you get in there are tons of library themed booths. There are some that sell organizing systems, some that sell software, others sell technology, and I even saw one selling wheeled book carts.
I thought these guys were real people. I did a double take when I passed by and realized they were just made of paper. The guy running the booth said everyone thought they were real. He was selling some kind of scanning machine for universities so students just scan what they want and load to their jump drives or email documents to themselves instead of copying. Really cool. In the second picture I got him to stand there so you can see the difference between the 2-D people and the 3-D.
After that I met up with Chris Vaccari, my Sterling rep who works with libraries. He's running the Sterling booth and has a ton of Tigers' Curse books as well as galleys of Tiger's Quest to give out at the book signing tomorrow. He also has a giveaway prize with as many tiger things as he could find and cool little Tiger's Curse bookmarks.
But the absolute best thing about today was after I left Sterling and started looking around. I went to Disney/Hyperion and they handed me a Disney bag and said, "Would you like a free book?"
"Would I like a free book? Does Rapunzel have long hair?" Of course I wanted a free book. Then she handed me another one. I made my way through all the publication houses and said, "Can I have one of those? Ooh and what about that one, and that one." I had to get more bags. I drug two bags of books back to the Sterling booth, hid them under the table and went back for more. By the time I was done, and it was a monumental effort to convince myself I was, I could barely lift the bags. That's when Chris wandered over and asked, "Didn't you fly here?"
Oh man! I think the hotel can ship them for me.
Now I know what the kids felt like in Wonka's chocolate paradise, running from candy tree to the buttercup bushes to the chocolate waterfall. My greedy little hands wanted more and more. "If you wanta view paradise, simply look around and view it." That's what a book conference is for me. The only thing better would have been if they had a chocolate waterfall.
The bad thing was schlepping my hoard back to my hotel room. Did I use schlepping right? Anyway, I had to stop to rest like three times. My face was red and sweaty by the time I got back but that totally counts as my exercise for the day. Now I'm headed off to a Hawaiian Fusion restaurant for dinner. Happy Friday and check out my stash!
Colleen
This trip started out excellent! No traffic on the way the Portland was the first thing that went right, then I got an upgrade to first class on the flight to San Diego which is really awesome! My new luggage I got for Christmas has roll any direction caster wheels on them and they are super easy to maneuver plus they are white tiger striped with cobalt blue trim (really zebra but I say tiger) which makes it easy to spot. Also sporting one of about 10 new tiger print handbags I got for Christmas. I don't want to turn into crazy tiger stripe woman so I'll probably be giving some of those away for contests. My hotel is right on the Marina overlooking the ocean which is where my husband and I spent our honeymoon almost sixteen years ago.
I spent the afternoon watching sitcoms then headed down to the convention center. The center is right next to the hotel but its long. Probably covers several blocks. Once you get in there are tons of library themed booths. There are some that sell organizing systems, some that sell software, others sell technology, and I even saw one selling wheeled book carts.
I thought these guys were real people. I did a double take when I passed by and realized they were just made of paper. The guy running the booth said everyone thought they were real. He was selling some kind of scanning machine for universities so students just scan what they want and load to their jump drives or email documents to themselves instead of copying. Really cool. In the second picture I got him to stand there so you can see the difference between the 2-D people and the 3-D.
After that I met up with Chris Vaccari, my Sterling rep who works with libraries. He's running the Sterling booth and has a ton of Tigers' Curse books as well as galleys of Tiger's Quest to give out at the book signing tomorrow. He also has a giveaway prize with as many tiger things as he could find and cool little Tiger's Curse bookmarks.
But the absolute best thing about today was after I left Sterling and started looking around. I went to Disney/Hyperion and they handed me a Disney bag and said, "Would you like a free book?"
"Would I like a free book? Does Rapunzel have long hair?" Of course I wanted a free book. Then she handed me another one. I made my way through all the publication houses and said, "Can I have one of those? Ooh and what about that one, and that one." I had to get more bags. I drug two bags of books back to the Sterling booth, hid them under the table and went back for more. By the time I was done, and it was a monumental effort to convince myself I was, I could barely lift the bags. That's when Chris wandered over and asked, "Didn't you fly here?"
Oh man! I think the hotel can ship them for me.
Now I know what the kids felt like in Wonka's chocolate paradise, running from candy tree to the buttercup bushes to the chocolate waterfall. My greedy little hands wanted more and more. "If you wanta view paradise, simply look around and view it." That's what a book conference is for me. The only thing better would have been if they had a chocolate waterfall.
The bad thing was schlepping my hoard back to my hotel room. Did I use schlepping right? Anyway, I had to stop to rest like three times. My face was red and sweaty by the time I got back but that totally counts as my exercise for the day. Now I'm headed off to a Hawaiian Fusion restaurant for dinner. Happy Friday and check out my stash!
Colleen
ALA Conference-Day 1
Hi Everyone,
This trip started out excellent! No traffic on the way the Portland was the first thing that went right, then I got an upgrade to first class on the flight to San Diego which is really awesome! My new luggage I got for Christmas has roll any direction caster wheels on them and they are super easy to maneuver plus they are white tiger striped with cobalt blue trim (really zebra but I say tiger) which makes it easy to spot. Also sporting one of about 10 new tiger print handbags I got for Christmas. I don't want to turn into crazy tiger stripe woman so I'll probably be giving some of those away for contests. My hotel is right on the Marina overlooking the ocean which is where my husband and I spent our honeymoon almost sixteen years ago.
I spent the afternoon watching sitcoms then headed down to the convention center. The center is right next to the hotel but its long. Probably covers several blocks. Once you get in there are tons of library themed booths. There are some that sell organizing systems, some that sell software, others sell technology, and I even saw one selling wheeled book carts.
I thought these guys were real people. I did a double take when I passed by and realized they were just made of paper. The guy running the booth said everyone thought they were real. He was selling some kind of scanning machine for universities so students just scan what they want and load to their jump drives or email documents to themselves instead of copying. Really cool. In the second picture I got him to stand there so you can see the difference between the 2-D people and the 3-D.
After that I met up with Chris Vaccari, my Sterling rep who works with libraries. He's running the Sterling booth and has a ton of Tigers' Curse books as well as galleys of Tiger's Quest to give out at the book signing tomorrow. He also has a giveaway prize with as many tiger things as he could find and cool little Tiger's Curse bookmarks.
But the absolute best thing about today was after I left Sterling and started looking around. I went to Disney/Hyperion and they handed me a Disney bag and said, "Would you like a free book?"
"Would I like a free book? Does Rapunzel have long hair?" Of course I wanted a free book. Then she handed me another one. I made my way through all the publication houses and said, "Can I have one of those? Ooh and what about that one, and that one." I had to get more bags. I drug two bags of books back to the Sterling booth, hid them under the table and went back for more. By the time I was done, and it was a monumental effort to convince myself I was, I could barely lift the bags. That's when Chris wandered over and asked, "Didn't you fly here?"
Oh man! I think the hotel can ship them for me.
This trip started out excellent! No traffic on the way the Portland was the first thing that went right, then I got an upgrade to first class on the flight to San Diego which is really awesome! My new luggage I got for Christmas has roll any direction caster wheels on them and they are super easy to maneuver plus they are white tiger striped with cobalt blue trim (really zebra but I say tiger) which makes it easy to spot. Also sporting one of about 10 new tiger print handbags I got for Christmas. I don't want to turn into crazy tiger stripe woman so I'll probably be giving some of those away for contests. My hotel is right on the Marina overlooking the ocean which is where my husband and I spent our honeymoon almost sixteen years ago.
I spent the afternoon watching sitcoms then headed down to the convention center. The center is right next to the hotel but its long. Probably covers several blocks. Once you get in there are tons of library themed booths. There are some that sell organizing systems, some that sell software, others sell technology, and I even saw one selling wheeled book carts.
I thought these guys were real people. I did a double take when I passed by and realized they were just made of paper. The guy running the booth said everyone thought they were real. He was selling some kind of scanning machine for universities so students just scan what they want and load to their jump drives or email documents to themselves instead of copying. Really cool. In the second picture I got him to stand there so you can see the difference between the 2-D people and the 3-D.
After that I met up with Chris Vaccari, my Sterling rep who works with libraries. He's running the Sterling booth and has a ton of Tigers' Curse books as well as galleys of Tiger's Quest to give out at the book signing tomorrow. He also has a giveaway prize with as many tiger things as he could find and cool little Tiger's Curse bookmarks.
But the absolute best thing about today was after I left Sterling and started looking around. I went to Disney/Hyperion and they handed me a Disney bag and said, "Would you like a free book?"
"Would I like a free book? Does Rapunzel have long hair?" Of course I wanted a free book. Then she handed me another one. I made my way through all the publication houses and said, "Can I have one of those? Ooh and what about that one, and that one." I had to get more bags. I drug two bags of books back to the Sterling booth, hid them under the table and went back for more. By the time I was done, and it was a monumental effort to convince myself I was, I could barely lift the bags. That's when Chris wandered over and asked, "Didn't you fly here?"
Oh man! I think the hotel can ship them for me.
Now I know what the kids felt like in Wonka's chocolate paradise, running from candy tree to the buttercup bushes to the chocolate waterfall. My greedy little hands wanted more and more. "If you wanta view paradise, simply look around and view it." That's what a book conference is for me. The only thing better would have been if they had a chocolate waterfall.
The bad thing was schlepping my hoard back to my hotel room. Did I use schlepping right? Anyway, I had to stop to rest like three times. My face was red and sweaty by the time I got back but that totally counts as my exercise for the day. Now I'm headed off to a Hawaiian Fusion restaurant for dinner. Happy Friday and check out my stash!
Colleen
January 6, 2011
Hair and Twin
Hi Tiger Fans!
Yesterday I set out to get my hair and nails done and didn't come home until 8 pm. For my nails there was a lot of waiting involved and I did get to have an early dinner out with my friends which took some time but my hair alone was a four hour tour. I darkened it a little after being given a suggestion by my sister and I'm pretty sure I like it. I told my hair girl, Jessica, that I'd be straightening it for most of the tour because curling it takes too long, so she did a relaxing hair treatment that smooths the hair and tames frizz. It was $45 and took about 30 minutes.
(See my website www.tigerscursebook.com for pictures)
The before and after pictures are not me by the way. The treatment is supposed to last 8 weeks and they said I can still curl it if I want to.
In other news, I have a twin! There is another debut YA author writing a series and her first book comes out on the same day as mine. Her name is Beth Revis. I read her first chapter which is available on her website and the book looks interesting. Her series is a sci-fi who-done-it peppered with some romance.
Love the cover. I wish her the best of luck and look forward to reading her book.
That's it for today. Next blog will be from San Diego!
Colleen
Yesterday I set out to get my hair and nails done and didn't come home until 8 pm. For my nails there was a lot of waiting involved and I did get to have an early dinner out with my friends which took some time but my hair alone was a four hour tour. I darkened it a little after being given a suggestion by my sister and I'm pretty sure I like it. I told my hair girl, Jessica, that I'd be straightening it for most of the tour because curling it takes too long, so she did a relaxing hair treatment that smooths the hair and tames frizz. It was $45 and took about 30 minutes.
(See my website www.tigerscursebook.com for pictures)
The before and after pictures are not me by the way. The treatment is supposed to last 8 weeks and they said I can still curl it if I want to.
In other news, I have a twin! There is another debut YA author writing a series and her first book comes out on the same day as mine. Her name is Beth Revis. I read her first chapter which is available on her website and the book looks interesting. Her series is a sci-fi who-done-it peppered with some romance.
Love the cover. I wish her the best of luck and look forward to reading her book.
That's it for today. Next blog will be from San Diego!
Colleen
Hair & Twin
Hi Tiger Fans!
Yesterday I set out to get my hair and nails done and didn't come home until 8 pm. For my nails there was a lot of waiting involved and I did get to have an early dinner out with my friends which took some time but my hair alone was a four hour tour. I darkened it a little after being given a suggestion by my sister and I'm pretty sure I like it. I told my hair girl, Jessica, that I'd be straightening it for most of the tour because curling it takes too long, so she did a relaxing hair treatment that smooths the hair and tames frizz. It was $45 and took about 30 minutes.
The before and after pictures are not me by the way. The treatment is supposed to last 8 weeks and they said I can still curl it if I want to.
In other news, I have a twin! There is another debut YA author writing a series and her first book comes out on the same day as mine. Her name is Beth Revis. I read her first chapter which is available on her website and the book looks interesting. Her series is a sci-fi who-done-it peppered with some romance. 
Love the cover. I wish her the best of luck and look forward to reading her book.
That's it for today. Next blog will be from San Diego!
Colleen
January 4, 2011
Fashion Plates
Hi!
We are down to a week and counting! I leave for the American Library Association Conference on Friday. In gearing up for the tour I had some clothes sent to me from India. I might not use them on the first tour but I thought it would be fun to dress up in something Nilima might wear. I ordered three outfits-a pink and a black Salwar and then a burgundy lehenga that hasn't arrived yet. It's fun looking at the clothes and imagining Nilima, Ren, or Kishan wearing them. What was interesting about ordering was that they don't ask for your size, they want your measurements and then they sew your own personal clothes to fit you exactly. I've never custom ordered clothing before so it's crazy trying something on and it fits perfectly. Also you can custom design what style of neck or sleeve or length you want.
It reminds me of a favorite toy I used to have called Fashion Plates. I looked them up. You pick the plate with the bodice, skirt or pant, and the head you want for your fashion and then, using colored pencils, create your design. Here's a picture. I have no idea what happened to my toy. For all I know this used to be mine. The taped up sides were common on all boxes and games in my large family when I was growing up.
(See picture on website www.tigerscursebook.com)
I can't find a picture of the black Salwar any more but here is the pink one. I changed the neck and made the sleeves shorter. I also got some very heavy pink bling that will weigh down my earlobes and neck but they're pretty.
The fancy lehenga hasn't arrived yet but here's a picture. I made the sleeves a bit longer. I'm excited to see this one. There is so much detail in the beading and the skirt. I ordered some jewelry to go with but I'm not sure if it will match exactly.
I plan to blog from San Diego and let you know what's happening at the conference. It's going to be lots of fun and I'll get to hang out with my Editor Cindy Loh and Judi Powers the Marketing Director for Sterling. I'll try to take some pictures as well.
Have a great day!
Colleen
We are down to a week and counting! I leave for the American Library Association Conference on Friday. In gearing up for the tour I had some clothes sent to me from India. I might not use them on the first tour but I thought it would be fun to dress up in something Nilima might wear. I ordered three outfits-a pink and a black Salwar and then a burgundy lehenga that hasn't arrived yet. It's fun looking at the clothes and imagining Nilima, Ren, or Kishan wearing them. What was interesting about ordering was that they don't ask for your size, they want your measurements and then they sew your own personal clothes to fit you exactly. I've never custom ordered clothing before so it's crazy trying something on and it fits perfectly. Also you can custom design what style of neck or sleeve or length you want.
It reminds me of a favorite toy I used to have called Fashion Plates. I looked them up. You pick the plate with the bodice, skirt or pant, and the head you want for your fashion and then, using colored pencils, create your design. Here's a picture. I have no idea what happened to my toy. For all I know this used to be mine. The taped up sides were common on all boxes and games in my large family when I was growing up.
(See picture on website www.tigerscursebook.com)
I can't find a picture of the black Salwar any more but here is the pink one. I changed the neck and made the sleeves shorter. I also got some very heavy pink bling that will weigh down my earlobes and neck but they're pretty.
The fancy lehenga hasn't arrived yet but here's a picture. I made the sleeves a bit longer. I'm excited to see this one. There is so much detail in the beading and the skirt. I ordered some jewelry to go with but I'm not sure if it will match exactly.
I plan to blog from San Diego and let you know what's happening at the conference. It's going to be lots of fun and I'll get to hang out with my Editor Cindy Loh and Judi Powers the Marketing Director for Sterling. I'll try to take some pictures as well.
Have a great day!
Colleen
December 31, 2010
Quest Cover
Happy New Year!
As I look back on 2010, I just wanted to say how grateful I am for all the outstanding things that have happened this year. I'm so lucky to have a wonderful team working with me on the Tiger Saga and my family members are all healthy and happy. I got to do some amazing things in 2010 and have even more adventures lined up for next year. My goals for 2011 are to survive three tours, finish book four in the Tiger Series and be a good part of the way through book five, go out of the country somewhere, landscape my backyard, be more charitable, and eat more salad.
It occurs to me that I never officially showed off the cover of Tiger's Quest. For those of you who have seen my self-published versions, you will recognize the tiger. Instead of silver scrollwork, we have the gold to match Kishan's eyes. The title is also in gold. Though book three, Tiger's Voyage, is my favorite of the series overall, the first ten chapters of Tiger's Quest are my personal favorite chapters.
Here's the new cover.
(see www.tigerscursebook.com for picture)
So what are some of your New Years goals? Have a fun and safe New Year!
Colleen
As I look back on 2010, I just wanted to say how grateful I am for all the outstanding things that have happened this year. I'm so lucky to have a wonderful team working with me on the Tiger Saga and my family members are all healthy and happy. I got to do some amazing things in 2010 and have even more adventures lined up for next year. My goals for 2011 are to survive three tours, finish book four in the Tiger Series and be a good part of the way through book five, go out of the country somewhere, landscape my backyard, be more charitable, and eat more salad.
It occurs to me that I never officially showed off the cover of Tiger's Quest. For those of you who have seen my self-published versions, you will recognize the tiger. Instead of silver scrollwork, we have the gold to match Kishan's eyes. The title is also in gold. Though book three, Tiger's Voyage, is my favorite of the series overall, the first ten chapters of Tiger's Quest are my personal favorite chapters.
Here's the new cover.
(see www.tigerscursebook.com for picture)
So what are some of your New Years goals? Have a fun and safe New Year!
Colleen
December 22, 2010
Tour Dates
Hi,
As Quest 2 of the launch of Tiger's Curse, I'm giving away 5 signed first edition copies of the new book in a limited edition souvenir suitcase, along with some exclusive bonus content available to people who finish the quest! To participate in the quest, go to the News & Events page and click the right eye of the Tiger. You may have to click on it twice. Follow instructions to be entered and have access to the exclusive content. Also if you haven't already, go to the Tiger's Curse page on Facebook to interact with other fans, get more news, and enter more contests. To join the group you just "like" the page and click on the welcome link. If you're on twitter you can follow me at @tigersaga.
In other news we have confirmed a few of my upcoming tour dates. Here they are:
Saturday, January 8th
Mid-Winter ALA
3-5pm at the San Diego Convention Center. Not open to the public.
Thursday, January 20, 2011
Book Signing at Powell's Bookstore
7pm @ 3415 SW Cedar Hills Blvd. Beaverton, OR 97005
Friday, February 4, 2011
Book Signing at Barnes & Noble Clackamas
7pm @ 12000 SE 82nd Avenue Portland, OR 97266
Tuesday, February 8, 2011
Book Signing at Barnes & Noble University Village
7pm @ 2675 NE University Village Street Seattle, WA 98105
Thursday, February 10, 2011
Book Signing at Barnes & Noble Plaza Center
7pm @ 7157 Plaza Center Drive West Jordan, Utah 84084
Wednesday, February 16, 2011
Book Signing at Barnes & Noble Desert Ridge
7pm @ 21001 N. Tatum Blvd Phoenix, AZ 85050
Friday, April 8, 2011
Romantic Times Booklovers Convention
Westin Bonaventure Hotel Los Angeles, CA
I'll also be appearing on AM Northwest on January 18th for those of you who live in the Northwest and want to watch it's KATU-TV which is ABC. According to my guide it comes on at 9 AM pacific time.
There will be more events confirmed in the next couple of weeks. I look forward to celebrating the release of Tiger's Curse with you all out on tour so come and see me!
I got to play Mrs. Claus to my husband's Kris Kringle yesterday which was a lot of fun.
We are finally able to send out Newsletters again so this blog should show up in your inboxes if you've signed up to get them. Let us know if you aren't.
Merry Christmas! I wish you all a happy, safe, and memorable holiday with lots of hot chocolate, toasty toes in front of a fire, and delicious goodies.
Colleen Houck
Note: Picture on the website
As Quest 2 of the launch of Tiger's Curse, I'm giving away 5 signed first edition copies of the new book in a limited edition souvenir suitcase, along with some exclusive bonus content available to people who finish the quest! To participate in the quest, go to the News & Events page and click the right eye of the Tiger. You may have to click on it twice. Follow instructions to be entered and have access to the exclusive content. Also if you haven't already, go to the Tiger's Curse page on Facebook to interact with other fans, get more news, and enter more contests. To join the group you just "like" the page and click on the welcome link. If you're on twitter you can follow me at @tigersaga.
In other news we have confirmed a few of my upcoming tour dates. Here they are:
Saturday, January 8th
Mid-Winter ALA
3-5pm at the San Diego Convention Center. Not open to the public.
Thursday, January 20, 2011
Book Signing at Powell's Bookstore
7pm @ 3415 SW Cedar Hills Blvd. Beaverton, OR 97005
Friday, February 4, 2011
Book Signing at Barnes & Noble Clackamas
7pm @ 12000 SE 82nd Avenue Portland, OR 97266
Tuesday, February 8, 2011
Book Signing at Barnes & Noble University Village
7pm @ 2675 NE University Village Street Seattle, WA 98105
Thursday, February 10, 2011
Book Signing at Barnes & Noble Plaza Center
7pm @ 7157 Plaza Center Drive West Jordan, Utah 84084
Wednesday, February 16, 2011
Book Signing at Barnes & Noble Desert Ridge
7pm @ 21001 N. Tatum Blvd Phoenix, AZ 85050
Friday, April 8, 2011
Romantic Times Booklovers Convention
Westin Bonaventure Hotel Los Angeles, CA
I'll also be appearing on AM Northwest on January 18th for those of you who live in the Northwest and want to watch it's KATU-TV which is ABC. According to my guide it comes on at 9 AM pacific time.
There will be more events confirmed in the next couple of weeks. I look forward to celebrating the release of Tiger's Curse with you all out on tour so come and see me!
I got to play Mrs. Claus to my husband's Kris Kringle yesterday which was a lot of fun.
We are finally able to send out Newsletters again so this blog should show up in your inboxes if you've signed up to get them. Let us know if you aren't.
Merry Christmas! I wish you all a happy, safe, and memorable holiday with lots of hot chocolate, toasty toes in front of a fire, and delicious goodies.
Colleen Houck
Note: Picture on the website
December 20, 2010
We're Getting Close
Hello!
My brand new hardback of Tiger's Curse arrived in the mail yesterday. It's got all the artwork and all the bells and whistles. I'm so impressed with the talented team who put it all together. It has a sneak peek of Tiger's Quest in the back too which is very nice.
I feel a bit like I'm stuck in limbo. The tour is around the corner. Christmas is around the corner. I've prepared for both as much as I could. This week and next will be full of Christmas parties and get togethers, cookie exchanges and family visits. Quick cookie tip by the way while I'm thinking of it. If you need a fast but fancy cookie to bring to a party use the Pillsbury gingerbread cookie dough. Slice in rounds and bake then top with a lemon glaze made with vanilla, lemon juice, powdered sugar, and enough milk or water to make a glaze. Drizzle the cooled cookies. Then while the glaze is wet sprinkle lemon zest on top. Really yummy. See? Like I said it's hard to focus on work but I love the holidays anyway.
Dates are starting to come in for the Tiger's Curse tour which will kick off in January. I'll be in Oregon, Washington, Utah, Arizona, and California. As soon as the dates are confirmed we'll put them on my website under the events tab.
In addition to the tour, I'll also be attending various conferences. I had no idea there were so many-The American Library Association, The International Readers Association, The Book Expo of America, The Romantic Times Convention. I'll get to meet other YA authors, join author panels, and even teach workshops. I 've often been on a platform thanks to interpreting so I'm usually comfortable there. I look forward to rubbing elbows with authors I admire and listening to them share their experiences.
There will even be a costumed ball at the Romantic Times Convention. I'm having a lovely Indian dress made so I have something to wear. If I get to meet Fabio, I'll post the pictures on the website. I asked if there will be any burly Scottsmen wearing kilts at the costume ball but didn't get a satisfactory answer. Still, how cool is that?
"I can't believe it's not butter!"
Happy Holidays!
Colleen
My brand new hardback of Tiger's Curse arrived in the mail yesterday. It's got all the artwork and all the bells and whistles. I'm so impressed with the talented team who put it all together. It has a sneak peek of Tiger's Quest in the back too which is very nice.
I feel a bit like I'm stuck in limbo. The tour is around the corner. Christmas is around the corner. I've prepared for both as much as I could. This week and next will be full of Christmas parties and get togethers, cookie exchanges and family visits. Quick cookie tip by the way while I'm thinking of it. If you need a fast but fancy cookie to bring to a party use the Pillsbury gingerbread cookie dough. Slice in rounds and bake then top with a lemon glaze made with vanilla, lemon juice, powdered sugar, and enough milk or water to make a glaze. Drizzle the cooled cookies. Then while the glaze is wet sprinkle lemon zest on top. Really yummy. See? Like I said it's hard to focus on work but I love the holidays anyway.
Dates are starting to come in for the Tiger's Curse tour which will kick off in January. I'll be in Oregon, Washington, Utah, Arizona, and California. As soon as the dates are confirmed we'll put them on my website under the events tab.
In addition to the tour, I'll also be attending various conferences. I had no idea there were so many-The American Library Association, The International Readers Association, The Book Expo of America, The Romantic Times Convention. I'll get to meet other YA authors, join author panels, and even teach workshops. I 've often been on a platform thanks to interpreting so I'm usually comfortable there. I look forward to rubbing elbows with authors I admire and listening to them share their experiences.
There will even be a costumed ball at the Romantic Times Convention. I'm having a lovely Indian dress made so I have something to wear. If I get to meet Fabio, I'll post the pictures on the website. I asked if there will be any burly Scottsmen wearing kilts at the costume ball but didn't get a satisfactory answer. Still, how cool is that?
"I can't believe it's not butter!"
Happy Holidays!
Colleen
