Michele Jakubowski's Blog, page 10

A Week in the Northwoods

What a week! I had a fabulous time visiting MHLT and in Northern Wisconsin! I truly enjoyed the time I spent with the 5th – 8th graders at both schools. We discussed the writing and publication process, our favorite books and even a little football. I answered some questions (my favorites were "Are you famous?" and "Do you live in a mansion?") and participated in some interesting games of 2 Truths and a Lie. Overall it was a wonderful trip and I want to thank the staff and students at both schools for making me feel so welcome. Hope to see you all again soon (but maybe next time without the snow…)!

It Feels Weird To Ask People To Like You But…

I set up a new FB page, please check it out!

Updates and pics for my Northern Wisconsin trip coming soon. I'm having a fabulous time – even with the snow today!

Dipping My Toe In

My first official book signing was more of a homegrown affair. My good friend Jamie hosts an annual Boutique Bazaar which features some amazingly talented local artists gathered together for a pre-holiday shopping and social extravaganza. Last year I sold my custom made note cards (a business I've sadly had to shelf due to lack of time) and had a ball. This year I decided to set up a little table with my books. I wasn't sure how they were going to be received and I was thrilled when I ended up selling all but 3 books. I most enjoyed 'talking books' with people and discussing possible author visits to local schools. Aside from eating too many of Jamie's fabulous cookies (seriously, she could go into business selling them) the day was a huge success and I'm glad I got to wade slowly into the world of book promotion.

Up next is a trip to the Northwoods of Wisconsin to visit two schools. My brother lives in the area and we have spent many a lazy summer day in the lake behind his house. I've never been in October and while it is supposed to be 85 degrees today in Ohio, I am seriously considering whether or not to pack my winter coat.

Box o' Books

Wow. The UPS guy just dropped off a box of books at my house. Our book. THE book. I feel excited, nervous, exhilarated, a bit hungry (I haven't had lunch yet), proud and a whole mess of other emotions. Mostly, I am relieved. It's been a long process and I am so happy to get to this point. Let the book promoting begin! Anybody wanna buy a book? I've got a whole box.

Tough Economic Times

In an effort to get the word out about the 10.1.10 release of Sometimes You Can Go Home, and to hopefully generate some Goodreads reviews, I've listed two copies as giveaways. I'll even sign them. Heck, I'll even write a personalized note on the inside cover to your dog if it'll get the book out there! Check it out. But be warned – once you get sucked into signing up for Goodread giveaways, it's hard to stop. I think I signed up for 25 giveaways. At least my odds should be pretty good.

Flashback

Right after my daughter Mia was born my parents sold their home of 38 years and moved to a smaller place. It was as they were putting the house on the market that my dad took his 'take it or lose it' stance on all of our childhood mementoes. I ended up with a giant tub full of photo albums, cards, a blue graduation cap with a bright orange tassel (Go Hawks!), 20-year old love letters from my husband, journals, scrapbooks and my once prized possession: my Judy Blume box set. I gasped as I...

98 Days…

…but who's counting?

We're about halfway through the follow-up to Sometimes You Can Go Home and I'm thrilled with how it is turning out!

I'm also working on another project that I'm busting at the seams to talk about but am too superstitious to post anything until a few more things fall into place. (Prepare yourself for a giant cliche…) Stay tuned!

Oh, and if anyone is looking to schedule a school visit with a middle grade author, give me a shout!

In Case You Haven't Already Heard Me Shouting From the Rooftops

My impulse is to start this post by writing OUR BOOK IS NOW AVAILABLE ONLINE FOR PRE-ORDER over and over again, but let me take a step back and start from the beginning.

This morning I had a few minutes before picking up my daughter, Mia, from a sleepover and I wanted to update my book club's Facebook page with information about our next get together. (And by the way, can I just say how much I love my book club? They are a fabulous group of women who are not shy about discussing their varying ...

A Cover is Worth a Thousand Words

We got an email today from the graphic designer at Comfort Publishing. He is going to begin working on our book jacket and wanted to know if we had any thoughts or suggestions. Over the past two years I have daydreamed a million times about holding a copy of the book in my hands. Not once did I pay attention to what the cover looked like.

A quick phone call to Karen confirmed that we were on the same page: we didn't want any drawings or photos of the characters (we wanted to leave that to...

Movin' Right Along

I've had that Muppets song Movin' Right Along stuck in my head all afternoon. We heard from the publisher today and were informed that book one is currently being put into galley form. As soon as it is put together, it will be sent to us for review. It sounds like the publisher has been working fast and furious behind the scenes on edits and pre-promotion to book stores as well. It's thrilling to have some news for all the well-wishers who ask, "How's the book comin'?"

By the way, I'm not c...