Pre-release pre-sale pre-party! (w/ Editor's Note)

2 books.

8+ rounds of proofing.

10 months.

AND THE BOOK IS ALMOST DONE.

It's safe to say that this book publishing process has been a hilarious comedy of errors (and a HUGE learning experience). While it's taken twice as long as I anticipated, looking at the proof I have on my table right now, I can't regret it, and I feel certain that once people get it in their hands, they won't, either.

A few months ago, while in the throes of frustration over what seemed to be the never-ending proofing process, my friend Sonia had some words of wisdom: "I know it's frustrating, but every single time you have to make a change to the book, it just gets better and better. And that's what's important, right?" And she was RIGHT - if this project would have finished on (our original) schedule, this book literally would not be half of what it is now.

The cover is more beautiful than I could have imagined; just when it looked like we would have to give up on our little creative and crazy dream of a flipbook, we solved the mathematical equation that was the format (did you guys know that formatting a flipbook is so difficult that most printing companies refuse to do it? And now I totally understand why...I felt like I should've been starring in the publishing version of The Da Vinci Code...); and it contains some of the best stories I've ever written in my life (and dare I say it, could have ever hoped to write).

And check out this awesome book description that one of my writing mentors crafted for the book -

"So maybe it's the stakes. If you kiss me in the snow, I will always wait for you to call first. If you trek out alone into the rugged wilderness to avenge your honor, I am coming in after you."

This combined collection of short stories and literary essays by Amber L. Carter gives voice to what we wish those who made their way into our hearts could have known...and what we still need to know for ourselves after they've made their way out again. With the glittering twin cities of Minneapolis/St. Paul and the quiet woods of northwest Wisconsin serving as a backdrop to her chronicles of "pounding love and crashing pain and that pretty ache", Carter's keen and unflinching observations of the intricacies of the human heart - mixed with a complex vulnerability and a delightfully wry humor - make each piece both intensely absorbing and startlingly familiar.

The above was one of the coolest gifts I've ever gotten from anyone (with anonymity being the only caveat so they're not inundated with requests from others). I hate writing my own book descriptions...to have someone whose talent I so love and respect write this for me? SO amazing.

So it's almost time. On Sunday night, I ordered what I'm confident is the final proof of this book...which means that, if I'm right, we're looking at the end of March as a release date.

Which also means that the next couple of weeks are the last and final chance to pre-order the book...which will also means it's your last chance to lock down 4 things:

* You get the book before everyone else

* Your book will be personally autographed (by me, of course)

* You get it at a super sweet, super awesome pre-sale price

* You get entered into a drawing to win an iPod Shuffle!

For this month only, and only until the book is released, you can score the beautiful glossy paperback for only $16.99 (regular retail price is $18.99)

AND - one of the things that delayed the proofing process for so long is that we were working on a hardcover version. I didn't want to tell anyone about it until I was absolutely sure we could do it (and do it well) but we have and it is a BEAUTIFUL version of the book! Seriously gorgeous. You can grab it at the pre-sale price of $26.99 (regular retail price is $28.99).

Also, check out the "Make It Easy On Yourself" box over on the sidebar for handy book ordering access whenever you wanna (so you don't have to search back to this post, because that shiz is annoying).

We'll also be having a little blog party for the book - I'll be posting excerpts and some cool related media on here in the next couple weeks (and beyond), which I'm pretty excited about...I was lucky enough to amass a collection of rad inspiration that, much like the playlists in each chapter of Holiday Chick , only serves to flesh out the reading experience, and I can't wait to start sharing it all with you.

 AND we are definitely planning a super rad launch party (I will be drinking shots at this release party. I never drink shots. So...that should give you a hint of how excited I will be to launch this book into the universe) and you're all definitely invited...more details will be shared about that when I have them.

WOOT! As they say in douchey brand and marketing circles, I can't wait for this baby to ship.

It's gonna feel so good....sooo gooooodd.

Like, Marky Marky Good Vibrations Good.










EDITORS NOTE: 
ALSO! 
1) Check out mah newly designed online bookshop. I love it so much that I'm probably gonna hang out there all the time. 

2) EVERYONE who has bought or will be buying the book during the pre-sale will be entered into the drawing to win an iPod Shuffle. Yeah. You heard me. A FREE iPod Shuffle, just for saving yourself some money and getting in the front of the line for the book. That's like winning a free trip to Bali and then also finding out that, hey, by the way, Ryan Gosling will be coming with you to serve as your personal guide and companion on this free tropical adventure of yours.

So maybe it's not as awesome as that. But. Still pretty awesome.