Monday, June 24, 2013

3 Months Until Release: News, Full Jacket Reveal, and FIRST ARC GIVEAWAY!

I interrupt the regularly scheduled MG post (which will be back next Monday, I swear) to bring you 3 MONTHS UNTIL RELEASE DATE HAPPENINGS!

Holy frijoles, guys. I got my book deal almost exactly 19 months ago. Hitting the three month countdown is sort of.... unreal. And exciting. And slightly terrifying. And fun.

First, a little update.
  • I'm nearing the end of second round edits for book 2. I had heard that book 2s were a beast that would try to kill you in both your waking and your sleeping hours. I knew that. Still, though, I kind of just figured that my beast was going to be a cute little meerkat, poking his head up out of his hole to greet me every morning, and we'd get along swimmingly. Turns out, it's a Balrog and we've been battling for an eternity, and it's still unclear who's going to win. (Although I'm telling you right now, it's going to be me.)
  • If we are friends on facebook, then you might've seen this a few weeks ago when I posted it, but it still gives me a thrill every single time I think of it, so I'm going to share it here, too. The American Booksellers Association chose 22 titles spread across all categories to be promoted in independent bookstores all across the country as part of their Celebrate Debut Authors with Indies program. They chose a total of four middle grade titles to push, and mine is one of them. Guys-- I can't even. I am still blown away and cry happy tears whenever I think about it. You can read the article from the ABA here.
  • I am going to ComicCon International in San Diego in a few weeks! In one of those miracle all-the-puzzle-pieces-come-together moments, I also get to go with my hubby and our three kids. It's a geek family's dream come true. (Except for my middle child who isn't a geek, and who is a little weirded out by the fact that we're going. We're hoping to convert him to geekism on this trip.)
Enough news. Let's get to the full jacket reveal! Have I mentioned how much I love my art director (Nicole De Las Heras) and my cover artist (Owen Richarson)? They rock my world. Go ahead and click on this baby and make it huge. These guys made every square inch of it awesome. It's even more amazing in person, because it's embossed-- Sky Jumpers is raised the most, and then Hope, Aaren, and then the mountains. And the title has a special treatment on it that makes it shine in the light. When my editor sent me a jacket, I petted it for like 30 minutes straight.


And now, time for a giveaway! ARCs (Advanced Reader Copies) of Sky Jumpers have been rare, and for a while, I wasn't sure I'd be able to give one away. I was so excited when I found out I'd get a few more copies, because I've been dying to share it with you guys. You've made this journey so incredible! I love hanging out with you all, even if we may never actually see each other in person. :'o) Sad, I know, but this one is a U.S. only giveaway. I will do everything I can to do an international giveaway soon.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Have an awesome week, everyone!

24 comments:

Faith E. Hough said...

That cover IS awesome. If I were you I'd definitely be wasting a lot of time just staring at it. :) Good luck with all the craziness and don't forget to ENJOY it!

JeffO said...

That looks fantastic, Peggy! Hey, I'm guessing that book 2s are the 'saggy middles' of a series. Hang in there against that Balrog, Gandalf!

prerna pickett said...

wow, that's crazy! Keeping hanging in there, I'm sure book two will be out before you know it!

Neurotic Workaholic said...

Cool cover, and congratulations on the fact that your book was one of the ones chosen for that program! I think it'd be cool to go to ComicCon. The last comic book I read was an Archie comic book, but I still think it'd be cool to go and see all the people dressed up as comic book characters.

S.P. Bowers said...

Cool, I don't know that many people that can defeat a balrog. Good to know. :)

Love the cover.

Jennie Bennett said...

Love the full jacket! So excited for you!!

Christene said...

Not everyone can claim a cover as AMAZING as this one! I am super excited for your book to come out. It looks amazing. I'm sharing with everyone and crossing my fingers to win this puppy for my 10 year old to fall into this summer. Good luck with that Balrog. You've totally got this, girl!

Shallee said...

Yay, Peggy! I love your cover more every time I see it! Good luck in your last three months!

Rebecca Green Gasper said...

Love the cover spread! Wow! Congrats and good luck on the upcoming release. Can't wait to read. And what a fun giveaway- :)

Angelica R. Jackson said...

I only just found out about Westercon being held in Sacramento this year, so I'll be there (and be square) July 4th weekend! Not as big as Comicon, but I'm okay with that, hee hee.

Carrie Butler said...

That's all so awesome, Pegasus! :) Congratulations!

Charlie N. Holmberg said...

So long to wait!! But it will be worth it. The jacket looks great and I'm so excited for you!

Taffy said...

So excited for you, Peggy!!! I add two extra exclamation points for you! Oops! There's a few more. I love your successes!

Emily R. King said...

I am loving all that green. So pretty!

Nicole said...

So, so exciting!! Love that cover and cannot wait to get my hands on your book when it comes out! That ABA recognition is fantastic. Congrats all around.

Janet Johnson said...

I'm am SO EXCITED for you!! Can't even find the words. :D

Unknown said...

Killer cover, Peggy!

I hope to see your international giveaway soon, since now I live in Ecuador ,: \

Brandon Ax said...

Awesome Jacket can't wait to read it.

Krista McLaughlin said...

I totally would have been petting the cover too if it were mine. It's a beauty!

You get to go to ComicCon - I'm super jealous! Maybe someday I will get to go. Hopefully you can convert your middle one - geeks are the greatest people on Earth. :)

Congrats on making it to 3 more months!

David P. King said...

Hey! I'm about to review that book! Or, would you like me to wait for a blog tour and fun stuff? :)

kristine N said...

Oh so awesome! I can't wait to get my hands on a copy. Congrats, and I hope you don't have to travel through death to conquer your Balrog.

Coleen Patrick said...

That cover is so super cool! Congrats and ENJOY!! :)

Unknown said...

So exciting! That's a great cover. I bet the next three months fly by.

Dawn M. Hamsher said...

Oh, Peggy! This is SO exciting! Love the cover. The book looks fantastic. Can't wait to read it!