Monday, September 29, 2014

THE FORBIDDEN FLATS was released!

Want to know what is a good clue that you might have overbooked events, school visits, and speaking engagements? When you don't even have a moment to blog about your book releasing!

Seriously, though? I've had a ton of presentations to write.

Seriously, though? I've loved every single speaking engagement.

What's a girl to do? I don't know. I keep thinking I'll learn something from this carzy-packed stretch of conferences, literacy events, school visits, launches, events, and library functions. I just haven't figured out what that something is.

Let's recap, shall we?

First off, THE FORBIDDEN FLATS released last Tuesday! And the paperback of SKY JUMPERS released the same day!



Having a double release calls for a double launch party, yes? Okay, in reality, no. But it was pretty fun, and that's what really matters. ;) My first one was at the King's English Bookshop in Salt Lake City on Tuesday:


Okay, I've been to dozens and dozens of launch parties at the King's English, but never done my own there. Being the person up at the front: surreal.

And then I had one at my favorite library on Thursday.

I spoke for a few minutes in the auditorium, then gave away a lot of Sky Jumpers swag.


Then we moved into the big open area, where there were tons of games, made uberly awesome by my talented and creative assistant, Kristine (above). Having activities for kids at a book launch for a children's book is a huge plus! It gave all the kids something to do while all the parents waited in line.



These were just a few of the extremely helpful (and so adorable!) kids who ran the activities, all ready and waiting for me to go speak in the other room, so that they could show the hordes of kids a great night. They were awesome!


And of course, we had cookies! Lots and lots and lots of cookies. Over 600 of them.



These are the posters that the lovely librarians made and hung up all over the library.


And the King's English came loaded with boxes of books, and stayed until the end. Have I mentioned how much I love them?

Add in six school visits last week (OHMYGOSH, MY FAVORITE THING TO DO EVER), a reception for the Utah Book Award (woot!) and a library literacy event (so fun!), and it was a rather exhaustingly exciting week.

Now if you'll excuse me, I need to go prepare some workshop presentations that some schools I'm visiting later this week have requested. And then a joint presentation I'm doing with another author. And then another I'm giving to librarians.

I swear there's a lesson on overscheduling in there somewhere. And I know I'm going to find it soon...

I hope you have the most fantastic of weeks! Mwah!

8 comments:

Angela Brown said...

So glad things are going extraordinarily well with your releases, launches, events and activitis galore. Let me know when you've learned that lesson about over scheduling. I'd like to be aware in case I find myself in your shoes...and I'm sure I'd love every moment of it just as you are :-)

Rosalyn said...

Your launch sounds fantastic! I'm always sad that S. Utah is just a little too far to go for events like that. But I'm looking forward to reading the Forbidden Flats! (Also, not to put more work on your plate, but I'd love to see a post on how to do awesome school visits . . . )

Neurotic Workaholic said...

Congratulations on the release and the book launch! I would've been so nervous getting up in front of all those people to promote my work, but it looks like you had a good time. And those cookies looked soooo good.

JeffO said...

Fantastic, Peggy--what a nice crowd! Make sure you get a little down time scheduled in there!

Susanna Leonard Hill said...

Wow, Peggy! Congrats on all the excitement and success and the new book! What a week! :)

Anonymous said...

CONGRATS, Peggy! Looks like it was a great launch party.

Sheena-kay Graham said...

That launch looks like loads of fun. Thanks for sharing the photos and giving us an insight on what it takes to do a book launch for kids Peggy. Congrats on your new book.

David P. King said...

So glad I was able to make to one of these events (and of course, I got my copy of Forbidden Flat in the mail the next day). You're a hit, Peggy! :)