Becca Fitzpatrick

NCTE, Part II

2009-11-25T04:07:26Z

Jumping in where I left off...

Day Two. Saturday. I woke up bright and early and attended Laurie Halse Anderson's talk. It was A-mazing. She was funny and clever and the whole time she was up there, I kept thinking, "I will never be this entertaining." She talked about not taking negative reviews personally, and censorship, and how she's learned to cope with both. She was halfway through a story about TWISTED, when my cell phone started ringing. I should probably explain that I don't actually have a cell phone. I have a Tracfone, to which I add minutes when I go on these trips, as a way of fooling my editor and publisher into thinking I'm a savvy, professional, up-to-date author. Anyway, the cell started ringing, and the number was coming from a 702 area code. I don't even know which city has an area code of 702, so I was pretty much positive I didn't know the caller either. The thing was, since I don't own a cell phone, I couldn't for the life of me figure out how to turn the stupid thing off. So I bolted out of my chair and started for the doors. About halfway there, I was hit by the bright idea to JUST HANG UP ON THE CALLER. I promptly did so, but by that time, I was through the doors and too embarrassed to go back in. I'd just walked out of Laurie Halse Anderson's talk to answer my cell. *headslap*

Hoping to escape my embarrassment, I wandered around the hotel until it was time to meet up with Jenn and Rebecca, the masterminds behind the HUSH, HUSH fansite, FallenArchangel.com. We'd been planning this meet-up for months, and it was absolutely, one hundred percent AWESOME. I always get a little jittery meeting new people, especially when there's the pressure of knowing, no matter what, you have to like these people, but HELLO! Yes, HELLO! They were awesome and by the end of the morning, I felt a lot like we were old high school buddies getting back together for a reunion. They are so fantastic! I'm often asked what has changed the most in my life since HUSH, HUSH was published, and I'll tell you what. It's all the awesome, awesome people who have come into my life because of the book. Rebecca and Jenn are on that list. (Love you guys!)

Here's a pic of the three of us:

Jennifer Martin, Moi, Rebecca Sutton

Rebecca and Jenn also got to meet and chat with a few Simon & Schuster peeps, including Editor Emily, and Anne Zafian. For fun, here's a pic of Emily, Moi, and Anne:

After all the chatting, I participated in an author panel called BE THE BOOK, and across the room, saw fellow authors Kate Messner, Maggie Stiefvater, Jenny Moss, and Scott Westerfield. I was really hoping to go introduce myself after the panel, but I had a plane to catch. I was having deja vu from my last trip out, when I made it to the airport 35 minutes before my flight took off and literally ran from the taxi, through security, and onto my plane as it was going wheels-up. So, yeah. I ran out of there like crazy, NOT wanting a repeat performance.

And then, hours later, I arrived in one piece back in Colorado.

Author Twitter Chat

2009-11-24T17:13:11Z

Obviously this week is all about Thanksgiving and Black Friday, but here's something to look forward to NEXT week!

Tweet questions you want to have answered to @SimonSchuster with #ChatSS

Everyone is welcome! Hope to see you there!

-Becca

NCTE, Part I

2009-11-24T16:59:42Z

Hey, guys!

So, yes, I'm back. There are a lot (and I mean A LOT) of English teachers in this country! I only saw a small slice of them, and it was still overwhelmingly impressive. Yes, I'm an author, but I have to admit, being at NCTE and getting caught up in all the excitement made me think, "I want to be an English teacher!!"

Now that I'm back home, lounging around in my bathrobe all day while I work, I've decided I'm content right where I am, of course...

But back to NCTE.

I flew into Philadelphia Friday afternoon and found a taxi after accidentally wandering over to the train stop. But all was well. At this point, I've come to terms with the fact that I'll inevitably be lost in the city, and that's okay. As long as everything works out in the end, I'm good to go. So, yes. Caught the taxi, and told my driver, "I'm at the Downtown Marriott...hang on...let me dig out the address...I know I've got it in here somewhere..."

To which he replied, "1201 Market Street."

"Wow! You're good!"

Laughter. "This is my job."

At the hotel, I grabbed a quick lunch, then headed down to the exhibit hall to find the publisher booths and snap a few quick pictures of fellow 10_ers books. See below:

I only had a few minutes to run around snapping pictures and asking questions, and then I headed back over to the Simon & Schuster booth to get ready for my signing. After I arrived, Justin Chanda said, "Wow, check out that line."

(This line:)

The line was across and down from the Simon & Schuster booth, and right beside a small refreshment area, so I was pretty sure the people were waiting for food, but just to make certain I wasn't missing something big, I said, "What are they waiting for?"

And that's when everyone roared with laughter and said, "YOU!"

I'm still in shock. Looking back, I still can't believe how many people showed up to get their signed copy of HUSH, HUSH. I have no way to describe it other than TOO COOL! While signing, I ran into a woman who grew up with me in North Platte, Nebraska, and graduated high school with my big sister. Nobody is ever from North Platte. Nobody has ever heard of North Platte. Until now, ha!

I also got to meet blogger Steph Su from Steph Su Reads. She is absolutely one of my favorite bloggers, so I couldn't contain myself from jumping up and giving her a hug. Hey, it's okay for authors to be fangirls, too. I also couldn't believe how many people were from Colorado. My editor joked that I flew all the way to Philly to sign books for readers in Colorado. You know, my home state :)

Here's a pic of me with Editor Emily. We made a fierce and efficient signing team. (I'm in the glasses.)

After the signing, I headed out to dinner with Editor Emily and Agent Catherine, and several fantastic educators from around the country. I don't know why, but I'm always nervous for these dinners. And every time, they turn out just fine, and I meet incredible and interesting people. I really need to get over my fear of these dinners! At the dinner, I was lucky enough to finagle my way into a ticket to hear Laurie Halse Anderson speak the following morning. I've mentioned this before, but after reading SPEAK, I knew I wanted to write YA. So believe me, I'm not exaggerating when I say this was The Best Gift!

-Becca

NCTE

2009-11-19T23:45:23Z

So much for blogging this week...

Just wanted to pop in real fast and say YES I'm alive. I'm rising and shining eaaarly tomorrow and flying out to Philadelphia for NCTE! Very excited to see my agent and editor again, as well as meet Rebecca and Jenn from FallenArchangel.com for the very first time. YAY!

Will take lots of pictures, and hopefully find a few 10_ers books. More to come...

Becca

Tomorrow's signing canceled!

2009-11-12T02:56:40Z

Hey, guys!

I apologize for the late notice, but tomorrow's signing is canceled. I won't be at the Littleton, CO, Sam's Club. Thanks for understanding!

-Becca

Winners!!

2009-11-10T22:05:19Z

I thought I'd take a break from editing CRESCENDO to come over and post the winners of my HUSH, HUSH launch contests - YAY! I had so much fun going through all the entries - you guys are so creative and awesome. Thanks so much for celebrating the release of my novel with me!

Winner of the Big HUSH, HUSH Launch Contest is...

REBECCA S.!

She found HUSH, HUSH at her local Barnes & Noble in Pennsylvania almost three weeks before the book was set to release. Here's her picture:

For the REALLY Big HUSH, HUSH Launch Contest, I decided to pick a runner-up along with the Grand Prize winner. YAY! The runner-up will receive a signed copy of the book and an I <3 HUSH, HUSH tee. And the runner-up is...

MARIA!

Now here's where things start to get a little weird. In my last post, I posted pictures of angel wings Brook gave me while I was in Utah doing signings. I spent a whole night Googling her name, trying to contact her so I could find out more about the wings, and eventually found her on Facebook. We chatted. I learned super cool things about her and about the angel wings. Days later, as I was finishing up looking through entries for the Really Big HUSH, HUSH Launch Contest, I found her entry! And I have to say, it takes the cake. Brook wins the grand prize!! I mean, check out these photos:

I'm seriously speechless. They're just...amazing. I can't stop staring at them. Well done, Brook! :)

Thanks again to everyone who entered. I had so much fun looking through all of your photos. I <3 my readers and fans!!

-Becca

Pics

2009-11-09T22:41:15Z

Hey, guys!

A couple cool things. First, this picture that Jenn at FallenArchangel sent me (she found it on PW, lest you think she was roaming around the S&S offices). It was taken on Halloween, so it's a little old, but timeliness was never one of my virtues. This is the S&S design department in action!

Next, I saw Book Divas tweet today about an essay my editor wrote about acquiring HUSH, HUSH. I admit, I got a little teary while reading. There were things in her essay that even I didn't know - like how she started reading the manuscript on her birthday! Check out the essay HERE.

Finally, unless something terrible and unforeseen happens, I will be posting the winners of my launch contests tomorrow, along with the winning pictures!

-Becca

Angel wings

2009-11-06T04:28:42Z

While I was in Utah, a reader stopped by the Costco where I was signing books and gave me two incredible photos. Included was a card, which I didn't have a chance to read until later. Inside was this message:

Becca,

I finished Hush, Hush (in a day) right after exploring an abandoned house to use for a photo shoot. I remembered the angel wings that had been painted over the old wallpaper. I went back to take pictures to give to you. It was a place I could imagine fallen angels gathering. - Brook

I've been meaning to share these pictures with you guys for a while. I have them framed on my desk, and I look at them often. They've been an inspiration to me over the past couple weeks, as I've been editing CRESCENDO. I have no idea if Brook will ever read this blog post, but if she does, this is for her: Thank you!!!

-Becca

bec_fitzpatrick @ 2009-11-05T19:01:00

2009-11-06T02:02:43Z

What the heck, I'll draw another winner. One winner just seems lonely :)

And winner #2 is...

K. Fox! I'll email you now :)

Winner!

2009-11-06T01:59:18Z

Congrats jo_scrawls for winning the signed UK edition of HUSH, HUSH! And thanks to everyone else for entering!

-Becca

Cover Week at Fallen Archangel

2009-11-01T01:42:12Z

I was going to wait until tomorrow - November 1 - to announce this, but there's a lull between trick-or-treaters, so I'll put the good news up now. Rebecca and Jenn, the awesome ladies behind Fallen Archangel, are brewing up something awesome. I'm laughing to myself just thinking about what they have in store. I don't want to release too many details yet, but let's just say I've been working really, really hard to track down some information over the past couple months...information they've managed to find. And, yes, it involves the cover of HUSH, HUSH. There's your one clue.

I'm tempted to say more, so I'll end this now. But not before saying you won't want to miss Cover Week!!!

Becca

Happy Halloween!

2009-11-01T00:28:16Z

One quick businessy matter: I'll be taking entries for The Really Big HUSH, HUSH Launch Contest through tonight...winner will be announced soon. Thank you to everyone who's participated - it's been a lot of fun!

Have an awesome Halloween night!!

-Becca

And now I bring you

2009-10-30T02:45:25Z

a spooky Halloween story by author Lindsey Leavitt. I was going to join her by creating my own spooky vlog, in which I planned to dress up as a werewolf and hairspray leaves and debris in my hair, but my world is not cooperating. Illness, two snow days in a row keeping the kids home from school, mental breakdowns, birthdays, and the usual other stuff prevented me. So you'll have to make due with this, which in all honesty, is the way you'd prefer it. Trust me.

UK release!

2009-10-29T15:47:35Z

HOLY MOLY!! I just realized it's the 29th! HAPPY UK RELEASE DAY to HUSH, HUSH!! Tell you what, I'm ALSO giving away a signed hardback of the UK edition. UK, Ireland and Australia residents only! Sorry everyone else :)

If you're interested in winning this baby, leave a comment below with a way to reach you! I'll draw a winner next Thursday, November 5th!

Now I really have to get to Target!!!

Becca

Thank you!

2009-10-29T15:36:50Z

Hi, guys!

So Colorado has been bombarded with snow these past two days, and I'm about to make a run to Target to buy one of the last five pairs of boys snowpants they have left. In other words, I have to make this quick - I MUST get one of those pairs!!

Just wanted to check in and say I'm back from Utah, and it was a blast! I couldn't believe how many of you showed up. I didn't expect such an incredible turnout, so a huge THANK YOU to all my readers in Utah! I have a pic from the trip, but not from any of my signings. While driving around on a country road near Heber, Utah, trying to find a shortcut back to a signing, I got held up by a herd of cattle. There was even a real cowboy, and he tipped his hat as he rode by. It was awesome!

Good thing I'm not claustrophobic, because for a couple minutes, the cows were seriously surrounding the car, blocking the windows (cows are BIG up close) and rubbing their (cute) slobbery noses all over the windows. Good times!

Now rewind to about two hours before I left to drive out to Utah. I was upstairs packing and heard my author buddy Kay Cassidy call and leave a message on my answering machine. It sounded like she was screaming, "Congrats!" so I called her back to figure out what in the world was going on, and that's when she told me HUSH, HUSH debuted at #10 on the NYT best-seller list. EEEEEK! As you can imagine, there was a lot of screaming and NO WAY-ing and dancing. I kept hearing Jane Austen's voice in my head: "Nobody minds having what is too good for them." No, they don't. Even when they feel completely undeserving :)

Yesterday, Kay called again, telling me that this week, HUSH, HUSH jumped to #7. AHHH! and EEEEK! It still hasn't settled in. I've been walking around all morning, doing the normal morning thing, when suddenly I stop cold and scream out, "I can't believe it's true!"

So now for the point of this post: a huge THANK-YOU to my readers - thank you for taking a chance on the book, thank you for your awesome emails and thank you for spreading the word about HUSH, HUSH - it makes all the difference! You guys are the best, and none of this could have happened without you!

I'm in a bit of a celebratory mood...so, I'm throwing a little impromptu contest. I have a couple HUSH, HUSH sleepwear tanks that I want to give away. Here are the two styles:

If you want one, all you have to do is leave a comment (along with your email so I can reach you if you win!) I'll choose one winner randomly every day, starting today and ending Tuesday, November 3.

Good luck and, seriously, you guys ROCK!

Becca

A few things before I leave

2009-10-21T16:29:48Z

Hey, guys!

So I know I'm really behind on blogging. After all, I still haven't posted pictures from my launch, or pictures from Simon & Schuster Canada's awesome HUSH, HUSH chalk drawing, but! I'm working on it. I promise. The flu has been circulating our house this week, and things are just, you know, crazy :)

Also, I'm getting ready to leave for signings in my neighboring state of Utah, but before I go, I wanted to make a few quick announcements.

1. If you're a resident of Canada, Simon & Schuster Canada is running an awesome HUSH, HUSH contest. You could win a limited-edition HUSH, HUSH T-shirt and other goodies (like dark angel soap - yum!) Details are HERE.

2. Tonight I'm reading an excerpt from HUSH, HUSH and answering questions at BookDivas. Live audio chat, 7PM EST. Be there or be square! (Plus, they're giving away prizes.)

3. As I mentioned, I'll be in Utah later this week signing at a few different Costcos. If you're in the area, I'd love to see you. Here's my schedule:

Friday, October 23, 3PM - Orem, UT Costco

Saturday, October 24, 11AM - Sandy, UT Costco

Saturday, October 24, 3PM - Lehi, UT Costco

Okay, and because I can't resist, I'll leave you with a couple shots of Chalk Master Dave's drawing of HUSH, HUSH. Thanks, S&S Canada!

Becca

Two things on Friday

2009-10-16T18:55:52Z

Hey, all!

1. If you're in Toronto right now, I'm incredibly jealous!! Here's @PulseCanada's most recent tweet:

Today is our HUSH HUSH Meetup & Tweetup @ Yonge & Dundas in T.O. 3-6PM!
Limited ed. bookmarks, chance 2 win !! #hushhush

2. If you're a first-time author (me!) read this. Makes me want to reach out and hug Cynthia. Children's publishing is full of people who flat out rock.

And that's it for this week! Happy Friday! Hope everyone has awesome plans this weekend!

Becca

What kind of angel are you?

2009-10-15T19:35:03Z

Hey, guys!

Just wanted to mention some awesome contests going on right now.

1. Kim at The Book Butterfly is holding a contest for a signed copy of HUSH, HUSH, and all you have to do is take a highly scientific quiz I wrote and tell the world what kind of angel you are. Fallen? Guardian? Archangel? Angel of Death? Go find out!

2. Liyana at LiyanaLand is giving away a signed copy of HUSH, HUSH too! (Go check out her awesome banner, while you're at it.)

3. Mundie Moms Blog is also giving away a copy, and to enter, just send them your favorite pic of an angel!

All contests are open across the globe!

Chalk Master Dave...

2009-10-15T18:45:24Z

is drawing HUSH, HUSH on the streets of Toronto today!! Check @PulseCanada on Twitter for updates, and if you're lucky enough to be in Toronto today to see everything first hand, send your pics their way!

I love this pic! http://twitpic.com/lmnlb

P.S. Hint: go to Yonge & Dundas!

Happy Birthday, HUSH, HUSH!

2009-10-13T20:08:58Z

Happy Launch Day!

I don't even know where to begin, except to say what an awesome, awesome day. No, better than awesome. Everything has been spectacular, even better than I could have imagined. Thank you to everyone for the happy-launch-day emails, tweets, Facebook shout-outs, blogs, angel-shaped cookies (Lindsey!!), flowers and overall excitedness you've brought to my day! Book people can't be topped! I feel like the luckiest girl in the world right now, and it's all because of you guys :)

I've been looking forward to this day for six years, and now that it's here, I can say without any doubt whatsoever, that those years of highs and lows and struggling to become a better writer were worth it – 100% worth it! I haven't made it this far on my own, and want to send another big shout-out to everyone who has been a part of the journey with me: my writing buddies (and the best friends a girl could ask for), my family and friends, my publishing team, The Tenners, booksellers and librarians everywhere, and now, my readers! Thank you, each and every one of you! Not only do you make my job possible, but you make it the best job in the whole world!

Love, Becca

Okay, I have to share a pic of these cookies. I cried when I saw them. A little HUSH, HUSH book cookie, and an angel cookie.

Friday Five

2009-10-09T17:39:08Z

5. It snowed here in Colorado yesterday. No, I'm not kidding. SNOW. Craziness, right? We got about three inches, and it was beautiful, but even more beautiful, it all melted. Here's to hoping we don't see more white stuff until after Halloween.

4. @tyecat on Twitter sent me a song a while back that I love for HUSH, HUSH. It's called Trouble is a Friend by Lenka and you can listen to it here.

3. Last night I went out for drinks with sylsome and brennayovanoff Loved them! There's something wonderful and reassuring about meeting coworkers in the industry and chatting with people who understand everything from what it feels like going through copyedits to the joy of selling that first book.

2. I'm going on a date tonight with my husband! WHOO HOO!

1. And for number one...HUSH, HUSH is on shelves at both of my local B&Ns!! I tried to take a picture, but the YA section is right by the service desk, and I could feel the woman behind the desk staring at me. And then I started wondering if it's illegal to take pictures inside a bookstore. And then I was too paranoid to snap the picture. So, yeah. I'll try to stop by B&N after my date tonight, and have my husband play decoy and occupy the woman at the service desk while I whip out my camera.

Happy Friday, all!

Becca

Another update

2009-10-06T22:53:12Z

Just a quick post to announce that Megan is running a HUSH, HUSH contest HERE. Prizes include t-shirts and angel wings. Love it!

Also, Fallen Archangel is releasing countdown teasers from HUSH, HUSH HERE. Just a little something to whet your appetitie...until HUSH, HUSH releases one week from today!!!

Becca

ETA: Here's one more contest for an arc of HUSH, HUSH

Upcoming events

2009-09-30T23:11:26Z

Hey, guys!

My publicist rocks. I love her THIS MUCH. She's set up some great events for me in the next month, and I want to take a minute to invite everyone out. I'll be in various stores and locations in Colorado and Utah, and if you're in the area, I'd love to meet you!

To keep everything in one easy-to-find place, I've listed all events on my website. You can check them out HERE.

-Becca

Quick update

2009-09-29T15:26:09Z

Hey, guys!

Just wanted to let you know about a few goings on today. First, Patty Esden has an interview with me posted on her blog here. I've agreed to stop by throughout the day and answer any questions, so if you have a question for me, go ahead and post it in the comments section of her interview.

Also, Kiersten White is putting up an interview with me today! YAY - more interviews! You can read it here. Psst. I reveal whether I'm Team Edward or Team Jacob.

Finally, let's talk about FallenArchangel.com - the HUSH, HUSH fansite. The wonderful admins, Rebecca and Jenn, are giving away a hardcover of HUSH, HUSH as soon as they reach 100 members. I happen to know for a fact they have the hardcover in their hot little hands, which means if you win, you could be reading the hardcover before it releases in stores. How cool is that?!

Becca

Mountains and Plains

2009-09-26T21:16:01Z

I'm back from Denver and back from the Mountains and Plains Booksellers conference! It was energizing, fun, and I came away with quite a bit of insider knowledge, which is always a good thing. I was lucky enough to have lunch with several independent booksellers from Colorado and Utah, and spent a good deal of the time soaking up their wisdom, and talking about books we love (including upcoming HEX HALL by Rachel Hawkins, which I just talked about on my blog!!) After lunch, I found fellow authors and Tenners Bree Despain and Lindsay Eland, and we browsed the trade show and picked up a few goodies including posters and ARCs. Here we are, brandishing our beautiful books:

(Bree's book, The Dark Divine, is so awesome it GLEAMS.)
(Oh, and I wore my new orange heels, but obviously you can't see them!)
(I also wore glasses - see how smart I look!)

After an afternoon spent browsing the trade show, and talking about the business, our own writing, etc., Lindsay, Bree and I parted ways to take part in the author signing - a first for all of us. The author signing was intense! A constant stream of people coming and going and talking - extroverts would have loved it! It was a little overwhelming, and there was more than once when I could have sworn I was high on other people's energy, but you know what? It was a great experience. I met several fantastic and passionate booksellers from my area, and that made it all worthwhile. I can't wait to see them again.

Cool moment: During the author signing, a woman came rushing up to me with a huge smile on her face. She said she and her daughter had both read HUSH, HUSH, loved it, and asked me to sign a book to each of them. She had all kinds of questions about the sequel, and told me to count her as a die-hard fan. I think I sat there, speechless, but managed to mumble a "thank-you" before she left. Note to self: at next author signing, try not to be such a dork!

So there you have it. Mountains and Plains 2009.

Becca