GIVEAWAY: Rules of Contact and Play-by-Play Calendar

So, this week is going to be extra fun - it's Thanksgiving, which is always special because I spend it with my family eating too much and playing lots of games. Board, not video. We like to kick it old school

Also, said holiday means it's a short work week. BONUS.

And finally, my birthday is this week. Now, It's not really something I'm super excited about like I used to be, but it's still a good excuse to celebrate.

So, let's get to the celebrating part, huh? Today, for Jaci Burton fans, I have a really cool giveaway. Thanks to the amazing peeps at Berkley Publishing, I have an ARC of RULES OF CONTACT, which is due out on December 6, plus a copy of the amazing Play-by-Play calendar. This giveaway is open internationally too!

So, here's to a fantastic week for all of us. And best of luck to you!

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PUBLICIST INTERVIEW: Cassie McGinty, Disney Publishing Worldwide

I may have mentioned that I'm turning *cough*thirty-something*cough* later this month. This past year has been a pretty good one for me, actually, in relation to my blog. I've read tons of amazing books, met some incredible authors, and gotten some fascinating insight into the publishing world through contacts made at some of the biggest publishing houses in the world. I'm living the dream, baby.

One such contact that I've recently made is the super talented Cassie McGinty, Marketing/Publicity Coordinator at Disney Publishing Worldwide. She graciously agreed to give us an insight into her world.

Thank you so much for participating in this interview, Cassie! – No problem!

*Note: All comments are my own opinion and not official statements or views of The Walt Disney Company.*

1.    My own undergrad degree is in marketing and public relations. When I was looking into careers, honestly, doing marketing and publicity for a major publisher didn’t even cross my mind (wish it would have!). Is this something you always wanted to do, or was it more of a “right place at the right time” kind of thing?

I always loved reading ever since I was little, and was the nerdy kid that always had her head stuck in a book. I didn’t think about working for a publishing company until college. I am from rural Nevada originally and I had never really been exposed to the publishing industry.

Because I love to read and write, when I started thinking about what job I would be qualified to do with my degree (English Major with a Minor in Creative Writing) that would make me happy, it was a no brainer. I was lucky enough to get an internship at Charlesbridge Publishing in Boston. I also interned for my school’s Literary Magazine, SHENANDOAH: THE WASHINGTON AND LEE UNIVERSITY REVIEW, and I also helped a local author with publicity for her book. My alumni network was a huge asset when it came time to job hunt because I got to meet so many fantastic people that work at different publishing companies in New York. They were so supportive and encouraging and it was through their sharing of resources that I got my first job here at Disney Publishing Worldwide!

2.    What skills are essential if one wants to break into the world of publishing house publicity?

In Publicity (and Marketing) you need to know how to multitask. Be organized, efficient, and creative. There is always something new going on and there is never a dull moment in the day.

3.    What does a day in the life of Cassie McGinty look like?

I usually come in around 8:30-8:45 and catch up on emails. Then the day can consist of anything from creating sell sheets, coordinating author travel, processing invoices, keeping track of author events, corresponding with bloggers, checking NetGalley, submitting books for awards and events, mailing books or promotions, and more! I really enjoy corresponding with bloggers and reading their book reviews! It is one of the highlights of my job because I get to see how the book impacts readers in a very real way.

4.    Do you find time to read strictly for your own pleasure? What are you reading right now?

Totally! I read every day on my commute to and from work and usually when I get home as well. I am a Science Fiction/Fantasy nerd. Right now I am reading CROWN OF VENGEANCE by Mercedes Lackey and James Mallory (TOR) which is just amazing. I also just started THE FOUNDRY’S EDGE by Cameron Baity and Benn Zelkowicz (Disney-Hyperion).

5.    What 2014 Disney Publishing releases are you especially excited to help introduce to the world?

DON’T LOOK BACK by Jennifer Armentrout, and not just because of the killer cover designed by Tyler Nevins! I am also super excited about PERCY JACKSON’S GREEK GODS by Rick Riordan and THE HUNT by Stacey Kade.

For December 2013 I am very excited about the release of THESE BROKEN STARS by Amie Kaufman and Meagan Spooner. I have gotten to know Amie over email (she is from Australia and is HILARIOUS!) and am so excited for this book to come out. There are so many great things going for this book and I can’t wait for it to be out in the world!

6.    From your perspective, what are the things you like to see in a blogger’s review post?

I love it when a blogger falls head over heels in love with a book! Blogger reviews are such a great way to create Buzz about a book.

7.    What is the most challenging aspect of your job?

Just making sure that I have dotted my “I”s and crossed my “Ts”. There is always so much going on in any given day and I keep lists for everything that I have going on that is essential.

8.    Since this is happening in my birthday month, I have to ask – what is your favorite kind of birthday cake?

Hmmmmmm….. I love pumpkin spice cake with cream cheese icing!

Happy Birthday!

Thank you so much, Cassie, and OMG - I want cake now. Specifically the aforementioned pumpkin spice cake with cream cheese icing. Yum-o.

Don't forget to enter to win either a box of books (US only) or a book of your choosing from The Book Depository (International). Perhaps you might want to get These Broken Stars - I met Amie Kaufman and Megan Spooner at BEA this year and they were so incredibly nice. Good luck!

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Happy Birthday to Me! Here's a Present for YOU!

So, November is my birthday month. I'm going to be 25 (again). My birthday stopped being fun after my 21st, so I need to do fun things to take my mind off the fact that yet another year has gone by. I have a few exciting things planned for this month, but I think we'll start things off with an awesome giveaway. I did this last year too, and unfortunately, my birthday still came and went, and it was still mildly depressing. So, I guess I have to up the ante this year, huh?

I'm offering a big 'ole box of books to one person in the US, and one book of your choice from The Book Depository to one person internationally. 

The box of books will have some ARCs - all from September, October or November 2013, some signed books, and some swag.

So, you know what to do! Good luck!

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Go Krista! It's Your Birthday! Do a Giveaway!

It's November - later this month, I get to eat cake, open a few presents and lament that fact that I am another year older. Blech. Maybe you've gathered that birthdays aren't really my thing. I've always enjoyed giving presents as much as I enjoy getting them, so what better way to distract me from my crow's feet and those few gray hairs that just. won't. stay. away. than to giveaway a book.

And, since it's my party (and I'll cry if I want to), I'm going to give away one book from one of my favorite series. Each of these series has had at least one book that has gotten a 5-star rating from me. And, since I'm feeling a little crazy, I'll even do a pre-order for a book in one of these series, if that's what you want. So, here are the 12 series you have to choose from:

Black Dagger Brotherhood series, J.R. Ward (adult)
River of Time series, Lisa Tawn Bergren (YA)
Revenants series, Amy Plum (YA)
Covenant series, Jennifer L. Armentrout (YA)
Mythos Academy series, Jennifer Estep (YA)
Blood of Eden series, Julie Kagawa (YA)
Fifty Shades of Grey series, E.L. James (adult)
Lux series, Jennifer L. Armentrout (YA)
Shatter Me series, Tahereh Mafi (YA)
Vampire Academy series, Richelle Mead (YA)
Iron Fey series, Julie Kagawa (YA)
Seven Realms series, Cinda Williams Chima (YA)

Just fill out the Rafflecopter to enter to win one book from one of the series listed above, including pre-orders. I'll be ordering from The Book Depository, so make sure they ship to you before you enter. Thanks for stopping by - good luck!


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