Woohoo! I just got back from The Grove (see, I told you I go there ALL the time – in fact, I shop at the Anthropologie, and one of the sales clerks once asked me, “Hey, did you write that book Fashionista Files?” It was SO COOL!)… and at the Barnes & Noble, they have Blue Bloods out already on the shelves!!!

YAY!!!!

I cannot BEGIN to tell you how exciting it is to see your book on bookstore (and library) shelves. It is simply a dream come true. It honestly, never gets old for me. One day I would like to see the books in one of those cool cardboard stands (I hear they are doing that for Sun-Kissed!). I won’t know what to do with myself then!

And I checked on B&N.com where you can now order it–and it’s number 227!! WOW!! (Remember that sitcom 227? With Thelma? When I was in high school my family watched it every week!)

Ok, so yes, all writers check their rankings. Obsessively. If any writer says they don’t, they are LYING.

I’m just tickled beyond belief, especially since I haven’t even sent the nudging email to all my friends and relatives to buy my new book (but oh yes, it is coming people). So that means it’s my readers who are buying it–yay!!

Again, if you are in the New York area, and would like to come to the Book Launch Party for Blue Bloods and Sun-Kissed please email me at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) for an invite!!

I also want to tell you about a few books from my friends/colleagues…

BASS-ACKWARDS AND BELLY-UP – by Elizabeth Craft and Sarah Fain. Liz is a dear friend of mine from college, and her new book is about four girls who take the year after high school off to follow their dreams. It’s a really funny, sweet, and entertaining read. I highly recommend!

DRAWING A BLANK: Or how I tried to Solve A Mystery, End A Feud, and Land the Girl of my Dreams – by Daniel Ehrenhaft – Dan is also a friend from college. His mystery series THE WESSEX PAPERS is one of my favorites. He’s a really funny, engaging, and quirky writer. I haven’t read this book yet, but I KNOW it is going to be good.

And lest you think I only plug books by CC’93 alumns..

IT’S KIND OF A FUNNY STORY – by Ned Vizzini. Ned was a colleague from my New York Press days. He was this cool, high school sophomore who wrote these great essays about high school life in New York City. A very thoughtful and smart writer. The book is moving and life-affirming and a must-read.

I must say, it’s really fun to go to a bookstore and see books by friends and colleagues. It makes me feel like I am part of this cool group of writers, even though most of the time I am just by myself in front of the computer.

Anyway, I have to go and work on BB2 now, my editor wants to see some pages, and by golly, she’ll have some to see before we meet in New York in a week!

Have a great Saturday everyone!
xoxo
Mel