Mel's Shopping Diary
You are All Winners--Really and Truly!
July 08, 2008I hope everyone had a happy Fourth. I spent my holiday weekend at the fabulous Estancia resort in beautiful La Jolla (or as my sister and I have called it the whole time leading up to our vacation: Essstannnsssiaaahhhhhh!!!). Don’t I sound like the Price is Right announcer? “And in THIS showcase, a week at the FABULOUS Estancia resort in BEAUTIFUL La Jolla!! This could all be yours...if the price is right!") I’ll bid ten thousand, Bob! I actually KNOW someone who went on the Price is Right and WON. I think he won a dishwasher and a trip somewhere. Isn’t that great?
This place where I have lunch—the Farmer’s Market at the Grove, is next to the studios where they tape the show, and you’d always see all these old ladies with “Barker’s Beauties” t-shirts on them. Old ladies and young college kids are the PIR audience. Love it!
Anyway, had a lovely time tanning in our private cabaaanahhh...and then took the kids to Sea World the next day. Which was EXHAUSTING with our one and a half year old. Is it just me or does the dolphin show suck now? I remember going to Sea World and thinking it was beyond awesome--but this time it felt like the dolphins weren’t COORDINATED. Let’s get those dolphins jumping higher! All together now! A lot of the show is just devoted to splashing the folks in the “Soak Zone”. It appears an authentic Sea World experience entails being soaked to the skin by a rampaging dolphin and or killer whale.
Unfortunately we did not even get to see the star of Sea World, Shamu, since Mattie squirmed so much at the dolphin show we had to leave halfway. But we did see some penguins, polar bears and white whales, which was nifty. Then we all went back to our hotel room and collapsed.
Today I worked on my new GIRL book (it’s my new Au Pairs-like series and the first book is called GIRL STAYS IN THE PICTURE). And my new TV pilot. (Which is still super-secret but I love kind-of talking about it.) My TV project is an original idea and not based on my books. I’m sorry I have no news on my books that have been optioned, but i hope you like the TV show if it gets picked up.
And I’ve also begun to read all your fantastic, amazing, awesome poems. I’m really TOUCHED by all your talent and how much you love the Blue Bloods books. Some of the poems have made me laugh out loud (in a good way - they were meant to be funny), some of them left me speechless with awe, and all of them made me think of how cooool and smart you guys are. I love each and every one of them because I knew there was effort put into every one. I’ve read a hundred poems so far and it’s been a really, really interesting and overwhelming experience.
And the good news is--YOU ARE ALL WINNERS!
I told Hyperion how over three hundred of you entered the contest - and they are PRINTING UP THREE HUNDRED COPIES OF THE CHAPTER SAMPLERS SO EVERYONE GETS ONE!!!
How cool is that???
(And talk about burying the lead in this blog!)
But I still want to honor the Top 35 with a special prize, and extra special prizes will go to the Top Three poems.
And yes, I’ve asked again about when I can release the chapter samplers to my newsletter subscribers- they are still checking - so I’m sorry I have no new news on that. BUT, here’s a sneaky suggestion--the first chapter of Revelations is in the paperback release of Masquerade, which I believe is shipping from Amazon and Barnes and Noble right now. So that’s one way to see it! You can just go to your bookstore and read it. (I won’t tell.) Or better yet BUY a copy. I know some of you have been waiting patiently for the paperback so here’s your chance!
More good news - Hyperion and Simon & Schuster are sending me on tour in October to promote my various releases --Revelations and the fourth Ashleys book: Lipgloss Jungle. I’ll post the tour schedule as soon as I know where they’re sending me.
And congrats to everyone who entered the contest! You will be notified by email to send your address to us so we can send you a hot little chapter sampler. And I’ll be sharing the winners very soon--hopefully this week if my work allows it.
xoxo
Mel
On July 8, 2008 at 2:43 pm, Jennifer Amato had this to say:
Thanks so much! I can’t wait to read the sampler!!! I really hope that you have enjoyed all the poems. I love reading other artists work so I can’t wait to see who won. (Hope I’m up there! Fingers crossed!). I also wanted to let you know how as I reader I really like reading about what authors are up to. Not many authors do it, but I think it really shows that you care about us and want to connect with us, so thanks and I hope your coming to Denver so I can meet you! Have a great day!
On July 8, 2008 at 2:54 pm, Pauline had this to say:
wow it is great that they are doing that for everyone.thanks.it just shows how nice some people are. i think that is why we all love Melissa. because she is so sweet and nice to all of her fans.
On July 8, 2008 at 6:37 pm, Briana had this to say:
this so made my day (well, the rest of it) mel! try to stop by in the wisconsin area (or chicago).
On July 8, 2008 at 6:38 pm, chanel had this to say:
That’s wonderful! I’m so glad no one gets left out. But 300 or so poem...man talk about a crazy long read! Well its still great...now to run out and get a paperback copy of Masquerade! hehe yay!
On July 8, 2008 at 6:41 pm, Yuka had this to say:
Aw, isn’t that sweet. Thanks ^^! Good luck to participants!
On July 8, 2008 at 7:11 pm, Ashleigh had this to say:
I am jumping up and down right now!! I’m so excited! Excuse me while I bow at the foot of my Melissa Shrine. Haha. She is, honestly, probably the most awesomely fan-oriented author I have EVER heard of. WE LOVE YOU, MELISSA!
On July 8, 2008 at 9:21 pm, Yuka had this to say:
@ Ashleigh
Couldn’t agree with you more :3. Thanks for being so good to us, Mel ^^.
On July 9, 2008 at 8:48 am, Claire Watson had this to say:
That is so sweet that everyone is a winner!! Thanks I’m looking forward to the reading 
.
On July 9, 2008 at 9:55 am, Betsy had this to say:
Yay!!! I’m really happy we all get samplers but I still hope I’m one of the Top 35. Really my poems were sad but truthful I think. Well only time will tell. Good Luck everyone!!!
On July 9, 2008 at 10:14 am, Kayla had this to say:
are you going to put the poems up here? i would love to read them!:]
Also i have to say that i love your blue bloods books you are becoming one of my fav. authors! thank you! 8D
On July 9, 2008 at 11:30 am, Nicole had this to say:
Yay!! I am so excited! I can’t wait until you announce the winners!
On July 9, 2008 at 11:49 am, Sylvana had this to say:
!!!!! You are such an amazing author, thank you so much! ^_^
On July 9, 2008 at 12:08 pm, me had this to say:
yay! thats so fawesome!
On July 9, 2008 at 1:04 pm, Pippa had this to say:
Hey MDLC lovers, check out my new blog at http://pippacross.blogspot.com/. I made it a month ago and I like it, but I need confirmation that it’s a good blog. I even included a poll on Blue Bloods. Check it out, plz.
On July 9, 2008 at 3:27 pm, Katie had this to say:
I am soo excited to get the chapters! That is soo amazing that you guys are sending it to everyone! It shows that you really care about the readers and that is what makes you and Hyperion the best!
On July 10, 2008 at 6:20 am, torie had this to say:
omg. that made my day. i was sad this morning b/c my friend is moving to tennesee, but this news made me feel a lot better. even though i still feel liked crap im super happy about the chapter samplers.
On July 10, 2008 at 9:24 am, Kristie had this to say:
Whooo Hooo! I’m so Happy I literally jumped! I cant wait ‘till Revalations and am practly dieing over here! But I’ll be paitent! Cant wait!
On July 10, 2008 at 10:30 am, deltay had this to say:
Oh man, I feel so sad now, because I really really wanted to enter the contest (even went and re-read parts of the books!) but because it was timed during exam period and I have a crazy hard schedule this semester and a horribly hectic exam schedule as well, I was beyond swamped, and there just wasn’t time. :’( Oh well, I guess I’ll just have to wait until the newsletter gets the go-ahead.
On July 10, 2008 at 11:11 am, Winnie had this to say:
has anyone got their e-mails yet? this series was the best vampire book i ever read and i never met an author as free spirited as you!
On July 10, 2008 at 11:45 am, Liz had this to say:
YAYYYYY! i was sooo worried that i wouldnt be able to read the chapter sampler!!!! at least now i can let that off the hook. im sooo excited. THANKS SO MUCH MEL!
On July 10, 2008 at 7:23 pm, amanda smith had this to say:
wow. thats great ^_^alot of people love you huh Mel! over 300 poems. i want to read some V_V i love to read and write poems, i hope i can get into the top 35 at least, with all those poems entered i hope you’ll remember the two i put in! lol. when theres more than 300 though, doesn’t give you much hope. but i will congratulate those that do get into the top 35 and above prematurely. so great job people who do get into there ^_^
this is a really long comment huh?!!
On July 10, 2008 at 7:31 pm, Natalie had this to say:
wow that was really nice of them to do that for us. thanks so much melanie! cant wait to get the sampler (and to find out who had the top poems).
On July 10, 2008 at 7:42 pm, Destiny had this to say:
Um...who’s melanie??? Lol!! her name is melissa!!!!
On July 10, 2008 at 9:49 pm, Matty had this to say:
OMG!! Im so happy I cant wait!! Thank you sooo much for giving us the chance to express our selves. I really do love your work!!!
On July 10, 2008 at 10:22 pm, tiffany had this to say:
I bought a copy yesterday - since I borrowed it from a friend the first time I read it - and i was like all “oh I hope there’s a chapter in here!” half-way through reading it again, and i checked, and i thought it was just the rest of Masquerade and got all kind of disappointed, but then finally, when I finished it today, I saw it there, and was just all happy and joyous and psyched for the next one! I kept on going “ooo, secret place!” Haha, seriously, yay for being a rebel!
On July 12, 2008 at 7:47 pm, sarah thomas had this to say:
i am so happy that all of us get a copy but i think i’ll have to visit barnes and nobles this week i can’t wait that long lol
On July 12, 2008 at 10:34 pm, Haylee had this to say:
Holy crow! I just finished Masquerade and you sure know how to write cliffhangers! I think Im going to go crazy waiting for the next one....Your brilliant! I’ve been searching the web for hours trying to find when Relevations (if thats what its called) is coming out....I simply cannot wait! Ah!!
On July 13, 2008 at 6:58 pm, Natalie had this to say:
sounds great mel, cant wait for the sampler to come. oh, and pippa, can you stop promoting your blog please?
On July 14, 2008 at 7:54 pm, stheno had this to say:
o and about the whole sending chapter samplers to everyone: yay!! i was worried cuz my poem wasnt that great, but now im excited cuz i get my copy anyway!! i still wanna win tho!! this has been a winning year for me :D i won a free book and iPod this year in school.. so i hope i keep winning :D YAY!
On July 8, 2008 at 2:38 pm, casey had this to say:
Ah that’s amazing! I bet anyone that entered is super happy now that everyone’s getting a chapter sample! Thanks Mel, that just made my day!