Killer Monday: I Just Might Die

Jessie’s Bullets: Cock It and Pull It.

Monday, March 31, 2014

• __3__ Gratitudes (sand between the toes, fresh ocean breeze, blazing sun sizzling my skin)
• __2__ Units of Caffeinated (or otherwise non-water) Beverages (Big Gulps on the Beach...some of my favorite B-words)
• __3 hrs  Spent Writing (getaways with only one kid helps)
• _0__  Culinary Delights/Disasters Created With Own Hands (justification of the day: vacay)

So it turns out, planning for a debut book launch ain't no joke. Lots to do. In such a little time. Yada, yada.  But I have to say that one of my favorite areas of planning so far has to be:

WHAT TO WEAR to the party! It's a big deal! 

And I can't very-well go schlepping around the party in my stretchy pants (a la Nacho Libre sans cape and mask)

...and my running shoes (like Forrest Gump sans short-shorts and beard)

...like I do most days.

I have a duty to get gussied up. An obligation to put "my best foot forward." And how better to do that, than with:

SHOES...BEAUTIFUL SHOES!...OH, GLORIOUS, WONDERFUL SHOES! BUT WHICH ONES?

There's the :

Valentino Couture Bow D'Orsay Pump

Christian Louboutin 120 mm Pigalle Spikes

Jimmy Choo 'Lottie' Sandal

And of course, there's always the classic:

  Prada Peep Toe Pumps

How do I choose? What's a girl to do? 

These shoes are all just so killer that I think I might die!

Love, 

Jessie With A Shot At The Night

P.S. STAY TUNED FOR TOMORROW WHEN I WILL FINALLY BE ABLE TO ANNOUNCE A SECRET THAT I'VE BEEN HOLDING ONTO FOR MONTHS!!! HINT: IT'S WAY MORE KILLER THAN THESE SHOES, AND THAT'S SAYIN' SOMETHING.

Finally Friday: The Best Things About My Impending Debut Book Release

Jessie’s Bullets: Cock It and Pull It.

Friday, March 28, 2014

• __3__ Gratitudes (trips to Cali, getting ready for trips to Cali, leaving the piles of laundry behind in Vegas)
• _2__ Units of Caffeinated Beverages (adrenaline took over the rest of the needed energy supply of the day)
• __90 min_ Spent Writing (I'm getting really good at the art of writing really brief emails)
• _1__ Culinary Delights/Disasters Created With Own Hands (garden salad with fresh cucumbers, assorted bell peppers and vine-tomatoes...watch out Gwyneth Paltrow, I'm humble bragging my gluten-free cooking skills to one-up you!)

So as the release day for my debut book, KILLING RUBY ROSE, draws nearer, everyone keeps asking me the same question, "Aren't you so excited?"

Seriously, my neighbors, my hair stylist, the lady at the drugstore up the street who I like to chat with about eyeliner...they all want to know how excited I am. And though there's no way to hide how bright my eyes get when they ask, or the flush in my cheeks when I consider how cool it really is, the thing is: It feels weird on so many levels because getting a book published has been so long in the making. It's hard to believe that it's really happening.

So if you really want to know how excited I am, it's something like this:

OR THIS:

And because I'm obsessed with bullet points...

Top Five Bullets On Why This Time Leading Up To The Launch of My Book Has Been So KILLER! (That title needs some work):

• Unforeseen Rewards. I woke up to a special present on my doorstep today. My publisher sent me a Kindle Fire HD in honor of my debut book with them. Thanks Courtney, Erick, and my team at Amazon Children's Publishing/Skyscape. I seriously adore working with you! You have "delivered me happiness."

• Planning an epic book launch party. I think I'm putting more effort into this book launch than I ever did for my graduation from law school, my wedding reception, or even my baby showers. But it has been so fun to collaborate with so many talented, creative, and generous people. From my Book Launch Committee, to all the people at Downtown Projects, to the Clark County School District, I pretty much owe everyone free ice cream for life! Beyond the actual joy I will have at seeing it all come together on May 2 at the Container Park, this creative time of planning and dreaming is life-changing. It's like life is so much more colorful when you live your dreams.
• Being involved with the filming of the book trailer. Working with the likes of a pro like J.J. Huckin, and observing his brilliance is so thrilling, I can't even sleep when I think of how cool it all is. 
• Connecting with readers. Although my book hasn't officially released, many people have been able to read advanced copies for reviews. Their feedback is why I started writing in the first place. It's like this massive affirmation: YOU DIDN'T DO ALL THIS FOR NOTHING. Also, I've started school visits to promote the writing contest connected to my book launch, and getting in front of those bright-eyed kids is an experience like no other. Next week I have five school visits scheduled, in front of thousands of students--I have a feeling that it's going to be the time of my life.

There's so much more. So many reasons why this book launch build-up is just so absolutely killer. But I'll stop there. Cuz' I gotta get in the car and drive to Southern California for some more awesome.

Have a great weekend.

Love, 

Jessie With A Shot At The Night

What's Up Wednesday

Jessie’s Bullets: Cock It and Pull It.

Wednesday, March 26, 2014

• __3__ Gratitudes (big ideas, cupcakes, and sitting in the serendipitous sunshine)
• __1__ Units of Caffeinated Beverages (really? that's it? I'm probably terribly dehydrated)
• __0 hr  Spent Writing (what's new with that disastrous area of my life?)
• __1__  Culinary Delights/Disasters Created With Own Hands (if you can call turkey bacon and eggs a delight. Personally, I think turkey bacon is akin to a sheep in wolf's clothes, or raisin cookies, or books without kissing, or other things that make no sense)

Today, I'm participating in What's Up Wednesday- a weekly writing meme to stay in touch.

WHAT I'M READING- NEARLY GONE by Elle Cosimano. Elle's my agent sister at the Greenhouse Literary Agency, a fellow debut author in the OneFours, and has super gorgeous tan skin in real life! She's lovely + her book is amazing = I'm a happy reader this week. (Her book references mathematical equations).

WHAT I'M WRITING- I'm trying really, really hard to get even a modest amount of progress with my French book, but revisions are coming on Ruby Rose #2 and when that happens I'll be slammed so I figure it's okay to be taking some time off.

WHAT INSPIRES ME RIGHT NOW-

• Spaces. I'm in love with the spaces I'm working with for my book launch and benefit concert. The Container Park has this VIP space above the stage where I will be signing books during a portion of the launch party. It's a large lounge/bar space with couches and chairs overlooking the whole outdoor area. My favorite part of this space is that there will be a private bar serving Ruby Rose themed non-alchoholic cocktails such as:

1. Bloody Ruby's 
2. Murderous Martinis
3. Deadly Daiquiris 

*textures and garnishes will be authentic but no booze, and served in plastic cups so it's obvious to the adults and staff that kids aren't imbibing

WHAT ELSE I'VE BEEN UP TO-

• Several months ago I came up the crazy idea to create the "Killer Storytelling Writing Contest" with my local school district. It went live on Monday and I already have 10+ school visits scheduled in the next week. I am so excited to get in front of the students and talk books, writing, and literacy. But it's going to be an insane couple of weeks as I venture to reach as many of the 50+ high schools in our district.

What's up with you?

Love,
Jessie With A Shot At The Night

Killer Monday: So Many Killer Things

Jessie’s Bullets: Cock It and Pull It.

Monday, March 24, 2014

• __3__ Gratitudes (restful Sundays, family down the street, coincidental/ironical/serendipitous miracles)
• _3__ Units of Caffeinated (or otherwise non-water) Beverages (not even trying to kick my Mexican Coke in the glass bottle habit quite yet)
• __a zillionty hrs_ Spent Writing (not really writing, but typing things on my laptop, to people, about things, regarding events...)
• _0__ Culinary Delights/Disasters Created With Own Hands (but I helped do the dishes at my mom's after her Sunday Spaghetti feast, that's gotta count for somethin')

Holy hell nuts. Mother of f...ather. Son of a...well, no need to sugarcoat that one since Friday's post wherein my 5 yo called me out on using the real B-word more than I realized.

Anywayz, what I'm trying to get at...is that so many freaking killer things have been happening lately that my mind is going to explode. Hopefully not literally.

Let me list the awesome:

• I've confirmed the date for my launch party: Friday, May 2 at the Container Park. Yes, book your flights, make your hotel reservations, get your babysitters, and tell your neighbors, bosses, and lovers, "Sorry, babe, but I'm going Downtown Vegas."
• I'm sooo close to Catching Me Some "Killers" I can taste it! And it tastes like mint chocolate chip and rainbows.
• I've hired an actress to play the part of Ruby Rose for the book trailer. Filming begins this weekend in L.A. And oh hells yes, I'm going.  Her name is Skye Smith and she's beautiful, dynamic, and talented beyond my wildest hopes.
• The "Killer Storytelling Writing Contest" is officially a GO. I begin school visits this week, hoping that I can make a dent in the 50+ high schools in the nations 4th largest school district (Clark County School District). Wow, this is going to be unreal. Momma better get her Mexican Coke stocked in the minivan cooler!
• More amazing artists, musicians, talent and sponsors have signed on to help me with the book launch festivities. This is going to be ridickilous.

Plenty more to come, but don't worry, I'll keep you updated. And you're ALL invited. In fact, you can all come stay at my house. I'll order one of those huge double-decker bouncy houses for everyone to sleep in. It will be way rad. 

Love,

Jessie With A Shot At The Night

Finally Friday: Life Is A B-Word

Jessie’s Bullets: Cock It and Pull It.

Friday, March 21, 2014

• __2__ Gratitudes (friends who call when I need a pep talk, Mexican Coke in the glass bottle with real cane sugar, and March Madness)
• _2__ Units of Caffeinated (yum that sugar cane Coke might be 2,000 times more addicting than crack cocaine;)
• __45 min_ Spent Writing (probably all crap)
• _2__ Culinary Delights/Disasters Created With Own Hands (1 delight; homemade garlic and tomato spaghetti sauce for spaghetti, and 1 disaster: homemade black beans and brown rice--the brown rice was fine, but the black beans were still hard as Hulk balls two hours after "quick soaking" them according to the directions on the bag. Which is why I moved on to the spaghetti. Yes, I managed to spend 2+ hours in the kitchen when I have no time for such domestic bullshiz)

Yesterday when I sat down to have breakfast with Mr. Humphries and the kids (yes, once a year we manage to have breakfast together on a school day) my 5 year old son announces, "Trying to put eggs on toast is a bitch."

Mr. Humphries and I exchange a look as if we couldn't have heard him right. This little angel of a boy has never cursed before. Yes, I might have said this word under my breath in his presence. I have to admit that "son of a bi#$(!" is one of my go-to's when I can't contain my potty mouth. I figure it could be worse. And Mr. Humphries knows this so I  feel like it's my duty to smooth this over before it's me who's getting the talking-to.

I say, "you mean, bridge?" I prod him with my eyes, giving him the double brow glare, knowing that makes no sense.

"No," he says nonchalantly. "Every time I try to put my eggs on the toast and then take a bite, the eggs keep falling off. It's a bitch." He looks down in his lap where most of his eggs have landed.

There are oh-so many ways to handle this. A broad spectrum of reactions that could be selected. Time slows as all eyes turn to me, and I can see that my mothering skills are now being tested. The bright morning sunshine filters through the windows and shines on me like interrogation lights. Mr. Humphries crosses his arms like the cop who has the perp backed into the corner. The other kids stop eating in mid-bite anticipation. Even the tea kettle gets in on the action and begins whistling at me, alerting me TIME IS UP.

What do I do?

I laugh. Like belly laugh. Like hyena laugh. Like deranged madwoman laugh. Like Mom-you're-scaring-us laugh. I can't help it. It's just so perfect. It's all just so true. So Bitterly and Beautifully true.

Eggs falling off your toast into your lap just as your about to take the perfect bite...is a B-word. It also sucks when it ends up on your face.

 So I say, "Just keep trying, buddy. You'll get the hang of it. But let's not say that B-word anymore...even if you hear mommy say it sometimes."

Isn't that the way life works sometimes? From the little things to big, life can be a B-word. BUT we keep going...

Love,
Jessie With A Shot At The Night

What's Up Wednesday

Jessie’s Bullets: Cock It and Pull It.

Wednesday, March 19, 2014

• __3__ Gratitudes (my momma for being there always, exciting ideas, flame throwing praying mantis'...you'll understand if you keep reading/watching below)
• __3__ Units of Caffeinated Beverages (not bad considering I stayed up until 2:00 am)
• __0 hr  Spent Writing (but many hours spent filming which was way more fun)
• __1__  Culinary Delights/Disasters Created With Own Hands (toast! hey, I'm counting it. They ate it up like it was made out of butter...well, it might have had a healthy spread of that too...)

Today, I'm participating in What's Up Wednesday- a weekly writing meme to stay in touch.

WHAT I'M READING- A non-fiction book called BRIEFCASE ESSENTIALS by Susan Spencer, which gives advice to women on how to be successful in the business world. I have been lucky enough to meet her in person and she is a great example and mentor. She's an attorney, non-profit CEO, and the former General Manager of the Philadelphia Eagles (the only female GM in NFL history). She's amazing. 

WHAT I'M WRITING- Bupkis. That's not a person from Philly...that's nothing. 

WHAT INSPIRES ME RIGHT NOW-

• Surrounding myself with talented people. I have friends who are super organized, incredibly creative, totally techie, fabulously trendy, innate problem-solvers, and much more. 

WHAT ELSE I'VE BEEN UP TO-

• I decided to make a music video in an effort to convince Brandon Flowers, lead singer of The Killers to come to my book launch. I've been in negotiation talks with his manager for several weeks, and it's crunch time to nail down the dates. What better way to do so than with an elaborate remake of one of his songs/videos? (This is "Can I Change Your Mind" but I'm really imitating the "Just Another Girl" video where the actress who plays Quinn from the TV show Glee pretends to be Brandon Flowers...)

What's up with you?

Love,
Jessie With A Shot At The Night

Happy St. Patty's Day and Blog Tour Stop For Author Christina Farley With A Giveaway

Happy Green Beer Day, and...Happy Free Pass-On-Sexual-Harassment-Pinching Day, and...Happy Douchey-T-Shirt-Day-For-Dudes-Who-Want-To-Get-Lucky, and...Happy Lie-To-Your-Children-About-the-Existence-of-Leprachauns Day, and whatever else American's do on a federal holiday that we may not know very much about (I had to turn to Google to answer my kids' question, "What's St. Patricks Day anyway?" I hope you're having a great day with or without those things. (And I apologize if you're currently wearing a "Get Lucky" shamrock shirt...don't take it off. It's fine ;)

But thing that makes me most happy about today is that it's MY day to host a stop on my girl, Christina Farley's blog tour:

So I was originally supposed to put together an amazing video blog, but like the Big B-word that I am...I Bailed and decided to do a Letterman-esque Top Ten list. Don't worry this will be way better...

*clears throat*

Top Ten Things I Love About Christina Farley:

10. She is beautiful. Like truly stunning. As in drop dead gorgeous. Check her out:

9. She also happens to be beautiful on the inside--I've been very lucky to be the recipient of much of her generosity, kindness and support in this last year. Last month I was able to visit her in her hometown of Orlando where we met up to bond over Ghiradelli chocolate and very similar publishing journeys. Basically we are best friends forever now:

(P.S.Erin Summerill was also wanting bff status with Christina)

(P.P.S. the "Timeless Pleasure" sign is a bit creepy, no?)

8. She video blogs like a boss. You can subscribe to her YouTube page HERE.

7. She's a teacher and has an awesome Study Guide for her book and tons of useful information for other teachers. Check it out HERE.

6. She's a world traveller. In fact, because she lived and worked in Korea as a teacher for many years, she's got some serious cred as an author who chose to set her book there.

5. She's a go-getter. So organized, so driven, so energetic, I'm convinced there's nowhere she won't go and nothing she can't do. From being a ballerina to training in martial arts, she's amazing.

4. She's worked as a character actress at DisneyWorld, though I can't tell you which characters or else I'll have to kill you. Let's just say that she does those elegant princess fingers really well.

3. Her book trailer gives me goosebumps:



2. She's my debut pub sister, meaning both our books are coming out in 2014 from Amazon Children's Publishing/Skyscape. There's actually four of us who have joined forces Power Rangers-style. I think Christina would be the red ranger, I'd be the yellow one, Lori Lee the green one, and Meredith McCardle the pink one. And we don't have a blue one, because we ain't got no dudes in our group. We should get a dude. We should also get a poster like this for our tour we are doing in the Fall, and have it read "Skyscapers: YA Warriors"...

1. Her book GILDED is amazeballs. It's a transporting story full of fascinating mythology, endearing characters, and high adventure. I seriously feel smarter for having read it! There's a reason that it's ranked #1 on Amazon.com in like a billionty categories...

Buy it now at Amazon, BAM, IndieBound and Barnes and Noble

Add it to Goodreads: www.goodreads.com/book/show/16173250-gilded

Check Christina out all over the place!

Website: ChristinaFarley.com

Twitter: @ChristinaFarley

YouTube: www.youtube.com/chocolateinspired

Facebook: www.facebook.com/ChristinaFarleyAuthor

Tumblr: http://christinafarley.tumblr.com/

And lastly, enter for a chance to win a Kindle and other cool stuff:

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Love,
Jessie With A Shot At The Night

Finally Friday: Vision Boards

Jessie’s Bullets: Cock It and Pull It.

Friday, March 14, 2014

• __3__ Gratitudes (Oreo cheesecake from Cheesecake Factory, a dad who is only embarrassed of me part of the time but mostly proud of me, and finding out my favorite HS teacher is now the principal at the elementary school up the street)
• _2__ Units of Caffeinated (or otherwise non-water) Beverages (have you ever drank chocolate milk out of a wine glass to feel fancy? I have ;)
• __1 hr_ Spent Writing (tried to get up at 5:45 am to write because I knew it was the only time I'd get to, but it didn't happen)
• _0__ Culinary Delights/Disasters Created With Own Hands (I made up for it by offering four different kinds of cheesecake to eat instead)

Ever heard of a "Vision Board?"

Well, Oprah has! If you're interested in her version of how to create one read HERE.

Or if you are more of a Pinterest kind of person, check out sample Vision Boards HERE.

Or just Google the dang term, and you'll get lots of interesting information.

Essentially, what a "Vision Board" is to me is this: A poster board in which I cut and paste images, draw designs, script quotes, and essentially visualize the things I want in my life. Last year I made this one:

It's not my best work (especially compared to some of those insane Pinterest ones!), DON'T JUDGE ME! What went down was I threw a "Vision Board Party" at my house last year and invited a bunch of friends, told them to bring magazines, printed out images, and ideas. I provided the boards, the scissors, the glue, a five minute tutorial, and we laughed our way through the night. Then I put mine on the shelf by my bathroom sink and bathtub where I spend a great deal of my time in the mornings and at night. The idea is to see these images everyday and have your dreams, goals, and positive ideas in your face, reminding you what you really value. IT'S THE POWER OF POSITIVE THOUGHT.

I wholeheartedly endorse this tool as a way to focus your intentions, find happiness, and have all your wildest dreams come true.

Who wants to do one with me?

Love,
Jessie With A Shot At The Night

Thursday Quickie: Be Authentic

Jessie’s Bullets: Cock It and Pull It. 

Thursday, March 13, 2014

• __3 Gratitudes (hats when my hair sucks, closed-toed Toms when my pedicure sucks, and baggy shirts when my diet is sucking real bad...in other words, I'm a mess...)
• __5__ Units of Caffeinated (or otherwise non-water) Beverages (my mother would be so disappointed in me)
• _ 0 hrs Spent Writing (pfshhh...writing schmiting)
• _1__   Culinary Delights/Disasters Created With Own Hands (I made a brown rice, lentil, and left-over rotisserie chicken scrap meal...yeah, it sounds about as good as it tasted. Like I said, I'm a mess...)

Thursday Quickie

This is where I  post a QUICK WRITING (or otherwise publication related) TIP. Whether it be technical or creative, useful or not, I'm gonna give it to you! You're gonna be fantasizing cougar-style about those cute One Direction boys and wishing you weren't a washed up, middle aged mess...oh wait, that's me:

Anyway...here's the tip: 

Be Authentic

Definition of Authentic: "real or genuine : not copied or false. : true and accurate."

As a writer, you must develop a good sense of who you are, who you want to be, and how you are perceived by others. In a way, this will become your brand.

Are you:

• the sweet and quiet one with a twinkle in your eye and heartfelt story to share
• the quirky one full of spunk and flare
• the dark and brooding soul full of literary voice
• the trendsetter who knows what's hot and what's not
• the big personality who can entertain the whole room
• the nerd who embraces the fantasy wonder and sci-fi brilliance
• or the B-word whose favorite B-word is "beach" and snarks about pretty much everything

Obviously, there are a million variations of descriptions that could suit you, but the important thing is to find the one that is best for you. The one that people will easily identify and enjoy. This way you can develop loyalty with your audience. They will generally know what to expect from you (not that surprises aren't welcome) and will seek you out. And don't worry, this doesn't have to be a life-long commitment, you are free to adapt and change. And don't try to be someone you're not--be yourself, but the best and most marketable version of yourself. Just like a major product manufacturer, like Coke for example, get yourself a slogan, a look, a style, and an authentic voice. After all this is a business! The pub business.

So give it to me! How would you describe your authentic brand?

Love, 

Jessie With A Shot At The Night

What's Up Wednesday

Jessie’s Bullets: Cock It and Pull It.

Wednesday, March 12, 2014

• __3__ Gratitudes (March Madness, just-out-of-the-dryer bedsheets, busy days) 1 Grumble (Daylight Savings...you are a B-word!)
• __2.5__ Units of Caffeinated (the .5 is the Coke Zero I thought I needed but what I really needed was to shower and get out of my sweaty clothes at 5:00 pm and make it to my three night appointments. "Need" is a relative term.)
• __1 hr  Spent Writing (though I was interrupted with texts, emails and messages the whole time, so it counts for nothing really)
• __0__  Culinary Delights/Disasters Created With Own Hands (unless offering a stolen & bruised banana that I got from yesterday's buffet to children is considered a disaster...)

Today, I'm participating in What's Up Wednesday- a weekly writing meme to stay in touch.

WHAT I'M READING-Just finished CRUEL BEAUTY by Rosamund Hodge. What a beautiful and rich fairy tale retelling. Seriously, no wonder this book has like a billionty awesome reviews.

WHAT I'M WRITING- Trying to add a new character to my French book (contemporary romance set in France) for some added texture and dynamics. It's requiring more work than I realized, but is also very fun to concentrate on a secondary character like this in such detail.

WHAT INSPIRES ME RIGHT NOW-

• Surprise successes. I was watching a vlog interview with Zappos.com CEO, Tony Hsieh, and something he said hit me. He was talking about ideas and serendipity, and how some ideas work out and some don't but it's important to keep the ideas going and you might be surprised which ones work out. I've been surprised at how many of my crazy ideas are working out lately.

WHAT ELSE I'VE BEEN UP TO-

• Went dancing at a fancy Las Vegas club called Hakasan where it costs $50+ to get it in and $9.00 for a 6 ounce bottle of water, but we got in VIP (free) because my fancy friend, Erin Summerill, is a famous photographer and has the hook ups. Never mind that I woke up with gashes on my wrist (thanks to a friend's cat dance moves), a bruise on my ankle (thanks to another friend's attempt to do Kid-In-Play foot dance with me), and an aching in my lower back (thanks to my old and decrepit body). The best part was when a dude came up from behind me to get all grindy, and I said no thank you, but when he went to leave, he couldn't because my lace shirt had somehow attached to his belt buckle and we were literally attached in the most awkward of positions. So when I said "best part," I really meant "worst part." Yeah, Mr. Humphries didn't like that story either!
• I think I should probably just stop there...

What's up with you?

Love,
Jessie With A (So Close I Can Taste It) Shot At The Night

Critique Tuesday: Critquing Oneself

Jessie’s Bullets: Cock It and Pull It.

Tuesday, February 11, 2014

• __3__ Gratitudes (Bingo even though I didn't win, the old ladies at Bingo who cussed at us for having too much fun, my bff Erin Summerill for always making things interesting)
• __3__ Units of Caffeinated (we went to the Golden Nugget buffet where my glass was never empty...so I think it was 3)
• __90   Minutes Spent Writing (got up at 5:45 a.m. to go write at Starbucks, but because of evil daylight savings, it was really 4:45 and therefore was a bit of a zombie)
• _0___  Culinary Delights/Disasters Created With Own Hands (I told the kids, "eat as much as you can because this is your lunch and dinner." And then we ate stolen cookies from the buffet for dinner...cuz' I'm klassy like that.)

Critique Tuesday: 

Today I am critiquing myself. Taking a hard look in the mirror. Confronting my writing demons and social media weaknesses, which are:

TUMBLR, TWITTER, PINTEREST, & YOUTUBE!!!

I was told by a friend of a friend, who knew a dude, who also knew some stuff about this kind of junk. And the friend of a friend's dude friend said, "The most effective way to sell any product right now is PINTEREST."

Huh, what? Seriously?

Also, the kids and teens are on Tumblr. The industry pros are on Twitter. And something meaningful happens on YouTube as well ;/ So I have vowed to get on Pinterest and pin the crap out of stuff. Check out my Ruby Rose board here.

I've also vowed to do more video blogs and upload them to Youtube. Don't bother checking out any links on that quite yet since I have two measly video posts.

And I just happened to reblog a really cool post on Tumblr...BOOM! Check it out here.

Basically, there are so many ways to reach different kinds of consumers/colleagues/friends/readers, etc.

Have you mastered any of these powerful social media platforms?

Love,
Jessie With A Shot At The Night

Killer Monday: Planning A Killer Book Launch Party

Jessie’s Bullets: Cock It and Pull It.

Monday, March 10, 2014

• __3__ Gratitudes (hot tubs, dance parties, ice cream sundae bars--strawberry IC w/ coconut topping? Yes. vanilla IC with toffee chips? Yes. chocolate IC with caramel syrup? H yes.)
• _2__ Units of Caffeinated (or otherwise non-water) Beverages (Slurpees are my friend, Slurpees are my pal...)
• __5 hrs_ Spent Writing (finally back on track)
• _1__ Culinary Delights/Disasters Created With Own Hands (prepared a picnic at the park full of apples, carrots and other healthy delights)

First of all, thank you so much to everyone who participated in the cover reveal for my book, KILLING RUBY ROSE this last Friday, and thank you to all those who commented, tweeted, shared, etc., you have no idea how grateful I am for all your positivity and support. Mwah! xoxo

Second of all, congratulations to Lisa Richards for winning a $25 Amazon gift card via the Contest Reveal Contest.

And third of all, let's get down the nitty gritty:

PLANNING A KILLER BOOK LAUNCH PARTY

It's crunch time, people. This whole writing-a-book-and-then-waiting-a-million-years-to-see-it-published-thing is ALMOST over. This is happening! More specifically this is happening:
(actual dates and other important detail will be announced soon)

The Friday Night Book Launch Event at the Container Park: (5:00-7:00 p.m. open to the public):

• World debut of my book trailer produced by j.j. Huckin (click this link--if you die in ten minutes seeing his work might be the highlight of your life...just sayin')
• Murder mystery scavenger hunt with local vendors
• Prize giveaway (including publisher provided Kindle Paperwhites, copies of book, swag, local vendor donations, Amazon gift cards, etc.)
• I'll talk about something (hopefully relevant, inoffensive, inspiring and/or coherent) 
• Vegas band A Crowd of Small Adventures will play (including an original Killing Ruby Rose song)
• Book signings by me! Cuz' I'll have actual books in my hands :)
• Photo op with hired models playing the part of main characters Ruby and Liam in front of a beach backdrop
• Ruby Rose ice cream & water will be sold to benefit the local arts high school, Las Vegas Academy
• Top Ten Finalists of the Clark County School District high school writing contest ("Killer Storytelling Writing Contest") 
• And much, much more. Food, entertainment, adult-sized slides...Seriously this is going to be a night packed full of fun!

The Saturday Night Benefit Concert Event at the Inspire News Café Theater: (6:00-8:00 p.m. exclusive event for only 150 selected individuals)

• Top Ten Finalists of the writing contest attend with two extra tickets for parents/chaperones
• Awards Presentation (winner and runners-up announced among finalists, pages read aloud, prizes given (Kindle Paperwhites pre-loaded with Killing Ruby Rose, laptop set for student/teacher, signed copies of KRR, etc.)
• Check presented to School District Literacy Program for all money raised by event to benefit Author School Visit Fund
• Various musicians and authors will perform (I hope to do the big reveal on this info very soon because it's going to be amazeballs!)

While I realize these kind of events aren't exactly "traditional" for an author's debut book launch, I've never been much of a "traditional" kind of girl. I truly feel like the stars have aligned for me, with the reinvigoration of Downtown Las Vegas and partnering up with Downtown Projects (who are some of the most talented, creative, and generous people I've ever had the pleasure to meet), with the local school district supporting me as an author, with friends and family willing to bend over backwards to help me make a splash, it's all so exciting. 

More to come.

Love,

Jessie With A (So Close I Can Taste It) Shot At The Night