Friday, May 14, 2010

What I Did on my Summer Vacation

Okay, not really, but it kind of feels that way.:D I have a ton of things to share and I think the best way to do it is bullet points, so here goes.;)

* SPELLS debuted at number four on the New York Times Bestsellers List this week! HUGE thanks to everyone who has been so supportive of this book and this series for helping to make it happen! You all rock!!!

*I started out my tour in Cincinnati, Ohio, but unbeknownst to me, the nearest airport to Cincinnati is technically in Kentucky. So I landed and my driver picked me up and said, "Welcome to Ohio! Well, it's not actually Ohio, you're in Kentucky!" And for half an irrational second I was like, "Oh no!! I got on the wrong plane again!! I'm in the wrong place!!" Luckily, I didn't, and I wasn't. We soon crossed a river into Ohio and I spent much of the next few days crossing the same state line. Good thing I hadn't done anything illegal.:D

*They have GORGEOUS schools in Ohio! Phoenix doesn't have the historical Euro-style architecture that they have back East (and yes, I have been assured by the Ohioans that Ohio is not "Back East." . . . but it's EST!!) But I love traveling Eastward and seeing the beautiful buildings!

*Books and Company in Dayton, Ohio is one of the most beautiful stores I've ever seen! It's also in a really fabulous shopping center and I may have done a fair bit of browsing while there . . . *whistles innocently*

*Chicago pizza. Mmmmmmm . . .

*Utah and Idaho--Idaho in particular--are having unseasonably cold weather. I left Phoenix on Monday morning and it was 90 degrees. I got to Idaho Falls that night and it was 40. It was enough to shake anyone's belief in global warming.:D

*My mother introduced me to The Pita Pit. Something healthy has no business tasting that good!!!

*I had really amazing signings everywhere I went. It continues to amaze me that people I don't know not only read my book, but then come to bookstores to hear me speak and get their books signed! I have the best fans in the world and I am so thankful for every single one of you!! Thank to all the attendees at my signings and the literally thousands of students I have gotten to see in my school visits!

*I am chatting with the awesome Mundie Moms on Monday, May 17th, at 9:00PM EST (6:00 PM Phoenix time.:D). They always needle me for details about future books and I am a big marshmallow and always tell them too much! So if you want to see them work me over, come join us!!!

*I am having my launch party at Changing Hands in Phoenix (well . . . Tempe . . . but Greater Phoenix ares.:)) on Thursday, May 20th. I will be putting more info up later this weekend, but suffice it to say there will be yummy food. (No, I do NOT bribe people!!*shifty eyes*) If you live in the Phoenix area, please come!!

I am currently sitting in the Salt Lake City airport getting ready to board my plane home to my hubby and kidlettes. After two weeks of traveling I will be home for ten days with them and I am SO looking forward to it! When I got home last weekend my two-year-old did the baby monkey thing and clung to me with his arms around my neck and his legs wrapped around my waist for a good 15 mins before he let me put him down. I love that. *lesigh* I miss my kids' hugs! I think I'll go get me one.:D

Ciao!

21 comments:

sari said...

Hey, looking forward to seeing you at Changing Hands next week! I got a gift certificate there for my bday and picked up your book!

Anonymous said...

Spells was amazing! Debuting 4th isn't too shabby :) congrats!

Sara B. Larson said...

It was so fun to see you last night at TKE! Your story is so inspiring. I'm really hoping and praying my agent can sell my book (she wants to start submitting it pretty soon), but I will have to cling to your story if it doesn't. Which I know is a possibility. Probably a high possibility. Or maybe I've just been rejected so much in the past, I'm trying to prepare myself for more of it... just in case.

Anyway, thank you for sharing your journey with us. Congrats on SPELLS being #4, woot woot!! And if I ever do have a book tour, I will have to remember to not wear heels like you advised. ;-)

Enjoy those loves from your kids! (and the heat in AZ)

Jessie Oliveros said...

I picked up Spells this week! I'm so happy to hear it made the NYT bestsellers list.

Josin L. McQuein said...

All that and it's not even summer yet. Imagine what you can accomplish over those 3 months. ;-P

I wonder how many times drivers have freaked people out with the "welcome to Ohio, but not really" speech.

It sounds like you had a great time (and that all the fingernail chewing was for naught... told you so.)

Anonymous said...

Congratulations on such an exciting beginning for Spells!! I feel very lucky that I got to read it before most of the world. :)

Heather said...

Wow girl you have been busy! Huge congratulations for SPELLS debuting at #4 on the NY Times bestseller list, that's awesome! I can't believe you went from 90 degrees in Phoenix to 40 in Ohio, yikes!

Kaileeann said...

It was great to see you again! :]

Laurel said...

Hi! My name is Laurel, Seriously, no lying. I apparently live an extermely sheltered and I am forbidden to have facebook or myspace or ANYTHING. This is the only way I could contact you. I read a ton of books and I just happened to see Wings on a shelf at costco. My parents only let me have it because of the interesting fact that I share names with the main character. (Duh) Then I loved it and made every single one of my friends read it, (In all, about 20 people.) They all loved it and I became a walking library for everybody who wanted to find a good book, (Anything from Jane Eyre to Touch and feel books for toddlers.) Then I was forced to scrounge my money and buy sevral copies of Spells, Lest I be torn apart by a angry mob or girls constantly arguing wether Tamani or David is better. Anyway, Aprilynne, You are my Freaking hero!!

Amber Lynae said...

You are super busy. But I guess that is a good thing. I was wondering if you will be heading to the south east part of Virginia in any of your touring. I would love a chance to have some of my young women to meet you.

Anonymous said...

i love both of your books, but not hinting toward the next book which of course there will be {i hope and pray for] the cliffy at the end killss mee *falls dramatically to the floor* do u have any hints toward the next book???

Anonymous said...

I just wanted to say "hi". I loved Wings so much! You are an amazing author. I wanted to check Spells out from the library and just as I was about to place a hold for it, the site closed for maintenance!
:( I really want to read it!! Well thanks for writing and keep up with the good work!

Ezmirelda said...

Hi, I just read spells and I loved it. My favorite scene was the climax which was brilliantly done! The ending definetly made me want to read more. I can't wait till it comes out! When I asked my friends and other people who I know read the book we all suddenly didn't like David anymore.I wonder if that was intentional or not. Anyways, you're a great and awesome writer and I loved reading your books.

Leanndra said...

Wow, I just got Wings out from my library and it was amazing! I read it in about 3 hours!!! Can't wait you read spells! ♥ You're awesome.

Eeleen Lee said...

congratulations indeed! brilliant debut

Wes Harris said...

mmm Pita Pit. For some reason I really, really want the philly cheese steak or maybe the hawaiian that is not shown on the menu but cool Pita Pitters will still do. Yeah for Spells!

Anonymous said...

I LOVE your books and just had to ask. will there be a next book? the conversation of Tamani and Shar left me hanging. thanks so much! :)

BreeAnn said...

Ok so I just finished reading Spells and I LOVED it! I am not anxiously awaiting for your next book to come out, becaus I have no idea what is going to happen next! Thanks for writing such a fun, entertaining and lovely book!

Anonymous said...

Hi, I just love you books. The favorte one for me is Spells! U r awsome! My auntie who works at Borders in Hilo, said that I would be interested in reading you books. I can't wait for your next book to come out.

Anonymous said...

Hi Mrs.Aprilynne Pike. You are the best no Doubt about it! You are my hero! I bought all of your books and to tell you my favorite one of them all is Spells! the best book ever! Is there going to be a third book! I told my friend in Mass. that I read it and from my point of view she said that it is awsome! I don't know who I like.
Alisa

Katheryn Hapka said...

Hello! I live in Salt Lake City and was SO sorry to hear that you came and I missed it! It isn't everyday that someone amazing comes to little old Utah. :) Anyway, I love your books and I am (now) a faithful reader of your blog!