Win My LAST Earthbound ARC Plus Defy the Dark PLUS LAT!!

Okay, so I have one more lonely little ARC of Earthbound left I wasn't sure how best to use it when my AMAZING editor of the anthology DEFY THE DARK (Saundra Mitchell) asked if I wanted to host a giveaway.

Liiiight-bulb!!!! (I'm a big Dispicable Me fan, don't judge.;))

If you haven't seen our antho, Defy The Dark yet, I am SO excited about it!!! It has a ton of incredible stories from amazingly talented authors, and BONUS, we have our own website.:D (LOOKLOOK!) I am really proud of my story in this antho (Nature) because . . . well . . . I don't write short stories. They're hard!! If you think they're easier because they're short, you're wrong; they're actually harder because they're short! You have to get an entire plot-arc into less than 8,000 words. So yeah, I don't do short stories.

So why did I?

Because if Saundra calls up and asks me for anything other than my first-born child, I'm pretty much gonna say yes. (And even then, I would be willing to send her for a visit!:D) So when Saundra asked, I said yes. But I warned her: I could give her a short story, but I had no guarantees that it would be good. She took a chance on me. I spent months thinking about (being terrified of) this short story and one day I woke up with the barest hint of an idea. An idea about a girl who's enitre life-plan was derailed, because puberty gave her hips one inch too big.

Stay with me here.

Being a hippy woman myself (yaaaaayyyyy junk in the trunk!!!) this bizarre idea stayed with me and turned into a dystopian (which I swore I'd never write) short story. And the first line is:

"In the end, it's because of my hips."

Not only did it turn out okay, the editor at Harper met me at a party and specifically mentioned how much she liked my contribution. Cue melting into a puddle.

Because ya'all, this story scared me. I wanted to give my fab friend something good, but I honestly wasn't sure I could. But one way or another, I did! Now, I'm not out signing up for every antho I can get into now--truth is I'm still not convinced I didn't just have one flukey short story idea. But it was something I was afraid of, and I did it anyway, and people liked it! And have a great deal of pride about that.:D

So you can get your hands on the whole collection of incredible stories!!!! This is a week-long contest in which you can win the DEFY THE DARK prize package (pictured below!! Book bookmark, bracelets . . . But only one book. ;))

Plus my personal addition of an ARC of Earthbound and a hardcover of Life After Theft!!!

What do you have to do? Tell me something you're afraid of. Easy.

You can comment on Facebook or Blogger, reblog with a comment on Tumblr, or use @Aprilynnepike on Twitter. They are all legit forms of entry.:) I will pick a winner next Monday and you will get your stuffs as fast as I can get to the post office!!!

So, *pulls chair closer* What are YOU afraid of. Hmmmmm??

Ciao!

Earthbound Parties!!!!

I am so excited to announce a ton of things today!!!! First off, I have some pretty for you:

Isn't it pretty? Because I have so many fans who have been following me through the whole Wings series and Life After Theft and who are going to take the leap with me to Earthbound, Penguin and Razorbill want to give you a little thank you. In the form of the above poster, signed by myself!

So here's the deal, these are an *exclusive* giveaway for the first 500 people who pre-order EARTHBOUND (or have ALREADY pre-ordered it!!!) and then go fill out the handy-dandy form HERE!!! If you have already pre-ordered it, you are freaking awesome!!! Those who haven't can pre-order it ANYWHERE! Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Books-a-Million, your local Indie. EBook, print book, audio book, it doesn't matter. If you have pre-ordered Earthbound, get yourself a signed poster!!!

Now, the rules specify the continental United States, age 14+. That means if you are fabulously awesome and pre-ordered my book and you are twelve . . . just have a parent fill out the form for you.:D The poster will still get to your house!!!

Do bear in mind this is an EXCLUSIVE offer and will only accept 500 entries so please go pre-order your book and fill out the form!!! (HERE is the link again.;))

But that's only the first part of the awesome!!!

One of my favorite parts of any book release is the fact that I am lucky enough to go out and travel and meet readers!! Not only am I coming to a bunch of places, I am bringing a bunch of friends and we are holding a Girls' Night Out party for YOU!!! Yes, you, the awesome readers!!! Every stop will have cupcakes from a bakery of awesome (not homemade, and yes, you will thank me for that ;)) and will feature authors of other fun, girly books! (Guys, don't let that stop you, pink cupcakes still taste delicious!!!) So please come join me and my friends at the following locations!!!!

Tempe, AZ
Changing Hands Bookstore, July 29th, 7:00-9:00
Yes, you read that date right--if you come to THIS signing you will get Earthbound a DAY EARLY!!!!
Fab authors in attendance: Me, Suzanne Young, and Janette Rallison
Cupcakes from Sprinkles Bakery (because that info is IMPORTANT!!!:D)

Peoria, AZ
Bell Road Barnes and Noble, July 30th, 6:00-8:00 PM
Okay, ya'all, I've never done a signing here even though it's two miles from my house, and on top of that I am doing it SOLO, so spread the word and come and see me so I don't look like a dork in front of the staff of this new store.:D (New to me; the store's not new.;))
And, of course, MOAR cupcakes from Sprinkles!!!

Salt Lake City, Utah
Sugarhouse Barnes and Noble, July 31st, 7:00-9:00 PM
This is my only signing in Utah this entire year!!! I apologize for that . . . but please COME!!!!:D
Fab authors in attendance: Me, Jessica Day George, Natalie Whipple, and Brodi Ashton
Cupcakes from . . . somewhere awesome. I'll let you know.:D

Idaho Falls, Idaho
Grand Teton Barnes and Noble, August 1, 6:30-9:00 PM
Back to the amazing, awesome, incredible Idaho Falls!!!!
Fab authors in attendance: Me, Jessica Day George, Natalie Whipple, and Wendy Toliver
Cupcakes from The Cocoa Bean which is my FAVE cupcake bakery In. The. World!!!!

Charlotte, North Carolina
Well . . . technically Huntsville.;) Barnes and Noble, August 2, 7:00-9:00 PM
I've never been here before!!!! (Yes, North Carolina, I am flirting with you. Come hither. *wink*)
Fab authors in attendance: Me, Beth Revis, Carrie Ryan
Cupcakes from Polka Dot bakeshop because they look awesome!!!!

***Bonus!!!****

This is not part of the Girls' Night Out Tour, but I am participating in:

Cincinnati, Ohio
Joseph-Beth Booksellers, August 3, 1:00-3:00
The 3rd Annual BEACHY READS group event!!!!!!!
Authors in attendance have not yet been announced, but trust me, they are SUPER FAB!!!!
There will not be cupcakes. Actually, assuming there are some leftovers from Polka Dot, I might bring some to give away.;)


THIS IS VERY IMPORTANT!!! All of the stores I am attending have graciously allowed attendees to bring backlist (though if you have a ton you might need to wait till the end to get them all signed ;)) Please, please, please thank them by buying your copy of Earthbound from that store and maybe some from the other authors too!! *winkwink*

I recommend to anyone attending any tour event to pre-order your book (and then fill out the form HERE!!! *nudgenudge*) just to make absolutely sure you get your copy. (Honestly, it's a good idea for anyone's event.)

So if you live in Arizona, Utah, Idaho, North Carolina, or Ohio and you love books and cupcakes, please come see my friends and me!!!!!!!!!

Did you reach the end? Really? Then you are super cool!!!!! Do you like to read? Do you like free books? Then you are SUPER SMART!!! and I like to support super smart people.

Leave a comment-- (@ me on Twitter, reblog with a comment on Tumblr, comment on Facebook, or comment on Blogger) and tell me what YOUR favorite cupcake flavor is. (Yes, yes, i am researching what flavors I should get while on tour. Consider it a vote!) I will pick five random winners and send them a free copy of LIFE AFTER THEFT!!! (Which you should ALL read because it is my SUPER SPECIAL book baby!!!!!:D)

THANK YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!

Ciao!!!!