This is one of those things that authors know but the public may not realize: getting a book to be carried by Wal-mart is a pretty big deal. In fact, it's such a cool thing that when I found out my debut novel was going to be hitting Wal-mart stores in August I did a little dance.

There was even some screaming.

I'm very happy.

Although 13 to Life hasn't hit all the Wal-marts yet (and I've been wearing myself out pushing to get into a bunch of indie, Borders and B&N stores beforehand), it's already been spotted in Texas and Canada (which surprised me).

On my way back from RWA in Orlando I stopped at the Barnes & Noble in Moorestown, NJ and the Barnes & Noble in Wilkes-Barre, PA to sign some books--there may still be a couple signed copies there. :)

The rest of August's going to be a busy month:

On August 13 I'll be signing at The Bookstore Plus in Lake Placid, NY from 4-6pm and then August 21 I'll be in West Chester, PA signing and speaking at PAYA (an event encouraging library support and more YA novels in Pennsylvania).

Oh yeah. And book 3 in the 13 to Life series, Bargains and Betrayals , is due to my editor super soon.

And then there's a bunch of stuff going on that will hopefully be resolved and I'll be able to share some really cool new news with you. :-)

September takes me to a special event in Ithaca, NY; October 2 finds me in Hunter, NY at The Village Square Bookstore and in November (as it stands now) I get to do research on a future project in Massachusetts. December includes more travel and signings--Barnes & Noble in Nanuet, NY's on my list that month.

And then, February 15, book 2--Secrets and Shadows: A 13 to Life Novel--hits shelves nationwide.

And everything starts all over again. ;-) To say I couldn't do this all without your help--well, that'd be quite an understatement, wouldn't it?

So thank you. Thank you SO much!
~Shannon