DEE ROMITO GUEST POST AND THE BFF BUCKET LIST GIVEAWAY

Happy Monday Everyone! Today I'm excited to have debut author Dee Romito here to share about her contemporary MG THE BFF BUCKET LIST. It sounds like a story many of you will like (me too).

Here's a blurb from Goodreads:

Ella and Skyler have been best friends since kindergarten—so close that people smoosh their names together like they’re the same person: EllaandSkyler. SkylerandElla.

But Ella notices the little ways she and Skyler have been slowly drifting apart. And she’s determined to fix things with a fun project she’s sure will bring them closer together—The BFF Bucket List. Skyler is totally on board.

The girls must complete each task on the list together: things like facing their fears, hosting a fancy dinner party, and the biggest of them all—speaking actual words to their respective crushes before the end of summer. But as new friends, epic opportunities, and super-cute boys enter the picture, the challenges on the list aren’t the only ones they face.

And with each girl hiding a big secret that could threaten their entire friendship, will the list--and their BFF status--go bust?

So here's Dee!
 

MY PLACE ON THE SHELF

Almost five years ago, I met a writer in the slush of an online contest (after politely shouting something to the effect of, “Where is this writer?! I need to read the rest of the story!” on Twitter). I had no idea she would become one of my most trusted critique partners and a close friend. When she got her first book deal the next year, I sent her this picture from the bookstore, with the caption, “This is where your book will be. J”

That simple picture represented the realization of her dream.

The topic of book placement came up again recently when I got together with three amazing writer

friends for dinner. This of course turned into getting coffee and a trip to Barnes & Noble because writers need to be around books. We talked about everything from family and kids to writing and publishing. And at some point in the conversation, one of the girls mentioned picturing her book on the shelf and we all jumped right in to say we’d done it too.

I remember so clearly, being a kid who wanted to someday walk into a bookstore and see my name on the cover of a book, with my words and ideas inside. It didn’t drive my career choices—I went to school for Travel and Transportation Management, went back for an Education degree, and then became a teacher—but it was a dream that kept popping into my head until I finally stopped and said, “You know, I’ve always wanted to write a book.”

So the four of us went around the store and took pictures of where our future books would be on the shelves. Two of the girls aren’t at the publishing stage yet, but they will be. Because they’re talented, creative, and determined to reach their goals. Another will have her first book out in a few months. And one particular spot on the shelf will be filled with my debut middle grade novel, THE BFF BUCKET LIST, on May 3. I still cannot believe it.

 

And while it might actually be on the new releases shelf (it’s yet another challenge as an author to make it over to a long-term spot), simply knowing where it goes makes this whole experience pretty incredible. And boy will it be in some pretty good company. (Yup, right next to J.K. Rowling, and that’s Rick Riordan to the left. My book knows how to pick its book friends.)

Those ladies who went on that picture hunt with me, wrote their own posts about what it meant to see their book spot. (Check out http://nicoleatone.com/2016/03/17/my-space-on-the-shelf/, http://www.vanfamilyfour.blogspot.com/2016/03/my-place-on-shelf.html, and http://thedavisgirl.blogspot.com/2016/03/a-is-for-authorstition-thisismybookspot.html to get inspired.)

No matter where you are in your writing—just starting out, on your way to taking the querying leap, waiting it out in submissions, or getting ready for your book release—go take a look at where YOUR place on the shelf will be. And if you’re sneaky enough, snap a photo and share it with #ThisIsMyBookSpot so we can all cheer you on.

Thanks for sharing all your advice, Dee! You can find Dee at:

Website - http://www.deeromito.com/

Blog - http://www.writeforapples.com/

Twitter - https://twitter.com/writeforapples

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/DeeRomito.author

Tumblr - http://writeforapples.tumblr.com/

Goodreads - https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/8557376.Dee_Romito

Marvelous Middle Grade Monday was started by Shannon Messenger. You can find the participating blogs on her blog.

Dee has generously offered an ARC of THE BFF BUCKET LIST for a giveaway. To enter, all you need to do is be a follower (just click the follow button if you’re not a follower) and leave a comment through April 30th. If your e-mail is not on your Google Profile, you must leave it in the comments to enter the contest.

If you mention this contest on Twitter, Facebook, or your blog, mention this in the comments and I'll give you an extra entry. This giveaway is for U.S.

Here's what's coming up:

On Wednesday I'm participating in NY Times bestseller  author Lauren Oliver's blog tour and interviewing her (Pinch me! I'm so excited!) for her new MG THE SCREAMING STATUE with a giveaway of the first book in this series.

Next Monday I have a guest post with debut author Tobie Easton and her agent Jennifer Unter and a critique giveaway by Jennifer and a giveaway of EMERGE, Tobie's YA contemporary fantasy.

On Saturday next week I'm participating in the Children's Book Week Giveaway Hop.

Monday the next week I have a guest post by debut author Janet Taylor and a giveaway of her YA magical realism WANDERING WILD

Wednesday that week editor L. Diane Wolfe from Lemur Press and Freedom Fox Press will be doing a guest post with a five page critique

The following Monday I have an interview with debut author Roshani Chokshi and a giveaway of her YA multicultural fantasy THE STAR-TOUCHED QUEEN

Hope to see you on Wednesday!