Hi everyone –
I can’t believe it’s already June… It’s been an incredible month around my house so far. My youngest, Reno, is about to graduate high school. I still can’t believe it! I’m so happy for him, in between senior banquets awards, etc. He’s an honor graduate and an all-around amazing young person! 
And I cry at the drop of a hat these days. Yikes! How did the time go by so quickly?
Interspersed among the Mommy emotions, I’ve had a few thrilling moments too, and I didn’t want them to slip by without sharing them with all of you…
First off, I just found out Night Walker was selected to be a part of the Walmart Summer Beach Reads Promo!!!! From June 26th – July 3rd, the AB-tacular Night Walker cover will be all over the Walmart website!!!! SQUEE!!!! I hope it’ll attract even more new readers to the series… *fingers crossed*
And yesterday was so stuffed with awesome that I cry just thinking about it… (Remember I have crazy Mom emotions at the moment. My poor hubby, it’s a little scary! LOL)
Yesterday I got to visit the fabulous new, Mysterious Galaxy store up in Redondo Beach for a book signing. I was super nervous because I live about 2 hours south in San Diego, so I didn’t know people to invite up in the Redondo Beach area. The store suggested I team up with other authors, so I contacted the amazing Zoe Archer, Linda Wisdom and Nico Russo who agreed to meet up and sign together.
What a wonderful day! I always enjoy hanging out with other writers, but having readers show up for the signing and meeting new readers was a great high! I left Redondo Beach with a huge smile and hopefully everyone had fun! I know we writers did!!! And Mysterious Galaxy made us feel like rock stars! LOL
Huge thanks to everyone who came out for the book signing!!! And special thanks to Linda, Zoe & Nico for spending part of their Saturday with me! J
So once the signing was over I had to race back to San Diego for the San Diego Book Awards Ceremony. Night Walker was a finalist in the Fantasy-Scifi-Horror category. Since it’s a paranormal romance, I figured it wouldn’t win in that category, but I was so excited to be a finalist that we attended the ceremony anyway.
It was great to be around so many writers and quite a few readers who judged the entries! They even had a “Kids Write” category with 3 talents finalists under 15 years old!!!
Sylvia Mendoza, one of my RWA San Diego Chaptermates , was the keynote speaker. She did a fabulous job, very inspiring, and I was already glad I decided to attend.
Of course my category was at the very end of the program! LOL
So we watched lots of winners accept their awards. Another RWA chaptermate won a cash award for her unpublished YA novel, so that was fun too!
Finally they reached the Fantasy-Scifi-Horror category. They put our book covers up on the big screen and announced the titles. We stood up when they announced our names. My knees were wobbly, but I stood up and couldn’t stop smiling, because it really was super cool to final! J
Ken was excited all night because he thought I had a chance to win.
I thought he was going to go home disappointed… LOL
Then they said “And the winner is…” and my Night Walker cover popped up! For a second, I honestly thought the slides got mixed up!!! LOL
But it wasn’t mixed up…. It said winner!
I accepted my award, without a prepared speech, but with lots of gratitude to my husband. In spite of the pile of rejections and multiple rewrites I made on Night Walker, Ken’s faith in the book and in me never wavered.
And when I stopped believing Calisto would ever make it into the world, he encouraged me to send it out one more time to Entangled…
From the moment Entangled contracted the book, everything has felt meant-to-be from the cover (Thank you Heather Howland!), to my fabulous editor, Kerri-Leigh Grady, all the way to Entangled’s owner, Liz Pelletier, who got Night Walker stocked in Barnes & Noble stores, and now into Walmart’s Summer Beach Read Promo.
I’m truly humbled by everyone’s efforts at Entangled, and by every reader who emails me that they fell in love with the book. (Or with Calisto! LOL) This award means so much to me, and I wanted to share it with all of you who followed my blog through the ups and downs of this publishing journey…
You’ve made my dream better than I ever imagined it could be!!!
Thank you so much for all the happy dances with good news, and the hugs when things looked bleak… I’m super grateful to all of you for the outpouring of love and support from all of you on facebook, twitter, emails, etc. I’m VERY lucky to know you!!!
Watch for us on Walmart.com at the end of the month…. Whee!!!
Lisa J
I can’t even tell you how proud I am, and how happy I am for you!!!! It’s so awesome that you’re having these adventures and that your hard work is paying off so spectacularly. (both in the writing, and in the mommy arenas!!).
*big hugs*
Jennifer
Awww thank you Jennifer!!! 🙂 It’s been quite an adventure!!!
Thanks for being my friend through it all… 🙂
*HUGS*
Lisa 🙂
You make me want to cry just reading this Lisa 😀 I’m so proud of you and your family!!! I could just imagine you squee-ing internally and externally when receiving your award. I wish I could have been there. Congratulations again!
(Next time you attend an award ceremony in San Diego, take me with you! Lol)
Awww thank you Arianne!!! 🙂 Next awards ceremony I’ll be sure to nudge you!!! 🙂
THanks for all your support!
*HUGS*
Lisa 🙂
Reblogged this on Lovetiggi's Book Reviews and commented:
I absolutely adore Lisa. She is so full of life , loves to inspire, and support me as I evolve and grow in the Literary world. Muah
Love you and I an so Happy for you LIsa!! You deserve it!
Congratulations Lisa!! I am so happy for you and so thankful you didn’t give up on your book! It’s a win-win for readers and writers everywhere! 🙂
And congratulations to your son on his graduation. I went through HS graduation with my oldest last year, pinching myself – how could be all grown up already?? In 2013, I get to really feel it when my baby graduates. I will probably get all teary at his ceremony!
I’m so happpy for you and you still have time to help struggling writers like me. By the way unless someone is a writer they bore me lol. Most normal people just don’t get it. You indeed have an awesome night and well deserved
Soooo exciting! Enjoy the journey, my friend!
Huge congrats on all the good things that are coming your way. you worked hard and now are getting to enjoy it all. So thrilled for you.
Congratulations. You received a well-deserved award. Your book is amazing as you are also.
It’s very hard on the emotions when your children grow up – I know, I’ve done it 7 times. Congratulations to your son. What an incredible young man. It seems he took after his mother.
Congrats Lisa! The book signing looked like a lot of fun!
Congratulations, Lisa, awesome accomplishment both the book and your son graduating.
How amazing and Congrats on your books success, your amazing award and your sons graduation. I would be an emotional wreck also, but with happy tears.
Thanks for sharing
Lynda
I know what you mean about mommy tears. 🙂
Major congratulations!!! I’m SO excited for you. You deserve ALL of this success and more! You are so sweet and generous to fellow authors and readers.
YAY! You so deserve this – I’m so happy for you! Hugs honey!
Congratulations, Lisa! All this goodness really couldn’t happen to a nicer or more deserving person. 🙂 And Reno…wow! He has really grown up since your trip to Europe last year. I know you’re so proud of your graduate.
Oops, I just realized that was a pic of your trip to Europe! duh! I swear he didn’t look that grown up in the other pics. I must be losing my mind. 😉
What an amazing time for you, I am proud of you and very jealous too! LOL Congratulations!
How did I miss this news? I’m actually sniffing a little bit. So happy for you, sweetie. Happy Dance of JOY!!! Go, Lisa.