YA Indie Carnival: 2012 Giving Thanks

This week, the YA Indie Carnies are sharing their triumphs and expressing their gratitude for a wonderful 2012.

My year started out with a bang–the release of my third book, Midnight Child, in March. With some prompting from local fans and the director of my public library, I held my first public Launch Party. And I was so glad I did. We had a blast.

The year also extended to me some great opportunities to network with fellow authors, participate in interviews, hold books signings, hostess facebook and twitter parties, and speak at schools. I’ve learned a lot along the way.

But if I had to chose one thing that was the summit of my year, it would have to be meeting Charlaine Harris. You know how it is when you actually meet someone that you look up to, and the expectation is so great that the actual person is a disappointment. This wasn’t. She’s exactly as I imagined her. She is so completely down to earth and funny, way funny. The woman definitely has a sense of humor.

I gave her a copy of Of Sun & Moon, not sure that she would even accept it because I’m sure that wannabes give her stuff like that all the time, hoping that they will be “discovered”.  That wasn’t the case for me. I wanted to give it to her to thank her. To show her that she had made a difference in my life. It didn’t matter if she never read the first word.

I’m such a fangirl that it was a completely humbling experience to have her just touch my book and smile. Which she did. She accepted it and thanked me…ME…and told me that she read three or four books a week. I thought I was going to pass out because my heart was beating so fast.

So, thank you, Charlaine Harris for being an inspiration to writers and readers alike. Thank you, YA Indie Carnival writers for your amazing support. Thank you, FANS for patiently waiting for Shadows Rising. Thanks for an amazing 2012. Can’t wait to see what ’13 has in store.

Read more 2012 recaps and thanks from…