SIX Days and Counting...

To gear up for the eventual release of the novel I wrote in 2004, I started this blog (hang on—let me climb into my Way Back Machine) in November of 2005. Since then, the book was very nearly orphaned when my editor changed publishing houses, and we’ve gone through a title change (remember that Larry Resnick guy?) and lots of blog posts and lots more waiting, but 30 months later…I am looking at my calendar and we’re six days from release.

Six days. I can’t even believe I am typing that. Along the way, I met some awesome and talented bloggers, many of whom have graciously helped / will be helping to spread the word about Driving Sideways:


Caryn
Manic Mom
Swishy
Harmonica Man (View from the Cloud)
Suzy Soro (Where Hot Comes to Die)
DeeMarie
Merecat
Monnik
December
Anonymous Coworker
Tia
Joanne Rendell
Eileen Cook
JellyJules
Moobs
Sue
Gorilla Buns
Tx Poppet
Shelly at Not the Daddy
Trish Ryan
Kristabella
Mommy Confidential
Luanne at A Bookworm’s World
Robin Bielman
Maureen McGowan
Tiff
GM Country Mama
Jozet at Halushki
Allison Winn Scotch
Pam Writes Romance
Karen
Jen Lancaster (her new book’s out now!)

Other awesome people I hunted down and shamelessly forced my book upon:
Cindy at Conversations with Famous Writers
Booking Mama
Lindsay at Suburban Turmoil

Stop by and say ‘hi’ to these fantastic and generous writers…I am confident that someday I will be raving right here about several of THEIR books (if I haven’t already!)

Other friends helping to spread the word who are so awesome I had to mention them even though they haven’t got blogs…YET:

-Fee B. of DePere, Wisconsin
-Rhonda M. of Midlothian, Virginia
-Michelle R. of Atlanta, Georgia
-Wendy J. of Madison, Wisconsin
-Rebecca W. of Illinois
-Mary H. of Portland, Oregon
-Cindy M. of Bellingham, Washington … Cindy gets an extra special thank-you because I VERY LOOSELY based one of my characters on her and she was an incredibly good sport about it.

Please let me know if I’ve inadvertently missed you above—these days my BLADD (Book Launch Attention Deficit Disorder) is off the charts. If you would like to join in the fun, let me know—you will thusly be entered to win one of two $75 amazon gift cards. (We don’t have to call it pimping, either. We can call it ‘spreading the word’ or ‘sharing the love’ or ‘distributing non-religious literature door to pixilated door.’ And you don’t even need a blog to enter! If you prefer to email at least five friends about the book’s release with a link to the bookseller of your choice, CC me in on the message (jess (at) thedebutanteball.com) and you’re in. The contest runs ‘til June 20.

I’m not sure how I’m coordinating the contest, but it may involve a dartboard. One that is hanging on my bathroom door, as a matter of fact.

It came with the house.

Other places I will be pussyfooting* around in the next week or two:

• MKE Online: check the site out from May 15 – May 21. (Book giveaway and guest blog on the way.)
• The Debutante Ball: I’m posting this Friday and we’re celebrating the launch of Driving Sideways each day next week! (PS: Enter the contest to win a signed copy & gift basket of goodies from me. I promise you’ll like it. There may be cheese.)

Also, save the date: June 7!! Book launch party in Oshkosh, Wisconsin! There will DEFINITELY be cheese at the party. Or my name isn’t Jess Riley.

*doesn’t old-timey language sound kind of obscene?

And now for a public service announcement:

GOT PEARLS?

How about a debut book slated to launch in 2009 by a major publisher?

The Debutante Ball, is launching a Debutante Search for a group of five debut authors for the 2009 Debutante Season.

The Debutante Ball is a group blog of six debut authors, including Eileen Cook (Unpredictable), Jenny Gardiner (Sleeping with Ward Cleaver), Lisa Daily (Fifteen Minutes of Shame), Jess Riley (Driving Sideways), Danielle Younge-Ullman (Falling Under) and Gail Konop Baker (Cancer is a Bitch: Or, I’d Rather Be Having a Midlife Crisis).

The successful grog (group blog) has attracted a loyal following with publishing insiders, media and readers, and such notable “guest debutantes” as John Grisham, Jodi Picoult, Meg Cabot, Meg Tilly and Sex and The City’s Evan Handler. The 2008 Debutantes will pass their tiaras to the 2009 Debutantes in September.

Applicants must have a debut book slated to launch in 2009 by a major publisher or established small press. Deadline for applications is July 1. To submit your application, fill out this survey .