Happy Book Birthday to LAST YEAR'S MISTAKE!

You guys! It's here! June 9, 2015 is TODAY - and my book is officially out in the world!

The first pictures of my little book baby in the wild (aka the shelves at Barnes and Noble) were tweeted to me this weekend by Lauren Gibaldi and Lisa Maxwell. And yep, I totally choked up.

When I pulled myself together, I then threw on my Respect the Fluff t-shirt and hightailed it over to my nearest B and N, where I took this:

Pay no attention to the fact that I look like a Gremlin. Look only
at that gorgeous book beside me.

I honestly thought this day would never come, but now that it has, I have too many feels to even articulate. I'm humbled, flattered, touched, excited, nervous, a little harried, and well... you get the point.

Photo credit: Sourwolfpowers

First, I want to say THANK YOU to anyone and everyone who has either read, reviewed, tweeted, or showed any kind of excitement/support for LAST YEAR'S MISTAKE in any way. Knowing that people cared enough to read and spread the word about something I've written is mind-blowing.

Photo Credit: realitytvgifs

Second, everything I went through to get to this point is never far from my mind. Things can change on a dime, and I want to remind other authors who are feeling like it might never happen of this: You never know. No really. You Don't.

And since it *did* happen (nope, still not over it), there are three (well, four, if you count mine) blogs that have generously posted

interviews and/or giveaways in LYM's honor. Go to:

Reading is My Treasure for answers to Kaitlin Snider's fantabulous questions about LYM, and for the chance to win signed bookmarks and saltwater taffy (US only).

That Artsy Reader featured another set of fun interview questions for the Debut Dish, and is offering the chance to win a signed LYM hardcover and bookmark (INT).

Adventures in YA Publishing also has a hardcover copy up for grabs, along with some fantastic other titles.

And don't forget, today is the last full day to enter my own Pre-Release Giveaway Extravaganza! More details on how to win the prizes shown below can be found HERE.

If you like DEAR TEEN ME posts, mine is up on the PulseIt blog today. Click here to read.

Also, I want to give a special shout out to Eric Smith, for including LAST YEAR'S MISTAKE on Paste Magazine's list of 13 of the Best New YA Books in June, and to the New York Public Library for featuring LYM on its YA Summer Reading List. And to Sherry Lay, for making me this adorable piece of fan art from her favorite quote:

If you'd like to help me celebrate LYM's release, there are few ways you can do so.

One - help spread the word! I've put together a few tweets that can be copied and pasted for your convenience:

If you love YA contemporary romance, don't miss #LastYearsMistake, @gmc511's sweet tale of first love & 2nd chances!  http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1481432230/ref=s9_simh_gw_p14_d0_i1?pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_s=desktop-1&pf_rd_r=06944YBFNJJT2FCQ1EZ3&pf_rd_t=36701&pf_rd_p=2079475242&pf_rd_i=desktop

Love a will they/won't they romance between friends? @gmc511's #LastYearsMistake releases today! http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1481432230/ref=s9_simh_gw_p14_d0_i1?pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_s=desktop-1&pf_rd_r=06944YBFNJJT2FCQ1EZ3&pf_rd_t=36701&pf_rd_p=2079475242&pf_rd_i=desktop

Swoony, romantic #LastYearsMistake by @gmc511 is out today! Don't miss all these awesome chances to win it! www.writersblog-gina.blogspot.com

Two - buy the book! It's available on Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and Indiebound, as well as in lots of book stores.

Three - if you like it, tell a friend. Or better yet, please leave a review on Amazon or Goodreads! Word of mouth is invaluable to helping get books in people's hands.

Four - come support me and LYM at one of my launch parties or signings! Click the Events and Appearances tab at the top of the page for more info - hopefully to updated with even more places to find me soon.

And once again, thank you so much to everyone who had read, or plans to read LAST YEAR'S MISTAKE. This is a life-long dream come true for me, and I'm so excited for you to share it with me!

Photo credit: foreverswiftly