Weekly Recap: A-Z Reflection and a Cover Reveal

On the last day of the A-Z, I really needed a break. I noticed a lot of you sighing and groaning a bit online, too. By day Z, we were all weary. So with that thought, I want to thank all of you who visited my blog and left comments, even if it was only once or twice. I know how time-consuming and exhausting that was!! THANK YOU, THANK YOU. Your visits, follows, and comments....they meant the world to me! 

I tried to reciprocate comments and follows in return, which I consider the ultimate in blog courtesy. My apologies if I missed anyone. A special THANK YOU to all who decided to follow my blog, which was a pleasant outcome of the A-Z :) I hope we can maintain some contact over the weeks and months to come. THANK YOU also for sharing your ideas, insights, talents, and experiences. I learned so much from you!! Last but not least, THANK YOU to the A-Z staff...to Arlee and all his elves who popped around the blogs encouraging us and giving sage advice!

I knew I was taking on a lot this year, because unlike last year's experience, I did not write my posts in advance. 

Lesson 1: write those posts in advance! I took on a subject that required a lot of research. This meant late nights, every night, trying to get my posts out on time. My posts were detailed and probably too long, but I wanted something useful in the end. I tried to break it up with fun trivia, so the posts could be skimmed through quickly or read in parts. I learned a lot about fruits. I hope you did too! 



I only have the one lesson learned, but I do have a recommendation....or shall I call it a wish? Is it possible to have the A-Z in March or February (the dullest month of the year), so it doesn't overlap with gardening and other spring activities? I was taking a Master Gardening course all of April, complete with homework, quizzes and a trip out of town. I almost passed on the A-Z for this reason alone. 

So, here we are approaching summer. I am already gardening, as you might have suspected, so if I drop off for awhile, I'll be outdoors in the garden for the rest of spring. 

I'm still getting my novel ready to market. There are all those last minute details that continue to plague me. One of these days, you will see a cover reveal and that will be a day to celebrate, indeed! 

Meanwhile...... Congratulations to Stephanie Faris, who has just released the cover of her second and upcoming book, 25 Roses, coming out in 2015 (for ages 9-13).  

"Valentine's Day means one thing at Stanton Middle School: students will send each other chocolate roses. Each year, Mia Hartley watches while the same group of students gets roses and everyone else is left out. This year, she decides things will be different. As the student assigned to write names on the cards, Mia purchases 25 roses and writes her own cards, designating them to 25 people she's personally chosen. But she soon learns that playing matchmaker is much more complicated than she thought it would be."

Stephanie's first book, 30 Days of No Gossip is also available from Simon & Schuster's Aladdin Mix. I wish you the best of success, Stephanie!