And its Out!

I am pleased to announce the end of the countdown
1!
Just One of the Guys is now available!

Sam may be a girl, but all of her friends are guys. Not to mention, they're all in the school marching band! Juggling friends and the various perils of band camp has Samantha running ragged. Add in a summer crush- which none of the gang can possibly find out about... This just might be a recipe for the all-time number one 'band camp' story.

If you have nothing to do this weekend, are looking for some new reading material, or just want to find out how Sam will survive her summer, go to quakeme.com now! Best of all, after you read my story, you can go back to the site and write a review. Or post your comments here.

You can get your own copy of Just One of the Guys right now! Enjoy!

One Day Left!

We approach the clock with one day left...
2!
My Family

I believe that family is important under any circumstances. And my family deserves a whopping two-thumbs up for awesomeness. My mom, my dad, and my brother Robert have been highly supportive of all of my goals. Especially my pursuit of publication! Mom, Dad, and Robert have always been there for me, no matter what. Just One of the Guys would never have happened without them! Muchas gracias!

Mom- You got me into reading and put up with me- even when I had to read every sign and label at Petsmart. You taught me not only how to tell a good story, but how to write one. Thanks for all the writer days you put in at my schools and for all the conferences you drove me to! Your guidance, confidence, support, and editorial revisions have been invaluable to me. Hugs, kisses, and love!

Dad- You have been a major part of everything I do. You revealed to me the amazing world of real rollercoasters and you taught me how to fire a pistol. You listen to Mom and me brainstorm about our stories- and you help me brainstorm about my engineering projects! Thanks for your patience, love, and great taste in cool t-shirts!

Robert- I may call you my annoying little brother, but you have been a huge contributor to everything. You've been incredibly helpful during my most recent recovery- even when it meant getting up from a Time Warp episode. You help me keep my Marvel comic history straight and its always fun to hear you get excited about band. Thanks for everything- except maybe the annoying stuff! =)

Just One of the Guys is coming out TOMORROW! You'll be able to get your copy here. And don't forget that the countdown continues here at Sam's Space. There's one last person that deserves a BIG thank-you!

And guess what! It's my sixteenth birthday today! I'm having some friends over for pizza, cake, and gaming. I'll post pictures of everything on Saturday. Yay!

And the Gals...

The thank-yous continue with...
3!
My Girlfriends

Every girl has at least one really close girlfriend. I am fortunate to have several, but I'm only going to pick on, err, thank, the two who have been most involved with Just One of the Guys. All of my girlfriends have been there for me when I most needed them, gone shopping when we've had cash, and watched movies at home when I'm hooked up to an ice machine. I love all of them, and I am very lucky to know such strong, compassionate, and beautiful young women. So thanks Chelsea and Ashley!

Chelsea- You have known me longer than anyone else (aside from my family). Your a sister of the heart, and I'm so glad that you and I met. We've been there for each other through thick, thin, and freshman year. I don't know many people who could be as patient with my craziness and many injuries as you. Nor do I know many people who visit their friend's home in order to clean their room... I love you!
P.S. We really need to go to the beach sometime!


Ashley- Thanks for being so amazingly awesome. You've been to hockey games with me, helped me live through your brother's visits to see my brother, and supported me through two seasons of marching band. You've dealt with my competition hyperactivity and my untimely nacho cravings. Truly, you deserve an award. But all I can say is this... I love you like Tuesday!
P.S. Don't you love Hallmark's Hoops and Yoyo?

Just One of the Guys would not have happened with the support that I have received from both of these chicks. Get your copy starting Friday!

Sam might be one of the boys, but that doesn't mean she doesn't have her girlfriends. Or her girl perspective... And that can lead to some interesting conversations when the boys get involved. Or start asking questions. This summer's band camp will never be forgotten...

To My Guys...

And the countdown continues with:
4!
The Guy Friends

No, I didn't forget, Bertrand! I did promise to mention you by your first name. So here are my thanks to my own guy gang: Preston, Bertrand, Jacob, Eddie, Scott, and the rest. This story would never have happened if I hadn't met all of you. I have had tons have fun in all the years that I have known you guys. No one's mind could possibly imagine half the stuff we've gotten ourselves into- thanks for all the awesome ideas! And yeah, I have contemplated shipping one or two of you overseas every once in a while... but only when you really got on my nerves. Lolz =)

Bertrand- Ta-da! Your name is at long last on my blog in as official a dedication as I can make for you. Thanks for all the hugs and for finally cleaning out the locker. But it is looking a bit cluttered again...

Preston- You're just going to have to read the story on Friday- no more inside info. No matter how many times you ask me in the middle of Spanish class! Thanks for all the computer advice and for teaching me math for two years. Governor's School is gonna rock!

Jacob- I know you don't like my blender metaphor, but it's okay. I'd never really put you in one. Don't give up yet- one day the tennis team will beat Wando. I'll miss you next year, and I promise to visit! Here that? I promise.

Eddie- You've been one of my best friends since 1st grade. Thanks for going to summer camps with me and for teaching me how to fish. Most especially, thank you for not laughing at that bat that once got stuck in my hair! A true gentleman...

Scott- Thanks for making me laugh at myself and for attempting to teach me leet-speak. Even though I'm hopeless. Did you notice my 'lolz' earlier? Also, thanks for showing me that sleep definitely is the best policy for any situation. And don't you DARE torrent my story... >=[

Just One of the Guys is coming out this Friday. Find your copy at quakeme.com!

Sam may be a girl, but she's always been one of the boys. Now she and her friends are at band camp- and the heat is the least of Sam's worries. Giant bugs, crazy musicians, and boys? This may just be a recipe for the perfect "One time at band camp..." story!

The Countdown Begins!

In case you didn't see my Saturday post or the note in the Latest Updates on the sidebar...

Just One of the Guys is coming out
May 1st!

I am officially announcing the countdown to launch (5...4...3...2...1), and thanking a new group of people each day. There have been several people involved with this story, and my writing in general, and it would be unfair to leave them unmentioned. I'd never have been able to do it without them. So, in the spirit of the countdown, I bring you:

5!

School Groups and Teachers

Imagine Creative Writing Club: particularly Jon, Amanda, and Ms. Halloran.
Jon- you've been listening to me since your first meeting- and correcting my grammar and spelling since your second! I've enjoyed reading your work, just as I have enjoyed sharing my own. Good luck at college- and don't forget to continue your writing in that lab!
Amanda- you may be a more recent addition, but you have been amazing! You are so funny- and thanks for taking my side when Jon got into his English professor mode. Hooray for slang! Keep up with your werewolves- don't let them run you ragged!
Ms. Halloran- I'm going to miss you and our brainstorming sessions next year. Thank you for listening to everything and for providing such a great outlet for students to express themselves. The club meetings have long been a highlight of my week!

Teachers past and present: I have appreciated your guidance and support and I don't have enough words to thank all of you, I want to mention a few by name:
English Teachers- Mrs. Young, Mrs. Johnson, Mrs. Neese, Ms. Milligan, and Mrs. Richardson
And Also- Mr. Ward (cuz he rocks, and he always wanted me to write about band!)

Stratford Marching Knights: I have greatly enjoyed being a part of this organization. Especially this year- we made state finals! I am going to miss you guys when I leave next year, but I am never going to forget the time I spent with you guys. The extra practices, the snack trips, the shared colds... The list goes on and on, and you can rest assured that Sam and the gang will never experience a dull moment so long as they are marching through their stories!

I am so glad to have met all of you. Your faith that one day I would be published has kept me strong. I am pleased that I have finally achieved that goal- and none of it would have happened but for you guys. Now all we have to do is work on my becoming a bestseller...
=)

On May 1st, get your own copy of Just One of the Guys at quakeme.com

Furry... Saturday? Oops!

Yeah, yeah, I know today's Saturday. But I forgot to stick this up on Friday, so we'll just have to pretend. And yes, I know I've kept you guys waiting for like, forever. But, I promise, Alex's doberman is well worth it! Boo-Boo, Boo for short, is a true sweetheart!

Age: 4 years

Gender: Female

Height: 24 inches

Weight: 85 lbs

Origins: Boo-Boo is the Wilson's family dog. They got her from the local rescue shelter as a puppy. While she was (and when nervous is) a tenacious chewer of all things chewable, the family stuck with her. No, they never messed with her ears or bobbed her tail. Isn't she so very cute this way?

Favorite Game(s): Boo loves to wrestle with Alex and play tug-o-war with whatever is handy. She loves it when she gets to play with Sam's Tolkien, and the two will roughhouse and run until they collapse. She also likes to trip people up at the door and pull other mischievous pranks. Her absolute favorite toy is one she's had since puppyhood- a ratty old teddy bear that Alex calls "the mutant." The mutant is, however, a cuddle-only toy and is not up for the ravages of tug-o-war.

More info: Boo-Boo may be a fierce looking doberman, but she has a huge and somewhat cowardly heart! Thunderstorms, fireworks, and even a loud rainstorm will send her to her "den"- a mess of blankets, old toys, and stolen shoes tucked into a back corner of the family TV room.

I hope you enjoyed finally learning about Alex's dog. But I have some completely, totally, amazing news that can't wait any longer:

Just One of the Guys is coming out May 1st!

You can find my first short story at quakeme.com. Sam and the guys are at band camp, a place of work, trouble, sun, and fun. But which will Sam find herself in? Marching, guys, bugs, music, guys... It's enough to make a girl's head spin! Read the story to find out just what it means to be one of the guys!

The Results Are In!

It's official! My first sidebar poll ended earlier this week and I'm here to tell you what's up!

The Question: It's high school and its Friday night: What are you most looking forward to?
Responses: Tailgate with 12% of the vote Game time with 0% of the vote The marching show with 62% of the vote Wendy's after the game with 0% of the vote A late night movie with friends with 25% of the vote

(Apparently the computer can't add to 100... it cuts off at 99...)

Hurray! The majority of Sam's Space viewers can't wait for the marching band to take the field at halftime! Can you hear the gang's applause from backstage?

Sam and the guys (Matt, Alan, Alex, and Colby) are all in the marching band, and, of course, are glad most of you can't wait to hear them. They spend the entire first half of the football game building up to the moment when they are the center of attention. But it takes a lot of work to get to the point that they can march an entire 7.5 minute show, with music, from memory...
JUST ONE OF THE GUYS is my new short story title, coming out later this month. It's the first week of summer band camp, and Sam's already getting into plenty of trouble- with the guys' help of course!

Keep checking back for updates on the story, the characters, and the release

And don't forget to check out the new poll to the left...

Check it out!

Welcome to my new blog, Sam's Space!

I just went live today in celebration of my upcoming release of Just One of the Guys. It's a new short story e-book published through Echelon Press's Quake division. The tale stars Sam (short for Samantha) and her all-male friends: Matt, Colby, Alan, Alex, and the rest. The troubles the group gets itself into.... Well, I won't spoil it for you!

It's "Read an E-Book Week" through March 14 and Echelon has a great line-up of online reads. For fantasy, mystery, suspense, and all the rest, go to Echelon Press and get ready to download a great read!
You can learn more about Quake, its authors, and "Read an E-Book Week" at the following locations: Quake Publishing, Teen Seen, and The Life of a Publisher.