Friday, March 5

The TFC Anniversary party continues even more...

Today I'm giving away signed copies of Alyson Noel's books!

Actually, I'm not. But after all the fun here this week, I felt like I had to say something attention-grabbing. There will in fact be a book giveaway here at TFC today, but before you get to that, first you need to wade through me blathering on for a bit.

Now, let's see, where was I three years ago, when things were first getting started here at TFC...

Oh, right. It was March 2007. Three months prior to that, after having a string of adult novels published, my first YA debuted, Angel's Choice.

Well, this is annoying. I just tried to upload an image of Angel's Choice and for some reason Blogger was all stall-y on it. Am I the only one this stuff happens to here? Yeah, pretty much.

Back to March 2007. The month before, I'd been offered a contract to write The Sisters 8 series for young readers. (More on that latter.) It was pretty exciting stuff.

And TFC was just getting started: me and my TFC sisters blogging together, a nice addition to my life since a writer's life can be a mostly solitary one.

What's changed in the last three years?

Well, my family's all in on the writing act now. My husband Greg Logsted has had one YA published, Something Happened, and one middle grade novel, Alibi Junior High. Our daughter Jackie, now 10 years old, is one of the three creative minds behind The Sisters 8 series, along with Greg and myself.

One thing that hasn't changed is TFC: It's still as much fun as when I first started here.

So what have I learned in the last three years? Like some of my TFC sisters have indicated, it's not always easy being a writer. Believe me, it's not the hardest job in the world. You'll never hear me say I have it worse than some poor guy laying tar in Texas in August. But it's not easy. It seems each book has its own opportunities for disappointment and joy. And if you're like me and have several books published a year - I'm not complaining! - those opportunities are exponential. After a while you realize that what was true in the beginning of your writing journey goes on being true: the most important thing is to keep putting one writing foot in front of the other, ignoring all the sound and fury of triumph and disaster, and that the only person who can ever really take you out of the game is you.

What lies ahead for me in 2010? A lot! Book 5 of The Sisters 8, Marcia's Madness, comes out on May 3; and Book 6, Petal's Problems, comes out in October. Oh, and I have two YA novels coming out this year: The Education of Bet, on July 12; and The Twin's Daughter, on August 31.

And what lies ahead for you here at TFC today? A big honking contest! No, I'm afraid I'm not giving away a signed copy of one of Alyson's books - I'd like one of those myself! - but I am giving away a Starter Pack of Lauren Baratz-Logsted YA books. That's right. One lucky commenter will received signed copies of all three of my YA books published thus far: Angel's Choice, Secrets of My Suburban Life, and Crazy Beautiful. To be entered, all you need to do is leave a comment below. The winner will be picked at random and announced on March 15.

So comment away and thanks for three great years at TFC!

68 comments:

nisha said...

Happy anniversary at TFC!! :-) And that's so awesome your entire family has jumped on the writing bandwagon. That must bring you guys closer together. :-) Congrats on your successes!

<3NIsha

Heather Kelly said...

Okay--how can I not win something? And books--books are my favorite thing to win. I would love to check out your books--they're going in my 'to read' list. This is so much fun!

Lauren--this is sooo beautiful: After a while you realize that what was true in the beginning of your writing journey goes on being true: the most important thing is to keep putting one writing foot in front of the other, ignoring all the sound and fury of triumph and disaster, and that the only person who can ever really take you out of the game is you.

Thank you for the reminder for me to get out of my own way. Good luck on your supremely busy year!

Alyson Noel said...

Lauren this is awesome, and so true!!
:)

Unknown said...

Free books, YES!!!

Happy Anniversary TFC.

j said...

Happy Aniversary TFC!!! Great job guys!

Ellz said...

Things need to stay fun to keep you interested and wanting to do it, especially after 3 years. I would love to read your book, I have heard of 1 of them, all good things.

Jessy said...

Happy Anniversay! I read Crazy Beautiful and really enjoyed it. Now I'm eagerly awaiting the release of Education of Bet!

Mel (He Followed Me Home) said...

Congrats!!!! I love how the whol family is involved, even your 10 yr old daught, wow! 2010 looks like an amzing year for you :)

Lauren Baratz-Logsted just came onto my radar recently so this would be an awesome win!

Mel
hefollowedme AT gmail DOT com

ReaganStar said...

Happy Anniversary, wow 3 years that really amazing. Congrats!!!! I would love to be entered.

starshadow.blog@gmail.com

Alissa Grosso said...

It sounds like you've had a pretty good writing journey, and it's awesome that your whole family is in on the act.

Amy said...

I love your books. It's great you've found away to make writing a family activity.

Cassay said...

Sweetness

jpetroroy said...

Congrats! Its so nice you can share your writing with your family!

Wendy Toliver said...

Wow, Lauren! What a great prize package! And commenters, if you don't win, get your hands on one of Lauren's books b/c I bet you'll be hooked! :)

bookaholic said...

Happy Anniversary!! As has been stated by many,I love the fact that your whole family is so creative including your little daughter!! So cute..

Please enter me for the giveaway if this is international..I so hope it is!! Would love to read the books!!
frndz.debas@gmail.com

Mg (LWS) said...

Happy Anniversary to TFC! Wish you the best with the future writing and the family!

~Mg

loud.words.and.sounds@gmail.com

GirlforChrist said...

Please enter me into the contest!

Sarah Andrews said...

Happy Anniversary TFC!!!

Unknown said...

Congrats on three years and all of your accomplishments! I'd love to read the books for giveaway!

Kpic724 (at) gmail (dot) com

Krystalyn Drown said...

Such a lot can happen in three years. Congratulations!

Nath Souza said...

Come to TFC was the best thing that I did!!!!

Rachel Bateman said...

Great post Lauren! Thanks for reminding us that really the most important things about writing don't change even after publishing multiple books. I think we all need that reminder sometimes.

Lexie said...

That's so awesome that you work on a book series with your husband and daughter :D

Happy anniversary!!

Lexie

Sara Hantz said...

Fabulous post, and so cool that you're working with the rest of your family!

Sara {Rhapsody and Chaos} said...

Happy anniversary :-) OMG I would LOVE for my family to someday resemble yours. So awesome!!!

Katie C. said...

Steph--sorry I never really took the time before to really read and explore Teen Fiction Cafe. Inspiring and making me want to get back to writing...and reading more YA! Congrats on the anniversary!

Liviania said...

Happy anniversary! I hope things continue to go so well for you and your family.

Sara said...

Wow - your three first YA books, that''s an amazing prize! (Don't tell Alyson - but that's way better than one of her books ;))
I'd LOVE to be entered!

donnas said...

Happy Anniversary at TFC!

Congrats on your 2010 releases!

Sara Z. said...

?After a while you realize that what was true in the beginning of your writing journey goes on being true: the most important thing is to keep putting one writing foot in front of the other, ignoring all the sound and fury of triumph and disaster, and that the only person who can ever really take you out of the game is you."

SO. TRUE!

Congrats on your 3 years!

kristina shields said...

Free books. awesome! happy anniversary!

Keri Mikulski said...

Great post!! It's nice to reflect..

Happy Anniversary TFC!!! :) :)

aurora M. said...

I love all of her work! Would love to win the prize packet! Please enter me :)

E. Kristin Anderson said...

Woo! I'd enter but I already have all three! <3

Cherie J said...

Wonderful post! I think it is great that you and your family are all writers. What a great support you can be for each other.

OlwenIsis said...

Yay for TFC. I'd love to have an intor into your YA world. Hope I win because I love books but I am broke :-)

Anonymous said...

Wow, Happy Anniversary TFC!

Aliya said...

I love how you are all so honest, it's what I want to hear, not some sugar-coated story of perfection :)

Also, I think its so amazing that your family has all dove into writing. That must be wicked fun sometimes.

~Aliya

Sharli said...

That was both funny and cruel lol!
Happy Aniversary TFC!!!

Congrats on the 2010 releases and all the success you've had so far! I hope there are many more ahead :)

entrelibros_blog at hotmail dot com

citlalli b. said...

Happy Anniversary TFC! Its amazing the work you have done! Also i never thought that being an author was so hard... but its great that your whole family is into writing!
Congrats!

Sweet Girl said...

Happy anniversary TFC congrats!!!!!
Really hope mi comment gets picked lol

Monique Cherie said...

I'm so scared right now every single writer on here has said how dificult it is to be a writer, :s i still cant wait i love writing, i found TFC two days ago and have already been back 15 times to check for updates. . . i'm obsessed. lol. so glad to be a part of the 3 year annerversey. Lauren you seam so funny real and down to earth, xx

Llehn said...

I've heard good things about Crazy Beautiful. Congrats!

Becca said...

Happy anniversary!
Yay for family writing. Do you think your daughter will break away to write her own soon?
=)

Bidisha said...

Yay for TFC!

Wow..a writing family :))

I bet you're right. I'm a teen writing for teens and yeah, writing is hard. But I love it, and I need it, so I'll just be hoping that the rewards are fulfilling.

Btw, I was checking out your books. They sound awesome :D

Anonymous said...

I've heard great things about Crazy Beautiful. I'd love to read it!

Erica Orloff said...

Hi Lauren:
I was in a book store and started reading Crazy Beautiful and from the FIRST page, I was blown away!

Congrats!
E

Melissa Walker said...

Lauren, your output is so amazing! My niece is still LOVING The Sisters 8 Series (and I'm a fan too--I read them before she gets them!).

Anonymous said...

Three books for three years, it works :)

Donna Getzinger said...

Happy Anniversary! I wish my husband would just read my books let alone be a writer too. How lucky you both are!

Anonymous said...

Yay! More book releases in 2010! I can't wait!

April (BooksandWine) said...

Joyeux Anniversaire TFC!! I don't speak French, but it sure sounds classy. :-)

Wrighty said...

Congrats on your amazing accomplishments! I know it's been said but I agree about how great it is that your whole family is involved. Best wishes and thanks for your giveaway! Happy anniversary TFC!

Wrighty said...

Oops, forgot my address.

5wrights1[at]verizon[dot]net

Bunny B said...

Happy Anniversary!! I would love too read more books! Keep on writing! :)
bunnybx at gmail . com

Lori T said...

Happy Anniversary! Wow, what a talented family...that is so neat how your whole has writing talent. I am looking forward to chance to check your books out!

Unknown said...

like to be entered

Lauren Baratz-Logsted said...

Thanks for all the great comments and kind words!

For those who are curious about my 10yo coauthor, Jackie, she's also written a few plays - of all things! - and has started a novel that's already 10,000 words long. The kid rocks.

Erica said...

Ha, I just realized that The Education of Bet comes out on my birthday :)

Suzette said...

Happy anniversary at TFC!!!!!! All your books seem very good.

Hope i win your books!!

soccer_chick.11(at)hotmail(dot)com
~Suzette

I ♥ Book Gossip said...

Congrats! Happy Anniversary!

Please count me in.

cindyc725 at gmail dot com

Brodie said...

Huge Happy Anniversary to TFC and all of it's absolutely fabulous authors!!

Another great post. I so love that your family have all become involved in the writing process and even publishing their own novels! Great giveaway, I would love, love, love to win!

MarjoleinBookBlog said...

wow, great post! and happy TFC anniversary!

would love to be entered!

Laurena said...

It must be nice to have your whole family writing with you. Congradulations to both you and TFC!

hannah r0x yoUR soX! said...

Hey!
Melissa Walker did a cover story on Crazy beautiful, right?
Count me in!
Love, Hannah S.

Kay Cassidy said...

I love how your family is so much a part of what you do, Lauren. :-) And whoa... rock on with the LBL starter pack!

Emily Brown said...

I wanna win this contest soooooo bad!!!!!!!



emilyb3342@bellsouth.net

Audrey (holes In My brain) said...

happy 3 year anniversary!