Tuesday, March 2

TFC's 3rd Anniversary Celebration: Day 2!

I am so excited about Teen Fiction Cafe's 3rd anniversary! Almost exactly three years ago, my friend and fellow author Sara Hantz and I noticed our first YA novels were launching at about the same time, and we decided to put together a group blog featuring YA authors from all over the world. Not only do we have fun posting about various topics, we've all grown to be friends with each other as well as with our readers. We'll be celebrating our anniversary every day through March 13, so drop by often for chances to win prizes and to learn how far each of us has come in the past 3 years.

Three years ago, I was anxiously waiting to see my first YA novel, The Secret Life of a Teenage Siren, which came out in December of 2007. Though I'd had some nonfiction books published, this was my first work of fiction, and I was beyond excited. My fabulous husband threw me a huge book launch bash at the Eccles Art Center in Ogden, Utah, and though the weather was less than ideal, it meant so much to me that so many friends and relatives braved the snow to come. Siren went into its second printing only a few months after its launch, which I thought was pretty cool. Also, my second YA manuscript, then called Cupid Girl, was a finalist in the YA category for the 2007 Romance Writers of the World's Golden Heart contest. It was so much fun to go to Dallas for the parties and ceremony (see photo of my DH and me all decked out). My publisher, Simon Pulse, liked this story and just over a year after Siren, my 2nd YA novel came out with a new title: Miss Match. Both Siren and Miss Match are romantic comedies, part of the Simon Pulse Ro-Coms . While I enjoyed writing these very much, I wanted to challenge myself by taking my writing in a whole new direction. For over 2 years, I wrote and worked on on a story about a girl who gets in too deep with a pair of shoplifters, and I was so excited (and relieved) when in November of 2009, my publisher bought Lifted. It's coming out in 94 days--that's June 8!

So, to summarize my authorly journey these past 3 years: 1 publisher, 2 fabulous agents (Christina Hogrebe, pictured below in the pretty black leaf-print dress, and Annelise Robey of Jane Rotrosen Agency), 3 YA books, 5 different editors (!), 1 TV appearance, several newspaper articles, lots of school visits and book signings, 1 key-note speech, 1 writers' conference put on with a writer friend, several presentations for other writers' conferences, and one marriage proposal from a 14 year-old boy. :)
As part of Teen Fiction Cafe's 3rd anniversary celebration, I'm giving away a set of 3 wooden bangles. They're purple like The Secret Life of a Teenage Siren--the little purple book that came out 3 years ago. For a chance to win, just leave a comment between now and March 13 (we'll announce all the winners on March 15). My middle son will draw the winner out of a hat. Good luck, and thanks for stopping by to help us celebrate!
















41 comments:

Sara Hantz said...

I can't believe how quickly the three years has gone. Cool bangle!!

Anonymous said...

Wendy your books are great and fun to read. Congratulations on 3 years. Ranae

Lauren Baratz-Logsted said...

So, did you marry the 14-year-old? :) Great post, Wendy!

Wendy Toliver said...

I know, Sara! It just whizzed by!

Thanks, Ranae!

And Lauren, I eventually decided not to leave my husband for the 14 yo but it was a difficult decision, haha!

D.M.Cunningham said...

Congrats on 3 years!! That is great! Put my name in the hat please, my wife LOVES purple and jewelry - she would love that. Looking forward to LIFTED!

Wendy Toliver said...

Hi D.M.
you're entered! and thanks, I'm looking forward to Lifted too! :)

jpetroroy said...

Great post! Congrats on your journey!

Stephanie Kuehnert said...

I'm loving all these stories of how my TFC sisters got their start! And you know I cannot wait for Lifted, Wendy!!!

Alyson Noel said...

Wonderful post--and you know I loved LIFTED!
:)

Cherie J said...

Congratulations on the three year anniversary. Nice bangles.

Sara Z. said...

So great, Wendy. I didn't really know your story, and man oh man LIFTED has happened fast!! So excited about it.

You and Sara do a fantastic job running the show here.

Unknown said...

oooOOoooo congrats on 3 years! time does fly!

Wendy Toliver said...

Thanks so much, jpetroroy, Stephanie (I loved reading Sara Z's story and I'm excited for the rest!), Alyson (who was so sweet to give Lifted an AWESOME blurb that will be on its cover!), Cherie (I thought the bangles were so fun when I saw them and I'm excited to make someone happy with them), Sara Z. (who lives in UT like I do), and Eryn.

Aliya said...

YAFresh sent me! I love the Simon Pulse Ro-Coms and Miss Match sounds like a total win, will have to check it out soon ;)

Congrats on three years!

~Aliya

Becca said...

Congrats on three years and on Lifted - sounds great and I can't wait to read it.
=)

Wendy Toliver said...

Aliya, YAFresh is one of my most favorite blogs!If you do get around to reading Miss Match I hope you love it.
Becca, thank you sooooooo much!

Anonymous said...

Please enter me to win!
Thanks!

~Katie P.

Llehn said...

Congrats on a wonderful 3 years, Wendy!!

Erica said...

Congratulations on 3 years. That is so spectacular. I absolutely cannot wait for Lifted!

Wendy Toliver said...

Katie P, Llehn and Erica, thanks so much and yes, everyone (other than TFCers) who comments on this post between now and March 13 is entered for the cool bangles!

TinaFerraro said...

Congrats on three wonderful years!

Book Sp(l)ot said...

That is a pretty fantastic sounding three years you've had--congratulations!! I hope you have a lot more three years' like them :)

(going to your site now, too, to find out more about Lifted)

Bunny B said...

Congrats on 3 years! I loved The Secret Life of a Teenage Siren! It was fun! :)

Anonymous said...
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
Melissa Walker said...

Yay, Wendy! I cannot WAIT to read LIFTED!

Gerb said...

I can't believe it's been three years!! I remember reading Siren after I first met you and then Miss Match and now I can't wait for Lifted!

Laurena said...

You had a great three years. I've just learned about TFC, but it is great! Keep writing, I'd like to read more :) I love your work.

Kay Cassidy said...

So fun, Wendy! I remember that year in Dallas. It was such fun to see you all decked out. :-)

Shelli (srjohannes) said...

thanks for sharing your story :)

Lexie said...

:D that's my sister's favorite color right there!

Its great that you guys realized your releases were so near each other and made this blog!

Amanda Ashby said...

Awesome post Wendy! You've had so much going on in the last three years! I'm dying to get my grubby little hands on Lifted. It's going to be so fabulous and what a great way to start the next three year period!!!!

Wendy Toliver said...

Wow, you guys are so sweet! I have so many wonderful memories and they're all even better when I have good friends to share them with.

kristina shields said...

I love your books! You are a very interesting author to read. I can't wait to read your future books that you will write.

Wendy Toliver said...

Thanks so much, Kristina! Good luck winning the bangles! :)

Bidisha said...

Writing 'Lifted' just proved your versatility, Wendy!
The bangle is so prwetty :D

Anonymous said...

This is really cool guys. Three years is a long time! (but I'm sure you'll still be here for many more years to come!)

Lori T said...

Happy Anniversary!!

Lifted sounds really great and I am looking forward to reading it.

Unknown said...

like to be enter

hannah r0x yoUR soX! said...

HOW WEIRD!!
I picked up the Secret Life of a Teenage Siren only yesterday!
The weird part is I didn't even know of this contest until today. Well maybe it isn't so weird since everything is weird to me. Ha, well I'll just go... :)
Love, Hannah

Wendy Toliver said...

Wow, thanks you guys! :) You're all entered to win the bangles. The winner will be announced Monday March 15! Thanks for helping us celebrate our 3rd anniv!!!

Anna R said...

I can't believe how long we have known each other. These past three years have been incredible. You, my BFF, are incredible. LIFTED is going to be so well received. EVERYONE SHOULD READ IT- in book stores soon.
I shouldn't be entered in the contest since your Assistant shouldn't win. OK?
Love ya, anna