Simone Elkeles's Blog, page 2
October 4, 2012
5 Chances to Win a Copy of Chain Reaction with the New Cover!
Okay, so even though I’ve been completely swamped with writing the first book in my new series, (sneak peak details ) I don’t want to forget to tell you that the Chain Reaction Paperback is going to be released THIS MONTH! On October 30, you will be able to purchase paperback copies of Chain Reaction with this incredible new cover.
That picture of Gabriel Chavarria and Krislian Rodriguez is directly from the . When my publisher told me they wanted to use Gabriel and Krislian on the cover of the Chain Reaction paperback, I was THRILLED! Filming the book trailer for Chain Reaction was an amazing experience! (If you don’t believe me, you can check out the outtakes and after party videos on my .) Now, every time I see the new Chain Reaction cover, it brings back great memories from our day of shooting.
In honor of the release of the new cover, I’m doing a 5 BOOK GIVEAWAY that starts right�.NOW! For the next 24 hours, you have 5 ways to win an autographed copy of Chain Reaction with the NEW COVER:
1) Blog: Leave a comment on this post about why you love the Fuentes brothers! (Don’t worry if your comment doesn’t show up right away, I have to approve them.)
2) : Tag me in a post or picture on your own page. (I know I’m at the 5,000 person friend limit, so if you aren’t my “friend� on this page, don’t worry, there are still 4 other ways to win!)
3) : Post a comment on the pageabout why you love the Fuentes brothers!
4) : Post a comment on the pageabout why you love the Fuentes brothers!
5) : Tweet #WinChainReaction
One lucky winner from each listed above will be announced tomorrow (Friday, October 5, 2012 at 8:00 AM Central). GOOD LUCK!
As always, thanks for your support!
~Simone
ADDED 10/5/12: WINNERS HAVE BEEN CHOSEN!
Thank you SO MUCH to everyone who participated in this contest! It’s always amazing and surreal to see my fans supporting me! Thank you!
To take the pressure off, I used a to choose the winners for me�
BLOG: Sonia Pope
FACEBOOK PERSONAL PAGE: Mily González Alpízar
FACEBOOK FAN PAGE: Maria Perez-Chavez
PERFECT CHEMISTRY FACEBOOK PAGE: Melody Cora Fong
TWITTER: Rachel Silberman
To claim your prize, please email my assistant [email protected]. Thanks again to everyone who entered!
~Simone
September 14, 2012
A look back: Judy Blume and me…BFF’s at the American Library Association Conference
My experience at the American Library Association’s national conference in Washington, DC. June 23-25, 2007.
So we’re meeting very cool librarians at a private cocktail party in Washington, DC (it WAS the American Library Association conference) and in walks none other than JUDY BLUME. Yes, the Judy Blume. This woman taught me about sex, relationships, how to be a brat, how to increase my bust (which she said, and I quote Judy directly, “Doesn’t work.� –but I insist it did for me!), among other important things and I’d never even met the woman.
I told Shannon, “We have to go over to her.”� She agreed, but we were skeptical. Were we supposed to leave Judy Blume and her husband alone, not stalk them at the Penguin cocktail party? Or was she there to mingle with librarians and ogling authors of teen fiction (especially the two unsuspecting ones staring at her from the corner of the room)? After the initial entourage around her parted and she walked toward the cheese and bread buffet table, we moved in. If it didn’t feel right, we were going to pretend we just wanted some cheddar and Gouda. What we really wanted was to meet our idol and take a picture with her.
Side note: She was wearing a dark pants suit and her hair was stylish and curly. She didn’t pile on the makeup, and her husband has white hair and was really handsome. Judy must weigh a hundred pounds soaking wet, she’s probably five feet four or less.
She was talking with a group of people and we made eye contact. Yes, Judy Blume and I made eye contact! Then she smiled at me and Shannon and I knew. In my heart and soul I knew we would be talking to her. She was approachable! Not that she had to be, she could play the role of diva because she deserves the title just from writing such amazing books-the only books I liked to read as a teen! I saw her attempt to walk over to us, the two women smiling uncontrollably at her. Another group of smiling women intercepted her. And then some important official person came and said something to her quietly. I thought she would have to leave the party and be whisked away and into her sparkling, magical carriage before she would be able to meet me and Shannon.
But, alas, that was not to happen. Judy HAD to meet us. It was fate, kismet, b’shert. She turned to Shannon and me and said with a huge smile as big as ours, “Hi!�. My brain fainted, thank God I didn’t because I weigh double Judy Blume soaking wet and would have probably killed the woman if I fell on her. Shannon stood there shaking while I said with a huge toothy smile not fading, “We write teen novels too!”� I don’t remember what awesome thing she replied, but it was amazing. And then she said she’s passing the torch, or something like that where now it’s our turn. And then I said, “You’re bigger than…� I wanted to say God, but God does have one up on Judy Blume. So I thought of who is right under God and I said it. I told Judy Blume, “You’re bigger than…Oprah!”� She laughed hard and then we asked if we could take a picture with her and then she took my camera (which I’m never washing ever again…not like I did in the first place) and handed it to her husband and Judy (not that we’re on a first name basis, but I can dream can’t I?) told us he’s a great photographer because he’s used to it. I remember when the photographer came to talk to our writing group he said to do “the turtle� so your double-chin doesn’t show and I remembered to do it even though my brain was mush. When we put our arms around Judy she said to my friend Shannon, “You’re shaking!”� I, of course, was too worried about doing “the turtle� so my extra chin blubber wouldn’t show in the once-in-a-lifetime picture to shake. Mr. Blume?? took the picture (which I hope will accompany this article) and then I think I fainted. Okay, I really didn’t faint. But I have no recollection of the rest of the night. Did I put the camera in a safety deposit box? No, but I was tempted to.
Meeting Judy Blume was an experience I’ll never forget. What authors have you met that you were excited about? Anyone have any embarrassing experiences to share?
August 21, 2012
First Blog Post: Thank You from Me to You!
So, here’s the deal. (that’s my go to phrase�) I decided that it’s finally time for me to have a blog and this is my first blog post! Yay!
Before I could even start the blog, I spent a long time coming up with names for it. I want something more interesting than “Simone’s Blog.� I really wanted to call it “Simone’s Shit� but �. eh. If you have any suggestions for what I should call it, post it in the comments!
So, I started writing over ten years ago and even though I had this wild and crazy dream that I would someday become aNew York Timesbestseller, I never actually thought it would happen, but it has! It’s happened more than once which is amazingly awesome. At some point a few years ago, I had a total, “Wow. I can’t believe THIS is my life!� moment. Now, I’m living a dream.
Salon du Livre in Paris - Thanks, Geraldine, for submitting this!
You might think that writing or winning awards and getting to travel are my favorite perks of being a published author, but they aren’t. Nope. My favorite part of being a published author is getting to ! That’s right, if it weren’t for my fans and all the support they give me, I wouldn’t be able to do what I do.
Listen…meeting and talking to my fans have been some of the most rewarding and emotional times of my life. I had one fan email me and tell me that if it weren’t for , she would still be cutting herself. I’ve had fans in gangs tell me that Alex’s story is the reason they decided to get out of their gang. No matter how many times it happens, each time is the most amazing, surreal experience. When I started writing, I just wanted to tell a story. I didn’t set out to change lives, but I can’t tell you how humbled I am that these things have happened.
Texas Library Association Author Dinner - submitted by Denise Bassham
More than anything now, I just want to give back to my amazing fans that have changed my life.
A few months ago, I got a Facebook message from a huge fan of mine, Amber Moosvi. I was heartbroken to hear that she has Glioblastoma multiforme, an aggressive form of brain cancer. Amber happens to be doing her chemo treatments near Chicago, so I was able to visit her during one of her treatments. It meant so much to me to get to spend time with her, that I decided to fly in Alexander F. Rodriguez and Giancarlo Vidrio (Alex and Carlos from my ) to spend some time with Amber as well. We went to Amber’s chemo treatment and then to a benefit concert for her. Then, we all hung out at my lake house for the weekend. Amber is just so special.
Amber and I at chemo
I know that Amber isn’t the only one of my fans going through a terrible time right now. I wish I could reach out and help all of you, because your support for my books means the world to me. I don’t know what I would do without all of you. I get messages from fans every day telling me “thank you� for writing my books, but really, this is my THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU from me to you from the bottom of my heart!
Thank you for buying my books and spending part of your precious life reading my stories. Our time on earth is limited � that you chose to spend yours reading my stories is surreal and amazing. Every other Wednesday, I will be blogging, so make sure to check back.
Submitted by Christine Angel Guiao
Austin Teen Book Festival with Ashly Ferguson
Submitted by Allison Richmond
Chicago Spring Fling 2012 with Cindy Marin (left)
With Ruth Setton at RWA in Anaheim
Submitted by Sarah Bielec
With Monica Mattson in Stillwater, MN
With Margie Longoria - LOVE that Alex Fuentes t-shirt!
Submitted by Tori Gotwald
Submitted by June Sproat
Submitted by Christine Guiao
