I think it's prize time!! :D

I think it's time to kick off December's ahhh-mazing giveaway a little early! What do you think??

To start off an awesome line up of prizes, I'm giving away a copy of THE SHAPE SHIFTER'S CURSE, the second book in the Magic Repair Shop series by my friend Amanda Marrone. It's edited by Editor K, so you KNOW it's good. :) I'm excited to start giving fun things to Team Canterwood!

To enter, leave a comment here, on my LiveJournal or in both places. You have until Saturday, December 4 at midnight EST to enter. I only ship to US addresses. All comments have to be screened, so yours won't appear until I read it. You must leave me a way to contact you and you'll get your prize 3-4 week after we get in touch, but likely sooner.

I'm excited to start giving fun things to Team Canterwood!

You'll get an extra entry in the contest, btw, if you blog about it, post a note on your Facebook, Tweet about the contest, etc. Just leave me a link in your comment.

Good luck and enter right now to win this superfun book!

xoxo

PS--I owe signed books to at least 3 people who have been incredibly patient. They are going in the mail this week. I promise! Thank you for understanding!

Aweome banner from Ally!

I heart this sooo much! Thank you, Ally!

Keep them coming, guys! I love posting your work and giving Team Canterwood a chance to sparkle on my blog. :)

xoox

Writers, need query letter help?

I've got time now with my Canterwood schedule to start freelance editing queries again! I done MANY and have tons of happy clients. It doesn't matter if you're a teen, author, or tween, if you've got a project that you need query letter help with--let me know. I hooked my first agent at 19 and can help turn your query into something awesome or start from scratch and put together something that matches your book. I'm also doing freelance editing, depending on the project and my schedule, so you may also email about that.

If you're interested in my rates, send me an email at jess _ burkhart AT hotmail DOT com.

If anyone wants to Tweet or repost this, it's much appreciated and feel free! :)

Killer UC banner from CowGrl

Thank you CowGrl! Looove it!

Congratulations, Kate and Ross!

I'm suuuperlate in posting this but a zillion things are going on, including moving (K and R), writing CHOSEN, doctor appointments, etc.

BUT

Kate and Ross sold their 2 book series to Sourcebooks this week!

I was lucky enough to witness the entire process from first word to sending it off to their agent. I couldn't be more proud and thrilled to see their book on shelves in spring 2012.

Want to keep track of them?

Kate's Website is so fun

Ross' (some adult content, FYI, tween readers) links you to some of his best work

Kate's Twitter accounts for Editor K and Kate are must-follows as is Ross'.

They just started a joint Twitter for their book and a Website will be coming soon.

Yay to both! Sooo excited! <3

Moving in 4 days...like, whoa

Well, after a crazy encounter with a psychotic neighbor at K and R's apartment, we're moving. It's going to be fast--we'll be out in 4 days so it's going to be CRAZY.

We've all got a ton of work to do, K doesn't feel well and it's stressful but exciting because they'll be moving a street away from my apartment. I've been living with K and R for a few months while K recovers, so I'm moving too. I'm beyond thrilled that they'll be closer and the apartment is gorgeous!!

Back to writing and hope you're all having a good Black Friday! Tell me what you're getting! :)

Happy Thanksgiving!

by Shannon--love it!

Thank you, Jenna!

Two awesome banners from another Jenna! :)

What's everyone up to on the holiday? I hope you're spending time with friends or loved ones.

I started the morning by catching the last bit of the parade after sleeping in.

Today's second BK Turkey Day is going to play out something like this:

* Marathon of Supernatural

* Working on Chosen

* Cozy on the couch under blankets with tea and candles

* Reading PLL

Tonight's dinner, since K can't eat turkey, is Mexican! We're doing taco bowls (aka taco salads) and we're all very excited for our non-traditional meal.

Happy Turkey Day!

xoxo

More fun Canterwood banners of awesome!

Supersparkly banner from Aishah!

Soo pretty from Hannah!!

Super scandalous from Jessica!!



Looove this banner by Larah!

Happy Thanksgiving, Team Canterwood! Much love to you all! xoxo

Another Canterwood banner!

Isn't this gorge?! The supertalented Olivia created this and I looove it! Thank you, O!

Keep sending me banners if you'd like them posted on my blog. I love sharing your creativity and amazing artwork.

The agent hunt

It's such a weird thing being back on the agent hunt. It's been over a year and a half since I parted ways with First Agent and I decided this September that I was ready to find an agent for the YA proposal and ideas I have ready to write. :)

It's a waiting game now (welcome to publishing!) and it's in the apprehensive/scary zone of "will I any agent want my YA?". Sure, I've got Canterwood, but my YA is very different--it's dark, in verse and has difficult subject matter in places. The proposal is my passion project.

Any YA will go under my real name--Jessica Ashley--which is exciting.

Back to Canterwood! Chosen is due soon. *deadline panic*

Amazing Canterwood banner!

Thank you, Showgal!! I loove this! If you make a CC banner, email it to me or post it on this thread and I'll put them on my blog. <3s to Team Canterwood!

Holiday fun all next month!

Schedule permitting (I've got CHOSEN due--and it's a super special so it's obvi SUPER important), I'm going to have LOTS of fun things for Team Canterwood on the blog, likely starting in mid-December. Hopefully, sooner, though.

There will be some give aways, fave book reviews, vlogs and other sparkly things!

Stay tuned! :)

Review by students writing for The Chase Courant

I love it when readers review Canterwood! I was lucky enough for Casey S. to post an incredibly nice review that you can check out here. Thank you so much, Casey!

I spent most of today sleeping--catching up after the all-nighter I think--and got a mani/pedi with Kate.

Tomorrow, I'll be writing all day as I will through the holiday and next week. CHOSEN is such a fun, sparkly book and I'm loving it!

Again, thank you all for reading SCANDALS and letting me know your thoughts! You guys are the reason Canterwood went from 4 books (that's where the series was originally going to end!) to sixteen. Many hearts!

Happy weekend!

Thank you, Patton Middle School!

Just finished the most amazing Skype classroom with Mr. Brian Kelley's eighth grade class! I spoke for about half an hour and the kids asked questions for the next 15 minutes. Mr. Kelley had to cut off their questions to get them to the next class. They were thoughtful, listened so well and had tons of great questions.

Thank you, Patton Middle School in Kennett Square, PA, for hosting me! I hope to visit you again one day!

If you'd like to set up a visit via Skype visit www.jessicaburkhart.com and check out my contact page. You'll find all the info you need to get started.

Happy Friday!

What're you doing for Thanksgiving?

This week has been buuussy. BFF has been sick, I had a doctor appointment and have been doing a few Skype classroom visits. I'm still scheduling them with schools and book club, so if you want me to Skype with your school, have your teacher email me at jess_burkhart AT hotmail DOT com for details. I've meant so many members of Team Canterwood this week--it's been a blast! :)

So glad you all have been enjoying SCANDALS. Now, I'm totally focused on January and am waiting until UNFRIENDLY COMPETITION comes out on the 4th. It'll be a new year and time to let go of Sasha, in a way, and focus on the new lead character.

Okay, I've got to write 10-15 pages today to stay on schedule. Wish me luck! I haven't opened the blog to comments in FOREVER because of past problems, so I'm going to open this post for you all to chat, if you like. I have to approve/reject comments so they won't show up until I read them.

**Spoilers will be deleted!**

My question for you: What are you doing for Thanksgiving?

I'm having dinner with BFF and Ross.

Answer away--I want to know!

xoxo

Team Canterwood, I heart you!

You guys are buying out copies of SCANDALS like crazy! It's so, so sweet and rewarding as a writer that you all have stuck with me through 11 books. It means so much and I hope you like what you've read or will read soon.

If you want any signed books to get back to you (S&S mailroom permitting--no guarantees, sorry!) for Christmas, check out www.jessicaburkhart.com and view the "contact" page. Follow the instructions for sending me your book or books to sign. Sparkly pen and all! :)

Next week is gonna be busy!

This weekend, I'm in The Cave. You know, the 24/7 writing cave. As long as my arm holds out, with the help of medication, I'm working my way through CHOSEN. And man, it's FUN. I think, well, hope, it's going to be a great book and the voice is very different as are the horses, boys, characters and drama!

Next week, I've got 2 Skype classroom visits. If you want me to visit your classroom, have your teacher contact me. I'd love to "meet" you! :)

Back to work--got an orange cat and a sick :( BFF next to me. What's everyone else up to?

SCANDALS releases early!

Yaaay! It's shipping from Barnes and Noble, Amazon and other bookstores. I'm so excited for Team Canterwood to read this book--I hope you all like it! :)

Oh, and guess what? I saw the other 3 *brand new* covers for the rest of the books and they are So. Good.

OMG.

Wait till you see--I'm dying to show them and will as soon as I can. They're superstunning and I heart Jess H for making them so fab! <3

Back to CHOSEN--it needs serious marathon style work. I think the Starbucks Double Shot and the endless supply of black tea will be a good start. :)

Let me know when you get SCANDALS!

Happy birthday, Kate!

Happy birthday, Kate!

Thank you sooo much, Team Canterwood, for your birthday emails! I gave Kate her present this morning in a Zac Efron folder (just like how Sasha described Jacob for the first time) and she looooved it. She even took it to work to show all of her co-workers what you'd written. You guys are the best and it's making her birthday more sparkly with each letter she reads.

And since we're on the topic of her awesome books, I'm reading K's copy of Kekla Magoon's CAMO GIRL next (out Jan '11) and from everything she's told me, it's going to be fantastic. It even got a mention in Publishers Weekly!

Halloween pics!

Better late than, you know, never!

Here are a few pics from Halloween! I was sick (blerg!), but Kate (also under the weather) managed to turn me into a cute kitty. She and R dressed as the Salahis from The Real Housewives of DC. Super cute!

What did you dress as?

Thank you, all!

Thank you so much to everyone who helped participate in the super secret project! I'll email the winners this week, so check your inbox by Friday to see if you've won a signed copy of SRL.

And who's counting down with me to the release of it?? I sure am! I can't wait! This was one of the most fun books to write in the entire series and I hope you'll all love it!

Tomorrow's going to be superbusy--I've got a lot of work to do on CHOSEN. Gotta live up to that gorge cover. :)

Scandals, Rumors, Lies chapter one!

Team Canterwood member of awesome Sophie was the first to spot that chapter one of SCANDALS, RUMORS, LIES is up on Simon & Schuster's Website!! Major yaaay! Thank you, Sophie!

Here you go and I hope you enjoy! :)

Chapter 1

1 DECISIONS, DECISIONS

ONE BOX TO GO.

I kneeled in front of a cardboard box that I'd shoved in the corner of Brit's—well, our—room. It was the only box left to open after I'd moved into Orchard Hall two weeks ago. I stared at the scissors in my hand, clenching them and waiting for the chest crush to come when I thought about how I'd moved out of my old room. The space I'd shared with my ex(?)–best friend and roommate, Paige Parker.

But, instead, the sadness was only a twinge. Fourteen days wasn't enough for us to even begin to reevaluate our friendship, but it was enough to allow me to realize that I liked living with Brit.

And I was ready to unpack the last box and make this room completely mine, too.

I slid the scissors along the tape at the top of the box and pulled out summer clothes that I hadn't needed to unpack right away since it was mid-October. The tank tops, shorts, and T-shirts fit into the top drawer that Brit had cleared out for me in our dark wooden dresser. I slid the drawer closed and stood back, hands on my hips, surveying the room as mine for the first time since I'd moved in.

The room was bigger than my old one and had glossy hardwood floors, a whiteboard with notes written in neon-colored markers, and soft cream-colored eyelet curtains that swayed gently in the breeze through the slightly open windows. Above the window panes, Brit had twinkly star-shaped lights that made the coziest shadows at night. My feet sank into the pink plush carpet and I sat down on my desk chair.

A key turned in the doorknob and Brit, carrying a FedEx box, stepped inside. She looked every inch runway-ready in her tall black boots with skinny jeans tucked into them and a ribbed, plum-colored V-neck sweater. She may have looked it, but Brit wasn't from New York City like many of the students at Canterwood Crest—she was a small-town girl like me. A fact that had definitely fast-tracked our bond.

"Hey, Sash," she said. Her smile brightened her almond-shaped eyes when she looked at me. Her glossy, long black hair was in a side braid.

"Hey, looks like you got the box you were waiting for," I said.

"Yep!" Brit put the box on the floor, nodding. "My parents got us Halloween decorations for our room. Stephanie had them in her office and I almost ripped the box out of her hands."

I laughed, pulling my light brown hair into a loose ponytail. "Halloween is our favorite holiday."

"And hello—it's in two weeks!" Brit brushed her bangs out of her eyes. "Since it is a Sunday and all of our homework is done, want to decorate?"

"Hmmm …" I pretended to think about it. "Yes!"

Brit and I kneeled on the floor beside the box and she sliced it open. She pulled out a layer of black and orange tissue paper. Plastic spider confetti sprinkled onto the carpet and we giggled. A note was under the layer of paper.

Brit—Happy Halloween! Dad and I hope you and your new roommate like the decorations. We miss you! Xoxo, Mom and Dad

"Let's see what we've got," Brit said. She reached into the box and started handing me items. There was a giant cardboard cutout skeleton to hang on our door, a set of plastic tombstones with funny names like "Barry A. Live," "Reed N. Weep," and "Otta B. Alive." There were two pairs of fake wax fangs and a giant bagful of mixed gum and candy bars. I wanted to dive into the orange M&M's immediately.

Brit handed me a giant rubber spider with an orange sticker that said SQUEEZE ME! on its stomach. I did, making it squeak. Brit and I laughed. I looked at the spider, unable to either stop the flashbacks to last Halloween or stop thinking about how different things were now. Last year, Callie, my ex-BFF, and I had been dressing miniature horses up in costumes for a charity auction. Paige, my other BFF, and I had spent days leading up to Halloween watching funny-slash-scaryish (read: no blood!) Halloween movies and eating a ton of candy corn. This year, well, Callie hadn't been a part of my life for a while and that had been painful enough. But now, with the possibility of losing Paige completely, there were moments when I didn't know what to do. But having Brit definitely made things easier.

"Sash, isn't this cool?" Brit handed me a sheet of vinyl window decals. They had jack-o'-lanterns with different faces—some creepy, some silly—plus bats, ghosts, black cats, and a few stars.

"These are so fun. They're going to look great."

Brit got up and plugged in a pumpkin that looked real. She pushed a button on the cord and a warm glow came out of its eyes, mouth, and nose. It looked perfect on our small end table.

"Love it," I said. "I'm going to start the window clings."

I took a sheet from Brit and pulled up the blinds, letting sunshine filter through the glass. Standing back, I stared at the window, deciding where to place each cling. This was obviously very serious. A laughing ghost fit at the corner of the window, angled and looking just right.

Brit and I spent another hour arranging the decorations exactly as we wanted them. We laughed and chatted the entire time as if we'd been BFFs our whole lives. Some days, I'd questioned the decision to move out of my room with Paige and there had been nights that I'd been awake for hours wondering if I'd made the right decision. But now, looking over at Brit and feeling comfortable and stress-free in my own space, I knew I'd made the right decision.

"And I think we're done," Brit said. She stepped back and surveyed the room, hands on her hips.

"I think you're right!"

The room was spectacularly spooky with orange, black, and silver in every corner.

I stood, a slight chill making me shiver, and thought about how different this Halloween was going to be from last year.

© 2010 Jessica Burkhart

10 days until SCANDALS! :)

10 more days till SCANDALS comes out! Yaaay! Superbusy plotting CHOSEN and doing personal stuff, but I'm going to be stalking bookstores when SCANDALS comes out. :) Some of your stores may already have it since a lot of stores release it early. It's craaaazy to think about CC #11 being out there soon. I Tweeted a pic of my copies and you can see the front and back. Very exciting!

A million hugs to all who have been helping me with my special super secret project. I'm overwhelmed with gratitude and touched by your kindness and support. You're all amazing and generous. Many hearts! I'll update you all about how it goes when I present Editor K with her present from Team Canterwood.

I hope you all have a great weekend.

xoxo