I'm on Tumblr!

If anyone has Tumblr, I have a blog there, too! It's the SAME info posted here just in a different location in case readers prefer Tumblr to Blogger. :)

Address: jessicaburkhart.tumblr.com

YouTube Contest!

While we wait for the publication of FAMOUS on June 11th, I think it's time for a CONTEST! :)

THE RULES:

You must be a US resident (So sorry international readers!) to win a prize
International readers CAN enter, but if you do win, you won't be able to receive your prize
There are no age restrictions
You must have a working e-mail address so I can get in touch with you if you win


WHAT TO DO:

Create a YouTube video that's 3 minutes or less about anything Canterwood! Get creative!

Upload it to your YouTube channel and e-mail me the LINK, NOT the video. I don't have room in my inbox! :)

Send the link to jess_burkhart AT hotmail DOT com

Put "YouTube Contest" in the subject of your e-mail

The deadline is May 5th, 2013.

That gives you one month! :) No entries will be accepted after that.

HOW THE WINNER WILL BE CHOSEN:

You don't need a fancy, expensive program to create a video. For PC users, you can use Windows Movie Maker, if you like, and it comes free with your computer. I'm sure MAC has a similar program.

Three winners will be chosen based on:

* Creativity. Some ideas: discuss your fave character and why, talk about your fave book, do a slideshow of book covers, shoot yourself with your horse and a copy of your fave CC book, create a trailer for one of the books . . . you can do anything! Just keep it 3 minutes or less!

* Following all the rules. Any entries that don't won't be accepted.

* Capturing the Canterwood spirit!

* I will choose the winner. The decision will be posted here on May 12th OR May 19th depending on how many entries I receive.

THE PRIZE, YOU ASK? 

Three winners will have their choice of ONE of the following:

A phone call from me

A Skype session with me

A signed copy of FAMOUS

A FEW MORE RULES:

You must put your first name and first initial of your last name in your e-mail with your video link along with your age. I'll post the video on my blog and credit it like "Amanda K. age 11"

I will TRY to post all videos on my blog after the winners have been announced so you all can see the awesomeness that I know will be created. :)

GOOD LUCK! Post any questions you have here and I'll get to them ASAP! If you could blog, Tweet, Facebook, etc. about the contest, I'd so appreciate it!

xoxo

Lauren blogged

Lauren found some time to blog, so go catch up with her! :)

http://laurentowers.blogspot.com

Wellington Prep update

I've been getting a lot of e-mails (thank you!!) about Wellington Prep. Since I can't respond to every e-mail because of my deadlines, I thought I'd try to answer all of your questions about the series here.

When is Wellington Prep coming out?

There is no set date at this time. Several factors are impacting the date including Kate's illness (it's more important to get her to drs who can figure out why she's sick) plus looking at a computer makes her nauseous. :( I'm also dealing with a tendon problem in my elbow and need surgery, but I'm pushing through to get my contracted books written.

But it IS coming, right?!

Yes! Promise! As soon as Kate and I know more, you'll be the first to know. We love you all for being so patient.

Is it an e-book only?

Yes. No print copies will be made as Kate and I are co-writing and publishing the series ourselves.

Can't you (Jess) write it yourself?

No way! :) This is a collaboration with my best friend. It's together or nothing. I'd never write it without her.  

Again, thank you ALL for being interested in our work! We cannot wait to bring Wellington Prep to you and we're very excited about the idea and talk of it often!

Finally!! 1 Big Announcement Revealed!

Hi, all!

I've been promising an announcement for some time and TODAY'S THE DAY! I absolutely can't hold it in any longer. :) I wanted to do it via vlog, but I have a cold and sound like Snuffleupagus! LOL. So I'll do my very best to convey my CRAZY excitement via blog!

I've been holding onto this news for months and oh, my, it has been SO hard not to spill!! Only a handful of close friends know and I'm thrilled to finally be able to tell everyone else.

So . . . back in December, I signed a new book contract!!

Actually, a 4-book series contract with my ever-so-amazing publisher, Simon & Schuster.

The series, currently untitled, is a chapter book series for kids ages 6-9 (roughly) and it is my first EVER time writing fantasy!

What kind of fantasy? How about one centered around unicorns? :) It felt like such a natural step to take after Canterwood and it has been So. Much. Fun. I've written the first book and had a blast doing so. The series will be edited by the awesome Alyson Heller at Aladdin. I'm thankful to Fiona Simpson for her interest and notes early on. Also, huge thanks to Kate Angelella for helping talk this project through and flesh out concepts.

Alyson is just as excited as I am about all things magic, unicorn-related, and did I mention, princess-y?

The main character is a princess and writing as a princess made me want to move to a castle, LOL.

 The entire world is superfun and magical! I can't wait to share it with you!

Of course, not everything in the books are sparkly and happy. Evil creatures, including some baaad unicorns roam the lands.

Ultimately, the series is about a girl and her unicorn--her best friend. They're about to embark on some amazing adventures together.

The first two books in the series have a tentative publication date of summer 2014.

Yaaaaaay, unicorns!!! :D I'm so, SO glad I finally got to share and hope you're as excited as I am.

For those of you who might remember me stating that I have multiple announcements--that's still true! I can't say anything about the other surprise yet, but I will the second I'm able! It's thrilling in a completely new way. :)

I've been collecting unicorn stuff since I made the book deal and I'll be sure to snap pix and post them on Facebook and Twitter of what I've got. If YOU have anything unicorn related, I want to see it!

Happy weekend, all!

xoxo