2016 Wrap-Up

December 28, 2016 by Christina June ♥ 0 Leave a Comment

Well, we’ve made it to the end of 2016.

Maybe not quite in the same shape as when we started the year, but if you’re reading this, you’ve survived.

As we put 2016 to bed, I thought I’d share some of the things that were good in my world this year.

1. I sold a second book! It was a dream come true to see one book become real, but to be given the chance to do it again is overwhelming.
2. I went to Las Vegas for the first time and celebrated 10 years of marriage.
3. I retreated with some inspiring authors in the fall.

4. I gave my first professional (not writing related) conference presentation.
5. I held my words in my hands–it’s almost a real book!

I was also very entertained by the following books:

1. Girl Mans Up by M-E Girard
2. My Sister Rosa by Justine Larbalestier
3. Great Small Things by Jodi Picoult
4. Big Little Lies by Liane Moriarty
5. Exit, Pursued By A Bear by E.K. Johnston
6. Wild Swans by Jessica Spotswood
7. Defending Taylor by Miranda Kenneally
8. Frannie & Tru by Karen Hattrup
9. Liars And Losers Like Us by Ami Allen-Vath
10. Unhooked by Lisa Maxwell

2017 debuts to look forward to (these are the ones I’ve been privileged to read already):

1. Kissing Max Holden by Katy Upperman
2. It’s Not Like It’s A Secret by Misa Suguira
3. The Love Interest by Cale Dietrich
4. The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas
5. After The Fall by Kate Hart
6. How To Break A Boy by Laurie Devore
7. In 27 Days by Alison Gervais
8. Allegedly by Tiffany D. Jackson
9. The Girl With The Red Balloon by Katherine Locke

I’ll share more 2017 debuts as I make my way through them.

Favorite movies this year: Moana, Ghostbusters, Sing Street, Love & Friendship, The Edge of Seventeen, How To Be Single, and Rogue One.

Things to look forward to in 2017:

1. I feel like this goes without saying, but May 9, 2017 is going to be a pretty momentous day. My debut novel IT STARTED WITH GOODBYE will officially be published and available for public consumption.
2. My launch party will be May 13, 2017 at One More Page in Arlington, VA–I’d love to see you there!
3. I’m signing copies of my ARC at the American Library Association’ Midwinter Conference AND I’m on a panel with some fabulous authors.

4. I’m appearing at YABBAFest in Warrenton, VA in October.
5. I’ve got a few more signings/readings ideas in the works, so stay tuned.

Whether you’re celebrating this time of year or not, I hope you’re ushering in the new year with loved ones and doing something that brings you joy.

Interested in preordering my book? Here’s all the info. AND! There’s a bonus chapter in it for you.

Feel like asking your library to add my book to their collection? Here’s how.

This post was originally sent to my newsletter subscribers. Miss a previous newsletter? Catch up HERE.

Preordering IT STARTED WITH GOODBYE

July 14, 2016January 5, 2017 by Christina June ♥ 8 Comments

Did you know you can preorder IT STARTED WITH GOODBYE and have it delivered right to your mailbox on release day? Scroll down and find out how.

On sale at bookstores everywhere 5-9-17

Preorder Here:

One More Page Books (signed copy!)

Barnes & Noble

Target

Walmart

Amazon

Kobo

Book Depository

Indigo

Book Summary:

Sixteen-year-old Tatum Elsea is bracing for the worst summer of her life. After being falsely accused of a crime, she’s stuck under stepmother-imposed house arrest and her BFF’s gone ghost. Tatum fills her newfound free time with community service by day and working at her covert graphic design business at night (which includes trading emails with a cute cello-playing client). When Tatum discovers she’s not the only one in the house keeping secrets, she finds she has the chance to make amends with her family and friends. Equipped with a new perspective, and assisted by her feisty step-abuela-slash-fairy-godmother, Tatum is ready to start fresh and maybe even get her happy ending along the way.

A modern play on the Cinderella story arc, Christina June’s IT STARTED WITH GOODBYE shows us that sometimes going after what you want means breaking the rules.

Check out the book on Goodreads.

Anyone who is so kind to preorder can send me a picture of your receipt and I’ll add you to my super secret list to receive bonus content. Hit me up here: Contact

Other fun stuff coming down the road:

a graphic design contest! Want to be like Tatum and create a band poster? Blink is generously hosting a a little competition and I can’t wait to see what you come up with. Watch this space for more info.
a playlist of the songs Tatum listens to in the book, as well as what I listened to while writing ISWG.
a local launch party! I’m already starting to think about what kind of cupcakes we’ll have, so if you’re in the DC metro area (or feel like taking a road trip), stay tuned for the details.

For more information, visit BlinkYABooks.com.

Save

In a Year….

May 10, 2016 by Christina June ♥ 6 Comments

….my book will be available. In a year, the words I have worked on since December 2013 will be released for public consumption. Sometimes people say that once a book is published, it no longer belongs to the author, but instead to the reader. That is, of course, the goal, but it doesn’t make it any less terrifying.

My editor and I are starting to have conversations about promotion and book events, about my launch party (!!!) and bonus content. We’re discussing preorders and buy links and all the things that happen as a publisher prepares to turn that word document into a book you can buy and hold in your hand.

A lot can happen in a year

Looking back on where I was a year ago, a lot has definitely changed. I was on submission and was feeling like this book just wasn’t going to find a home. I was working on a new book I loved and trying to convince myself that second books have a better track record with sales….no idea if that’s true, but it sounded good at the time.

And then, the book sold! After a really long time, the very wise “it only takes one” came true.

With one year to prepare and make sure everything is just right, I know there will be many more things to learn. More changes are coming. But I’m ready. I think.

Only 365 days to go!

BEA – what to do in NYC

May 9, 2015February 21, 2017 by Christina June ♥ 1 Comment

Though I’m not going this year, here are some of the things I love to do when visiting New York if you’re in the midst of planning your trip to BEA, otherwise known as book heaven.

Eating!

I’m a food enthusiast. I’ve planned whole vacations around places to eat. NYC is one of the best places to try new and exciting things to eat, both cheap and spendy. My go-to place to find eats? Eater. There’s a list of links on the right side that will take you to the best places for dinner, for drinks, for brunch, etc. and keep you up to date on what’s new and popular. And they have a great app.

My thoughts on where to eat in NYC

Sightseeing!

If you’ve never been to New York, the touristy destinations are a must. The Statue of Liberty, Ellis Island, The Empire State Building, Central Park, etc. are amazing if you can schedule them in to your visit.

Some of my other favorites:

The Museum of Modern Art – I don’t always understand it but modern art museums are always fun for me. I love trying to figure out what the artist was trying to say. The MOMA is pretty awesome and offers free admission from 4-8 pm on Fridays.

The Metropolitan Museum of Art – a perennial favorite. They have literally something for everyone. I love the Arms & Armor collection.

Tenement Museum – choose a “path” of an immigrant family and learn about how they lived. Completely fascinating. Probably not for small kids or impatient adults.

Walking & Exploring

One of my very favorite things to do in cities is just walk around, take in the sites and architecture, and people watch. NYC is one of the best places to do this. You can go on your own or take part in one of many organized, themed walking tours.

Scott’s Pizza Tours – hubs and I did one several years ago and found Scott to be an epically funny tour guide. And bonus, you get to eat the pizza.

Neighborhoods/Places to Walk – Little Italy, Chinatown, Times’ Square, Chelsea, The Highline, Lower East Side, Central Park

Broadway!

I’m a theater girl, always have been. Seeing a show on Broadway, for me, is a quintessential New York experience. My BEA companions and I have our tickets purchased already and I’m ridiculously excited. You can check out a full listing of what’s on via Playbill and purchase tickets through the links provided there, or try a discount site.

Broadway Box

Theater Mania

You can also visit the TKTS booth in one of their 3 locations to snag some great deals on day-of tickets. Be prepared for lines though.

These are only a very small sampling of things to do when you’re not at BEA – please feel free to add your own favorites in the comments!