I Got ARCs! (video blog)September 12, 2009

Also known as advance reader's copies, or uncorrected proofs, or galleys, these are the marketing tools that publishers send out in to the world for review. Some are plain, some are fancy. Mine is the prettiest one I've ever seen, ever, and I worked in a bookstore for a long time, and I've seen plenty of 'em.

Yowzer.

My baby. It is being shipped. All over. It is suddenly very real, and I have a Stomachache Of Doom. (Will they know that it likes to go to bed early and its favorite is salted caramel ice cream? WILL THEY? I don't think so!)

I also have the Excitement of OMG, caught on tape here. Now, many of you have never met me in person. I recently talked on the phone to Grace in Canada and she was surprised by my voice (hi, Grace!) and that made me wonder what y'all think I sound like. Watching myself on this video, I realize *I* have never met myself in person, and I am a big doofus goofball, especially when I'm acting up in front of a camera (I talk like a grownup sometimes, I swear). Wow.

But this was a really important moment and I wish I could have invited every single person who made this moment possible over to my house to see this momentous opening of the ARC box (MY NAME AND ISBN WAS ON THE CARDBOARD BOX), and that includes you, my darling reader. So please, indulge my goofiness. (And yes. It was 7pm, and I'd been up since 4am, and I really did feel that powdering my nose was absolutely essential before I opened the box.)

It's a real book. Really, really real. It's gorgeous.(Also, wild, mad thanks to Amanda Bergeron at HarperCollins, my editor's assistant who delivered these to me next-day air. She didn't have to. She was better than Zappo's. She made my dreams come true, even faster than imagined, as a surprise. She's awesome.)

Comments

[swellmom]

For years I have enjoyed your "knitting" blog. You are a talented writer. And now you have a book! It has been a blast to share this journey with you. Thanks for the video. As an old, but unkown friend, I'm happy I was able to "be there".

[Joan in Reno]

How wonderful!! I can't wait to read it. You were beautiful in the video. Now we can't wait to see it on the best seller lists.

[Jody]

Congratulations!!! What a teary moment - I'm so excited for you & can't wait to read your book.

[Daisy-Winifred]

Late to the party as always but so happy for you, hey latecomers at least make the party carry on longer! Well done both of you for not jumping up and down, I think you were both rather cool dudes with just that hint of euphoria sneaking out...bet it was fun after the bottle got opened:0)
Voices, well you sound much like the message on your phonejust more sexy:0) Loved the fact that Lala was more interested in your picture on the cover than the cover, true love in deed. Hard work perserverence and love all got you to this point. May the love grow ever stronger, as to the hard work and perserverence kind of suspect you have that well in order, take care...space peace and deep breaths are good too. Much love.

[Carrie]

oh Rach, best video EVAR, and OMG OMG HOORAY! your book looks so awesome. (and so does your hair.)

[jodi]

Honey! I can't believe I didn't see this until Wednesday. Congratulations! And you have a totally sexy voice, my dear.

[beverly]

I have no sound on my computer, but I got all teary watching you. Congratulations!! I'm sooooo excited for you!!

[Sarah]

Oh my goodness, how cute are you?!

Congratulations (um, on the ARC, not on being cute.... well, sure, I guess also on being cute, why not?)!

[Amanda]

You're a NOVELIST!! OMIGOD, that's so indescribably cool! I have never met you or anything, but I'm so happy for you, and it's so neat to have watched the process and "know" a novelist! Kudos to you! Can't wait to get my mitts on a copy!

[Carry]

Thank you so much for letting us share in your excitement! And, as others have said, you two are freakin' adorable! Can't wait to get my hands on a copy. :)

[Carol]

How wonderful! Personally, after following your blog for 3-4 years, I was super excited to hear your VOICE. And was that La's VOICE?

And now I know a little about how getting famous works and how to celebrate it! Okay, maybe I'll just blog for eleventy twelve years instead (I have a hard time makin' stuff up, but, once again, I'm tempted to try Nanowrimo. Don't forget us little people!!!

[GoodEnoughWoman]

Yep. I have tears, too. Sniff.

[Vanessa]

Congratulations! Loved the video! It was so fun to share the moment! Brought tears to my eyes! Can't wait for March 23rd!

[Amanda]

What a sweet video. I can't wait to get my own copy.

[Karen]

that was awesome! thanks for sharing it with us! the book, or Arc or whatever? looks really welcoming, just lovely - something I'd pick up at the bookstore, def ready for display! Congrats again, you must be so proud of yourself!!! also, I TOTALLY get the powdering the nose thing, dude lol!