Win a Galley! August 26, 2010

So much catch up to do: I ALMOST FORGOT TO SHOW YOU THIS. (Because you know, that's how I am, getting books everyday. OMG! SO NOT THAT WAY!)  I have galleys of How to Knit a Heart Back Home! 

Isn't it gorgeous? And you know what? Those sweaters up there? They're mine. I made them, with my own two hands. The needles she's using are mine, and the swatch she's "knitting" from his sweater is one I made. That's the original Cade sweater there, on the right (now given away as a prize, must make another one), and that yellow one is my favorite yellow sweater (the pattern comes with the book). I sent the sweaters off to New York, where they played around in a photo shoot and then came home to me. I love it.

(And do you see that line under my name? I'm an "author of." That's thrilling to me.)

Also, I seem to have lost that sweater now. I have no idea where it is, which makes me too sad to think about, so if you see it, send it home?

GIVEAWAY:

And to get myself to the post office (boy, I have a lot of things to mail), I'm going to give two of these away. Yep. I'll give one to a random commenter on this post, and I'll give one to someone randomly drawn from my mailing list (subscribe here). 

YAY! Like, super big, hollered from the rooftops, YAY! 

OTHER NEWS:

I had a great reading at Llama Llama Knit in Novato, and the women there were awesome. Hi ladies!

 

And LOOK at their store dog, Maebe. I just died over this gal.

 

It was a hot night, and you can see how red I get when I'm warm:

Aileen was a doll, and also brought champagne, always a lovely thing to bring. I heart champagne. 

Speaking of heat, we've had a mini heat wave in the Bay Area, and I couldn't stay in our hot house yesterday, so I drove to the coast. I went to Duartes and worked for a long time. I was definitely the only person who was working on a computer, so I felt a wee bit funny, but I had olallieberry pie after my oysters: 

I also managed to say hello to Lynn, my favorite waitress. I didn't know if she'd remember me from when I worked there in the winter, but she did. "You. You're a writer. You sat at table nine." We'd had a lovely chat then, and I wanted to give her the book, since my ranchers come straight out of conversations I've head in the old restaurant (Duartes = Tillie's!). 

Then I went tidepooling for a long while. My phone died, and it was really nice to be completely cut off (until my car started overheating. That was a little worrisome, but it worked out). 

It was glorious. This is what came in when I was out there:

And now, the heat wave is broken, and as I sit at my desk, my toes are cold, and I'm glad.

Also: Urban Fauna alerted me that their two year anniversary is this weekend, and they're having a sale! Goodie bags! (My book will be given away at some point, too, and that's cool.)

I feel like I'm going to be playing catch up all day. I stayed up late last night, so I slept till almost eleven this morning, and as soon as I fully woke up, I started running the mental lists of everything I have to do today. Lala's been working a temp job for about a month now, and while it was really difficult financially while she was out of work, it sure was nice to have her doing all the Life Errands. I've put off everything I could possibly put off until this week, and I can't put them off anymore. The animals need food! Lala needs her bass fixed! I HAVE TO GET A SMOG CHECK (also, someone stole my month tag off my car, so it looks like I'm trying to cover up the fact that my registration is overdue. I'm not, Officer, I swear!).

Also, I have a crap-ton of writing to get done. Where does that fit today? I don't know! But it will. I'll get it all done. But it was more important to say hello to you than start on it all, so hi. Leave a comment for a chance to win! Woot! I'll draw winners on Saturday.

READING:

(Oh, I also have a reading/spinning demo at Rabbit Ears in Kensington on Saturday at 2pm (7253 Fairmount). Would love to see you!

Comments

[J Strizzy]

Damn, I miss the northern California coast, and just driving out there for a day because I felt like it.

And I thought Tillie's seemed familiar - should have known.

[Christy]

That is a gorgeous cover! Really love the sweaters and the knitting action. :-)

[Kris]

Great cover! Can't wait to read it!

[thebon]

Yay book!!

We had that same heat wave up here in Eugene, and I'm reveling in the cooler temps today too.

[Carrie]

um, how freaking awesome is it that your sweaters are on the cover?!?! that is so amazing, Rachael! I'm so so happy for ya, and I can't wait to read this one.

[Barbara]

wow - what a beautiful book. I miss the bay area - I'd give anything for just a bit of coolness here. You know it's bad when you celebrate the overnight low dipping into the 80's.

[Stormy]

Awesome cover - congratulations... scream YAY from the roof tops! I do enjoy your blog so much, thank you for sharing your day with us - I love your writing.

Have a beautiful day!
~Stormy

[Rhonda from Baddeck]

I'm so excited that your 2nd romance novel (but your 3rd book?) is almost ready. Can't wait! Love the sweaters - cute cover!

[Emily Dee]

What kind of pie is that in the picture? (don't you like how I only ask the really important questions?)

[njstacie]

Hooray Book! And congratulations! Such exciting news, and I can't wait to read it!

[moiraeknittoo]

YAY! And I love the cover. :D

[Rachel T]

How awesome is that, a great cover and they used your sweaters! I hear so much about authors not having control into the presentation of their work. It seems like you've had great success in finding a publisher who is totally on your wave length.

I too welcomed the fog back with open arms. I hadn't slept in three days!

[Mia]

Oh if you have the galleys it means that book is not too far from being in our hot little hands!!!!

I can't wait to read this one. I am just about ready to start spinning the yarn to do the sweater from the first one. I just debating if I dye the top before spinning or dye the finished yarn. A hard decision since I have never dyed top. And deciding on a color!!

Oh lucky you to go tide pooling!! Keep a charger for the phone in the car for those just in case times.

And I will gladly take your heat wave. The mid-Atlantic has been hot all summer. The sheep are not happy. But they want to see you next year at MDS&W.

[Anna]

I'd love a copy, I've only just managed to get it together and order a copy of your first book even though I'd been meaning to since it came out so winning would mean I'd not do the remembering/forgetting/regretting thing for ages with this one!

[Orli]

I love the fact that you gave the waitress a copy of the book :) It really sums up your character for me.

I hope you find that sweater! It's super-cute and super-cute ON you. Come home, little sweater, come back!

[Katharine]

Love the cover! I can't wait for my next trip the coast! I am really hoping I am one of the randomly picked winners this time! Please!!! :)Even we (West Texas) are having a break in the heat...it's only 91F today.

[Linda S. Williams]

Loved the first book and can't wait to read the second! I'm enjoying all your knitting projects also. I've made some and can't wait to make others! Congrats on seeing the galleys!

[Pam]

Ok...the cover of your next book is way beyond cool! I'm so excited for you and can't wait to read it. Yah! Yah! Yah for you!!

[Helga/Q]

Pick me Pick me pick me

Dude that's twice now we have forgotten to get a picture of us ;0). . I spoo wanna read this book-took everything I had not to no peek during show and tell! Love the sweater shots! Oh and already a subscriber!

[grace]

Tidepooling. I need to go tidepooling!

[JP]

random comment. don't think we're above coming out to the next RWA convention to fangirl :)

[Rona]

Love, love love the cover and the fact that they used your sweaters. Would love to win, of course.

[Laura from beautiful West Michigan]

Yay, I'm so proud of you! Loved your first book and if I don't win, I will certainly buy this one!

[visalisa]

Lovely cover! Will look awesome next to the Lovesong on the shelf! (Maybe you can share a photo of both books' backs next to each other? I want to imagine my future bookshelf... Oh, and I sooo want to win one! And then you get to write an address in Sweden on the parcel. :)

[Laura from beautiful West Michigan]

PS - I get a little thrill whenever I see the first book in book stores. It's like "I know her!" even if it's just digitally!

[Meghann]

I am really excited about the new book!! I read your first one incredibly quickly, and I've been waiting and waiting ever since.

And someone stole my month sticker once, too. Jerks.

[Steph]

Congratulations! Super exciting

[Faith]

Congrats on the galley proofs - wow, two books under your belt!

[Miranda]

Ooh, Ooh, Oooh...pick me!
Congratulations on gorgeous Book Two!

[Diane in Chico]

Oh, Olallieberry pie. Yum. With ice cream. Yummier.

[Dani in NC]

I've been unemployed off and on over the past six years, so I get your mixed feelings about Lala's temp job. It took my family and friends at least a month or two after I got this job to get used to the fact that I wasn't available during the day!

[GoodEnoughWoman]

Yay for the new book cover! As for the sweater, you had it on at the reading in SLO. Maybe you left it with family? :)

[Kristin Miller]

Ooooh, I'm so excited to read Book2! And how cool is it that the sweaters are YOURS?!? Might I say the coolest thing ever? Maybe a close second to the "author of" line beneath your name. Yeah, you've got a whole lot of goodness going on right about now. Yay, you!

[Katherine]

I'm so excited for you next book to come out. Loved the first book. My friend and I met you at stiches west and she's started the sweater from the book. I'm bummed I couldn't make it to knit night, but I heard all about it from her. I'd love to be entered into the drawing for this book!
Thanks
Katherine
peachykath79[at]yahoo[dot]come

[Virna DePaul]

Love that cover and the fact it shows your sweaters. That group of women at your reading look mighty fun! Congrats, Rachael on all the success!

[Carol]

Can't wait to curl up and read it!

[caroline]

oooh, pretty book!

[Ginger]

Lovely book cover!!!

[Julie]

Looks like you know how to enjoy life. Good for you!

[carolyn]

mmmmm PIE.

[Teri S.]

Your lunch sounds positively divine. Wish I had somewhere like that to go around here. It's so cool to see your second book almost done!

[Carole]

I love galleys - we get them at library conferences. Pick me, pick me!

[Donna Wise]

Congratulations on being the "author of"....Love the sweaters! I'm glad you were allowed some input on the cover. I've read some books where I was sure the cover designer knew nothing about the book!!!

[Joy]

Of course i must comment to increase my chances of a copy so I can drool all over it. AND... I made it to the Bay Area. I'm in Berkeley for the next week!

[Bonnie]

Love love love the cover and how personal it is! I really enjoyed How to Knit a Love Song, can't wait for this next one!!

[Susan]

How exciting for you! Can't wait to read it!

[Stephanie]

So excited for your new book!

[Megan]

The cover makes me even more excited to read book 2! And the yellow sweater is fantastic :-)

...what is Olallieberry?

[--Deb]

Book #2! Rachael, that is so awesome!

[Gonzopants]

YAY BOOK! How to Knit a Love Song was my gateway drug into romantic fiction. I have yet to find one that is as well-written and non-cheesetastic as yours. But I keep looking, because well-written, non-rosy-colored-glasses smut (yes, I called it that; it's a compliment in my world) is a great thing, and so very rare, it seems. Can't wait for the new one!

[Annie]

Read this post and the two thoughts running around in my head are "ooh, book!" And "ooh, pie!"

[Little Women Beth (in Ohio)]

Your joy is infectious! I love reading your blog just for the mental endorphins. Also, congrats! Also, Pick me! :)

PS - coop in progress - chickens should come next week, hopefully. I'll send you pics of the chics.

[Lynn in Tucson]

"Author of!" So awesome! (And to think we knew you when....)

[Darlene]

I've been dying to read your book, so maybe here's my chance. I bet you, deservedly, feel good "author of".

[Lucretia]

Yay for the new book! I l.o.v.e. the picture on the cover. I also love the picture of the fog bank...thank gawd for our natural air conditioning system!

[Tammy D]

Gorgeous, gorgeous book cover - love it! So looking forward to this one. And how cool that your own sweaters were used in the cover shoot. Your enthusiasm and spirit are so fun, it's a blast to read your blog!

[Sonja]

I loved How to Knit a Love Song, and I'm super excited for the new book. I've been reading your blog since before you were published (but never comment, sorry! I'm a terrible lurker) and it's been so awesome to follow your progress. Congratulations! And thanks for giving your stories to us!

[Allison]

That pie looks delish. I'd love to win a copy of the book!

[ccr in MA]

Great galley! The only thing cooler is that they used your actual sweaters; how neat is that!

[Amanda]

Oh good, a blog post that is very relevant to your writing, so that I can tell you that I read your first book and totally enjoyed it! I meant to just read a little before bed one night, and stayed up waaaaaaay late so that I could read it. :D

[Gwen]

The fog came back!

That's almost as good as your cover! (with real Rachael-made sweaters!)

!!!

!!

[janna]

So cool that YOUR sweaters and YOUR swatch are on the cover of YOUR book! Also - Texas, where I used to live, switched years ago to the registration tag being on the inside of the windshield, not actually on the plate. I still have the 2007 one on my windshield - I can't quite bring myself to remove it...

[Denise]

I can't wait to read the next book! I just loved the first one.

[lyssa]

You are just so adorable! I can't wait to read this book :)

[Kate]

Ooooh pretty galley!

I hope your sweater finds its way home soon :-)

[Cathy Goldman]

I can't wait for Number TWO on your hit parade!

[Ailien]

Loved meeting you and the reading at Llama Llama Knit! I too heart champagne and it seemed the perfect thing to bring! Can't wait for the new book!

Ailien

[Sue]

Oh, oh, oh! Pick me (can you see me hopping up and down and waving my arms?)

[Jenni]

Yay for Galleys! I can say that now from experience (not a book, no, but galleys is galleys, ay?). Congrats!

[Mitra]

The book looks absoltuely lovely and I can't wait to read it!

Okay, on to (our previously begun conversation on) spinning. I don't get it. Why is it so addicting?? I can't believe, that I've actually taken a step 'backwards' in terms of actually producing some type of "finished object." Now I actually have to *make* the yarn??!!! That's what half of me is saying, probably the brainy/mind/overly enculturated part. The other part, the body/hands/emotional part, is saying, "OMyGosh, this is the coolest, smoothest, loveliest thing. And, oh, look, you just made some yarn; aren't you talented?" Had to share, since you got me into this. ;)

[Erin K]

Beautiful cover! I love that the pattern for the yellow sweater comes with the book!

[Annie]

Beautiful cover! I can't wait for the next book!

[Poppy]

The cover is DIVINE and too cool that they are sweaters you made. Your road trip looked like a great time and that pie to die for!

[Poppy]

Mitra! Regarding spinning. I love it so much I had to learn to knit to use it all up! Even now I have skeins galore. I just LOVE spinning :)

[Michele Melrose]

Hello, de-lurking to say that I really enjoyed your first book and am looking forward to this one!

[Sarah]

Congratulations on the Cover! I cant wait to read your second book.

[Jenn]

Yay! I can't wait to read the next one! And I LOVE that they used your sweaters for the cover - all sorts of awesome!

[Nancy Mc]

Would love to read the galley of your next book.

[Debbie]

Mmmm, now I want to go get myself some Olallieberry pie! Can't wait to read your new book.

[(formerly) no-blog-rachel]

'Author of...' - so cool! XO

[Geri]

Please pick me for your draw!

[Carrie]

I wish I could go tidepooling here in North Dakota. I shall have to live vicariously through you. :)

[Lola]

Rachael, you know I read all your blogs.....todays blog though has a little more insight than I think you even realize. Red in the face from the heat??.....oh so your Dad!! Ah, but another surprise for me is that not only did you inherit his skin tones....OMG, you also inherited his "procrastination"??? BUT, the big difference......you at least have every intention of getting it all done today!!! He just says, hmm......to much for one day!! LOL Gotta love him. I am so excited about your book coming out....and the cover is so YOU!! That yellow sweater is quickly becoming your trademark! Its not only a great color, its a great color on you!! Glad to hear you are about to go back on day shifts, your Dad worries about you not getting enough good rest. This will make him happy.......and ain't it what its all about?? Makin' him happy?? LOL

[Heather]

I still haven't been able to get How to Knit a Love Song through my library in Solano County. Boo them. And the intra-library (is that the right phrase?) with the Santa Rosa library keep deleting my request. JERKS. I even went to Target and it was a no go. I'll have to widen my net.

[Sarah/scienceprincess]

I'd love a copy of the new book. Please please please pick me :-)

Sarah/scienceprincess

[Donna]

If it's wrong to look forward to reading a book this much, I don't want to be right ;) I'm lending my copy of Love Song to my MIL shortly, a romance reader who is not a knitter; I'll let you know how she likes it!

[Jackie]

I love the cover of the new book. I'm trying to get a copy of Love Song from the library, but it's not there yet. Can't wait to read it.

[Joan Brown]

What a wonderful cover! Congratulations!

[Margaret in Ontario]

Your joy is so infectious! I'm delighted for you, and have loved reading about your journey, from writing to publishing to Published. "Author of" indeed! Woohoo! Congratulations, and thanks for a great start to my day.

[Jody]

Congrats on book two! Love the cover - can't wait to read it :)

[Janice]

How wonderful to have your hand knit sweaters photographed on a book written by yourself...a double whammie!!

Janice in Southeastern WI

[StephCat]

great cover! enjoy your now lovely weather!

[dorre]

loved the first book and absolutely cant wait for the second one :)

[Meredith]

I stayed up far too late last night to finish "how to knit a love song"...A perfect ending, but whatever happened to the dog?

[Miss Marty]

This book looks wonderful. Great cover.

[D'Ann Klaver]

Just hoping and praying someone returns it back to you. It's gotta be pretty awesome to see your stuff on a book cover!!

[Flan]

Looking forward to the second book, I'm absolutely sure I'll love it as much as the first!

[Anna]

Loved the first book!

[Krista M]

Random comment! Random comment! Have a great Friday!

[Deepa]

Wow, that is beyond cool that you knit the cover sweaters! Congratulations on the new book!