This Book Just Got Real

So today the FedEx truck came and dropped off a very peculiar package.

It was a brown rectangular case, with white plastic straps concealing its contents, and my publisher’s logo plastered on the bottom.

From that point, I immediately knew what it was, and upon opening it, I discovered an object of beauty and wonder.

It was an attractive specimen filled with pages, covered with a striking red and a powerful yellow-greenish handprint to entice anyone who came across it.

How did I get so lucky/cool to have this in my life? And even more cooler than that, it even has MY NAME on it!

Okay, calm down, Dewayne. CALM DOWN!

*Five minutes of taking deep breaths* Okay, I think I’m good.

I seriously don’t know how I could've gotten this crazy. Just the other day, I was “Okay, it’s almost a month until my book comes out. I’m excited about it, but I’m going to keep it all bubbled inside and act professional about it.”

That was at least what I was thinking until the book came. Now I’m jumping off the walls and smiling like The Joker. Now my thoughts are “My story is real! It’s finally a real book! Not an ARC, but a real book, that I can put on my bookshelf, with no errors, and pages that I can flip through…with words on them!”

So yes, it’s been a good day.

Btw: The book still isn’t out yet. I just got this early book because that’s one of the perks of being an author (you get your own copies of your book ahead of time!). There are only a few copies out there, but not they’re going to be out into the world just yet.

Only 32 days left! So excited!

First Invincible Review

“Fast paced book…I really enjoyed it…”

I just saw the first review of Invincible from Jessie Liu of Book YA Reviews today, and it was amazing! Ever since I saw it, I haven’t stopped smiling or stood still. It’s really cool to have Invincible slowly start falling into readers’ hands. I can’t wait for it to reach many others.

Only 67 days left.

Be sure to add Invincible on Goodreads. Can’t wait for share this story with you soon.

 

Invincible Finally Has a Facebook page…

and you can check it out here!

Invincible ARCs!

So very exciting day today. Why, you ask? Because…

I GOT INVINCIBLE ARCS!!!!

I got them the other day, but they were shipped to my grandmother’s house, so I couldn’t get to them in time. But imagine my thoughts when I ran into her house today and opened a box to find these…

Oh, God, this must be how proud parents feel. Just look at them...*sniffles nose*

But wait…there’s more!


I know it looks grainy, but still…awww



“You are so beautiful…To me!!”



For those of you who don't speak book-talk, ARCs are Advance Reader Copies, which are early, uncorrected proof copies of the book--that means they are FAR from being the finished product. The reason they are printed early in advance is so they can be sent to book reviews and bloggers who "hype" up the book before its release, attracting readers before it even comes out.

 

So, as much as I hate to admit, these copies aren't mine to have.

 

As mentioned before, ARCs are for marketing purposes, so unfortunately I won't have my own set of copies until quite later, but at least I have a chance to see them before they go off.

 

So now that we've gone through the lessons of ARCs, let me just give you a list of my thoughts about seeing my book for the first time: 

•  It’s a real thing!
• I can actually hold it in my hands!
• My name is on it!!!
• I mean, seriously (even though I’ve wrote two books before this): My. Name. Is. On. A. Book.

I’m sorry to tease, I’m just so excited!!

 

Can’t be long now…

Invincible Cover and Summary

Okay, so I’ve talked about Invincible for over the last year--leaving this blog unattended on a number of occasions to get it ready for its release--but I realized that I haven’t said much about the book itself at all, besides mentioning its release date.

But what better way to get acquainted than with a cover and summary?
 

Sounds nice, yeah?

*readers nod heads*

It does? Well, here it is…

In three…

Two…

One…

Tada!!

(Awww. Look at the beautiful little cover. Just wait til it’s in your hands on, oh, say, SEPTEMBER 3, 2013!)

 

Troy Connor has no idea who he is. He doesn’t know where he came from, or why and how he ended up in the crime-ridden streets of Detroit. All that he knows are the disturbing nightmares that haunt his mind, the strange, paranormal skills he develops, and the plans he has in store for them.

As he learns to harness his new abilities, Troy must deal with being in love for the first time, a deadly enemy sent to destroy him, and a mysterious stranger who may hold the secrets to his past.

So who is Troy Connor? Find out when Invincible hits bookstores September 3, 2013.
 
First I just want to say that I am in love with this cover. I was a little apprehensive when I was getting ready to see it, because come on, it’s my book! Even if it’s not perfect, I still want it to evoke the same theme as the book itself. And boy, did it!

The handprint, the font, my NAME…amazing!

I want thank the artists and workers at Lulu for creating this image for me--you got it right, guys--and I’m so happy to have you on this journey with me.

So Invincible. September 3. Get it. You won’t regret it.

And P.S. You can also add the book onto Goodreads!

Invincible release date! (And Goodreads!)

Okay, I know it's been a while (again!), but I've so busy with Invincible that I haven't been able to do much blogging.

But not anymore!! After finally holding in all this new information, I can give you guys some news.

First: Invincible finally has a release date--September 3, 2013!

And on top of that, you can also add the book on Goodreads!

So, without further ado, let the journey begin!!

Best of 2012...And Beyond!

At last, another year has passed (did I just make up a rhyme?). I know it's been a while since I've posted anything (I've been completely neglecting everything due to school and writing) but now since the year is almost up, I thought I’d be nice to look back on the entertainment I’ve experienced in 2012 like books and movies, and also the one’s I’m looking forward to in 2013.

Join me, won’t you?

Favorite book of 2012:

I haven't gotten the chance to read that much this year than I'd anticipated. Given that I've been working my next book, I've only read like four books this year, and only three of them were actually good. I would've done those, but the two of the said three books that were all previously released, so instead I'm only discussing the one that was actually on my list this year. And that book is...

Divergent, by Veronica Roth: When I first heard of Divergent back in 2011, I was a little hesitant; in fact I thought it was some rip-off cashing off The Hunger Games’ success. But know that I’ve finally gotten around to reading it this past summer I can truly say I’m Divergent Nation official.

Veronica’s world is just so much different from Suzanne Collins’ it doesn’t even make sense. And I liked it! The character of Tris and her transformation throughout the book really had me interested. The world she lives in and the people she meets felt so real to me, almost if I jump right into it (hopefully without the interference of trains of course.) The action is heart pounding, the drama is gut-wrenching, and if Fourtris isn’t enough to persuade you, I don’t know what will.

 

Favorite movies of 2012:

The Hunger Games: After a whole year of waiting, the moment had finally arrived: the release of The Hunger Games!

Now, I know I did a review on the film back in March, but just in case you don’t want spending two pages of me stating the obvious, here’s a little breakdown: the film was amazing, the cast was extraordinary, and Rue’s death (sobs) priceless.

The Dark Knight Rises: Like every other Christopher Nolan flick, The Dark Knight Rises had me holding onto the edge of my seat, while at the same time thinking—which is very rare for movies nowadays. Props to Nolan for not only giving us a movie we needed, but in fact, one we deserved. The cast was superb, the story was full of richness and amazement, and the fact that it brought the whole trilogy full circle makes it one of the greatest series enders ever!

The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn-Part 2: (Note: Yes, I'm a Twihard. And yes, I've probably lost half the male readers of this blog. Oh, well ~shrugs shoulders~). Anyway, I won’t lie when I say this movie had me a little nostalgic. Just sitting in that theater reminded me of all great memories I had over the past five years. I laughed, I cried—I mean, laughed—and if that surprise ending didn’t have you cheering and scared, you really must be a vampire.

Books I’m looking forward to in 2013:

 

Harken, by Kaleb Nation: a boy named Michael Asher is caught in the middle of the middle of a big conspiracy, and is forced to find out the truth while being pursued by a secret organization that controls our world (Illuminati with lizard pets, perhaps?)

 

Boy Nobody, by Allen Zadoff: In the same vein as the Bourne series, a young assassin with no feelings who tries to escape the organization he was raised in.

Movies I’m forward to in 2013:

 

The Hunger Games: Catching Fire: The set pictures aren’t enough to satisfy my need for this film anymore. I need to see what a Catching Fire film without Gary Ross looks like…NOW!

 

The Host: Oh, come on! Did you really think my love for Stephenie Meyer’s work ended with Twilight?

Man of Steel: Out of all the movies I’m interested in for next year, Man of Steel has to be on the top of the list. This whole film means so much to me, more than anyone could ever imagine (you’ll find why next year). I can’t wait to see what Zach Synder and Christopher Nolan does with this character. If only I could fly around the globe and fast forward time…

So entertainment-wise, 2013 is gonna rock (that is if the world doesn’t end, or course).