In Which The Blogosphere Rocks My World

OMGOSH YOU GUYS!!

I am so deeply touched by all the outpouring of love, support, and downright awesomeness across the blogosphere for Open Minds' Virtual Launch party!!

Over 100  tweets, over 250 blog comments (and they keep coming), fistfuls of FB postings ... I'm completely overwelmed by the support of all the Party Hosts and Party Hoppers and just plain friends.

THANK YOU!!

Because of your amazing work in spreading the word about Open Minds, it surged past the #10,000 mark on the Paid Kindle list, and currently (as of 2:04 am, yes I'm up, really, who could sleep?) sitting at #8,950 with nine 5-star reviews. For a while, earlier in the evening, it flirted with the top 100 on Kindle for the children's e-book Action&Adventure bestseller list. For those of you not familiar with Amazon rankings and bestseller lists, that's mind-bogglingly good! I couldn't ask for a better book birthday present, so again I say, THANK YOU!

#TheBlogosphereROCKS

I've decided to hold off awarding prizes until tomorrow, partly because the comments keep coming and partly because I'm so tired I'm afraid I can't count straight and I don't want to mess it up. I've been to every post, but I haven't been able to respond to every comment like I normally do. But please know I've read (and greatly appreciated!) them all! (And I may yet respond ... you know, after sleeping a bit, so I don't sound like someone's jacked into my brain and replaced it with mush. Wait, maybe that already happened ...)

UPDATE: Got some sleep, regained my ability to count, and (hopefully) replied to most commenters (thank you again)!

Final Stats: 

129 tweets and FB posts and a mind-boggling 280 comments

You people really know how to party!! :)

And now for WINNERS!

The Coveted Grand Prize Open Books/Open Minds T-shirt:
A winning tweet from SherAHart:

When everyone reads minds, a secret is a dangerous thing to keep.

 #keepingOPENMINDS@susankayequinn#SF #YA avail NOWhttp://bit.ly/SKQOpenMinds

The Slightly Less (Perhaps) Coveted Open Books/Open Minds Mug:
A winning comment from Natalie Aguirre:

 Natalie Aguirre has left a new comment on your post "Open Minds Virtual Launch Party!": 

Congrats Susan! So excited for you. Enjoy your debut!

Winners of the Open Books, Open Minds wrist bands:

(click to see winning tweets/posts)
Sheri Larsen, Dianne Salerni, Margo Berendsen, Angela Brown, Michelle Davidson Argyle, Emilia_Quill, Tricia O'Brien, Cathy C. Hall, Michelle Dennis Evans, Sherrie Petersen, Cherie Colyer, Laura Pauling, Vicki Tremper, Laura Diamond, Erin L Thomas, Vicki Wilson, Tara Tyler, VR Barkowski, Robyn Campbell

This reads like a list of my favorite author-friends (I promise the Random Number Gods were in charge). And this is the key to the Party's success ... YOU.

While I'm recovering from Virtual Party hangover, I will also be out Blog Touring. If you'd like to stop by, this is where I'll be:

WEDNESDAY, November 2nd

Word Spelunking Book Blogger
"THREE WORDS: Suspenseful. Innovative. Thought-Provoking…okay, so technically that’s four words but I added a hyphen between thought and provoking  so that makes it one word…right?!"

Aeicha has posted her review of Open Minds, along with a quick 10 question interview, in which I talk about using European male models to cast Raf and Simon (characters in the story). It's a hard life, but someone's gotta do it.

This is an incredibly thorough and in-depth review of Open Minds. Thanks to Aeicha for putting such wonderful thought and analysis into her review!

Also: I'm giving away an e-book copy of Open Minds! Stop by Word Spelunking to enter! (Giveaway open 11/2-11/9.)


THURSDAY, November 3rd

TwiMom101 Book Blog
Mandy will post her review of Open Minds, along with her own 10 Question Super Short interview, in which I reveal my favorite movie actor (hint: it has to do with kissing, of course).

Random Thoughts
Sharon Mayhew is interviewing me over at her blog today! She asks lots of great questions, including whether self-publishing my son's book was a dry run for Open Minds (answer: not exactly). Stop by and a lucky commenter will win a bookmark and a copy of Open Minds! Giveaway open until November 17th!



FRIDAY, November 4th

The Reading Housewives of Indiana
Jacinda posted her review of Open Minds, and is hosting an e-book giveaway. Stop by to enter! Giveaway open until November 18th!



AND ON SATURDAY SHE RESTED. (translation: I need a nap. Maybe two.)

Posting may be sporadic during the Blog Tour (11/2 - 11/18). (Also, I'm embarking on NaNoWriMo, heaven help me.) After that, I promise the blog will get back to regular posting, and Open Minds won't be all I talk about!

Peace out.