Up Coming Events...

You guys, this month has been a strange one.  I’m pregnant and I’ve been so sick with this baby, I’ve literally been strapped to the couch, which is very unlike my usual ADD-can't-stop-moving personality. My one book signing event, the FCL release party, I had to fight through nausea long enough to do a reading and I actually started crying at one point. Yeah, LAME. In my defense, I was explaining the dedication of the book when I started crying , which is a tear-jerker story.

So, thank you to everyone who has sent me emails and comments about First Comes Love. Your support and enthusiasm is seriously helping me get through this pregnancy.  I’m still so excited to have this book published, and I hope one of these days I will get to give this book the energy and publicity it deserves. My goal is to do an extensive book tour next spring, to celebrate the paperback release of First Comes Love, as well as the release of Middle Ground (coming out on November 20^th, four days before my due date. How’s that for overwhelming?). 

On a lighter note, I did a phone interview with Seventeen.com last week. I grew up idolizing this magazine; it was my bible to help decode the confusing male mind and figure out what to do with friendship drama and what on earth to wear in the decade-behind, fashion void that is Central Wisconsin.  So, doing an interview was a dream come true. I think I asked the journalist more questions than she asked me. Yeah, I like to keep it awkward. I will post a link to the article as soon as it’s up.

I'm participating in my first multi-author event next Saturday, June 2^nd. It’s at the oldest bookstore in the Pacific Northwest, Klindt's Booksellers, in The Dalles, OR. It will feature twelve YA authors (bestselling and award-winning authors. Oh, and me). Definitely come and check this out. There will be live music, a barbeque, and I’ve heard rumors that Channing Tatum might make a guest appearance. Okay, that’s completely made up, but he’s my current celebrity crush so I can dream.

Finally, my “author sister,” Annabel Monaghan is coming out with her novel, “A Girl Named Digit,” on June 2^nd. I had the priviledge of reading an ARC of the book and I LOVED IT.  It’s hilarious, witty, smart, and there’s a hot boy mixed in, all great ingredients for a perfect read.

Thanks again to everyone who has picked up a copy of First Comes Love. Pass the love around.

Hello friends and loved ones. I hope you’re enjoying First Comes Love (as much as I thoroughly enjoyed writing it). I wanted to show you all the cover of the German edition of First Comes Love (Dylan and Gray is the German title).

This copy has two book jacket designs, one featuring Gray and one featuring Dylan. I love this! It’s so much fun (and can I just say that Gray and Dylan are HOTTIES?) It’s strange to see my characters depicted on book jackets, since I don’t even have a perfect image of them myself. I don’t necessarily see Dylan as hot, I think she’s more quirky looking, but her personality makes her beautiful. I definitely see Gray as attractive. His looks are actually inspired by a baseball player a had a huge crush on when I was younger (he now plays pro baseball, so I’m not going to mention his name, mostly out of embarrassment).

I have to say, I love the guy (model) they feature as Gray on the German cover. He has great eyes. And they both have great lips. I’m a huge lip person, (it’s one of the first things I notice about people) so this is very exciting for me. I can't wait to get my hands on this edition! 

Flipping Narratives in First Comes Love

First Comes Love, as some of you already know, flips narratives between the two protagonists, Dylan and Gray. This actually wasn’t the way the original manuscript was written. The very first manuscript was written completely in Gray’s perspective. I had a lot of fun writing a book from the guy’s point of view. It was refreshing, and challenging as a writer. I used to teach creative writing in high school, and I always had my students do an opposite gender monologue, because I think it’s important to try and understand people outside of ourselves, our ages, and our genders. It also opens up your mind to move and think and see in ways you can’t do when you write just from one gender.

So, after writing the first draft, I talked it over with my editor, Julia. She said, “You know, I want to see a bit more of Dylan in this story. I want to know her better.” At first we discussed rewriting the book from Dylan’s perspective, but that would have changed the entire story. There were so many scenes I loved specifically because they were Gray’s words.

I thought it over and said, “Julia, this isn’t Dylan’s story to tell. It’s Gray’s story.” We agreed that flipping narratives would be a great option, but Dylan is a strong character that tends to steal the spotlight whenever she enters a scene (which is why we love her, right?). So, in my rewrites I was very careful not to let her take the spotlight from Gray. Although Dylan is a huge character and a major catalyst to the story, I still wanted to keep her character a little more mysterious, and Gray’s character the main voice and central focus.

When I talk about my book with people, they either tend to side more with Dylan, or more with Gray (although it appears everyone roots for them as a couple). I think that’s great. They are very, very, different people, which, in my opinion, usually make the best relationships (if they can make it work). Will Dylan and Gray make it work? You'll have to read it to find out. :)

Free Autographed Bookplates for FCL

Want to get a free autographed bookplate for First Comes Love? Well, if you purchase the book during the month of May, (or if you pre-ordered it before May), I will mail you a bookplate with my autograph. All you have to do is send me a photo of your receipt to this email:   katiekacvinsky(at)uwalumni(dot)com

Include your name and address and I'll send it out to you. It's that easy.

This is for US addresses only.

First Comes Love--Giveaways

To celebrate the release of First Comes Love, a couple of bloggers are getting together and hosting giveaway events. The prize is a free, hardcover copy of First Comes Love. Here are the sites and the schedule. All you have to do is stop by their sites and sign up; winners are chosen at random. Thanks so much to all of these lovely bloggers for helping to spread the word:

• April 28th:  Good Choice Reading
• April 30th: A Life Bound By Books
• May 1st:   Actin' Up With Books
• May 2nd:  Live to Read
• May 7th: Confessions of a Bookaholic

Also, I’m currently giddy that Seventeen Magazine posted information about First Comes Love on their site. My favorite quote is:

“You'll love it if... you're looking for the perfect love story to kick-start your summer reading. It's The Notebook with a slight touch of cynicism and sarcasm.”

P.S. I just spent $100 on cupcakes for my book release party. Please come with room for dessert.

Meet N' Greet

Hey, check out what a dork I am.

Playlist #1

First Comes Love is here, in the raw, in the flesh. I just received my hardcover copies, which means if you pre-ordered yours, they are on their way! I love this book. I'm just going to scream it. I LOVE IT!! Honestly, if I never write another book again, I would be happy to end my career with this novel, that's how much it means to me. I guess every author feels that way about all of their books, but First Comes Love is very special to me. Please buy a copy. I know you'll love it, too. And don't worry, this won't be the last book I ever write.

I am sharing one of the playlists that inspired this novel (this is Gray's playlist, songs that helped to develop his character throughout the story). There are two more playlists included at the end of the book, but you'll have to track down a copy to see them.

Just a reminder, the First Comes Love release party will be at Grass Roots Books and Music on the evening of May 8th, at 7 p.m. in Corvallis, Oregon. This event is only open to uniquely awesome individuals (yes, that means you), so if you're in the area, stop by and watch me juggle fire torches and break concrete with my mind--as well as autograph books and answer questions. Now, sit back and enjoy some ear candy: