Category: author takeover

Hello 2020

Hi everyone, and hello 2020!!!

I hope you’re having a wonderful year so far!

This post is a bit late (how is it already Jan. 14th???). But I’m taking a look back at 2019 to see how I did on reaching my goals! My Hello 2019 post should make it easier–and I hope it’s not too boring lol. 🙂

Okay, so here we go! Bookish/writing goals achieved last year: I published my 4th book baby, The Good Girl’s Guide to Being Bad, yay!!!; NINJA GIRL and The Good Girl’s Guide to Being Bad came out as audiobooks; I started a newsletter and created an Instagram account (still figuring these out, ha!); I tried a few different promo/marketing things like newsletter promo sites, swaps, and ads (ugggh, the confusion LOL); ADORKABLE came out in paperback with new exclusive bonus content from Entangled (Hooray!!!) and because of this I got to see ADORKABLE on shelves at Barnes & Noble, Target and Books-A-Million!!! 😀

Ahhh, OMG, huzzah!!!!!!!

I also got to do my first ever book signing(s), Instagram takeover and FB group takeovers! They were a bit stressful (just bc I’d never done them, didn’t want to mess up etc.) but also a ton of fun :).

Also got to attend a writers conference with my family, learned a lot, was inspired and enjoyed it immensely!

The one thing I didn’t do was finish the book I was working on :/. BUT! I did that last Saturday, so it’s all good, right? 😀

So, I reached most of my goals in 2019…and even had one dream come true that I never thought would: I got to see ADORKABLE on the shelf in actual stores. *Sigh* I’m so so so thankful to Entangled & all the people there for taking a chance on my little book, and I’m over-the-moon grateful to all of you for supporting me and my books throughout this publishing journey! This would’ve never been possible without YOU! So again: Thank you so much!!!

My publishing/writing goals for 2020 are: Publish a book. Learn how to balance everything (blog, newsletter, FB, Instagram etc.), and don’t be afraid to post. Write another book (or several, crossing my fingers on this!). Write more, better & consistently. Learn more about marketing/promo/ads. Attend another conference or book festival.

As always, I have personal goals as well (be a better person; get healthy; do more to help others). My main goal is to be a positive influence. To know that I’ve made life a little easier, happier, better for someone else.

Back to books!

I’ll let you know more about my brand new book soon, yay!!! I’m very excited to share it with you, and I hope you’ll love it! Will also be posting book updates, giveaways, and news about all the ups and downs of 2020.

Hoping for more ups than downs for you and for me, my lovely readers :). Wishing you all the best in 2020!

Happy reading,

Cookie O’Gorman

Holiday Cheer

The Happy Holidays Giveaway is over, and that means it’s time to announce some winners! Yay!!!  Thank you so much to everyone who entered!  All winners were randomly selected, and they are…

Alyssa — $20 Amazon Gift Card!

BeccaADORKABLE Bookmark & Stickers!

StephanieADORKABLE Bookmark & Stickers!

TawnyaADORKABLE Bookmark & Stickers!

AmberADORKABLE Bookmark & Stickers!

CassieADORKABLE Bookmark & Stickers!

JenniferADORKABLE Bookmark & Stickers!

KaitlynneADORKABLE Bookmark & Stickers!

VictoriaADORKABLE Bookmark & Stickers!

IrmaADORKABLE Bookmark & Stickers!

NinaADORKABLE Bookmark & Stickers!

Jessica — YA Bookworm Box!

Congratulations, everyone!  Thank you so much again for entering.  Your  prizes will be on their way shortly, and I hope they give you tons of holiday cheer! 🙂

Also, a huge THANK YOU to anyone who tuned in to watch the author takeover I did of The Bookworm Box Facebook page!

*****(You can skip this next part if you like, just a rundown of my experience.  Which was rough…no seriously, skip this part…then start again at the starred part…no?  Okay, well, you’ve been warned)*****

My nerves/stress/awkward self was on full display.  It was fun, but it was also stressful–especially after I botched the first attempt at a live video.  Ugh.  Apparently, I was sideways…then upside down.  This was even after I watched several videos on how to: 1) Turn the phone sideways before you start so it’ll be in landscape mode because 2) you can’t turn it after you’ve started a video.  3) Use the tool to flip the screen horizontally, so people watching can read the book titles.  4)  Seriously, make sure you turn the phone sideways first because it’s the sign of a complete newbie if you record vertically (like you’d take a selfie) and end up having a video with those weird lines on the side because FB squares off the video (whatever that means).  Well, after freaking out a bit about trying all that then having it be sideways/upside down anyway, guess who had to do a 2nd attempt, ended up recording vertically, trying very hard not to think about how she was broadcasting to everyone that she was a complete newbie???  LOL!  Oh well, I guess that’s just how it goes.  P.S. My mom (who is awesome) even bought me a tripod to keep the video steady–but I ended up having to hold it in my hand bc…yeah, I’m tech challenged :/.

Thank you anyway, Mom!  I love you!!!  And thank you to my students who tuned in; it was such an awesome surprise to see you girls there!  And to any of you who watched, thank you so much!  I apologize for the awkwardness lol.

Also, I forgot to mention several of my favorite authors: Rainbow Rowell (I can’t believe I didn’t say her!), Katie McGarry, Tammara Webber, Abbi Glines, Gail Carriger, Tahereh Mafi, Julia Quinn!!!, Jane Austen (though my love of Austen really comes from the movies, especially the BBC version of P&P *sigh*), Elizabeth Gaskell, Elizabeth Scott, Meg Cabot, Courtney Milan and on the urban fantasy side: Patricia Briggs, Ilona Andrews, J.R. Ward (warning: not suitable for younger readers!).  Forgot to say ANY of them, and I love ALL of them and even more authors!

On a positive note, my book covers looked awesome–but I forgot to mention Stephanie Mooney, the cover designer, who deserves so much credit and love for her incredible talent!!!  Stephanie, you’re awesome!

*****Okay, if you skipped all that please start again here lol.*****

The Bookworm Box and the people there are so wonderful.  Their mission to use something we all love (books) to give back to charity is amazing.  And they were so nice to have me on!

I hope you’re all well and having a great time leading up to the holidays!  I’ll try to do another post before Christmas, but until then, stay awesome :).

Happy reading,

Cookie O’Gorman

You’re Invited!

Hi everyone!

I hope you’re having a great week and are done Christmas shopping (unlike yours truly lol).  ICYMI, my debut, ADORKABLE, was included in the Young Adult Bookworm Box for November.  The Bookworm Box is a non-profit subscription service founded by superstar author Colleen Hoover where each month different books and bookish goodies are sent to subscribers, and 100% of proceeds benefit various charities.  I was so honored to be a part of this, and I’d like to officially invite you to an event this Saturday!

Who: Cookie O’Gorman (aka me)

What: Author Takeover (aka live Facebook video)

When: Saturday, December 15th @ 7:00pm CST (8:00pm ET)

Where: The Bookworm Box Facebook page

Ahhh, I’m so nervous/excited!  Honestly, I didn’t even know what an author takeover was until now, and I definitely don’t know how one of the most introverted of introverts (aka me) is going to get through it without making an absolute fool of myself.  Case in point:

Fact 1) I’ve never done a Facebook live video.  Fact 2) I’m okay at public speaking–but again, never done a live video.  Fact 3) Technology hates me.  Fact 4) I don’t even like having my picture taken…

…but I love Sally and Becks.

Fact 5) I love my book(s) and try very hard to know and accept the good things.  Even if they are kinda scary.

So, if you liked ADORKABLE (or any of my books) or if you just want to be there for moral support, please come to The Bookworm Box Facebook page on Saturday, December 15th @ 7:00pm CST (8:00pm ET)!!!  There will be giveaways and fun times involved!

Wish me luck, bookworms!  If you’d like to say a little prayer for awkward introverts everywhere, please do lol.  Thank you in advance, and I hope December is treating you well! 🙂

Happy Reading,

Cookie O’Gorman

P.S. Thank you so much to Amy for creating that awesome graphic! <3  It is awesome, and so are you!!! 🙂