Instagram – THE COOKIE JAR

Category: Instagram

23
Feb
2022

Work-In-Progress

categories: doing what you love, Instagram, Romance, self-publishing, The Cookie Jar Newsletter, WIP, writing, YA

Hi there! I haven’t posted here in a minute because life has been full/stressful/crazy.

I actually had a health scare not too long ago. It both terrified and made me realize what’s important.

Currently trying to find balance in all the things (job, school, family, posting, sleep, writing etc.) while also avoiding burn out. I have a new respect for everyone who’s able to juggle everything at once. And SLEEP! Gah, I miss her–as well as reading and writing (that are not for assignments) :).

Anyway, I just wanted to stop in and say: I’m still here!

My cover designer has gotten back to me, and we’re in the process of creating a cover for my new book–which I love, love, love and can’t wait to share with you!!! <3

This one has actually gone through a different process. It was initially going to be traditionally published–I wrote it under contract and with the full intention of going that route–but after much thought, I made the decision to self-publish instead. That was not at all an easy decision. But I think/hope it will ultimately end up being the right one. I love this book so very much. I know (as much as someone with recurring self-doubt can) that my readers will love the book, too. I think a lot of people still view traditional publishing as what it takes to be a “real” author. And it is one way to do that! But it’s not the only way ;).

My views on the pros and cons of traditional vs. self-publishing are many lol, but that’s a post for another day. If you’re a writer, just know that: Your work is your work. There might be two fantastic, amazing options for publishing, and you have to choose the one you think will be the best for you and your book <3.

Again, more on that later! I hope you’re all doing well!

I’ve been making an effort to post at least once a week on Facebook and Instagram. So please follow me there if you like pretty book pics, random thoughts about life etc.! 😀

Also, I’d love it if you’d sign up for my newsletter!!! I try to post here, there and everywhere, but sometimes it can be a lot. My Cookie Jar Newsletter is the best way to stay up to date with new releases & bookish news! I hope you’re doing well, my awesome readers! You’re wonderful, and I hope you know it!

Happy reading,

Cookie O’Gorman

05
Jan
2021

Hello 2021

categories: #passthebookchallenge, Adorkable, doing what you love, Goodreads, Instagram, New Adult, O'Brien Brothers, Romance, self-publishing, The Best Mistake, The Good Girl's Guide to Being Bad, The Kissing Challenge, writing, YA

New year, new goals, new books! Yay!!!

Hello, my lovely readers! I hope you’re doing well and that you got to read some awesome books over the holidays :). I didn’t get a chance to read, but I did finish writing a book, woop!

This one is for Entangled, and it’s with my editor now (very thankful to work with an amazing editor!). I love it, so I’m very much hoping she will, too! Crossing my fingers!

Just being honest: Sometimes it feels like I get nothing done lol. And with last year being so full of sadness, suffering and scary times, I was surprised to see that I’d reached several of my goals.

Bookish goals achieved last year: I published my 5th book baby and first ever New Adult romance, The Best Mistake, woohoo!!! The Good Girl’s Guide to Being Bad came out in paperback, and the Hungarian translation Piszkos Tánc was released, yay! I also published my first novella, The Kissing Challenge <3! The ADORKABLE paperback got a second printing! *happy dance* In June, some wonderful people helped me do the #passthebookchallenge with ADORKABLE (still so thankful & would love to do it again)! I attended a virtual writer’s conference hosted by The Writing Gals–which was awesome! Pretty sure I wrote more than I ever have in a year (completed 2 books + 1 novella and started another co-written book!).

I also had a few goals I didn’t achieve…but I’m rolling them over to this year :). Okay, so here we go. Bookish/Writing Goals for 2021: Write a book (or several! 2-3+). Publish a book. Write more and consistently. Send newsletter once a month. Post on blog, FB, Instagram without being scared/freaking out. Participate more in the author/book community; again, don’t be afraid to reach out. Learn how to run ads.

I also have several personal goals, but here are the big ones: Be thankful & focus on the good. Spread love & positivity.

And there you go! No idea if I’ll be able to reach any or all of them–but I’m going to try. How did your 2020 goals turn out, and what are your goals for this year? I’d love to know!

I wish you all the best and hope 2021 is treating you well so far! Be safe and well, bookworms!

Happy reading,

Cookie O’Gorman

P.S. I’ll do another post soon, but in case you’re interested, my upcoming release is on Goodreads!!! This is truly a book of my heart. <3 It’s my first time mentioning it anywhere; I’m already beating myself up that it’s in a post script ugh, but I just wanted to say thank you so much to the 4 people who have already added WALLFLOWER! You rock!!! Be on the lookout for another post soon, you guys! I can’t wait to share it with all of you! 😀

10
Apr
2020

Less Than 2 Weeks

categories: 5 Things, Adorkable, doing what you love, Entangled Publishing, Instagram, New Adult, nice surprise, O'Brien Brothers, Romance, The Best Mistake, YA

Hi everyone!

Positive post ahead :).

In less than two weeks, my 5th book, The Best Mistake, comes out!!! Yay, yay, yay, you guys! Oh, I’m so excited to share this one with you!

I cannot wait for everyone to meet Honor & Archer and all of the O’Briens!

I decided to post and focus on the positive because…well, tbh, I get a little overwhelmed sometimes and need to be reminded of things that are cheerful and good.

Here are a few of the things that have recently brightened my days:

My family. I’m so incredibly grateful for the time I have with them. It is priceless. They are the best thing in my whole world. The few friends I have are wonderful as well.
The ability to connect. Thank goodness for phones/mail/video chats/texts/email/nice messages from nice people.
Good books/TV/movies. I’ve been reading a lot lately. Haven’t been writing–which stinks–but I’ve been stressed and escaping through books/TV/movies. So glad for the escape.
Second Printing. A very kind editor from Entangled let me know this week that ADORKABLE is actually going into a second printing!!! I’m no expert–this is my first and only book that’s been traditionally published–but they’ve told me it’s done well, yay, and this means the book will be on shelves longer–which, to me, is AMAZING! <3
Speaking of Amazing... A while ago, an awesome author friend asked when I’d have ARCS ready of The Best Mistake because she wanted to read it, and that just made my day! <3 Thank you so much, Theresa!!!

I’ve been struggling recently, as I’m sure a lot of you have, to stay in a positive place. The way our world is right now…how so many are suffering, going through the unthinkable…I just can’t help getting overwhelmed with sadness sometimes.

Trying to focus on the good things has cheered me up a bit, and I hope it helps you as well.

I hope to cheer you up even more in a couple weeks when The Best Mistake comes out! 😉 But just to tide you over…here’s an awesome pic @lauren.bodiford posted a few weeks ago for The Best Mistake cover reveal!

https://www.instagram.com/p/B98A-9eA2I7/?igshid=1b1fuye3s5214

I hope you’re well, bookworms! <3

Happy reading,

Cookie O’Gorman

P.S. The idea that someone could be reading an ARC of The Best Mistake right now is nerve-wracking and exciting, eep! Oh, I’m crossing my fingers so hard that people like Archer & Honor’s story!!! I’ll be posting more about the book soon, and again, I hope you all have a great weekend! 🙂

28
Jan
2020

WIP Complete!!!

categories: Adorkable, Goodreads, Instagram, Ninja Girl, Romance, The Good Girl's Guide to Being Bad, The Unbelievable Inconceivable Unforeseeable Truth About Ethan Wilder, WIP, writing, YA

Okay, so technically, I should’ve posted this over two weeks ago lol.

But I completed my WIP, you guys! 😀 It has about 1,000 more words now because of edits–and I still have a bit more to do on that front–but WOOHOO!!!! It’s done, you guys!

And I love, love, love it so much! <3

There are a few things that I wanted to ask you, so I may do a poll later or something.

But for right now, I just wanted to tell you it’s complete–and I took this pic after lol–and once it’s ready, I cannot wait for you to read!!!

Also, I have some updates on my other book babies :).

The Good Girl’s Guide to Being Bad reached 500 ratings on Goodreads! Woohoo, yay, hooray!!!! I will have to do a giveaway to celebrate soon!

Someone wrote a one-star review of NINJA GIRL and tagged me in it…ugh (about the tagging, not the bad review. Honestly, one-stars hurt like a dagger to the chest, but everyone has their own opinion. I still absolutely love Snow and Ash and their story <3. Plus, someone else wrote a really awesome review, so it evens out I guess).

The Unbelievable, Inconceivable, Unforeseeable Truth About Ethan Wilder has recently gotten a few wonderful reviews as well! That was awesome to see!

Oh yes, and ADORKABLE got a very nice review from Kirkus! My first trade review, you guys! Want to know my initial reaction? “I’m so glad they didn’t hate it” LOL!!!!! 🙂 But seriously…I’m so glad they didn’t hate it!

I hope you’re all doing well, accomplishing your goals for 2020 and reading wonderful books!

Happy reading,

Cookie O’Gorman

14
Jan
2020

Hello 2020

categories: Adorkable, author takeover, Barnes and Noble, doing what you love, Entangled Publishing, Instagram, Ninja Girl, Romance, Target, The Good Girl's Guide to Being Bad, The Unbelievable Inconceivable Unforeseeable Truth About Ethan Wilder, writing, YA

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

27
Sep
2019

Cover Reveal: ADORKABLE (print edition)!

categories: Adorkable, cover love, Entangled Publishing, giveaway, Instagram, MTMC Tours, Romance, YA

Hi everyone!

Today I have a very ADORKABLE cover to reveal! Woohoo!!! I apologize in advance if you get this twice. I also posted in my newsletter bc it’s just so exciting! The print edition from Entangled will be released on December 3rd and will have exclusive bonus content :D.

Ready to see the awesome cover?

Possibly for the second time today ;)?

Here is the cover of the upcoming print edition of ADORKABLE!

Ah, I love it and can’t wait for the release!

Again, there’s a giveaway on Instagram to celebrate the cover reveal hosted by MTMC Tours, and oh my gosh, you guys! If I can figure out how to insert Instagram posts into my blog posts (I’ve done it before, but I don’t remember how lol!), I will have to share them with you because wow! So many beautiful pics <3.

Here are the awesome tour hosts in case you’d like to go check them out and enter the giveaway:

@paperfury
@thereaderandthechef
@tata.lifepages
@my_heart_is_booked
@beauty_in_books17

@l.m.durand
@ya.its.lit
@nerdy_little_julith
@the.word.traveler
@mixed_matched_socks

Hope you are well, bookworms, and having a very happy Friday!

Happy reading,

Cookie O’Gorman

25
Sep
2019

Bookstagram

categories: Adorkable, cover love, Entangled Publishing, Instagram, MTMC Tours, Romance, YA

Hi everyone!

Something really exciting is happening this Friday! There will be a cover reveal for the print version of ADORKABLE, yay!!! And if that wasn’t cool enough, the reveal is being hosted by MTMC Tours and will be on Instagram :D.

This is the awesome banner I found on the MTMC Tours site, and what’s even cooler? (I know so much cool in this post ha!)

Well, Melissa from The Reader and The Chef, who is one of the lovely ladies who runs MTMC Tours, was one of the bloggers in my initial blog tour when ADORKABLE came out in 2016!

Isn’t that crazy?!?

I remember her because she wrote such a nice review of the book and really seemed to love Becks <3.

So, this is my first Instagram tour, and I’m very excited! There are so many nice bookish accounts on there and so many beautiful book pics taken by bookstagrammers. It’s a real thing, you guys. People have accounts just for books, books, books! *__*

I hope some people sign up and that they love the ADORKABLE cover and that more readers discover Sally & Becks. There’s exclusive bonus content that will only be in the print edition, and I can’t wait for everyone to read it (especially the people who love Becks *sigh* :)).

There will also be a giveaway involved, woohoo! Again, so excited about this reveal! Friday can’t come soon enough lol ;).

I hope you’re all having a great week so far!

Happy reading,

Cookie O’Gorman

17
Sep
2019

Thank you and Instagram!

categories: Adorkable, doing what you love, giveaway, Hungary I Love You Giveaway, Instagram, Kamuzasok Kavarasok, Nindzsalany, Ninja Girl, Romance, YA

Warning: Very thankful author post ahead <3.

I cannot believe how many awesome readers responded to the Hungary, I Love You Giveaway!!! It was so wonderful reading all of the great comments!

*sigh*

Seriously, it touched my heart to read the responses about which characters people liked and why. And can I just say: I LOVED how much love my guys and girls received!

My book boyfriends get a lot of love here in the States–which I totally get and am thankful for! I’m secretly in love with Becks and Ash and want to marry them as well LOL! 🙂 But it was awesome to see so many readers who loved Sally & Snow as well! Yay, girl power!

I just want to say THANK YOU so much again to everyone who entered! Your enthusiasm and awesomeness made my day, and I’m so grateful that you like my books! The winners below were randomly selected.

Without further ado, the winners of the Hungary, I Love You Giveaway and signed copies of Nindzsalány and Kamuzások, kavarások are:

Fruzsina Kucsera

Tóth Teodóra

Jocka

Yay!!! Congratulations, and thank you so much for entering! Please send your address to cookieogorman[at]gmail[dot]com or message me on Facebook, so I can send you your books!

Also, as I mentioned, I had 12 extra bookplates in case more people entered…but I was so moved by the responses that…

I’m giving a bookplate to everyone who answered the question (Who is your favorite character from my books?) & entered the giveaway!!! 😀

Congrats, Irma, Szilvia, Tarcsai, Evá, Lilla, Királyné, Szandra, Hanna S., Adrienn, Jocó, Sandor, Stephanie, Timea, Anna, Ramóna, BVarga, Boglárka, Dóri, Hanna B., Tamás, Georgina, Titanilla, Réka, Andrea, Tamara, Melinda, Krisztina S., Nikolett, Judit, Eszter, Niki, Kiara, Krisztina P., Zsanett, Vivien F., Zsuzsanna, Körizs, Boglárka, Nóra, Renáta, Nikola, Klára, Dóri, Timi, Kulcsár, Vivien B., and Kira!

If you’ll send me your address, I will make sure you get your bookplate!

Thanks again, you guys! It may take a minute for the bookplates and books to arrive overseas, but I will be sending ASAP.

Next week, there will be an Instagram giveaway to celebrate the cover reveal for the print version of ADORKABLE coming out in December, yay! I love it and can’t wait to see what you amazing readers think!

Oh, and I finally got an Instagram!

I’m pretty nervous. Social media isn’t really my thing (translation: I kinda suck at it lol! :/). But I’ve already found some fantastic book peeps (and there are a lot of beautiful book pics *__*).

You can follow me there if you’d like! I’ll try not to be too awkward ha!

Hope you all have an awesome day with awesome books!

Happy reading,

Cookie O’Gorman