Category: YA


Sep
2016

5 Things: I’m Loving Right Now

categories: 5 Things, Adorkable, debut, doing what you love, fun, YA

Lists are awesome, and since it is 5 DAYS before the release of the paperback version of ADORKABLE (eep!), it’s time for another “5 Things” post.  September is tough this year and not just because of the print release.  So basically, this is a list of the things that have made me happy this week.

Here are 5 Things I’m Loving Right Now:

  1.  Miss Peregrine’s Home For Peculiar Children by Ransom Riggs.  I started the book a couple of days ago because no matter how great the movie turns out I wanted to read the book first.  So far, I love it!  It’s odd and intriguing, and I can’t wait to get to the end.
  2. Videos of puppies and kittens.  Of course.
  3. Kilig!!!  This amazing, crazy cool Filipino word means (according to Google): exhilaration or elation caused by an exciting or romantic experience.  I also found this definition: the rush or the inexplicable joy one feels after seeing or experiencing something romantic.  Sigh…  We need more words like this!  We need more “kilig”!  I love it <3 .  Thank you, Beatrice and Henz for introducing me.
  4. Game of Thrones Season 6 (which i binge-watched last weekend).  Arya, Jon Snow, Brienne, and the Hound, all my faves are back.
  5. Sleeping in, warm socks, and nice people.

Kinda added a few more on that last one lol.  I hope your week is going well.  If you read ADORKABLE, I hope you feel the “kilig” :).  And yeah…just 5 more days until the print release!!!  Crossing my fingers that all goes well!

Happy reading,

Cookie O’Gorman


Sep
2016

I Love Book Deals!

categories: Adorkable, doing what you love, fun, Kindle Countdown Deal, promotion, YA

It’s true.  Book deals are fantastic, and I love them!  Who doesn’t love a great deal, right?

So as I said in the last post, today is the day!  ADORKABLE will be just $0.99 starting at 8:00 am today and ending on September 16, 2016 at 12:00 am.  Hooray for book deals!

If you or someone you know needs a little YA romance to read over the weekend, you may want to give ADORKABLE a try!  I really hope you do :).

This is a limited time deal, so if you’d like to help me spread the word, I’d love the help!

I hope you enjoy your weekend and that it’s filled with lovely books and good times.

Happy reading,

Cookie O’Gorman


Sep
2016

ADORKABLE Updates

categories: Adorkable, debut, doing what you love, giveaway, Kindle Countdown Deal, Release Day, self-publishing, YA

Okay, so after doing a bit of homework, I have learned much–and probably still not enough lol!

Update #1: No pre-orders.

I researched pre-orders on print books.  Here is my reaction to what I found: What…the…what??? 0_o

It was so easy to set up pre-order for the e-book version of ADORKABLE.  I thought it would be just as straightforward with print books, but alas…this is not the case.  To see what I mean, here is a link to the process.  And another from the original thread on this topic.

After reading (and re-reading) these and other articles, I really think I could do it.  No, I know I could do it.  I’m good at following directions–especially when it’s for something important.

But that’s the thing: ADORKABLE is my book baby.  It’s my debut.  It’s Sally and Becks and Hooker and Ash and…it’s a piece of me.  If there was even one change in the process, something might go wrong, and…nope.  Not taking that chance.

So yeah, no pre-orders.  The book will be out really soon anyway–which brings me to my next update. 🙂

Update #2: The Official Release Date for the print edition of ADORKABLE will be September 20, 2016!!!

That’s less than 2 weeks away, you guys.  I’m sooooo excited!!!  I have no idea how many people will want the print edition.  I’ve had several people tell me they’d like a print version, and I hope there will be new readers.  Maybe they only read print books and will find ADORKABLE this way.  I hope old readers who loved the e-book will want to add the paperback to their shelves.  Again, I’m just so freakin’ excited about it!

So excited, in fact, that I have a third update.

Update #3: On Friday, there will be a Kindle Countdown Deal!  ADORKABLE, the original ebook version, will be available for just $0.99 for a limited time to celebrate the upcoming release of the print book.  I’ll do another post Friday, but yeah.  Deals are awesome, and I hope a lot of readers will benefit from this one!

And those are the ADORKABLE updates. The “I <3 ADORKABLE” giveaway is still open if you want to enter.  I hope you are all having a great week!

Happy reading,

Cookie O’Gorman

P.S. ADORKABLE was #1 in Germany, Canada and France this week in its categories! Woohoo!

 


Sep
2016

Big News & A Giveaway!

categories: Adorkable, debut, fun, giveaway, self-publishing, YA

Big, Huge, Awesome News: ADORKABLE is coming to print in September!!!

Yes, you read that right.  This little debut YA romance is going to be a paperback.  I’ll keep you updated on the official release date and also when the book will be available for pre-order.  I already have my proof (which is so beautiful!), but of course, I need a finished copy for my shelves.  Ahhh, I’m so excited! 🙂

So, to celebrate ADORKABLE‘s print release and to thank all of the readers, bloggers, reviewers, AMAZING people who’ve made this possible, I’m doing a giveaway!

The “I <3 Adorkable” Giveaway will run from September 1 (midnight) until September 22 (midnight), and you can enter using the Rafflecopter below to win a $25 Amazon gift card.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Good luck!  Thank you again for your support, and I hope you’ll all check out ADORKABLE when it comes to print later in September!

Happy reading,

Cookie O’Gorman


Aug
2016

It’s Finally Here!

categories: Adorkable, cover love, debut, doing what you love, self-publishing, writing, YA

Got a surprise in the mail the other day! 🙂  Which really, it wasn’t a surprise because I knew it was coming, but it still felt like a surprise.  I wrote ADORKABLE several years ago, published it just this year at the end of March.  Yesterday, I got to finally hold my book in my hands for the first time.

It was an incredible feeling <3.

Sigh…I felt it all.  And yes, I did cry just a little.

The print cover turned out AMAZING! Thank you, thank you, thank you to Stephanie Mooney for working your magic yet again.

And now, I’ll share some pictures (because OF COURSE I had to take pictures!!!).

Prepare yourself for all the pretty.

ADORKABLE_proof

This is what the proof looked like in the box…

ADORKABLE_proof2

…and here’s a look inside…

ADORKABLE_proof3

…and this is the book outside the box, in my hand, with the beautiful cover and spine and all the amazing attributes of a real, live, paperback book!  Oh, I love it, and I loved getting to add ADORKABLE to my bookshelves. 🙂

There is just something about books that you can literally hold in your hand.  No offense to reading devices (I heart mine and use it well and often), but imo a print book is just a different experience.  It’s running your fingers along the cover, flipping the pages, hugging and snuggling the book to your chest…oh is that just me?  Got it, lol!

Anyway, this was the highlight of my week!  I hope you’re enjoying your week as well–and that you get lots of pretty books in the mail, too.

Happy reading,

Cookie O’Gorman


Aug
2016

The Unexpected

categories: Adorkable, debut, doing what you love, self-publishing, YA

There are times when I randomly Google my book.

I’ve only done this like 4 times, I promise!

I know, it’s silly right?  But I just want to make sure my baby’s still doing okay out there in the world, see what people are saying, feed my unending curiosity :).  Recently, it just so happens that I found 3 posts people had written about ADORKABLE and…sigh.  They said the nicest things!!!  Each post was unexpected and so very awesome!

If you are one of the people who wrote these posts, just know that you made my day! 🙂

The Reader and the Chef: Top 10 Favorite Books in 2016 (so far)

NewInBooks: Books to Read if You Like YA Romantic Comedies

U.S.-Brazil Book Review: Top 5 Wednesday–Authors You Are Waiting On Another Book From

On the flip side, this week I also discovered some unexpected things that were not-so-nice.  Technology was not my friend.  My email went a bit wonky, so as I was trying to email back and forth with my cover designer, some of my and her replies were not coming through.  Sucked because we were trying to get the print cover for ADORKABLE finalized, and I really didn’t want to inconvenience her.  I also had to download 3 different programs (which took several hours) in order to find the right one to save fill-form PDFs (an issue completely unrelated to the print cover).  Ugggh…

The good news is I finally found the right program, and I was able to order proof copies of ADORKABLE today!

Yayyyy, huzzah, woohoo and all the good stuff!

The proofs should come in sometime next week, and I’ll finally get to hold a physical copy of my book for the first time :).  I. Cannot. Wait.  I hope you all have a great weekend!

Happy reading,

Cookie O’Gorman


Aug
2016

2000+ Adorkable Readers

categories: Adorkable, debut, doing what you love, Goodreads, Uncategorized, YA

I checked ADORKABLE today, and it has over 2000 ratings on Goodreads 0___0.

I really can’t believe it!

Now while the number is incredible, amazing, freaking unbelievable by itself, the meaning of it made my jaw drop.  That 2000+ means that there are over 2000 Adorkable readers out there!  I just can’t wrap my mind around it.

I do not have that many friends.  I don’t even think I know that many people!  I mean, maybe but…seriously, 2000!!!

And it looks like those readers are from all over the world.

I…can’t…even…gah!

I can’t imagine getting to visit all of those places, but my book has been there, and that makes me so grateful.  I don’t know how or why or what is making people read my little YA romance debut, but if you are among that 2000+ readers: THANK YOU SO SO MUCH!!!

You rock, Adorkable readers!  You really do :).

Happy reading,

Cookie O’Gorman


Aug
2016

5 Things: I Wish I Knew Before Self-Publishing

categories: 5 Things, Adorkable, doing what you love, self-publishing, writing, YA

Hi everyone!  I decided to do a “5 Things” post because I love lists and because I’ve always thought 5 was a good number :).  This week I’m going to focus on 5 Things I Wish I Knew Before Self-Publishing.  Just so you know, I could probably do a list with over 100 items on this topic!

So, here we go.

Before self-publishing ADORKABLE, I wish I knew:

  1. No matter how much research I did, no matter how many articles, books, guides or author posts I read, I would never know everything I needed to know.  Some things can only be learned through the process.
  2. Self-publishing is not as crazy/impossible/unthinkable as it sounds.  It is a lot of hard work (and will cause plenty of nervousness and anxiety), but it’s not impossible.  You can figure out Amazon, Goodreads, Facebook etc.  The truth is anyone can do it.  And they do, every day.  You just have to be ready to put in the work and for things (the good and the bad) not to go exactly as planned.
  3. Sometimes it’s better not to wait.  This is a personal item, but I wish I hadn’t waited as long as I did to self-publish.  After you’ve done all the research, lots and lots and lots of research, you have to put your thoughts into action.  Sometimes the people you love and who’ve shared in your dreams don’t have the time to see those dreams come true unless you act swiftly.  And there are times when, even if you do act fast, it’s still not enough.  Anyway, I don’t think anyone should self-publish before they are completely ready.  But personally, I think I was ready–ADORKABLE sat complete and on my computer for a looong time.  Despite the success the book is currently seeing, waiting for the perfect time in my case, was maybe not the best move.
  4. A bad book review can rip you heart out–but a good one can mend it back together.  Also, just try not to go crazy reading the reviews!!!
  5. Pat was right.  I can do this.  Believing in myself was the hardest part.  I always believed in my books.  I always believed in ADORKABLE and my characters.  My family always supported and believed in me and my work.  The truth was: I was the one holding me back.

Getting over that last hurdle (believing in myself) is still a daily struggle.  But I can and am doing it.  And whether it be self-publishing or traditional publishing, you do it can, too.  I hope everyone has a great weekend!

Cookie O’Gorman

 


Jul
2016

Be Yourself

categories: Adorkable, Be Yourself, debut, doing what you love, writing, YA

People say it all the time, and you hear it again and again, maybe especially if you’re a young adult.

“Be yourself.”

It’s a great message, the idea that if you just “be yourself” everything will work out–and even if it doesn’t, you’ll be okay.  It’s powerful and empowering…and potentially very scary.  I mean, think about it.  Imagine, putting yourself out there like that, being who you are regardless of what people think, what they may say, how they may react.  You also have to know who you are in the first place, and that is tough for most adults let alone a teenager who is still trying to figure out her place in the world.

Like I said: powerful yet scary stuff.

I work with young kids, and school is about to start.  I was having a hard time deciding what to write this week when I saw all the back-to-school posts.  That got me thinking about how daunting starting a new school year can be.

And then…I thought about Sally :).

One of the things I love best about Sally Spitz (the main character of ADORKABLE) is that she is completely herself.  She loves what she loves and who she loves wholeheartedly.  Whether it’s quoting Yoda, wearing Harry Potter memorabilia, re-enacting her favorite scene from a movie that almost no one knows, or admitting to her best friend that she needs a fake boyfriend, Sally is who she is.  Unapologetically.  Like a proud author-parent, it’s also one of the things I’m most proud of.

That doesn’t mean she isn’t insecure sometimes.  Sally definitely has doubts.  Those are a part of her, too, and they make her human.  The important thing is that despite those insecurities, despite those doubts, she doesn’t let that stop or change her.

Like it or not–like her or not–it’s okay, and here’s why:

Sally likes herself.

She is loyal to her friends, her family and her fandoms :).  She’s a smart girl who loves books.  And she will be herself no matter what.  If you think about it, what “be yourself” really means is: Be brave.

As school starts back, I hope all the young adults out there (and the adults) can be brave.  I hope I can be brave.  I hope it’s one of the things people take away after reading ADORKABLE.

Be yourself.  It’s one of the hardest and most important things you can do.

Happy reading,

Cookie O’Gorman


Jul
2016

We have a winner…and a Gryffindor :)

categories: Adorkable, debut, doing what you love, fun, Geeking Out, giveaway, Harry Potter, Pottermore, YA

At midnight, a winner was randomly chosen for the ADORKABLE 3 Month Anniversary Giveaway!!!

And…

her name is…

Natasha!!!

Huge congratulations to Natasha, and thank you to everyone who entered.  There were quite a few entries, and again, just thank you so much for helping me celebrate ADORKABLE.  It really made the three month anniversary special :-).

Also, I went to Hogwarts and was sorted!  Okay, so I didn’t really go to Hogwarts, but I did join Pottermore.  I took the test–unfortunately, there was no sorting hat.  I answered all of the questions as honestly as possible, without any expectations.  Not going to lie, some of the questions were pretty deep and took a lot of thought.

But now, I can officially say: I am a Gryffindor.

My main character Sally would be so proud lol!  It came as somewhat of a surprise but a very welcome one :).  Go Gryffindor!

In writing news, I have been working on getting everything ready for the print version of ADORKABLE as well as editing Ash’s book.  More on that later, but in case you were wondering what I’ve been working on, there you go.  Hope you have a great weekend!

Happy reading,

Cookie O’Gorman