Tuesday, January 11, 2011

Party with AtU!

So this happened:

SNOOOOOOOOOOOW!

Let's set the mood properly: How about some Dean Martin?



And because of the snow, Fireside Books and I decided that the best course of action would be to postpone the official book launch party until Thursday.

In some ways, this was good. ACROSS THE UNIVERSE got to sleep in:

There's a scene in the book where Amy has a teddy bear named Amber. This is Amber.

And AtU likes to sleep in. After sleeping half the morning away, AtU was happy to read the local newspapers.

My mother bought ten copies.

"But AtU," I said, "it's your birthday! Your FIRST birthday! Right now! We should celebrate!!" So I put on some party music that Lost in Believing found for me:




And then I hung up a banner made by Jeremy over at Novel Thoughts:



And AtU and I were in the mood for a party!

First we had to get all dolled up. I started with painting our nails--and of course, I used Across the Universe nail polish!


Notice the new ring? Some of my Twitter followers will remember how I tweeted about this jeweler, who makes rings engraved with the musical notes of a song. And, well, there's a certain song by the Beatles that really seemed to fit with AtU...

And since it's a VIRTUAL book birthday, one AtU and I did two things. First, we checked out the official AtU page. Yesterday, it was a countdown, and AtU and I (and a bunch of fellow nerd Twitter followers) are such nerds that we snagged a screen shot at 1:11:11:11.


But this morning, the website was all changed! And HOLY AWESOME, it's amazing. AMAZING. Guys. YOU GUYS. Go check it out!!!!


After that, AtU and I checked out the Facebook page and looked at all the new entries into the contest--so much fun to see what you guys are doing with YOUR AtUs! And don't forget guys--enter that contest! Because my husband keeps looking at my water bottle and the iPod multi-touch nano and threatening to steal them....

But you know what? AtU isn't really the kind of book that wants to stay cooped up inside--we'd much rather go outside and play in the snow! First, we had to put on our snow gear.



Recognize the hat AtU is wearing? That, my friends, is a Jayne hat. And if you don't know what I'm talking about, you need to watch more FIREFLY.

"How's it sit? Pretty cunning, don't ya think?"
Well, it doesn't really fit AtU, so I took the Jayne hat back. AtU didn't seem to like it, and one thing led to another, and....

SNOWBALL FIGHT!
Don't feel bad for AtU. It's quite good at stockpiling snowballs...

AtU is such a cheater. Hiding snowballs behind its back. Tsk, tsk.
After that, we chilled by making snow angels.


And then we got together and made a snowman.


By this time we were freezing! Time to go inside for a cup of cocoa!

Did you notice the Penguin cocoa?
But you know....something was missing.

We made a wish when we blew out the candle.

Happy Birthday, AtU.

100 comments:

Library Gal @Lost in the Library said...

Amazing!!! Happy Birthday to you, Happy Birthday to you, Happy Birthday dear AtU, Happy Birthday to you!

christine M said...

Happy Book Birthday, AtU! I'm so happy for you all!

Kayla Olson said...

This is made of so much awesome!!! Way to make the best of the snow, lol.

Kristen My Bookish Fairy Tale said...

Happy Birthday ATU!!!! I cannot wait to get my copy! Congrats Beth!!!

Just So Jess said...

Woooo! Happy Book Birthday!

Claire Dawn said...

Just got my Kindle copy! Happy Camper! :)

Lenore Appelhans said...

Woo hoo! I can't wait to hold the finished copy in my hands :)

Unknown said...

YAY!!! Happy Book Birthday! Yay, tiny little snowman! Yay, Jayne hat! Yay, cupcakes!

Anonymous said...

OH MY GOSH OH MY GOSH OH MY GOSH!!!

I AM SO EXCITED FOR YOU & AtU!!!

Happy Birthday, sweet book & HAPPY FRIGGIN RELEASE DAY, BETH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Rachel Harris said...

congratulations and Happy birthday!!!

Susanne Winnacker said...

Happy Book Birthday!

Liza said...

Congratulations, happy book birthday and thank you for a morning chuckle.

Kelly Polark said...

Congrats, Beth! Enjoy your special day!!!!! It must be so exciting!
Love the goodies and your manicure for AtU's bday!

Unknown said...

HAPPY RELEASE DAY!! I'm so sorry you got snowed in (I have my own form of party curse so I totally get it) but Thursday's IRL release party will be awesome and your virtual party's rockin'! You'll have plenty of online guests--my site's hosting a party stop for AtU at 11:11 this morning! Yay!

Congratulations again and I can't wait for everybody to read the awesomesauce that is ACROSS THE UNIVERSE!

Happy birthday and happy reading!
Mary
The Book Swarm

Kay said...

Congratulations! I've been saving my B&N gift card from Christmas just for today. It's snowing here, too, and since I'm from NC, I wimp out at actually driving in snow. Once the snow plows have done there job, I'm off to the bookstore.

Jamie Grey said...

Congrats Beth! And Happy Birthday AtU! I am so excited for you both! My copy shipped yesterday - I cannot wait!

Jessi E. said...

I love the adventures that you and AtU had together. :) Sounds like a lot of fun. I know I would think it was fun to hang out with my new book no matter what we were doing! And the AtU website?!? Wooo... I need to head back there and play around with it.

Unknown said...

Happy Book Birthday! What a nice way to celebrate!

Jacinda (The Reading Housewives) said...

Happy Birthday Across the Universe!

Ruta Sepetys said...

It's your birthday, it's your birthday! Congratulations Beth!!
WOOOO HOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!! xoxo

Marquita Hockaday said...

What a cute post :) Happy b-day AtU! It seems as if it had a great time! Can't wait to read, btw!!!!!

C.R. Evers said...

Congratulations! Happy Birthday ATU!!! A little snow isn't going to stop the celebration! It will just make it last longer. :0)

I blogged about ATU and posted your interview questions on my blog.

P*A*R*T*Y!!!!

Bethany said...

Awwww
Cute!
Have a happy B-day, AtU!

Lola Sharp said...

Dude, I stopped by to wish you a Happy Book Birthday....and was treated to this spectacular romp of FUN!

Yeah, so, first, I'm too embarrassed to admit HOW MANY MILLIONS of times we've watched the season of Firefly (and movie Serenity)...so many times that I can recite the entire season, line for line. I STILL mourn the loss of that show, its life cut too short. (evil Fox) Husband loves Jayne. I Love Captain Tightpants.
Ooops. Did I just go off on a tangent? Sorry.

LOVE AtU's snowangel...and Jayne hat.
You already know I love the nail polish. (totes worth $17)

Happy Book Birthday, Beth. Enjoy your moment, this moment.
Hugs,
Lola

Brittany said...

HAPPY BOOK BIRTHDAY I CAN'T WAIT UNTIL EVERYONE READS IT!

Tricia J. O'Brien said...

The uni must have brought you tons of snow in celebration and solidarity with Amy being ice and all that. ;) How cool to have the universe show up for launch!
The pictures are great. Now I need a Jayne hat and AtU nailpolish!
Yay, AtU birth day! Yay, Beth!

Patti said...

Hope the weather is good for Thursday and can't wait to read the book. BTW, loved the Jayne hat.

Casey McCormick said...

Ahhhh!!!! It's here, it's here!! It's 1/11/11!

Happy Book Birhtday, AtU.

Happy Release Day, Beth!!

You're both adorable and amazing.

XOXO

Tracey Neithercott said...

Congratulations on the release!! I cannot get to my bookstore fast enough today. I'm dying to read it!

Tere Kirkland said...

Ha! Cute pics! Looks like y'all had lots of fun. Just downloaded ATU this morning, and I did get a new Canon Elph for Xmas, so maybe there's a photo op for my nook and me in my future.

Not sure if I can be as creative as you, though! ;)

Christina Lee said...

YAY!!!!!!!!!!!*Does cartwheels and somersaults* Now--off to READ (well, duh)!!!

Angela Ackerman said...

HAPPY BIRTHDAY! I am so happy for you Beth, that your day is here at last. Enjoy the ride girl--you have earned every minute of it!

Wishing you nothing but the best!

Angela @ The Bookshelf Muse

Lacey J Edwards said...

Cute, Beth! Congratulations and happy book birthday! Can't wait to get my copy!

Unknown said...

Congratulations Beth!
The pictures were awesome.
Looks like you were having fun!
Such a wonderful day for you!
Love to you & yours,
Rob

Stephanie J. Blake said...

Happy Release day!!!!!!!

Carrie Harris said...

YAY YAY YAY YAY!

Congrats, Beth and AtU! *tosses celebratory snowball at you*

Shannon Messenger said...

SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO exciting. Heading out to my bookstore to pick up my copy now! Enjoy the day girl. You earned it! :)

Marcia said...

Oh, this is one cool post. Congratulations, Beth.

Nikki (Wicked Awesome Books) said...

Happy birthday AtU!! It looks like the two of you had a blast, Beth. It's too bad snow forced the postponement, but at least you and AtU got to have some fun in the white stuff :D

Ello - Ellen Oh said...

That was so cute!!! Happy Birthday AtU!!! I'm off to grab up my very own copy and I'm willing to get it a cupcake too!!!

Cherie Reich said...

Yay! Happy Book Birthday!!

Kristin Rae said...

I love that ATU played in the snow in a plastic baggie. :)

Happy Birthday to ATU and Happy Birthing day to you, Beth! :)

Carolin said...

Happy Book Birthday! =) I hope you have a blast at the actual book party and that the snow doesn't mess up those plans!

I can't wait to hold my copy in my hand. :D

Jess (The Cozy Reader) said...

Happy Release Day! I posted my review yesterday and today was the secret project! :)

Enjoy the snow and your virtual party!

Elana Johnson said...

Awesome!! I so wish I could've been there for this amazing party! I love you in the newspaper and the new website? FABULOUS.

CONGRATS BETH!!

The Words Crafter said...

Oh my gosh, this was brilliant!!!! Happy Birthday!!!!

Faith E. Hough said...

Happy book birthday!!! I can't wait to meet you, AtU!
And congratulations, Beth!!

Bryan Russell said...

Congrats on the big day! And I always loved that Dean Martin song...

Corey Schwartz said...

Oh, what an amazing party! I wonder if my pre-ordered copy will come today????

Krispy said...

Totally cute! Happy Book Birthday, AtU!

Alix said...

Happy Book Birthday ATU!

Awesome hat! Enjoy the rest of your day :)

Jeigh said...

I love so many things about this post. First, that you posted at 1:11. Also, that AtU wore it's protective snow-baggie outside. And the Jayne hat. I love Jayne so much that my daughter's middle name is Jayne. My husband's family thinks it's a variation on a family name. Uh, sure...

Happy birthday, AtU, and congrats, Beth!

Mim said...

Happy Release Day! I wish the storm would have hit a day later, so I could have the book to read, while I'm stuck at home. Still I have something to look forward to getting as soon as the roads clear up. The blog party was so fun!

Natalie Aguirre said...

Happy Birthday ATU! I'm so happy for you Beth! Enjoy your special day.

N. R. Williams said...

Congratulations on your book launch. I've heard only wonderful things about this and I will pick one up soon.
Nancy
N. R. Williams, fantasy author

Sheela Chari said...

Happ book birthday, Beth and AtU!

lisa and laura said...

Oh, Beth! We're so excited for you and the book. I'm headed out tonight to pick up MY copy! I absolutely love all of these pictures and can't wait to read about the official book launch on Thursday. Happy snow day!

Shari said...

I am so excited to actually hold your book in my hands. I'm still waiting! I am a new follower and I think your newest fan. Congratulations and may you have astronomical success.

Abby Minard said...

Congrats on the release today!!! So excited! I absolutely love it so far!

Jennifer Shirk said...

SUPER congrats, Beth!!!

Miriam Forster said...

Annd maaany MOOOORE! :)

(Books that is!)

Melissa Hurst said...

Yay! I'm so glad today's the day AtU is released! I can't wait to get to the store to get my copy:)

Katrina L. Lantz said...

Happy Birthday, AtU! I blogged about this today, and linked to that uh-may-zing revamped book website. I hope all my friends go out and buy it.

Congrats on an awesome book launch and yay for enjoying the snow (even if it altered the party plans a little).

Debbie Barr said...

That was so cute! Happy birthday to Across the Universe, and happy day to you!

Zac Harding said...

Congratulations Beth! Across the Universe is an amazing book and I wish you all the best :-)

____ said...

You, and AtU (of course!) are too cute! I cannot wait to read the book and am rushing home today to pick up my copy. Congrats and goodluck with everything, Beth!

Haley said...

Corwin would want to steal the water bottle. hahaha Happy book birthday! I'm so happy for you!
P.S. Allstar weekend is so cool. I love that song.

Danyelle L. said...

Congrats, Beth! I'm so happy for you!

Christina said...

That's awesome! Happy Book Birthday to AtU and Congrats Beth!



Haha. fellow nerd Twitter followers~

Shannon O'Donnell said...

I love, love, love this post, Beth! Love it! I told Shelli J-W that today feels like a national holiday. I am BEYOND excited for you, for your book, for what is yet to come . . . You are all kinds of awesomesauce!! Congratulations, Beth! :-)

Carrie said...

Happy Birthday AtU and Congratulations to you, Beth!!!! I love the Jayne hat. Classic!

Pisinat said...

Haaappyyyyy book birthdaaaayyy =D =D

YA Book Queen said...

Happy Book Birthday!!!!! =)

*cue confetti, balloons, and overall fun*

NeuroHormone said...

Oooh....Happy Birthday AtU! You're such a cute Baby!
=XXXXX

Plamena Schmidt said...

Yay!!! Congratulations! Happy Book Birthday!

JEM said...

Happy Birthday and congratulations! And I am jealous of all the snow :). Enjoy the big day!

Cass said...

HAPPY BOOK BIRTHDAY!! I'll be on the look-out for your book on the shelves. ;) Beautiful post.

Golden Eagle said...

Happy Birthday, ATU!

Congratulations! :D

Emily said...

I'm still waiting for my pre-ordered copy in the mail. So far it hasn't come. Grrrr. But, I'll party with you anyway and hopefully I'm reading it by tomorrow!

Congratulations! AtU!

Corey Schwartz said...

It came, it came, it came!!! I have to finish Savvy this instant, so I can start AtU tonight!!!!!

Paul Joseph said...

Happy Birthday, AtU, and happy happy HAPPY release day to a fantastic author! Enjoy every moment of this experience!

Donea Lee said...

So much fun!!!! Love your snow day with AtU and a very happy 1st bday! Can't wait to read the book. A HUGE congrats to you!! :)

Jemi Fraser said...

Happy birthday AtU!! I think everyone should get a Jayne hat for their birthday!!!

Huge congrats! May all your copies fly off the shelf!

Heather Helene said...

Happy Book Birthday! I snagged my copy this morning! :-) Congrats!

Jaimie Teekell said...

Just want to say...

My thoughts of this morning: "Oh, Across the Universe is out today. I'll probably get around to that sometime this year. It's a shame it didn't come out last week though, because I could have started it before The Book Thief. Yeah, now I'm in the middle of The Book Thief, and I'll probably want to read something else before Across the Universe because that's how it goes. It's a shame."

Then.

I downloaded AtU to my Kindle.

And I read the first chapter. And the second one.

And hoooooly crap, The Book Thief just got tossed, kicked and nailed to the back burner.

Now I'm MAKING myself wait until the weekend so I have plenty of time to just enjoy.

You dun good.

Colene Murphy said...

Congratulations!!! This is huge! I hope you have been enjoying YOUR DAY today! ATU is ALIVE!!!

Colene Murphy said...

(I FORGOT!: it was a terribly AMAZING book, btw. YOU are an incredible writer/store teller/woman-in-general! I Loved it!!

Lisa Potts said...

My pre-order is finally on it's way! Happy birthday ATU!

Kelly H-Y said...

Awesome, awesome, awesome! Loved this post and am SO very excited for you! Happy Birthday AtU and CONGRATS to you, Beth!! (And, the book website is AMAZING!)

Anonymous said...

Happy Book Birthdayyyyy ! And congrats to you :D

Haha I feel honored to be apart of this awesome post! Your novel is phenomenal and it deserves all of this!

~Alison

Jennifer Hoffine said...

Yay! Just got my book on audible and can't wait to listen. Happy Birthday, AtU!

Anonymous said...

Best. Book Birthday. Ev. Ah.

Congrats, Beth, and thank you for including your virtual friends in the celebration!

-S.

Maidenveil said...

Happy Book Birthday to AtU!!! I can't wait to have my copy. Cheers!! :D

Rose Cook said...

Happy Book Birthday! What a great book. Thanks Beth for an amazing story.

Hardygirl said...

Happy birthday indeed. I feel like I'm there. Really I do!!

sf

storyqueen said...

Happy Birthday, AtU!!

Mine came in the mail today..so pretty!

Shelley

Unknown said...

Happy birthday ATU!! I'm reading it as I type!! :)

Lenny Lee said...

hi miss beth! im wishing you a big happy book birthday! i hope you get a zillion books sold. im still needing to know for what age is your book. im a middle grader but i could just wanna read that book cause of all ive herd bout it. i love space stuff. me and my 4 brothers and 1 sister are snowed in like you. were in atlanta. maybe your book could be for them cause theyre more older than me. i hope you have tons of fun at your party.
...happy birthday hugs from lenny

Anonymous said...

Happy Birthday to you....

I'm very happy for you--so exciting that it is finally here!

Eric said...

Happy Birthday, AtU. And here I thought I had a great time helping out with a blog post about your launch.

You've blown my paltry celebrations out of the water, heh heh. As it should be.

Congratulations Beth and AtU. Hope you're celebrating and smiling the whole year long.