i’m in greenup, illinois right now.  it’s so great to see the country.  last night the caravan landed in springfield, missouri.  so far the weather has been perfect traveling weather too.  i’m wearing my route 66 tee shirt.  )

my lip is healing nicely, thank GOD!  and no more injuries to report.  however, that being said, i am about to attempt doing pilates or a crunch workout dvd in the (moving) rv…so you never know.  

 it looks like i have another signing now in philadelphia at head house books.  it’s tentatively scheduled for thursday the 26th of october at 7pm.  more dates and cities are being added so keep checking back!   

i should be arriving in pottstown, pennsylvania tomorrow afternoon where my fam is waiting!  i can’t wait to see my sister and my nieces.  then i am on the way up to lake placid, new york where the book tour officially begins on october 6th at 6:00pm.    

this is still so amazing and surreal to me.  i got the greatest note from someone in dublin, ireland last night who had found “before i go”.  an avid reader and very critical reader felt compelled to write and tell me how much she enjoyed the book.  i mean, DUBLIN!?!  how freaking cool is THAT?!  made my day reading her note. 

please write and say hello!  ) 

 I HAVE EXCITING NEWS!  I AM GOING TO BE A PART OF THE KICK OFF FOR TEEN READ WEEK 2006!  it’s going to take place just outside of chicago, illinois.  i am so honored to be there.  it’s going to be on tuesday morning october 17th.  i’ll make sure to post all the details on my home page as soon as i know.  also, two more dates have been added!  i’m going to books and more in albion, mi on tuesday the 24th of october and head house books in philadelphia in late october.  i’ll post those dates as well tonight or tomorrow.  so check back!

so yesterday was an experience!  my first day on the road.  i tried to take a nap, but the road was so bumpy.  so i gave up trying and went to get out of my bed when there was a HUGE bump.  my chin came down on a little counter next to the bed and my teeth sank into my bottom lip!  yeah, it’s very attractive.  it bled for way over an hour and i went through three ice cubes trying to get the swelling down.  today it’s black and blue and swollen, and of course there’s the nice blood dried on there.  i’m doing a video diary so hopefully you can all see just what i am talking about!  only me. 

so i’m on the tour bus!  i left at 11:11 this morning.  the rv is so great.  there are 3′x5′ posters of my book cover on the sides and back of the rv.  the back has “NATIONAL BOOK TOUR” in big letters under the book cover poster.  i’ve got everything i need in here: computer, printer, internet access, clothes for every possible temperature.  OH!  and i have work out dvd’s.  i figured i would try something new.  i’m used to running for miles on a treadmill…now i will be doing mat pilates and weights.  i am so excited.  i’ve never been across the country and to be able to travel like this is so wonderful. 

the past few weeks have been insane and these last few days have been nonstop.  i don’t think i’ve slept for a week.  i figure i’ll have to learn to take naps.  ) 

today’s traveling will take about 10 hours.  tonight i am in gallup, new mexico.  i am waiting to hear about two big press events so check back tomorrow!  i’ll be updating as soon as i hear something definate. 

these past few days have been insane and i wouldn’t change it for the world!! i just finished a tv movie and handed it in this morning.  the tour is getting bigger and bigger!  it’s so exciting!  so far there are 16 stores confirmed with dates and apparently there are another 20 requests already!  and get this!!  i am being driven across the country in a 32′ motor home!  talk about feeling like a rock star!  it’s going to be so cool.  the great thing is i can continue writing the whole way.  and keep an eye out for me!  you’ll know it’s me if you see my book cover plastered on the sides of the motor home! 

i found out that before i go was chosen for a BookSense pick for november!  it doesn’t get announced until the first week in october.  the independent bookstores across the country vote each month on their favorite books and mine was one of them.  it’s such a huge honor.  it will be great to meet all of the book stores that picked me. 

more and more dates and cities keep getting added to the tour so check back and see if your town is one of them!  and if you’re a bookstore and you’d like to request a visit, contact brad@campfirepress.com or caroline@campfirepress.com