i have so much to tell you!  first of all, i hope everyone had a great summer.  i had a busy one but i made time to go back east to visit my family.  it was SO wonderful to spend time with my sister and my nieces! i am truly blessed to have such an understanding and supportive family.  not many would be so understanding and supportive if their aunt riley barely arrived for a visit and spent a good portion of her three days visiting holed up in the office rewriting a script!  i did have to promise a pony to my nieces but isn’t that what aunt’s are for?!  seriously though, i am beyond lucky to have two beautiful, sweet nieces and a sister who i am so grateful to also call my best friend. 

now for being bailey!  i am SO excited to tell you the being bailey website has finally launched!  please visit www.beingbailey.com where you can view the first three episodes of the series!  as many of you already know, i created being bailey as a webisode series.  now there is so much interest in it…it’s being pitched as a tv show!  check it out and let me know what you think! 

when i was on "vacation" i got wonderful news about before i go!  a HUGE agency in new york signed me for books.  first on their list is taking before i go to the frankfurt book fair…and our goal?  before i go will soon go international! 

in a few days i start rehearsing and shooting a new movie!  it’s called "footprints" and is one of the best scripts i have ever read.  i am playing a girl who spends her days on hollywood blvd, dreaming of being an actress…and to make money she dresses up as super girl and poses for pictures with tourists!  it’s a supporting lead and my character is SO AWESOME! 

there’s more!  one of the MOST TALENTED directors EVER has come aboard to direct my family comedy, summer at dad’s!  he’s won emmys, he’s directed some of my favorite movies including santa clause 2 & 3!  and beyond all of that?  he’s one of the coolest, nicest, most incredible people i have ever had the chance to work with so far in this industry.  more news on that one soon! 

and hopefully a HUGE ANNOUNCEMENT coming soon about before i go … so check back next week!! 

think peace  XO

i’ve been so busy lately so for those of you who have written, first of all, thank you!  and second of all…soooo sorry i haven’t responded. i’ve been busy working on a few projects and right now, sleep is barely an option!  but it’s really a great thing, i promise!

the good news is there are people interested in making my novel, before i go, into a movie!  i have some meetings coming up and i’ll find out more in the next few weeks but it’s very exciting. as most of you know this is my ROCKY!  i’ve actually started hard-core training already…two hours a day of weights, strength training, pilates and cardio.  yeah, i know.  i don’t do anything half-way.  hopefully soon i will be on the ice training!  hopefully the actors i want in it will soon be reading the script.  everyone keep your fingers crossed!

there is also interest in a bunch of other scripts too which is so great and exciting.  i am busy at work on a few romantic comedies and a also a one-hour drama television show.  and???  there have also been a few phone calls from a BIG publishing company so we’ll see where i end up!     

my website has finally been updated and will continue to be updated on a regular basis from now on.  BIG THANKS TO BRIAN!  so check it out when you get a chance and let me know what you think! 

i also was just cast in a movie!  it’s called footprints and i’m shooting in september.  it’s a great indie movie about hollywood.  i play a runaway who dreams of being an actress…and to make money adn support herself…she dresses up as supergirl every day and poses for pictures on hollywood blvd.  and she has a bit of a truck driver mouth on her.  it’s soooo me!! 

hope everyone is having a great summer!  i haven’t taken any vacation yet…or had a day off…but if you know me, you know i am so okay with that.  i miss my camp in upstate ny but hopefully i can get there and see my fam for even a few days towards the end of the month. 

here’s me at a recent premiere for who’s your caddy! 

so it seems i am headed back to nyc this weekend!!  i was just informed i’ve won my SECOND AWARD for before i go in THREE WEEKS!!!  i’ve was just named the grand prize winner of the 2007 new york book fesitval, as well as the winner of the fiction catagory!!  WOW!  i am speechless, probably for once in my life!  the following is the press release…

2007 NEW YORK BOOK FESTIVAL NAMES WINNERS

NEW YORK (June 16, 2007) _ Riley Weston’s novel “Before I Go,” a timeless love story based in the world of ice skating, is the grand prize winner of the 2007 New York Book Festival.

Weston and other winners will be appearing on June 23, 2007 at the New York Book Festival in Central Park from 10 a.m . to 6 p.m. The event, which is free and open to the public, will be held near the Naumburg Bandshell in the park. Author readings and signing, live music, clowns doing face-painting and balloon animals, book vendors, food and live music will be part of the day-long celebration of literacy and education.

Weston wins $1500 for her efforts in the competition. She is a triple-threat actress, TV/screenplay writer and novelist. “Before I Go” is her debut novel. She divides her time between New York City, Los Angeles and “somewhere in the Adirondack Mountains” in upstate New York.

and if that isn’t exciting enough…my thriller feature film stay is officially on it’s way to getting into pre-production!  i’m working with two fantastic producers and they’ve just given my script to a few directors…

more to come!

ASYM= american society of young musicians.  what a great night!  on thursday night 6/7/07, i was invited to not only attend this cool event, but also PRESENT my first award!!  it was so great!!  first of all, some of the people who recieved awards?  avril, as in lavigne, nickelback, gospel great, andrae crouch, evanescence, christina milian, young jeezy, and stevie wonder, who received a living legend award.  to hear this man speak, wow.  i cna’t even begin to express how unbelievable that was. 

here’s the cool part!  i gave the 2007 trailblazer award to dr. john, the new orleans jazz, rock, funk, r&b and bluesman!  it was unbelievable to a part of such a great night.  dr. john received his award right before stevie wonder.  i had two + pages of dialogue to read about dr. john…and when i found out there was that much to read, i will admit the thought of my miniskirt showing inappropriate areas, me tripping, spilling or otherwise looking or sounding retarded went out the window when i saw a) what a great talent dr. john was and still is and b) when i saw all the pages i had to read!  i literally called my sister and said, please pray i don’t mess this up!  (ps, thanks sissy!  it worked!)  anyway, it was an awesome night! 

i’m working all weekend on my new script, stay…i’m so excited about this one.  the producers attached are amazing and we’re all excited to get it sold and in production as soon as we can!  it’s a dark, psychological thriller…like what you’d get if you combined a college-age “sleeping with the enemy” with “fear”.  twisted, i know. 

more to come!

hi everyone!

it’s been a long time since i’ve written!!  and there is so much to tell you all. 

first of all, the biggest news…the independent publisher book awards were announced on friday, june 1st in nyc!  and i was awarded the IPPY gold medal for STORYTELLER OF THE YEAR!!   INSANE!  my mom, my dad and my sister were all on hand to celebrate with me too.  it was such a great night!  and they gave me the largest bouquet of flowers i have ever seen.  as in, bigger then miss america’s flowers.  she had nothing on mine!  i have to thank jim barnes and everyone at the independent publisher book awards for such a fantastic celebration.  and yeah, my gold medal!!!! 

the entire weekend june 1st-3rd was spent at book expo america in nyc.  oh my GOD!  it was so wild.  i don’t think i sat down for three days straight.  i signed about 500 books and met SO many great people.  the booth for before i go was so beautiful.  and i was so happy to see so many friends from my book tour!  what a perfect weekend.  i met a few production companies too…some that are interested in seeing before i go made into a independent feature…so stay tuned!

okay…big news on THE BLACK WIDOW!  IT’S SHOOTING AS I WRITE!  FINALLY!  elizabeth berkley was cast as the black widow, olivia and alicia coppola was cast as the cool photojournalist, mel, who will hopefully save the day.  i know if she does or not.  but i’m not telling.  heehee. 

and more big news!  BEING BAILEY, my coming-of-age teen drama, filmed before i left for nyc.  it came out SO great that gotv networks…who produced it…is taking it out to the major networks now.  i am so proud of this.  i was the creator, writer and also had my first producer credit on this one.  what an amazing experience. 

and the last news to report…two of my feature films are in development with a great company now!  one of the movies is a dark pyschological thriller called stay.  it’s like what you would get if you crossed “sleeping with the enemy” and “fear”!  the other one is a much lighter family comedy.  i’ll have more news on both of them soon.

if any of you have purchased one of my books on amazon, please write in a review!  and if you’re reading before i go now, please send an email and let me know what you think when you’re finished.  i’d love to hear! 

love, riley

okay, so many of you know i’ve been working on a television movie of the week for…well, for MANY months. i am thrilled to tell you i am now writing the final draft of it and it actually has been given the BIG GREEN LIGHT along with a start date for the end of MAY!! and?! there is a good chance the title will change, which i am so happy about. stay tuned for more updates…

i’m also so excited to share with you that GoTV Networks bought my series called being bailey!! I’ve already written the first four episodes. we’ll shoot those…yep, also in may. turns out may is going to be a crazy busy month. and those of you who know me? you all know i LOVE those kind of months!

and my debut novel before i go is selling great! we’re in the second printing. thanks to all of you who are spreading the word about it. it looks like i am going to the Book Expo America in nyc in june. an insane number of people visit this: press, book buyers from every major store, huge publishers, other authors, film rights agents, international rights and audio rights people…along with the general public. it’s a three-day weekend that should be awesome. and i never turn down a trip to nyc. )

here’s the latest before i go review! it’s from the wonderful TONYA TERRY! News Anchor and Creator of the Book Bunch Book Club from WSFA –an NBC affiliate– in alabama:

Our book club just gobbled this one up! We laughed, we cried…there wasn’t a dry eye in the place by the time we got to the last page together. Every mother, daughter, sister and friend should read this book. And guys, if you’re smart, you’ll take a look too. It reaches in and grabs your heart and doesn’t let go even long after you’re finished with the last page! Loved it!!!”

i had SO MUCH FUN LAST WEEK! i spent a few days in and around montgomery, alabama. it was truly one of the best parts of my tour so far. on tuesday i traveled. wednesday morning, i had a three hour drive from the airport to montgomery. on wed afternoon, i met the most amazing women at L.I.F.E. Tech!! i think there were about 160 women, who were SO inspiring and so nice! i was honored they had me come speak to them. and ladies, i am sending you all a signed before i go copy this week for your library! thank you melissa for coordinating this great day.

thursday was CRAZY BUSY! keep in mind, i am still on L.A. time…so when i say i was up at 5am to do an NBC TV interview…yeah, that would mean 2am! tonya terry from WSFA interviewed me. she is so wonderful! i love talking to her. thanks tonya! from there i went to a radio show! i spoke to radio host leslie bailey. talk about a spiritual connection!! we had a great interview about life, love, the universe and before i go. thank you so much leslie!

tired yet?! i then went back to my hotel and regrouped for a few minutes. then i was driven to holtville middle school where i received the GREATEST WELCOME EVER!!! first of all, a HUGE HUG AND THANKS to AMY STEWART! she’s the world’s best librarian and holtville is SO lucky to have someone like her!!

amy had my name up outside the school. she literally built a scene from my book on the stage in their cafe-torium! there was a sandy blanket, two adirondack chairs and get this! on one chair was a skating outfit with skates. on the other was a beach towel and MY NAME was embroidered on the bottom of it!!! all lower case, of course! and there behind the chairs were ONE HUNDRED YELLOW BALLOONS!!! it was so beautiful! amy also made a wonderful book trailer that i’ll be posting on my website and here hopefully by this weekend! and tehre will be tons of pics as well.

after my talk, she had a VIP room set up in the library. we sold out of books! a BIG thanks to tammy lynn who came from the BOOK BASKET in wetumpka to sell books to everyone!! holtville had tons of great food and all my favorite things! including?!? A BUTTER SPRAY! i didn’t want to wake up from this dream!! but as all great things must come to an end…so did my time at holtville. just before i left, we went outside and a few awesome girls and myself let go of the 100 yellow balloons up to the sky. i could cry remembering how beautiful it was.

an ENORMOUS thank you to amy, taylor, all the great people who helped in the library, everyone at holtville middle school, tammy, and everyone who helped make this day one of the greatest i’ve ever had. no, we’re not done yet! that night i had the wonderful opportunity to meet tonya terry’s book bunch!! they had read before i go and we spent almost 2 hours talking about everything! it was so great to meet every book group member!! and tonya, thank you so much for the gifts!! i had such a great time.

thank you to all who made this trip such a wonderful one!

today was just a great day.  very rarely do i take time out of any day, weekday or weekend to just chill, do nothing and enjoy.  and i did just that today!  it was soooo great.  i had an early morning meeting and then got home to a picture perfect day in los angeles.  i am going to make myself do that as often as i can.  take a break.  life is meant to be enjoyed and it’s supposed to make us smile.  i spent time being grateful for my wonderful new house and life in general…and smiled and chilled. 

okay, before i forget, there is a new band i just found out about called another big machine from baton rouge, louisiana.  they are so freaking great…if you love pop/rock, which you all know i do!  they’re awesome.  you can hear them on myspace on their official site.  take the time and listen to their songs. 

i’m head to montgomery, al next week!  i’m so excited.  i was there late in the year in 2006 and i’ve been invited back to meet with tonya terry’s book bunch group!  i’m doing a tv interview with her on an nbc affiliate, a radio spot, meeting with some great women who have had a rough time of it and also meeting with a middle school!!  it’ll be a busy two days and i cannot wait. 

i’ve been busy working on a little show called “being bailey”.  it was written for your cell phones and internet!  it’s a great show about a girl named bailey just starting high school.  i’m also writing a few big romantic comedy movies which i am SO excited about.  more info on those soon.  and i’m now formulating my thoughts for my next book.  i thought all this time it would be one of two ideas but now…i don’t know…might be chick-lit book!! 

it’s been so great hearing from so many of you who have read before i go.  it’s so funny–i walked into a borders last week and there it was.  right there on the shelf was two copies.  i made my friend take a picture of me with a cell phone.  it was one of those great “a-ha” moments. 

remember to enjoy the journey…

peace and love

i am almost afraid to write what i am about to write…however i’m going to face my fears and tell you what my next project is.  at least for the next two weeks.  yes.  you guessed it.

THE BLACK WIDOW is rising yet again!!

those of you who know the story behind this script?   i know what you’re thinking and i’ve already thought and said exactly what you’re saying.  i’m sure my words are far more…uh, colorful and heightened, shall we say.  but i am actually looking forward to getting it perfect for the producer who i truly love working with.  hopefully this will be the winning draft and it will start to see the light of day.  can i hear an amen?!?

i’m so excited because my mom is coming to visit me next week!  she has’t been to los angeles for almost a year since i’ve been so busy.  there’s stuff i can bet on when she comes: (window) shopping in beverly hills, eating at the cheesecake factory, shopping, movies, cheesecake factory, shopping, movies…and then shopping. 

i still have to see so many movies before all the award shows.  don’t think i’m going to make it this year to the golden globes.  they must have forgotten to send my ticket.  i hate when that happens.  something tells me they’ll remember me next year! 

so far this new year has proved to be interesting.  and for some reason, exhausting!  but nevertheless, all great.  i hope everyone had a great holiday.  mine was soooo quiet and sooooo very wonderful.  christmas was nice and peaceful but i must say i missed being with my family back east.  with the tour ending only weeks ago, there was no way i was about to travel more over the craziest time of the year.  i actually ended up doing a one-hour interview christmas night for KABC talk radio in los angeles and that was awesome.  thank you kenny morse with red eye radio!!

new years eve i was supposed to go to dinner and a movie and only made it to dinner.  i was seriously THAT tired!  if i hadn’t set my alarm to wake up before midnight, i would’ve honestly slept through the night.  isn’t that sad!  but for some reason, it took until then for my body to finally get tired after ten weeks of touring, and then working on a script immediately when i got home; then christmas shopping, decorating and baking… it all hit on new years night of all nights. 

i haven’t made any resolutions yet.  i found the ones from last year and funny enough, i discovered i had in fact kept or done some of them!  i figure this year i will continue to work on the ones that were left behind.  heehee.  for the most part, it’s all about getting and staying as healthy as i can.  i still am in awe over not getting sick ONCE while on tour.  so many times people i trtaveled with had colds/coughs and i never got sick.  not even when i got home.  go me.  go vitamins!

hopefully i will have news about upcoming press soon.  everything has been so delayed for many reasons, all of which are totally out of my control.  i hate when that happens.  but you get to a certain place where you do all you can and then you have to trust it’s all working out as it needs to.  (and here would be a continued resolution of mine…to do all i can with a specific thing and then let it go…yeah.  still working on that one)  anyway, i am excited about the press coming up and as soon as i know the details for any/all of it, i will be writing about them!

i’m working on a few movie script ideas which i am really excited about.  both in the romantic comedy genre, and also deciding which book i will be writing next!  i have two ideas and both are swimming wildly in my head.  there is also a few songs i am recording coming up at the end of january and soon as i have one song done, i’ll be putting it on my website. 

hope everyone had a great holiday and i wish everyone such a healthy and happy new year.  and i hope to see you sometime during the spring before i go tour!