ARCs . . .or Galleys . . .or Uncorrected Bound Proofs . . .Whatever they're called, they're here!!

So stalking the mailman for the past couple of days has finally paid off. Today, I got a lovely package of ARCs.

(Side Note: For anyone who is unfamiliar with the term ARC, it means "Advanced Reader Copy." Basically, an ARC is a cheap paperback version of your book that publishers send out to reviewers and such a few months before your book comes out. ARCs are typically "uncorrected." As in, they may still contain typos and grammatical errors that will be fixed before the final hardcover copies are produced. ARCs are also referred to as Galleys or Uncorrected Bound Proofs. And if you're lucky, your publisher will send you few to give away on your blog!)

Anyway, when the mailman came to the door, KidA started yelling, "Is it pizza? Is it pizza?" (Which is weird since we haven't ordered a pizza in over 8 months . . .Unless Hubby has something to tell me . . .) KidA was sorely disappointed that it wasn't pizza--until he caught onto my giddy squeals of excitement. (Which made the mailman raise his eyebrows as he tried to coax me to stop jumping around and sign the receipt already!) Then KidA insisted on getting his "crap scissors" (craft scissors) so he could help me open the box.

We were just pulling the ARCs out of the package when KidZ came running up the stairs to see what we were so excited about. When he saw my books he said, "So does this mean you get lots of money now?" Yeah, I laughed pretty hard at that one.













It is so absolutely amazing to hold my words in my hands in the form of something that is so much like a real book. Serious dream come true!













All of my babies together!













Twins: I started the first draft of THE DARK DIVINE before I was even pregnant with KidA, and finished it just a few weeks before he was born. KidA just turned 3. His twin has taken much longer to get here. (But worth the wait!)










Apparently, I'm having a hard time letting my new baby out of my sight. Hubby snapped this pic when he found me putting on my make-up . . .with one of my ARCs in my lap.

And for your viewing pleasure, my older children begged their dad to let them record a message for me. (And it pretty much sums up KidZ and KidA's personalities to the tee.):


Yeah, you heard him right. That is what he said. See what it's like at my house?


Anyway, as hard as it is to let my baby go so soon, I might be persuaded into giving a signed ARC away on June 22nd for The Countdown to THE DARK DIVINE Contest. Come back then!