On June 10th, STAY turned one year old, and the paperback will be out on July 26th.  I thought that I’d (finally) pretty much gotten used to the whole I wrote a book and it’s on bookshelves and people other than my writing group have read it thing.

And then I was on my way out the door yesterday when this showed up:

Even though I’d already seen the front cover art, I hadn’t seen the whole beautifully designed package, (with the cutest little puppy backside ever on the book’s backside).

And then there are review quotes, and a brand new blurb from one of my favorite writers smack dab on the front cover.  I can’t play it cool about this.  It just felt so surreal, and I needed someone to pinch me all over again.  I sat in my car, but didn’t start it, and flipped through the paperback and read all the quotes on the inside page and turned into a big weepy mess all over again.  If I’d known the book were coming, I would have totally worn waterproof mascara.

So, Happy (slightly be-lated) Birthday to Van & Joe, and a huge huge HUGE thank you to everyone who has read STAY, and come to events, and blogged and tweeted about STAY, and recommended it to friends and family, and e-mailed me to share their broken heart stories and friend stories and dog stories.  This year has been the most incredible adventure.  It’s not something I think I’ll ever quite get used it, in a good way.  And it’s not something I ever take for granted. I am so honored to get to share stories with all of you.