Contests Around the Continent

With Forgive My Fins releasing earlier this month, and the paperback of Goddess Boot Camp coming out today, there seems to be a rash of contests out there in web world giving away copies of my books. Here's the list, as I know it, at the moment:

• 5 copies of GBC paperback on my blog (ends ... sometime, so enter soon)
• 2 copies of GBC paperback and 2 pink camo notebooks on my website (ends 6/30)
• 2 copies of FMF on All Things Urban Fantasy (ends 7/4)
• 1 copy of FMF (for Canada only) courtesy of HarperCollins Canada on Tynga's reviews (ends 7/4)
• 1 copy of OMG paperback on Loud Words & Sounds (ends 7/7)
• 10 copies of FMF and a bunch of other great summer books from HarperTeen (ends 9/9 aka the day before my birthday)

Wow, those are in entry deadline order, and I didn't even plan that. I'm awesome. You're awesome, too, and you should go enter those contest now to prove just how awesome you are. Good luck!

Hugs,
TLC

Goddess Boot Camp Out In Paperback

*** CONTEST OVER! The winners are My little world of books, katie (Katie Butler), bookaholic, Bianca, and Jordan. Please send your mailing info to tlc(at)teralynnchilds(dot)com and tell me whether you want the book signed to you, to someone else, or generically. Thanks everyone who entered! ***

In celebration if the paperback release of Goddess Boot Camp (the sequel to Oh. My. Gods.) let's have a giveaway. Five (5!) signed copies of Goddess Boot Camp.

Up to six entries as follows:

+1 comment your total and what power you wish you had
+1 follow me on Twitter @teralynnchilds
+1 follow this blog
+1 like the Oh. My. Gods. series on Facebook
+1 make a guess about Nicole's heritage on the forum
+1 Tweet or status update about this contest, with a link

Thanks, woohoo, and good luck!

Hugs,
TLC

*** PS If you want even more chances to win, enter the monthly contest on my website, where I'm giving away two more copies and a pair of adorable, pink camo notebooks! ***

Quince's Playlist: She (For Liz)

A few days ago, a fan sent me an email with a link to this song/video from Parachute because it reminded her of Quince. I immediately loved it and, if you've read Forgive My Fins and then the lyrics of She (For Liz), you can totally tell why it made her think of Quince.



Be sure to check out Parachute's website because they're awesome and also because they're hotties--the lead singer could totally be Griffin from Oh. My. Gods. Thank you so much for sending me this link, Brittany!

Hugs,
TLC

Fins Fan Art Strikes Again

After the fabulous fan art created by Alex of Tales of a Teenage Booklover, I'd been hankering for some more. And guess what? I found some! Another pair of fan art pieces for Forgive My Fins have surfaced and I just had to share.

The first came via email, and it's an absolutely beautiful digital collage. This could totally be a movie poster for Lily and Quince. Thank you, Katryna!

The second one is a drawing of Lily and Quince I found out about through Google alerts (an author's best friend and worst enemy at times). If you've read the book, you can tell exactly what scene this is, and it's one of my favorites. Awesome job, stella-marie-seastar!

Now that I've had a few tastes of fan art, I want more. I'm greedy like that. So if you have any to show and tell, send them my way. And please let me know if I can share on my blog.

Hugs,
TLC

Forgive My Fins Fan Art (Tales of a Teenage Booklover Edition)

*** CONTEST CLOSED! The winner is ... Kay. Please email me at tlc(at)teralynnchilds(dot)com with your mailing info and if you'd like the book signed to you, someone else, or generically. Congrats and thanks to everyone who voted! ***

Earlier this week, the fabulous 13-going-on-27 Alex of Tales of a Teenage Booklover shared some beautiful fan art for Forgive My Fins, and I immediately begged him for permission to share them here on the blog. He said yes, and here they are.

Alex also wants to know which one you like the best. (I like #3, by the way.) In honor of his efforts, and of the wonderful work of my Splash Team, leave your vote in comments and I'll pick one winner to get a signed copy of Forgive My Fins. (Open internationally and until I decide to close the contest.)

Hugs,
TLC

PS -- Alex took all those pictures himself! Aren't they gorgeous?

Top Ten Things To Do In Vegas

My parents operate a very cool technical theatre training program called the Stagecraft Institute of Las Vegas, which takes place every summer in--you guessed it--Las Vegas. This means I get to spend at least part of each summer in Sin City and, although it's not exactly my favorite place on earth, there are a few things I look forward to doing when I'm in town.

1. Dine at Voodoo Steak -- Don't go there for the food or the service, go there for the view! When you make your reservation at the Rio's hot spot, ask for a window seat and try to time it so you can watch the sun set behind the mountains to the west. After dinner head out onto the rooftop nightclub, fifty stories above the strip, for a breathtaking panorama of glass, neon, and a sea of light.
2. Watch the World Series -- Las Vegas in summer isn't exactly the ideal timing, but there is one big benefit to being around in July: the World Series of Poker. The tournament actually begins in May, but the Main Event (the No-Limit Hold'em Championship) starts the first week of July. It's a (totally free) blast to wander past the tables with poker stars like Daniel Negreanu, Phil Hellmuth, and Jennifer Harmon playing against pros and amateurs alike.
3. Get Misted -- As I said, summer in Vegas can be painfully hot. It's a dry heat, though, and a triple-digit day in Vegas is livable, whereas the same in Houston could kill you. Psychologically, anyway. But when the heat gets to be too much, just find the nearest mister (popular at pools, valet parking, and sidewalks along the strip) and you'll cool off instantly. Now, if only someone would invent a portable mister....

4. See a Cirque Show -- Or two, or three, or seven. My favorite (surprise, surprise) is the water-themed "O". My dad-the-lighting-designer's favorite is Mystere, their first Vegas show. Ka is spectacular. Zumanity is ... interesting. Love is fun, but a little disappointing. I haven't seen Believe (and don't plan to) or Viva Elvis (but I will this summer).
5. Stop and Smell the Roses -- As a desert, Vegas doesn't have much to offer in the way of gardens outdoors. Inside, is another story. A lot of the casinos have plant and floral displays (walking into the Mirage feels like you're stepping into a rainforest) but my favorite is the Bellagio Conservatory & Botanical Gardens. It's like a stationary Rose Parade, with a new theme every season. One time you'll walk in and find a giant ferris wheel of sunflowers or a massive frog made from different colors of moss. And, the best part, is the small enclosure in the middle, where colorful birds or tropical butterlies live among the flowers.
6. Float Away -- The best way to beat the heat in Vegas is to soak up the sun while lounging by or in the nearest pool. Now, the pool at my hotel isn't exactly the most glamorous or exciting (that title might go to The Beach at Mandalay Bay, which is my goal to visit this summer) but when the sun is beating down, a quick dip does wonders to make you forget you're in a soul-sucking desert.

7. Get Back to Nature -- Most visitors to Vegas don't know (heck, most residents of Vegas don't know) that just a short drive from the Strip in any direction can take you to some of the most beautiful natural wonders in the southwest. My favorites are Mt. Charleston (a cool mountain park that is a little taste of Colorado), Valley of Fire (pictured, with breathtaking rock formations and rock art), Red Rock Canyon (a great place to hike and explore) and Lake Mead (try one of the cruise tours, but be sure to wear a hat and sunscreen).
8. Gamble With the Fishes -- (Only if you're over 21, of course.) Navigating a writing career is usually enough gambling for me, but when I feel the need to throw away play around with a little cash, I head to one of two places in the casino: the poker room or the goldfish slots. The goldfish slots aren't you're normal, pull-the-lever-and-hope-for-three-cherries kind, they're more like a video game. If you get some magical combination of fish then you get to play the bonus game, which alleviates the general boredom that goes along with most gambling.
9. Grab a Bargain -- While Vegas may be known for high end luxury and ridiculously expensive things, it's also know for great outlet mall shopping. There are two outlet malls in the city, Las Vegas Premium Outlets north of the Strip (with some of the high end brands, like Burberry and Juicy Couture) and Las Vegas Outlet Center south of town (most of the shops here are a little further down the line). There's also the Fashion Outlets of Las Vegas located in Primm (about a 45 minute drive to the California border). I've never been, but they don't seem to have much different from the ones in town.
10. People Watching Goldmine -- If there is one thing Vegas has more than anywhere else I've ever been, it's a complete and total diversity of people. And by people, I mean crazy. You can find a one of any thing in Vegas, from a family of four carrying umbrellas to shield the sun to a lady decked out in gold lame and leopard print spandex. Pick a corner, any corner (because you will literally see people walking everywhere, even out in the middle of nowhere), pull up a chair, and just ... observe. There must be some book idea gold out there in them thar crazy people.

So, who's ready to come visit me in Vegas?

Hugs,
TLC

Houston Events Reminder

I'm on the road again, this time back in Houston, for the launch signings of Forgive My Fins. I have a couple of events this week that, if you're in the Houston area, I'd love for you to come and visit.

June 11th
7:00 pm
Blue Willow Bookshop
14532 Memorial Drive

June 12th
2:00 pm
Katy Budget Books
2450 Fry Road

I'll have bookmarks and mer mark tattoos for anyone who stops by.

Hugs,
TLC

FinsFest Winners and Tallies

Thanks to everyone who participated in last week's Festival of Fins in honor of the release of my third book, Forgive My Fins. The characters and I had a blast and I hope you guys did, too.

First order of business is to announce the contest winners! Each winner will receive a signed copy of Forgive My Fins and a special mermaid spa kit (as dreamed up by my lovely editor). Drum roll please....

The Library Lurker
ylime1981
Amy J - Book Addict
Jess Day
brendajean
emilimcg
Elie

Congrats to the winners. Please email your mailing info to tlc at teralynnchilds dot com. And tell me if you'd like the book signed to you, to someone else, or generically.

After eight days, seven posts, and a ton of fabulous comments from you guys, we have a grand total for my donation to Oceana. Our comment total (thanks in part to the insane efforts of nymfaux--thanks Jill!) finished up at 699! That means that I will be giving Oceana a donation in the amount of:

$174.75

That is awesome, you guys! Just think, that money will be put to wonderful use to help clean up the Gulf Coast oil spill and protect the oceans for the future. We rock!

I'm traveling a bit for the next few days, so posting will be sporadic. But I'll land in Vegas next week and will be settled there for most of the summer. Dry heat, here I come!

Hugs,
TLC

Ask the Characters

As promised, my characters from Forgive My Fins have returned to answer some of your questions from this week. (It was had getting the blog back from them, btw. They totally didn't want to go back into book world.) Each character answered three questions here on the blog. If your question isn't answered, click over to the shiny new forum on my website, where all questions will be answered eventually.

---

Lily

"How can you switch from being a mermaid to being a human? Magic? Water? Lack of water?"

• Magic. Water soothes us and energizes us and keeps us hydrated, but it's an ancient magic that gives us the ability to both live underwater and to transfigure into terraped form.

"My questions is from your personal opinion, which boys are better? Merman or land boys?"

• Definitely land boys. I mean, I know some really terrific mermen, but my heart lies with the boys (well, one boy in particular) on land.

"When you go back home, what's the one souvenir you would bring back from land?"

• Sadly, most land products just degrade in water--especially salt water. But I might try to sneak a few lip glosses home and see how they hold up.

---

Quince

"What kind of bike do you ride?"

• A 1955 Triumph TR5 Trophy (the same bike James Dean had when he died). Mine's not exactly in pristine condition--just ask Lily--but she rides smooth and I'm working on her, piece by piece.

"Do you have a girlfriend?"

• No.

"So since you live next door, do you have any embarrassing stories about Lily?"

• Well, actually, there was this one time she-- Um, no. You are not telling tales about me, Quince Fletcher. There are not nor will there be any embarrassing stories told at any time.

---

Brody

"What's your worst swim event, and why?"

• Hi everyone! Sorry I missed my blog day, but Lil pulled through, as always. Anyway, to answer your question, I don't really have a worst event, although I excel most at butterfly and freestyle. I'm not a fan of backstroke or the long distances.

"Do you have another hobby apart from swimming?"

• Swim team and news team pretty much take up my free time. In addition to the school swim team, I am also on a club team that practices in the off season.

"Is it tough being you?"

• Sometimes, definitely. The pressure to succeed can be a little overwhelming at times. Thank you for asking.

---

Shannen

"Which Ivy League college to you want to attend?"

• This fall I'll be attending Columbia. Other Ivy League schools have better medical school admissions statistics, but you just cannot beat the cultural, business, and other opportunities that New York City has to offer.

"What's your dream career?"

• I plan to be a doctor, specializing in either Forensic Pathology (a doctor who determines cause of death) or Infectious Diseases (a doctor who studies viruses and other diseases and works to cure and contain them).

"Have you tried an individual sport like golf maybe?"

• I never have. But I think it is an excellent idea. I might take a few lessons this summer and, if I'm not terrible, try out for the college team.

---

Dosinia

"Are you sure you aren't jealous?"

• Of Lily?!? Forgive my while I try to control my laughter. Okay, done. No.

"How do you put on makeup under water?"

• We have specially developed makeup products, like squid ink eyeliner, that is waterproof and made to withstand the current. I've never applied land makeup, so I can't compare the two.

"Why don't you want to be on land or around humans?"

• Humans killed my parents. People have tried to tell me for years that it was an accident, that the fishermen didn't know my parents were trapped in that awful net, but I don't care. They are still responsible.

---

Thanks for stopping by this week to meet the characters from Forgive My Fins and to help raise money for the Oceana charity. Check back tomorrow to find out who won and to see the final donation total.

Hugs,
TLC

PS--Lily and the gang wanted to say goodbye, but I was afraid I'd never get my blog back. So I promised to pass the message along.

Meet Dosinia

First, just let me say that, if there is was going to be a book about a Thalassinian royal mergirl, it should have been about me. My life is so much more interesting than my cousin, Lily's. And I am so much more fabulous!

But she's the princess (gag) and she's the one willing to live on land (double gag), so if those are the requirements then I'm glad to pass on that role.

Whatever, I'm over it. I have better things to do. Like introduce myself to you. My name is Dosinia Sanderson--everyone calls me Doe--and I'm Lily's cousin. My mom was her dad's little sister. (I say was because my parents died in a fishing boat accident when I was young. I'm over that, too.) I live with my aunt and uncle, but I spent a lot of time in the palace growing up. Listening to Lily this and Lily that got real old real fast. I used to be jealous, when I was a little guppy, but now I'm glad. I wouldn't want the kind of responsibilities she has.

Instead, I can spend my days shopping, doing lessons with the royal tutors, and mastering makeup techniques that Lily could never hope to possess. Merboys fall at my fins and I've had more bond proposals than I can count, even though I'm not allowed to officially date or anything until I turn sixteen in, like, days. For right now, I'm just enjoying being young, royal, and beautiful. But who knows what the future will bring. I only know two things for certain: it won't be on land, and it won't be with humans.

That's all you need to know for now, I suppose. You can ask me questions and, if I deem them worthy of my time, I'll answer them tomorrow.

Kisses and fishes,
Doe

Meet Shannen

Hello, blog readers!

My name is Shannen and I'm Lily's best friend. Some people may think I'm unpopular and kind of a nerd and, well, I guess I am. I know that high school is temporary, and the thing that really matters is preparing myself for future. I work exceptionally hard in all my classes and am a straight A student--I'm not saying that to be arrogant or anything, it's just the truth. In fact, if things continue as is I will be our class valedictorian come graduation in a few weeks.

Studying takes up most of my time (that, and helping Lily with her studies because she's not exactly an honor roll candidate). I am on the debate team and am president of the science club. I don't have time for other extracurricular activities or an after school job. I tried playing tennis freshman year and nearly killed my doubles partner. Twice. Since then I've focused exclusively on academics.

I know my life must sound boring, but getting a full ride scholarship to a good university is priority number one. As the youngest of four, my family can't afford to pay for my school, and not going to college is not an option. Besides, in five years I'll be an Ivy League graduate, and popularity-obsessed ninnies like Courtney will be working retail at the mall. I'm completely okay with sacrificing a little social standing now to reap the rewards later.

I think that's everything you need to know about me. Of course you already know that TLC is giving away a copy of Forgive My Fins every day this week (you might not know that winners will be announced on Sunday, but they will) and that she's donating a quarter for every comment to Oceana, an ocean-focused charity.

Oh, and I will be answering questions on Saturday. Not that I think anyone will have questions for me, my life being so boring and all. But still, it would be nice....

Cheers,
Shannen

Meet Brody

Hi everyone! It's me, Lily, again. Brody had a really hard swim practice last night and a bunch of homework and an early news team meeting, so he didn't have time to post his blog. He asked me to pull something from his news team profile.

Senior Brody Bennett has been a member of the Seaview High news team since his freshman year, holding the prestigious post of head anchor since he was a sophomore. His exposees on unfair parking permit practices and hidden calories in the cafeteria food have earned him city-wide recognition.

In addition to being a renowned news anchor, Brody is also a champion swimmer. He has qualified for the Florida state swim meet three years running, and expects to qualify easily again this year. He is the back-to-back defending state champion in the 100M butterfly and plans to claim the title for the third straight year this spring.

Now you probably want to know what isn't in the official profile. Well, he's tall and has this long, lean swimmer's build. He's a beautiful swimmer. I could watch him swim all day, every day. (And hopefully, some day soon, I will!) He's got this yummy dark brown, curly hair that just begs for a finger comb, and the most unique golden brown eyes I've ever seen. On top of all that, he is kind and laid back and totally at home in every situation, a trait I definitely lack and admire. And, the best part of all, he's just broken up with his long time girlfriend, Courtney--aka Seaview queen B, if you know what I mean. (Thankfully you won't have to meet her this week.)

Isn't he dreamy? Can you imagine anyone more perfect for me, a mermaid, than a nice, cute, all-star swimmer? It's fate, I'm telling you.

Sorry, daydreaming. Anyway, Brody promises to be around to answer questions for the Saturday blog, so ask your questions. I, for one, will be anxiously awaiting his answers. If someone doesn't ask the question burning on my mind--namely, could he ever see me as anything more than just a buddy?--then I will!

And be sure to tell your friends to come comment to help raise money for Oceana and to help protect and preserve oceans around the world.

xoxo
Lily

Meet Quince

I guess you were expecting Benson on the blog today. Ow! Lily just punched me in the shoulder and said, "Bennett!" She knows I know his last name is really Bennett, but it annoys her when I get it wrong, so I keep doing it. Ouch! Now she wants me to delete the part about her punching me. I said no. Ha ha, ducked that one. Ow!

Anyway, Benson doesn't know which end is up, so I snatched the Tuesday spot before he knew what was what. Besides, he doesn't deserve to be front and center on Forgive My Fins release day. That day should belong to Lily and, well, if not Lily then at least not him.

So, introductions, huh? I'm Quince Fletcher and I live next door to Lily with my mom. I ride a motorcycle and work part-time at a lumberyard. It's hard work, but it helps pay the bills. And my mom definitely needs help paying the bills. She doesn't have anyone but me.

Um, what else? As you might have guessed from this blog and if you read the first sixty pages of Forgive My Fins already (which you can do for free at the HarperCollins site) I have a lot of fun pushing Lily's buttons. Don't think I'm doing it just to be mean. I have my reasons. They're just not reasons I want to share with the whole world right now, okay? To find out, you'll have to read Forgive My Fins.

--Quince

Oh, yeah. Don't forget you can ask me questions that I'll answer on Saturday and that TLC is donating a quarter for every comment this week to Oceana.