My Wait Is Over ... And So Is Yours & A GIVEAWAY!

So, I've thought of about a bazillion ways to write this post. 
Like a lot of you, I've dreamed of selling one of my manuscripts to a publisher for what feels like forever. In reality, it's been a mere blimp on the life scale. But, you know, I'm an impatient human. Waiting puffs. 

image credit

Waiting for my next turn on the slide during nursery school. Waiting for my next 'up' during a kickball game in elementary school. Waiting to hear if I made a team or the results of a test during junior high. And in high school ... well, we all know the waiting there was endless. 
Then there was weeding through the gargantuan fields to find a serious boyfriend and waiting for the marriage proposal. The wedding itself took forever to arrive and was over in a swat of a hand at a fly. Then there was the pregnancy. Four, actually. Those took 4-stinking-ever to pass. My first labor was a hellish 38 1/2 hours, but who's counting? The other three weren't nearly as bad. 
But now, my publishing wait is over. As I'm sure some of you have heard via Facebook, Ellysian Press has acquired my young adult paranormal romance, MARKED BEAUTY. I mean, it's not my first time being published. I've freelanced, written for newspapers and magazines, and I've had short stories see print. I've even been agented for over a year. But this wordage baby is different. It's mine and mine alone. 
My heart flutters when I say that. 
I do have plans to share this manuscript's journey with you and how it found a newer yet impress press. But that's for another day. For today, I only want to toss confetti and share my elation with you. 
How am I going to do that, you ask? By giving away books!
Sometime ago, we had a local store go-out-of-business. I was fortunate enough to snatch up some scrumptious books. I've been waiting (no pun) to share them with you. I'm giving away two separate packages of books. The first, for one lucky winner, is: 
All About YA Reading Package

Paperbacks: THIRTEEN REASONS WHY, CITY OF BONES
CITY OF GLASS
Hardcovers: HOLES, SHATTER ME, CRESCENDO,
DON'T JUDGE A GIRL BY HER COVER,
ONLY THE GOOD SPY YOUNG, & CLOCKWORK ANGEL

The second, for one lucky winner, is:
 All About Writing Book Package

Offered in winner's preferred eBook format
Because my Angela Ackerman & Becca Puglist are plain 'ole AWESOME!

I've created two separate giveaways, but feel free to enter both. And as always, spreading the word is much appreciated!!! Thank you in advance. I can't wait to share this new part of my writing journey with you. *No duplicate winners, though. If you happen to win both giveaways, I'll ask which you prefer and choose another winner. Only fair, folks!  
a Rafflecopter giveaway  a Rafflecopter giveaway
Share a snippet of your writing and/or publication journey with us!

IWSG~Loud Insecurities

The purpose of the IWSG is to share and encourage, posting on the first Wednesday of each month. You'll find writer doubts and concerns without fear of appearing foolish or weak. Support and a common understanding spread throughout the group as many fellow writers can relate. Feel free to JOIN in anytime. 
AND today I'm glad to say that I'm one of IWSG's co-hosts! So very cool! I'm really excited to explore the IWSG cyberspace and welcome new visitors to Writer's Alley. But first, let me leave you with a thought about insecurities.
The world is not always a pretty place. We've seen it all, in programs, documentaries, on the evening news. (I haven't watched the news in years.) As authors, we write about it through jaded or damaged characters, settings, and worlds. We take diseases of the heart, mind, and soul, and smear them across the pages of our stories. Why?
Because what's wrong in the world links people of all sorts, rhymes, and reasons. It moves us, motivates us to stretch beyond our fickle, fragile, and finite humanity - all that makes us insecure.
So what would we be without insecurities?
If we were so positively sure of ourselves, in all things, we'd miss out on valuable opportunities to expand who we are as individuals and as the human race. BEcome more than we thought we could ever BE. 
Maybe there's a reason what we lack inside is much louder than what we're sure of. 

Some Alleyway Splatter: We have a new ISWG T-shirt! It was created by Jeremy Hawkins. Thanks so much Jeremy! Feel free to pay him a visit. I'm sure he'd love it. Just click on his name. If you'd like to purchase a shirt, simply go HERE!