Sunday, June 2, 2013

Get ready to launch....(and a giveaway!)

by: Joelle Charbonneau

It's June.  I've been in denial until yesterday that June was coming.  Why?  I had a book to finish
writing and one to revise.  I finished the first and am working on the second.  All the while I have been watching the calendar creep ever closer to this sixth month of the year.  In two days, The Testing will hit shelves.

Yikes!

I'm scared.

I'm excited.

I'm thrilled.

And I'm ready to hurl.

I loved writing this book.  If you go back to almost two years ago, you'll see the blog posts I wrote about the leap of faith I took in writing it.  I mean, I was the girl who wrote wacky mysteries.  My stories contained camels who wear hats and roller skates, and singing and aunts who drive pink convertibles.  But this story idea hit me and wouldn't let go and I count myself lucky that I have an agent who not only encouraged me to write it, but who loved it once it was done.  THE TESTING is dedicated to her for that reason and so many more.

This series of books (the third of which is currently being revised) has been such an amazing challenge to write.  It has made me think harder about my thoughts on the world around me than any other story I've created.  The characters have engaged me.  The world building has challenged me and my editor has pushed me to make THE TESTING and the two books that follow the best they can be.

I hope readers like THE TESTING.  I hope they see in Cia Vale a heroine to cheer for.  I hope....

So much has lead up to this week.  Now that it is here, I am terrified that the faith my publisher has placed in me and in this trilogy won't be merited.  I don't want to disappoint them or you.  But the story has been written.  The VERY shiny book (trust me...the cover is REALLY shiny) is sitting in boxes waiting to be put on the shelves.  And Tuesday is right around the corner.  All I can do is trust that I have done my very best and celebrate the joy I feel when I hold this book in my hands.

To celebrate release week, I am giving away 1 signed copy of THE TESTING.  You also might get a fun TESTING bracelet and some temporary tattoos as week.  Just leave a comment below about why you want the book or what you like about the cover or trailer or say hello.  I can read the comments this week as I hide under my bed:)  I promise that I'll come out from under the bed on Friday evening and pick a winner.  Oh - and make sure you leave your e-mail address so I can contact you if you win!

Finally, before I sign off, I want to say thank you to everyone in my life who has been so supportive of my writing and this trilogy.  My family, my friends (both those in person and on social media), my publishing team (OMG - there is none better!) and all the booksellers, librarians and readers who made this journey with me....Tuesday isn't just a launch day for THE TESTING...it is a celebration of all of you.  There are no words to describe how much you all mean to me.  All I can say is thank you.

34 comments:

Unknown said...

the cover... is special .. i had never seen before ...
mmm about the trailer... i love the voice of the girl ... she has good pronunciation.
and why i want the book? ...mmm is because... i have read in blogs about the book and there a lot of people that have been waiting for the book ... and i want to read .. it sound awesome .. so i hope to read soon
thanks for the giveaway ..

almeqp@hotmail.com
@A013

Khan said...

My first post on your blog and really it is just to say thanks for your Nice Post And Shairing
You always pick such interesting i visit your blog regularly for updates!
Loved your description of it.
Thank you for picking this one.
http://myonlinefilez.blogspot.com/

Gram said...

Dark, scary YA. Looking forward to reading it. Dee

Unknown said...

love the trailer, really has me hooked!
The book looks intense :) always on a lookout for a new dystopia!

Thank you so much for sharing with us, and congrats!

lilypondreads at gmail dot com

cyn209 said...

i cannot wait to read The Testing!!!

congrats & good luck to Joelle!!

thank you for the giveaway!!

cyn209 at juno dot com

Debby said...

Aww, awesome! That trailer is soooo cool, and a really accurate representation of the events of the book :) I don't see many book trailers of that same high quality.

Anyway, I really enjoyed your book :) Glad it's going to get out there to more readers now! It will be a success for sure! Congratulations!!

snuggly.oranges@gmail.com

Mollie Bryan said...

The book sounds like something both my daughters and I would love and share. One daughter is 12 and the other is 14. It looks like the book celebrates strong, smart girls. And I love that.

molliebryan@comcast.net

Cathy Shouse said...

I have to be honest. I'm writing on behalf of my 13 year old daughter because she likes this type of book. And she is someone who tells all of her friends about books.
So, if I win it, it is hers and the bracelet and possible tattoos will make me look cool in her eyes--an amazing feat these days!
cathy underscore shouse at yahoo dot com

Unknown said...

The cover is really cool, and the book look great as well! I love this quote from the summary on Goodreads: 'To survive, Cia must choose: love without truth or life without trust.' I can't wait to read it!
Sarah: hippiegirl12@gmail.com

Elizabeth Bevins said...

I'm excited for you! Look forward to reading it.

EponaReviews said...

I only discovered The Testing yesterday and I have been DEAD excited to get my hands on it for the past 24 hours!!

The cover is simple, not over-crowded and it works. It is intriguing but gives nothing away; I think it mirrors the synopsis of the story well, especially the colour.

The trailer just made me even more on edge to get my hands on your book! It (again like the cover) gives literally nothing away, yet at the same time you feel as if you've had a glimpse into the story.

(I'm starting the prequel now! Eeek!)

A SIGNED copy AND a THE TESTING BRACELET?! *starts fitting with excitement*

Thank you for this generous giveaway and I hope you have a FAB day June 4th! <3

Mary Jo Burke said...

Sounds excellent!

maryjo(at)maryjoburke(dot)com

melodie said...

Great book! Have recommended it to several people, including a couple of teacher friends for them and their students!

meledstick@aol.com

EponaReviews said...

Oh!! I forgot to add my email!! *facepalm*

It's eponareviews@gmail.com

Thanks! :)

kelly g. said...

I love dystopias featuring female heroes, so sign me up!

Unknown said...

Joelle, don't worry! the rest of the world will love this book as much as I do. It is smart without being difficult. It's familiar and fresh at the same time. It's a great book for anyone that loves YA---from middle-school to middle age. Your book totally rocks!... Although I would love a bracelet.

Vannah Batista said...

I want to read the Testing because it's everything I could possibly want in an book! Even though I haven't read it, I've heard GREAT things about this book and it is action-packed, adventure-filled, plotting government, romance and a fight for survival! It's ALL I want in my books! I've been counting down the day's until June 4th comes! ONLY 2 MORE DAYS, YAYYYYYYYYY! I can't WAIT! Thanks for this AMAZING Giveaway! :)

Here's my email address in case I do win: Vannah1028@verizon.net

Unknown said...

Why I want this book?

The cover is very mysterious. Just look at that cover! The symbol has lightning strikes on it, AND I LOVE THEM! Also, it has a maze on it... mmm... intriguing.

About the book itself, I've seen a lot of good early reviews on goodreads and I love dystopia, so I think I might love this novel.

Unknown said...

Oh! I forgot my e-mail adress, silly rabbit:

daniela.v.-@hotmail[dot]com

Bye Bye!

tammy216 said...

I would love to read this book. I'm a big fan of dystopian novels, especially if they feature a strong heroine. I love books that keep me guessing and surprise me and this looks like it definitely fits that description. I hope you pick me! Thanks for the chance to win :)

letty1614(at)yahoo(dot)com

Katy Manck, MLS said...

You know already that I LOVED it (my no-spoiler review ran today on BooksYALove.com, of course) and my twin granddaughters would adore The Testing!
katy@booksyalove.com

Kathy said...

I am intrigued by the talk about this book, and the cover is intriguing, too. I am not familiar with this series so I would love to win a copy.

ksales1023(at)gmail(dot)com

WriterMarie said...

Love the trailer...especially the girl's voice - it draws you in! Of course I want to read this because I love all of your books and am looking forward to seeing what you did with a different genre. And my 14 year old son is intrigued now too! :o)

Unknown said...

Can Not Wait to Read!!! Thanks for the giveaway :)
dialsmelissa@gmail.com

Unknown said...

Find it intriguing that you are in hiding waiting for the launch. Want to read the book for that reason! :)

bonlyn55@yahoo.com

Unknown said...

Loved the trailer, now I really want to read this book! Thanks for the giveaway Joelle!

Joeal Mazurowski said...

I am very interested in the new book!!!

Alyssa said...

OMG I just watched the trailer for the first time and WOWWWW!!! I love the sound of this book!!! I've had an ARC since January and I never cracked it open because I kind of lost track of it but OMG!!! This sounds so cool! Thank you so much for the giveaway!

lilleetleet AT verizon DOT net

Anonymous said...

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Kat >^.^< Tromp said...

Congratulation Joelle! The book is barely hatched and it's going to be a movie! I hope I can corner you at Bouchercon to sign my copy!

Dianne said...

Congrats on the Paramount deal!
Can't wait to read it. :)

diannej at mpinet dot net

Library Lady said...

I would love to win this! I love dystopian stories and anything compared to Hunger Games will definitely be on my TBR list. I have heard nothing but great things about this book and the trailer was amazing. I will definitely be booktalking this book to the students in my library when school begins in the fall!
adsanders77 at gmail dot com

Joelle Charbonneau said...

Congrats to Debby! You have one a signed copy of THE TESTING along with some fun swag. I'll be sending you an e-mail:)

Anonymous said...

The cOver and the concept of the book intrigued me so much . And I love the trailer too! It is stunning! I really2 need this book now lol. I wish I could win this one :D. ArethazhenATROcketmailDOTCOM