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Thanks to my fabulous publicists at JKS Communications, particularly the incomparable Marissa DeCuir, I was interviewed on CBS News Channel 5 by news anchor, Kristen Skovira! Check out these terrific photos of the interview. I will update this post at a later date with a copy of the interview once I have it.

I’m thinking out loud here, so if you’re looking for any kind of message or something that makes some kind of coherent sense, it’s probably not going to happen in this blog post. So anyway, I have a bunch of ideas for new projects, but I don’t feel particularly fired up about any one of them. I’m not sure that’s because I haven’t committed to any of them or because I’m really not into the ideas in the first place, but I feel that it’s probably more the former than the latter.

I just finished editing my third novel and currently have it out to two beta readers. My Lady of Awesome Agent is working her magic to sell my second novel, Goddess. I’m also still promoting Bloodspell heavily (had a great trip to Colorado last week with some upcoming stops in Maine and Chicago). However, on the writing front, I’m not really working on anything new. I have a few open projects including the Bloodspell sequel and I have this new outline that I can’t stop thinking about (probably because it’s fully outlined). I also have this really awesome idea, just a figment really, of a fabulous companion novel to my second novel that’s currently on submission to editors. But then I second guess myself that there’s probably something like the first idea already out there (you know, because no art is original anymore) or that the companion novel idea is lame, and then I wonder if I should commit to it at all. What to do.

And there we are. Back to that word. Commitment. It keeps popping up, doesn’t it? Am I a commitment phobe? What does it mean? Maybe that I need to jump fingers first and just start working on it and see where it takes me. It’s only time after all … time that it takes to formulate a hundred thousand words. But I can do it. I’m a writer, aren’t I? It’s what we do. We write.

And commit.

According to researchers, the concept of the New Year’s Resolution began during pre-Christian times by the Babylonians and the Romans. January takes its name from Janus, the two-faced god of gateways and new beginnings, who is said to look back onto past years and into the future at the same time, and many Romans used this date to seek forgiveness for past transgressions and a clean slate for the new year. Initially, resolutions were made simply out of a moral attitude to be good to others. With the advent of Christianity, resolutions took on a more religious flavor. Today, it can be based on a combination of anything – moral, religious, health, happiness, contribution, success, you name it.

That said, there’s a reason this post only got written today. The truth is I haven’t really thought through my resolutions for the year, even though there’s a truck-load of stuff that I want to accomplish. I’m hoping for a great 2012. But then again, who isn’t? I guess the true task is to narrow all those things down into reachable and measurable goals. There won’t be any actual consequences if I don’t complete my resolutions – I just don’t operate like that (extra pressure anyone?), but there will probably be a cost to me if I don’t complete them so I’m incented to achieve them.

So far, the year has started off with a bang. I signed with a fabulous new agent, my second novel GODDESS is out on submission to publishers, and I’m already working on a new Work In Progress. I want to keep that momentum going. But while that makes me ecstatic, true happiness doesn’t stem solely from professional success. For me, it includes many other things like family, health and relationships. I want to be well-rounded and fulfilled in all areas of my life.

I’m a fan of New Year’s resolutions because I use them to look back on things during the last year of my life and figure out what I want to change/accomplish/enhance in the coming year. Life is about growing and evolving into a better person, and these resolutions may help me to get there. At the end of the day, my resolutions are really just guidelines on how I can make my life better or how to achieve more quality of life, whether that’s professionally or personally. Either way, they are over-arching positive changes that I’d like to accomplish. Keep in mind that some of these may have been resolutions from previous years, so they’re more of an ongoing reminder.

Here are my top 7 New Year’s Resolutions for 2012.

1) Spend more quality time with family and friends.

2) Focus on my writing career: publish a second book, write a new book, and continue to promote Bloodspell.

3) Get healthy: better diet and exercise.

4) Learn more about social networking, and connect with more like-minded people all over the world.

5) Help and mentor others.

6) Manage stress.

7) Be thankful for the opportunities that come my way, and work on sharing my gratitude to those who make my success possible.

That’s the tip of the iceberg, but these are the top seven. What are your resolutions for 2012?

As part of my ongoing “Awesome Indies” series, I’m writing a post about the fabulous independent bookstore, The Tattered Cover, one of three stores located in the Denver metro area, where I just did a mini book-signing. Founded in 1971, The Tattered Cover recently celebrated its fortieth year as an independent bookstore!

The location I visited was on Colfax Avenue (2526 East Colfax Avenue at Elizabeth Street), and boasted two expansive floors of book heaven. With its comfy armchairs, antique furniture, and reading nooks spread throughout (see inset photo), The Tattered Cover is a bookstore that you can get blissfully lost in for a few hours or an entire day. If you get hungry, there’s even a convenient cafe located on the main floor. There are two other locations in the Lower Downtown area (1628 16th Street at Wynkoop in Denver) and in Highlands Ranch (9315 Dorchester Street).

The staff is incredibly friendly and helpful, and willing to provide book recommendations to young readers, older readers, and anyone in between. While signing books earlier this week, I heard one of the staff members discussing books with a middle grade reader, and even walked her to the upper floor to find a specific book that they had discussed. It was heartwarming to see that kind of interaction, especially during one of the busiest seasons of the year. It’s obvious that these guys care about books, and they care about readers.

According to its website, The Tattered Cover has over 150,000 titles in inventory, which means something for everyone. The Children’s Area is located on the lower floor, with a cozy area for kids full of books, puzzles and games. I first met Judy Bulow, who manages the Children’s area, during my last visit to Colorado back in October. She was kind enough to order my books and arrange for the Bloodspell signing on December 20th.

I signed books on a lovely antique table in a wide-open signing area. Considering that The Tattered Cover has hosted authors like my idol, J.K. Rowling, as well as others like President Obama, Stephenie Meyer, Kurt Vonnegut, the Clintons, and many many more, I was following in the signing footsteps of some very illustrious company. It was incredibly cool and only a little mind-blowing!

If you’re in the Denver area and love books, stop by The Tattered Cover. Have a coffee, check out the great selection of books, and pick up your own signed copy of Bloodspell! Don’t blame me if you happen to lose a few hours in there. Just enjoy it!

So many chances to win Bloodspell this holiday season! Even if you already have your own copy, enter to win one for a friend. Signed books make terrific gifts!

Check out those fabulous giveaways here:

GIVEAWAY #1

AMALIE’S HAPPY HOLIDAY GIVEAWAY – tell me about your favorite holiday memory and enter to win signed books (Bloodspell by Amalie Howard, Haven by Kristi Cook, Carrier of the Mark by Leigh Fallon, Sirenz swag from authors Natalie Zaman & Char Bennardo, Bloodspell swag and top secret Mirage swag (the terrific Haven sequel).

GIVEAWAY #2

PAWING THROUGH BOOKS: 12 DAYS OF CHRISTMAS EXTRAVAGANZA - check out my interview and enter to win a signed copy of Bloodspell by Amalie Howard and awesome Bloodspell swag (signed bookmarks, a tote, and leather bracelet).

GIVEAWAY #3

BOOK READER ADDICTS: CHRISTMAS CELEBRATION WITH AMALIE HOWARD – check out my interview and enter to win your very own signed copy of Bloodspell.

Well hello there friends! It’s December, and with it comes deliciously crisp cold weather and the beginning of a wonderful holiday season. This is probably my most favorite time of year! So to celebrate, I will be doing a Holiday Giveaway!

As most of you know, I grew up in Trinidad & Tobago where we celebrated Christmas, only it was never a white Christmas, just a green one. Still, despite the lack of snow, it was definitely one of the most festive times of the year! Parties, food, family, singing and dancing in true Caribbean style with brilliant color and bold flavor. We ate traditional ethnic holiday foods like pastelles (meat or veggie-filled corn cakes cooked in banana leaves) or black cake (a rich pudding-like cake with plums and raisins soaked in rum, derived from English plum pudding). We drank signature drinks like punch-a-creme (a creamy egg, milk and rum drink) and sorrel wine (a tart drink made from the red sepals of the Roselle or sorrel plant). We listened to parang (music brought to Trinidad by Venezuelan migrants with guitar and chac-chac instruments). Parang comes from the Spanish word parranda which means merrymaking. As you can imagine, each culture had its own contribution whether it was through food or music or dance, which made it an incredibly unique holiday celebration. In my experience, there’s nothing like a Trini Christmas anywhere else in the world!

All you have to do to enter my Happy Holiday Giveaway is to share one of your own favorite holiday memories or say what you like best about the holiday season. This giveaway will end on December 16, 2011.

PRIZES

FIRST PRIZE: One personalized signed copy of BLOODSPELL by moi with bookmark and triquetra charm, plus one signed copy of HAVEN by Kristi Cook (one of the few remaining FIRST EDITION hardcovers) with top secret MIRAGE (the terrific HAVEN sequel) SWAG, plus a $10 iTunes/iBooks gift card!

SECOND PRIZE: One signed copy of CARRIER OF THE MARK by Leigh Fallon (how gorgeous is this cover) with bookmark, plus awesome SIRENZ (by Natalie Zaman and Charlotte Bennardo) SWAG — the most fabulously cool bookmarks with feathers, business card from Hades himself, and chocolate in the form of red stilettos!

RULES

- You must be at least 13 years old to enter.

- Contest/Giveaway is open internationally (*Please note that gift card denomination will be in $US dollars).

- Winners will be randomly selected using random.org, and will be notified via email.

- Winners have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be selected.

- I reserve the right to extend/end/change this contest without any advanced notification, or to disqualify any entrant as I see fit.

- I am not responsible for any lost or damaged prizes sent via the postal service. No replacement will be provided.

—————————————

TO ENTER (please complete ALL four):

1) Leave a comment below on your favorite part of the holiday season as well as your name & email address so you can be contacted if you win (or if you prefer, you can provide your email address via the contact form on this site)

2) “Like” the Bloodspell Page or the Bloodspell Facebook Fan Page

3) Follow Me on Twitter

4) Become a fan or friend on Goodreads

*No worries if you already do the last three (thank you!!) or don’t have a Twitter/Facebook/Goodreads account, just say so, and then share this giveaway for extra entries.

Extra Entries (PLEASE LEAVE LINKS):

Like Haven on Facebook and follow @Kristi_Cook for one extra entry.

Like Sirenz on Facebook and follow @charbennardo and @Natalie_Zaman for one extra entry.

Like Carrier of the Mark on Facebook and follow @Leigh_Fallon for one extra entry.

Share this giveaway  on Twitter (hashtag #AmalieHolidayGiveaway), Facebook, or your blog for one extra entry each. You will get credit for sharing this giveaway once daily, so if you share once a day for the next 7 days, you get 7 extra entries! The more you share, the greater your chances of winning. Just be sure to use the hashtag or let me know in the comments.

GOOD LUCK!

*Please leave links because I will check. No shenanigans please!

I cannot believe that it’s Thanksgiving already. This year has just flown by! I realize that I do have a lot to be thankful for, including the successful debut of my first novel, Bloodspell, which came out in June. I am incredibly grateful to all of the people who bought and loved my book. Thank you so much for your thoughts and your reviews, and for making my dream a reality.

But mostly, I’m thankful for my family and my friends and for all those who tirelessly support me in my endeavors. You know who you are – I couldn’t have done any of this without you. You’re all a huge positive force in my life, and one that I’m so very grateful for.

I’m especially thankful for all the little things life brings my way – like a perfect fall morning or a smile from my children or a phone call from a childhood friend. Life has a way of giving when you need it the most, I’ve realized. It may not be what you want … but typically, it’s what you need, even if you may not understand it right then.

It’s funny how life is in constant movement. One minute isn’t the same as the last, and things can change in the blink of an eye. Take the time to appreciate and hold on to all the good things in your life right now. Don’t think about what you don’t have, think about all that you DO have, and be thankful because you never know where life is going to take you next. Treasure each intake of breath, every second your eyes get to see beauty, each moment of life as it comes to you. It’s a gift.

Happy Thanksgiving!

As part of my “Awesome Indies” blog posts, I am thrilled to add Books & Books in Coral Gables, FL to the list. I recently did a signing there for Bloodspell and was able to connect with a fantastic group of teens and adults.

Books & Books is not just an independent bookstore, they’re a FABULOUS indie bookstore. Located in the heart of Coral Cables, a stone’s throw from MIA, Books & Books is a well known local treasure, and is a spot where readers and writers alike come together. The store is housed in a gorgeous building and is separated into two areas, connected by a full-service cafe in the middle. Both spaces are large and open with a wide variety of books to satisfy any palate. If you need to find a place to lose a few hours surrounded by some of the greatest authors of our time, then this spot is for you.

Victor and Becky welcomed me for my signing at Books & Books, and were able to get a terrific group of people together. It was a fun event with a reading, engaging Q&A, and a signing. I was so impressed by the teens who attended, and their articulate questions and comments. Their love of reading was evident, and I’m sure that’s in part to having such a wonderful accessible bookstore right in their backyard.

My favorite part, apart from the discussion with the teens, was signing in the Author Guestbook at the end, alongside signatures from my own YA favorites like Kristi Cook, Libba Bray and Maggie Stiefvater. Oh wait, my other favorite moment was the lady who attended the signing (and asked some really good questions) with her glass of wine in hand. LOVE! This bookstore is definitely my kind of place.

If you’re in the neighborhood, be sure to visit Books & Books in Coral Gables. Victor Santiago is wonderful to have a chat with about books or any topic really  - he’s knowledgeable and funny. And if you want to check out the Children’s section, be sure to find Becky Quiroga. She’s the one with custom tattooed illustrations from children’s books (done by the actual illustrators) on her arm. So cool! She’s great to talk to and knows books like nobody’s business.

Books & Books is an AWESOME INDIE! For more photos, check out the Bloodspell Facebook Page.

If you live in the Miami area, come visit me this Sunday at Books & Books in Coral Gables, FLORIDA, at 5pm for a Bloodspell book signing, Q&A and lots of cool swag prizes!

Read about this event in Community Newspapers Florida and Miami Today News.

COME PLAY! For more event information from Books & Books, please click on Amalie at Books & Books!

Hope to see you there!