Book Oopsies and a Winner

We've been talking about blips in our booksignings this week. Fortunately, I've had a good run with my signings, but I do have two stories to share.

First off, when my SORORITY 101 series debuted, I had a launch party in Boston with all of my work friends, a ton of writer friends, my agent, my sister, brother, nieces, and cousins. It was a huge blowout and I was hot, sweaty, nervous wreck. As I gave my speech toward the end of the night, I looked around the room to thank certain people. When I saw the person's face, I thanked them, and proceeded around the room. However, I pulled a Hilary Swank. I forgot to thank my then husband! It wasn't totally my fault because he was standing behind a pillar and I couldn't see him. I did correct the mistake, but I was horrendously embarassed!



The other oopsies was when my book THE OTHER SIDE: A TEEN'S GUIDE TO GHOST HUNTING AND THE PARANORMAL was released, my co-authors (my now fiance, Patrick Burns, and Dave Schrader) and I were having our launch party at Dave's Darkness Radio event at the Queen Mary. Only problem was, the books arrived a week after the event. Talk about egg on the face! We had 200 people there who wanted to buy our books. So, our amazing publisher got the attendee list and addresses and mailed them all a FREE copy of it. That was incredibly generous!



Let's hope neither of those things happen again!

Last week, I put up a giveaway for C.C. Hunter's BORN AT MIDNIGHT...and the winner is...

*****TEPEE*****

Please e-mail me offline with your name and address at marley_gibson AT yahoo dot com. Congrats!

Next week...the launch of my new book GHOST HUNTRESS: THE DISCOVERY!

Hugs,
Marley = )

Congratulations to Marley for the release of the highly anticipated 4th book in her Ghost Huntress series: THE COUNSELING!!! If we Buzz Girls could all be together, we'd dress fabulously (like we did at the RWA national conference this summer) and have a champagne toast to celebrate this momentous occassion. Alas, we live too far away from each other, so we're doing the next best thing: Celebrating here on our blog!

I've absolutely loved the first three books in the series and I can't wait to see what all Kendall is up to and find out (finally!) who Emily really is.

This week we're talking about finding our way and making the best decisions for ourselves. This is something we all have to do at one time or another, especially in the face of a tragedy or a huge change in our lives, such as moving, losing someone special, going off to college, falling in love, getting a new job or getting fired, having a health scare, etc.

Poppy Browne, the main character in my LIFTED, finds herself lost in a whole new world when she leaves her public high school in Boulder, CO for a private Baptist school in Pleasant Acres, TX. She gradually opens herself up to the new places, people, and experiences in her life, and she starts to feel like maybe she can find her way, maybe even thrive, in this new environment. But then something very bad (and illegal) comes out of her new life and newfound happiness, and this time, she's afraid she won't be able to dig herself out. She's forced to cut out all the distractions around her--even the positive ones--and instead concentrate on herself: her goals, her fears, her problems, her family. Her life. And maybe, hopefully, once she digs out her true self, the people who mean the most will be waiting with arms open wide.

Now, enough about Poppy because this is the week of Kendall! Don't forget to leave comments all week for chances to win copies of THE COUNSELING, and stop by her blog to enter her grand prize giveaway.

And now, a question for YOU. Has something happened in your life that forced you to take a good, hard look at yourself?

The Adventure Begins!

Well...I'm blogging from the passenger seat of my rig as we're rolling down the interstate. The apartment is packed, everything's in storage, and we are in the RV now! It's amazing how much stuff we fit in here. And here, I only packed twelve pairs of shoes. I think I'm doing pretty well. LOL!



First stop is Gettysburg for the Phenomenology 102 Conference where I'll be selling my GHOST HUNTRESS series of books, THE OTHER SIDE: A TEEN'S GUIDE TOO GHOST HUNTING AND THE PARANORMAL, as well as fun things like pendulums, magnets, and essential oils. I'm also speaking with my co-authors, Dave Schrader and Patrick Burns (also my sweetie.) We'll be getting in some ghost hunting in Gettysurg while we're there, you can bet on that! We've got formal events through the conference where we'll investigate, but we're hoping to slip away on our own, as well.

Gettysburg is amazing place. I'm not psychic in the least, but even the most insensitive person (and I mean that in a psychic way) can't help but feel the buzz in the air and the tremor in the earth when you're walking the battlefields and sites of skirmishes where sooooooooo many people lost their lives. There are many stories of ghosts appearing on the battlefield, or helping answer tourists' questions, only to vanish into thin air. I'm certainly hoping for one of these encounteres.



Have you ever been to Gettysburg? What was your experience?

Hugs,
Marley = )

Two Releases in One!

Hey everyone! Sorry for the late post, but I'm at Dragon*Con in Atlanta and, boy, has it been insane!

I'm soooooooooo excited about the release of not just one new book from yours truly...but TWO releases this week! Yep...that's right! I have two books out this week.

The first book is the follow up to GHOST HUNTRESS: THE AWAKENING -- book 2 in my series, entitled GHOST HUNTRESS: THE GUIDANCE. I sold a lot of copies of it here at the convention in Atlanta and people seem excited about the book.

Oooo...pretty cover! LOL!!



AND...the non-fiction companion book to my GHOST HUNTRESS series is the second book that is out. It's called THE OTHER SIDE: A TEEN'S GUIDE TO GHOST HUNTING AND THE PARANORMAL.



The book was written with my good friends, Patrick Burns of TruTV's Haunting Evidence, and Dave Schrader of KTLM FM's Darkness Radio. We felt it was necessary with so many TV shows about ghost hunting that teens be given responsible advice about investigating.

Here we are at Dragon*Con where we premiered the book and sold fifty copies! (And yes...we're all wearing sunglasses on our head. Don't ask! LOL!)



Hope you'll pick up the books and let me know what you think! I'm thrilled to have these books out in the wild for people. I've gotten some amazing reader feedback already and each e-mail just makes my day.

Do you have any questions about ghost hunting? Comments? Thoughts? Leave your question or comment in the trail to be entered to win a copy of BOTH books. I'll be giving away a copy of each book every day this week (Monday-Friday).

Thanks and hugs!
Marley = )

Some fun interviews for Ghost Huntress

The winner of Tera's joke contest is Meredith F. with this joke: What's green and has wheels?Grass! I lied about the wheels!! (Isn't that hilarious?) Please email at tlc@teralynnchilds.com.

Wow...GHOST HUNTRESS: THE AWAKENING has been out for a few weeks now and the feedback is so encouraging and fun. The Amazon.com reviews are wicked awesome and I've managed to snag a few interviews on paranormal radio programs here and there. Everyone has been so wonderful and supportive...from the Buzz Girls to readers alike.

I wanted to share a couple of interviews that I've done. My friends, New York Times bestseller, Gena Showalter (who will be launching Harlequin's YA line soon!!) and her fabulous critique partner...and partner in crime, Jill Monroe, were kind enough to interview me for their cult hit, Author Talk (where authors talk to other authors.) We had an absolute blast taping this! Hope you enjoy!



I just love these ladies!!

And also, here's another interview. While attending GhoStock 7 on April 18th, 2009, in historical Salem, Massachusetts, Angelique Avalon from Paranormal SPY interviewed me about my paranormal investigations as well as the release of the GHOST HUNTRESS series.



Now, I must return to the writing cave where I'm cranking out GHOST HUNTRESS: THE REASON. If you've read GHOST HUNTRESS: THE AWAKENING, I'd love to hear from you. Let me know what you think about it!

Hugs,
Marley = )
www.ghosthuntress.com

P.S. Don't you just love our new headers that our webmistress extraordinaire, Tera, did for us? Cheers to TLC!!!!

Can't get enough on ghost hunting?

I'm pleased to finally be able to announce a new book deal! Whooohoooo!!

General/Non-Fiction: GHOST HUNTRESS YA series author Marley Gibson with star of truTV's HAUNTING EVIDENCE Patrick Burns's and KTLK FM's Darkness Radio host Dave Schrader's GHOST HUNTING: THE INS AND OUTS OF PARANORMAL INVESTIGATIONS, a look at the how-to's of proper and effective paranormal investigations, again to Julia Richardson at Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, by Deidre Knight at The Knight Agency (NA).

And check out the awesome cover!



This "how to" guide will be out in September and will be a companion to my GHOST HUNTRESS series. If you've ever wanted to know the ins and outs of proper ghost hunting...this is the book for you. It's available pre-order from Amazon.com!

I had a blast writing it and I hope the amateur ghost hunters and huntresses will pick it up and enjoy what they learn. It was fun writing a non-fic book and it was especially nice to get it done with two reknowned people in the paranormal field, Patrick Burns and Dave Schrader, who have been nothing but supportive of me since I got into ghost investigations.

Thanks for letting me share!
Marley = )

Giddy about Gettysburg!

Sorry I've been a bit AWOL of late...a lot going on in my personal and work life. But I'm getting a mini-break starting today! I'm wheel's up for Gettysburg this afternoon to attend Phenomenology 101 and do a little ghost hunting around an amazing historic area.



I'm going to get the chance to schmooze with about two hundred and fifty attendees and talk up the upcoming release of GHOST HUNTRESS: THE AWAKENING. I'll even have an awesome cover blow up to put out for the attendees to see.



And, I get to hang out with all of my "paranormal" friends who are coming from all over the country to investigate the battlefield and surrounding areas.



So...I'm hoping to catch some paranormal activity! I'll be sure to report in if I find anything!

Marley = )

Things I'm looking forward to...

As I sit here next to the heater with yet another snow storm blowing through downtown Boston, I'm thinking of the year ahead of us and all the wonderful things in store. I can't help but get excited about what I'm looking forward to. Thought I'd share a few:

FEBRUARY: Writing retreat with a couple of friends, as well as a photo shoot and a ghost hunt in cold, cold Minnesota. I know...who goes to Minnesota in the dead of winter? My critique partner, Wendy Toliver's MISS MATCH is out in stores. Sooooo adorable. Pick up a copy!



MARCH: Pre-media blitz for my GHOST HUNTRESS series with ghost hunting events in Boston and New York City. Also, will be going to a conference in Gettysburg called Phenomenology 101. My friend, Jenn Echols' book GOING TOO FAR comes out this month, too...amazing book! Everyone buy it!



APRIL: Book launch party and presentation at GhoStock 7 in Salem, Massachusetts. It's going to be a blast!


MAY: GHOST HUNTRESS officially hits the shelves on May 4th. Lots of promo going on including trips to Louisville, Indianapolis, New York, and Columbus. Also, be sure to check out Diana Peterfreund's YA debut, RAMPANT, about killer unicorns and the virgin huntresses who are pre-destined to save the world from them.

JUNE: As I right now, I have nothing on the calendar for June, but hopefully the sun will be out, the pool open, and there will be some time for rest and relaxation before a busy fall schedule.



JULY: Can't wait to see all my writing friends in our nation's capital for Romance Writers of America Conference. I'll be signing GHOST HUNTRESS: THE AWAKENING there, as well.

AUGUST: Going to ParaCon 2009 for a book signing in Sarnia, Ontario, Canada and then later in the month, a camping trip in Washington state to go UFO hunting. Whoooo... Also, I'm told that GHOST HUNTRESS: THE GUIDANCE will be available for my book signings.

SEPTEMBER: Football season starts and my Crimson Tide returns to hopefully repeat their awesome Top 10 season of last year. Would love to visit the alma mater for a football game.


OCTOBER: This is going to be a crazy month! There's sure to be lots and lots of promotional trips for GHOST HUNTRESS: THE GUIDANCE, but also, my non-fiction book, CHRISTMAS MIRACLES, will be available in stores. Very excited about the book! Also, this month will be my twentieth wedding anniversary!



NOVEMBER: More than likely, another trip out to Estes Park, Colorado, to The Stanley Hotel for a ghost hunt and book signing. I'll have to remember to take canned oxygen this time to avoid altitude sickness...bleck. Also, we're hoping to take a European trip in November. That would be the bomb!

DECEMBER: Wow...2009's almost over? Nothing planned as of yet, but it's the holiday season (hopefully the CHRISTMAS MIRACLES books will be selling well) and my b-day and just gearing up in general for a jam-packed 2010!



So...what are you looking forward to in 2009? What are your big plans? Share with us!

Hugs!
Marley = )

GHOST HUNTRESS: THE AWAKENING (Coming May 2009, Houghton Mifflin Harcourt)
GHOST HUNTRESS: THE GUIDANCE (Coming October 2009, Houghton Mifflin Harcourt)
GHOST HUNTRESS: The REASON (Coming May 2010, Houghton Mifflin Harcourt)
CHRISTMAS MIRACLES (Coming October 2009, St. Martin's Press)
SORORITY 101: Zeta or Omega? (Available from Puffin Books)
SORORITY 101: The New Sisters (Available from Puffin Books)

Off on another ghost hunt...

I can't wait for Saturday because I'm headed out to Long Beach, California, for my first ever trip and ghost investigation on the haunted Queen Mary.

(Cool picture, eh? This is an infrared shot taken by my buddy, Patrick Burns, star of TruTV's HAUNTING EVIDENCE - photo available for purchase on his website.)

The Queen Mary was a luxury liner back in it's heyday, but now it's permanently docked in Long Beach as a hotel. It's said to be one of the most haunted places to go to. The hosted some of the world's most famous people like Greta Garbo, Clark Gable, David Niven, Mary Pickford, just to name a few. When World War II broke out, the Queen Mary was transformed into a troopship. By the end of the war, "The Grey Ghost," as she was referred to, carried more than 800,000 troops and played a significant role in virtually every major Allied campaign. She also transported more than 22,000 war brides and their children to the United States and Canada.

I'll be attending the Darkness Radio Event with all of the "paranormal celebrities" who'll be there giving presentations and leading investigations. I'll also get the opportunity to investigate many of the haunted locations on the ship, including the first class swimming pool, the engine room, and many of the staterooms. Can't wait! Maybe even my cabin will be haunted! Hoping to capture something cool on video again or get some amazing recordings.

Should be quite an adventure!

What's the most unique adventure you've been on? Share your story!

Hugs,
Marley = )

GHOST HUNTRESS: THE AWAKENING (Coming May 2009, Houghton Mifflin Harcourt)
GHOST HUNTRESS: THE GUIDANCE (Coming October 2009, Houghton Mifflin Harcourt)
GHOST HUNTRESS: THE REASON (Coming May 2010, Houghton Mifflin Harcourt)
SORORITY 101: Zeta or Omega? (Available from Puffin Books)
SORORITY 101: The New Sisters (Available from Puffin Books)