Thursday, November 7, 2013

"From Pigtails to Chin Hairs" -- COVER REVEAL

No, you didn't misread that. Yes, it's unbelievable, but today is the day I can reveal the cover of my memoir, From Pigtails to Chin Hairs: A Memoir & More.


* Update 11/11: The paperback edition is now available on Amazon, with the Kindle version coming asap.*
~~~


** Synopsis **

         In "From Pigtails to Chin Hairs: A Memoir & More," Becky Lewellen Povich takes us from her young Midwestern childhood in the 1950s to present day. Chapters are vignettes of everyday happenings, or unexpected events, written in the way only Becky can, with humor and poignancy woven into them. It begins with her years of summertime fun, Christmases, the neighborhood kids, classmates, trips to the dentist, and long car rides to visit grandparents in Iowa.
         She willingly shares the bittersweet times which include her parents' divorce, major disappointments, preteen and teenage angst, a whack on her head from a falling crowbar, and her ill-fated first marriage, spent mostly in Germany. She also comically writes about her happy second marriage, cell phones, dishwashers, and how she was born with a klutz gene.
         Becky is an award winning author with publications in Chicken Soup for the Soul books and other anthologies such as, Thin Threads, Not Your Mother's Book On…, and Patchwork Path; plus newspapers and small magazines. 
~~~
 *A few chapter titles to entice you *
Paradise on Preston Lane
Multiplication Made Easy
Piggy Back Toes & Coffee Can Spittoons 
Lost on a Continental Trailways Bus
That Crowbar Changed Everything
The Tupperware Queen of Tacoma, Washington
Why Do I Say These Things?
Keep Those Tweezers Handy
~~~

I'll have a PayPal widget on my website ASAP if anyone would like to order directly from me (for a signed book, maybe.) I'll have some bookplates, too, that I can mail. I will also accept checks, of course!

I think words like dreaming and surreal may be a bit overused these days, so I'll attempt to come up with different ones to describe my feelings about finally reaching this point in my writing life. How about: flabbergasted? dazed? astounded? dumbfounded? Yes, I believe those are good ones.

A few friends have already offered to mention my memoir on their blogs and to them I say, Thank you so much. I've been reading about and preparing my marketing and promotion for years (and I do mean years). I think I've mentioned before, it can be somewhat overwhelming, but it's a really good way of being overwhelmed!


In honor of being able to reveal the cover, I'm having a give-away for a print copy, and everyone is eligible. I'm not restricting it to just the US and Canada this time. * In my excitement, I forgot to post a deadline for the give-away. I'll make it this Thursday, Nov 14th.*


The Rules Are:
1) You must be a follower
2) Leave a comment
  That's all! 


As usual, I'm ending this post with a quote. This one in particular spoke to me.



"Keep your dreams alive. Understand to achieve anything requires faith and belief in yourself, vision, hard work, determination, and dedication. Remember all things are possible for those who believe." - Gail Devers

82 comments:

  1. Congratulations! How very very exciting! Also--did you change the blog look/colors? Looks great.

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    1. Hi Julie ~ Thank you! And yes, I changed the whole look and colors. I got tired of the "too plain" white and grey!

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  2. So exciting! The cover looks great! Congratulations, Becky!

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  3. Oh, Becky P! How exciting for you! It's been a long haul but you stuck with it and now look--your very own book! SO happy for you, and so proud, too. ♥

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    1. Hey Ms. Cathy C! Thank you so much. It definitely has been a long haul! Great words to describe it....but, after all, you are a wonderful lady with words! :)

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  4. Congrats my friend - my author friend!

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    1. Hey Chatty/Sandie! Thank you, my friend - my lovely friend! :)

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  5. That picture is simply adorable. Does the back cover have a photo of chin hairs, just to balance it out?

    Congrats on this milestone!

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    1. Hey Val ~ Awwww, shucks, you're embarrassing me! (not really!) And no...the back cover does not have one little ol' chin hair! LOL

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  6. Wheeeee...so glad for you!!! Cover is charming...will be fetching on a store shelf. Put my name in your drawing please. More later....night and hope you sleep tight with book dreams now, no longer nightmares! Ha.

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    1. Hi Bookie ~ Thank you! I love the words "charming" and "fetching"! :)
      I think I already told you...a person has to be able to SLEEP to have any kind of dreams! Actually, the weirdness of my sleep, does bring about some strange dreams some times...but never nightmares!

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  7. Congrats, Becky! What a happy day for you.

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  8. Woo Hoo and happy dances. I will most definitely be wanting a signed copy. But you knew that.

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    1. Hello dear EC! Thank you, thank you....and yes, I kind of already knew that! :)
      P.S. Can you please have the skinny portion video tape you doing the Happy Dance for me and then send it to me???

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    2. Short answer. No. I have far too much respect for your eyes and your stomach.

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  9. Oh Becky, this is all so exciting and thrilling for you. I genuinely couldn't be happier for you. You must be walking around with a big silly grin on your face at the moment! Nothing unusual there, then!! HaHa!! I would love to win a signed copy but, don't worry, I'll buy one even if I don't win. I love the title of your memoir , and the front cover. Well done again!!

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    1. Hello Diane! You're so sweet. I can feel your happiness and it's contagious! And you're right about the silly grin on my face....I usually do have one! :)

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  10. Well, you did it! Congratulations. The cover is cute as can be, and with a nice recommendation too. All the best success to you. Go get 'em.

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    1. Thanks, Marcia! I love your first sentence, "Well, you did it!" That about says it all....and since you've been alongside for a big chunk of my journey, I thank you for always supporting and encouraging me.

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  11. I'll be buying a book for sure and I'd like a signed copy. I don't know that many authors so that will be fun to have....even though I only know you through blogging and haven't met in person. ; )
    You have to be over the top excited! I would also like to do a post about your book when it's out! Love your cover...you look like a little angel.
    Can't wait until you start selling! Seems like it's almost like birthing a baby!

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    1. Hey Sandy! Thank you! You're so funny ~~ Yes, I'm "over the top" excited! And thanks so much for offering to do a blog post. The book should be available within a couple of days. Glad you like the cover, too......and yes, I was ALWAYS angelic as a child! LOL

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  12. Wow Becky, congratulations! I am so thrilled to know have met you online, through Kay, and love following your blog. Great success on you. As you know, you're my icon! (((Hugs))) Jo

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    1. Hi Jo! Thank you...you're such a sweetie! I'm thrilled to know you, as well.

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  13. Congratulations the cover looks brilliant. Wishing you good luck. Have a fabulous Friday.
    Best wishes Molly

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  14. Congratulations, Becky! This is a very cute cover. Hope you sell a million copies.

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    1. Hi LInda ~ Thank you so much. You definitely are one who knows how long I've been working on this! Your support and encouragement always meant a lot!

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  15. Congratulations, Becky. The cover looks wonderful and would definitely pull me in to the book!

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  16. Congratulations....will it be on Kindle?

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    1. Hi Delores! Thank you...and yes, it will be on Kindle. Not sure how soon...but soon!

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  17. Congratulations, Becky -- I'm so happy for you! I adore the cover too. Keep us posted on where your signings will be.

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    1. Hey Sistah Ter! You've been so encouraging and helpful. I'm so grateful that we met a few short years ago. Glad you like the cover! Right now, it looks like my first book signing will be at the library on Hwy K in O'Fallon next Thursday, Nov 21st. Thank you!

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  18. Congratulations Becky! How exciting to see it all done! You have had a long journey. Now you can reap the rewards. Please count me in your wonderful giveaway!
    Hugs,
    Terri

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    1. Thank you, Terri! Yes, it's been a long journey, and I like the term, "reap the rewards"! I'm sorry I haven't been a good letter-writer the past few months, too! Hugs back to you!

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  19. I'm so happy for you, Becky!!! This is such a wonderful cover, I love it! That pic of you is too cute for words. Congratulations and I hope you will be riding high on this for a long time - you deserve it. Yay!

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    1. Thank you, Julie! All of my friends are so genuinely happy for me, and it shows! I'm so grateful to have y'all. It wouldn't be fun to be alone and have no one to share the joy with, would it??

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  20. Congratulations Becky! So excited for you. :) Be sure and send me a blurb when it releases and I'll share it in an upcoming newsy post.

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    1. Thank you, Karen! I guess it's time to come up with a blurb, it's available now! :)

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  21. Wow wow wow You must be soooooo excited, Becky! Looks great. Susan

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    1. Hi Susan! Thank you....wow is right...and yes, I'm soooooo excited!! :)

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  22. How exciting that you wrote a book! I wish you success. I am a follower!

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  23. Woot woot! Love the endorsement on the front. I wonder who gave you that idea! ha-ha

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    1. Hi Sheree! Thank you! And I have no idea what you're talking about ~~

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  24. Thanks to everyone who has left a comment so far! I promise I'll be back later to reply individually! All of you mean so much to me.

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  25. BECKY-O! ~

    I love, Love, LOVE the book cover! Seriously, friend, it is great. I always thought that photograph was just the cutest thing, back when you used to have it displayed as your icon. So it's wonderful to see it on your book cover, and the "sunbeam" effect was an A-list idea because it only emphasizes the cuteness of the picture!

    Please be sure to let me know as soon as the hard copy is available for purchasing, because I am going to buy one right away. And even if I should be the lucky one to win the give-away copy, I am STILL going to buy one so I'll have it to give to someone else as a gift.

    CONGRATULATIONS! I am so happy for ya!

    If the text is even half as good as the cover (and I have no doubts about the quality of the writing), then this is going to be one fun read! I'm really looking forward to getting a copy in my hands - it'll give me something entertaining to read while I'm working these awful "graveyard" shifts (8 PM to 6 AM, four days and nights a week.)

    Let me know as soon as I can buy a paper copy, Becky-O!

    ~ D-FensDogg
    'Loyal American Underground'

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    1. Oh, Mr. Stephen T! You are one neat-o guy! Nuff said! :)

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  26. The cover looks great my friend! I will do a review when it comes out...of course I will! Everyone will want to read it...we all feel like we've been with you every step of the way. You did the hard part though! And I am SO very proud of you! Way to go my friend! Exciting times ahead!!! Sweet hugs!

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    1. Thank you, Diane! So many of you are so supportive and kind! I'm thankful for every one of my friends!

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  27. Hi Becky! What a very cool career (and blog) you have going! I'm so glad you stopped by The House on Lavender Hill so that I had the chance to meet you and pop over here. I am an AVID reader and so are my sons. I hs'd them all k-12 and I'm so proud that even now as adults, they've got the "reading bug" from their mom!

    I'm definitely going to read your new book - sounds charming and I know it will be something I'll enjoy!

    gena (definitely following over here!)

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    1. Hi Gena! Thank you very much for stopping by and being a follower! I'm glad I found out about your blog, too, from Susan. You are very talented! That's wonderful that you're an avid reader. I can't imagine a world WITHOUT books! And I hope you do enjoy my memoir!

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  28. That is fan-freaking-tastic! Congratulations, Becky. I'm really happy for you.

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    1. Thank you, Susan! You are so fan-freakingly-funny!! :)

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  29. Hi Becky,
    What a cute cover. I know you have to be excited to finally have fulfilled your dream. You are proof positive to never give up on your dream.

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    1. Hi Donna! Thank you very much! I'm glad you like the cover and I really appreciate all the help I got from you along the way...at C&C and SW!! It's still hard to believe that I DID IT! I did fulfill my dream. Thanks again!

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  30. Hi Becky..I am sitting here stunned to see that you have had a book PUBLISHED! The title itself is adorable. I will be watching for it. I offer my congratulations along with all the others you have received. It's a wonderful thing. I am not a writer but my husband was. He had a few things published but never the book he longed to see completed. He passed away before he achieved that. It was his dream so he would have known exactly how you are feeling.
    I also want to thank you for stopping by and leaving a nice comment. And..yes you are right..self acceptance is an important thing. I find life is so much easier and enjoyable when you do this.
    I am an avid reader and always have at least two books going at once. I am just finishing one at this time and stayed up until wee hours of the morning reading.
    It's a passion of mine. A good book, as has been said, is a wonderful friend. You can go back an visit them over and over. I never read and give away. I may buy and pass to a loved friend or family member...but I keep my own.
    My walls are full of books..and I do mean FULL..some are even beginning to find cubby spaces under my desk..within easy reach! :)
    Again..congratulations!!!
    Mona

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    1. Hi Mona! Thank you so much. You are such a lovely person and I'm so happy to be your friend!

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  31. Congratulations, my friend! You've worked hard for this. Enjoy every moment of your success!

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    1. Thank you, Lisa! You've been along for most of the ride, and always very encouraging... you ol' sweetie! :)

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  32. Wow, Becky! I am so excited for you! I'll be wanting a signed copy soon.

    Hugs,

    Kathy M.

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    1. Hi Kathy! Thank you so much! You've always "been there" for me!

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  33. Hooray! This is such big news! I am very excited for you and can't wait to get a copy!!!

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  34. This is so exciting! The cover looks great and the description is enticing as well as the chapter titles. I'm looking forward to hosting you on my blog!

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  35. Congratulations! I am so thrilled for you! The cover is great, and that picture is adorable!

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    1. Hi Peggy! Thank you! Can I order some cookies from you...in the shape of a barrette?? LOL

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  36. so excited for you becky! congratulations

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    1. Hi Shannon! Thank you! Your copy is (almost) "in the mail"!! :)

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  37. The book cover is awesome and I'm sure the contents are as well. Congratulations on finally birthing this baby, Becky!

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    1. Hi Pat! Thank you...and you are SO right....I sure did finally birth that baby!

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  38. I have never had so many comments for one blog post, and I'm certainly not complaining! No Way! But it's taking me quite a while to reply back to y'all...so tomorrow is another day...and I'll be back!

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  39. I remember how exciting that first book is when your copies arrive in the mail. I was afraid to read mine, worried that I would find a typo and it would drive me crazy. Eventually I plucked up my courage, though...

    Congratulations, my friend!

    =D

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    1. Sue, thanks! I think I used up all my excitement the day my first proof arrived! And yes, it did have typos!! LOL

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  40. Congratulations! I love the book title. Can't wait to read it. laurie

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    1. Hi Laurie! Thank you so much for stopping and leaving such a great comment!

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  41. I'm so late to comment here and I'm so excited, I can hardly contain myself. I'm so happy for you Becky. Can't wait to get your signed copy. I'll be up late reading it. Congratulations!!!!!

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    1. Hi Myrna!! You're so cute! Thanks so much for everything!

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I'm still getting quite a few spam comments that are Anonymous, so I'm trying "User with Google Accounts." If anyone tries to comment that I know, and it won't let you, send me an email, okay? Thanks so much.