It's My Belated Blogoversary! (+ giveaway)

Makeshift Bookmark turned ONE on September 12. It got a pretty cake and made a mess of it, then triumphed over its mess. Then got really drunk and passed out in the bathroom. On a MONDAY, even. My blog is so audacious and ballsy. It really was a fabulous party and all good parties end up that way. Oh, that crazy blog of mine.

WHERE. HAS. THE. TIME. GONE?

Blogging is probably one of the best decisions I could've made in my life at that point in September 2010. I know I complain about nursing school all the time, but I had absolutely no idea how challenging it would actually be. If I didn't have this outlet, this massive group of people with whom I could enjoy talking about books until I was blue in the face, I would've probably been homicidal by now. But no, you guys have kept me crime-free and out of jail. So thank you for that. I can't wait until I don't have school to worry about anymore and I can just read, read, read, and blog all about it.

I had no idea what I was getting myself into with blogging. All I did know was that the two people I followed religiously, Kristi and April, seemed like the coolest effing girls in the universe. They'd have posts that were just outright jubilant about this or that book, and when they posted vlogs, you could actually see how passionate they were about what they were doing and what they were reading. So a HUGE thank you to Kristi and April, my blogging idols, to unknowingly inspire me to make my way into this crazy blogosphere.

I even got the chance to meet Kristi. Um, I kind of fangirled. I literally felt like I was meeting a celebrity. It was that serious. I hope I didn't scare the sh*t out of you, Kristi, hahaha.

I really didn't know that it would change my life for the better and forge friendships with people that I couldn't go a day without interacting. This post would never, EVER end if I told you all the amazingness about each and every one of these people, so I'm just going to list names of those I talk to practically every single day: Lynn, Jamie, Anna, Ginger, TQ, Capillya, Carla, Melanie, Asheley, Tara, Kristi, April, Pam, Michelle, Lisa, Jacinda & Jasmine, Lindsi, Jen, Harmony, Melina, Farrah.

With some awesome bloggers at the Naperville Dark Days in March 2011.

And honestly? The list goes on. Those are just the people I've talked to in the last 5 days worth of tweets. If I missed anyone, please don't be offended. Everyone has made such an impact on me that it's ridiculous.

This has been a surreal experience. I've been able to speak with authors who have made me laugh, cry, and swoon with their characters: Jeri Smith-Ready, Melissa Marr, Kelly Creagh (when I met her!), Courtney Allison Moulton, Libba Bray, Michelle Hodkin, Tahereh Mafi, and again... the list goes on. I got to go to BEA as a Popsicle Stick Head (see below) and actually get some love from Jeri Smith-Ready.

Yep. That's a kiss from the QUEEN OF KISSING SCENES. I should've expected it.

Shoot, you guys, I was even nominated (and made the short list) for Best New Book Blog for BBAW. I have a button to prove it. THAT IS UNFATHOMABLE TO ME.


Thank you all for making this the craziest (in a good way!) year of my life.

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Well, to stop me from blabbering on and on, I'll get to the part you actually care about. The giveaway.

Leave a comment below to enter to win THE ENTIRE IRON FEY SERIES (including The Iron Knight, once it's released!) and an ARC of Beautiful Days and Deadly Cool.

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Winners will be chosen using Random.org and I will contact you via e-mail if you win. I will need the winner's response within 72 hours. If I don't receive it within that timeframe, I will pick a new winner.

Contest ends on October 5, 2011 at midnight EST.