dog update, links, and quick contest

Good news on the dog front: we're waiting for test results to see if she needs surgery or not but even if she does, what she has is treatable. Cue HUGE sigh of relief from me and my husband, who both spent the better part of yesterday in vet's offices worrying our heads off (well, that, and in my case, almost nodding off, as I'm allergic to cats and was on so much Benadryl that I spent all day feeling like I was operating at about half speed)

And I want to thank all of you who wrote or left me notes on facebook about the dog--seeing them all when I finally got back online was really wonderful and more proof that you all are THE BEST EVER!

EVER!!

And to thank you, I want to give away a a book I read over the weekend that I just adored and that I ended up wishing I had with me yesterday because even if I was too stressed out/Bendaryl stupored to actually read it again, it is the kind of read where just looking at the cover makes you happy. You know the kind of read I'm talking about, right?

Anyway! That book? Melissa Walker's fantastic Lovestruck Summer. I have one extra copy to give away, and for your chance to win it, just leave me a comment here by midnight TONIGHT, June 9th. You can just comment, although if you wanted to tell me about a book you've read that just made you feel super happy and content when you were done, I'd love to hear about it!

And I can't forget the links:

This is an older one, but I think it's very interesting--Agent Nathan Bransford wonders if *how* you write impacts *what* you write--as is usual with Nathan's blog, loads of comments to check out.

Finally, birthday cake candles that are useful! I am tempted to get some just so I can pretend it's my birthday, blow out some candles, and then dig right into the most important thing of all--the CAKE!

Editor Cheryl Klein offers up a definition of YA Literature

Agent Janet Reid on when it's too soon to query--and springing off that, agent Nephele Tempest on the importance of being able to write a one-page synopsis

And if you're wondering what the heck I mean by query and synopsis, then you should check out agent Jessica Faust's Publishing Dictionary

One last thing: the winner of a signed copy of Ally Carter's newest book plus a Geektastic ARC was soundistheword3.

And don't forget to leave your comment by midnight tonight for a chance to win the wonderful Lovestruck Summer!