A Guest Post by Jennifer Estep! Plus, a Giveaway!

Jennifer Estep is the author of the Bigtime series, which includes Karma Girl, Hot Mama and starting on Tuesday, Jinx (although Jennifer says it is already showing up in bookstores). When she agreed to do a guest post, I asked her to comment either on her greatest author moment and how her life changed since her initial publication. Jennifer has generously decided to cover both topics.

The Times, They Are A’Changing

by Jennifer Estep

First of all, I want to say thanks for Tia for inviting me to blog today. Thanks so much, Tia!

So Tia asked me to talk about a couple of things today – my most exciting author moment and how my life has changed since being published.

It’s really, really hard for me to pick just one favorite author moment. There have been so many incredible milestones. Getting an agent … getting offered my first contract … seeing my first book, Karma Girl, at my local bookstore … signing my very first copy … getting so many wonderful e-mails from folks telling me how much they enjoy my Bigtime superhero series … Each one has been so special and wonderful in its own way.

If I did have to pick, though, I’d say my highlight was coming home from work one day to find an envelope from my publisher. I couldn’t imagine what was in there, but when I opened it up, I let out a shriek of glee. Because nestled inside was the very first copy of Karma Girl that I ever saw.

I just stood there for a few minutes, holding it in my hands and staring at it. Finally, finally, after all those years of writing and all those manuscripts and all those rejection letters, I finally had a copy of my book in my hand. It truly was a dream come true – and made me realize how very blessed I am. A very happy and humbling moment.

Where’s that first book now? On my bookshelf, along with all my other favorite keeper titles. 

As for as how my life has changed, it has – and it hasn’t.

I’ve got three books out now, so I can say that I’m a multi-published author. It sounds more impressive than it is, considering there are tons of folks out there who’ve published many, many more books than I have. But hey, it’s still pretty cool. 

I do and get asked to do more author/book-related things now, like guest blog, book signings, and workshops (all of which I love). I travel a lot more, going to book signings and conferences all over the U.S. I have a little more name recognition, and lots of folks seem to have at least heard of me and my Bigtime series. Plus, I’ve met a lot of great folks – authors, readers, and bloggers – online and in person.

But the best way my life has changed is that I occasionally get e-mails from readers who’ve enjoyed my work. Any author will tell you those kind of e-mails are the best thing about being published. They always brighten my day.

In other respects, my life hasn’t changed at all. I still have a day job (most authors do), still hang out with my family and friends, still read and watch movies and write. I’m still the same person I was before my books came out. Oh, I’m a little older, a little smarter (I hope), and definitely more jaded about the book business. Looking behind the book biz curtain definitely takes a little fun out of things.

But I always remember that I’m one of the lucky ones who gets to share her work with others. Who has books out, more on the way, and many more ideas than I’ll probably ever have time to write.

And the great thing is nobody can ever take any of those accomplishments away from me.

Contest! Contest! Contest!

Jennifer has offered to give away a one copy each of Karma Girl, Hot Mama and Jinx to three lucky winners. (Don't worry--each novel would read well on its own.) All you have to do to enter is leave a comment here. She is willing to ship overseas, so anyone can enter. Jennifer will pick a winner on Tuesday, so be sure to check back here to see if you won. I will put up a separate post announcing the winner.

Also, Jennifer has agreed to stop by and answer questions, so if you have any questions for her, ask away!