What's Your Guilty Pleasure?

by brittany geragotelis

I'm currently having one of those, "This is too good to be true," moments. If all goes according to plan, my debut novel, WHAT THE SPELL?, will be shown on "Glee" tomorrow night! Besides being one of my favorite TV shows ever, I'm just honored to be included in an episode which is all about "guilty pleasures." Because that's what I hope my book will become to all of you. Well, a pleasure anyways.....

I'm the first to admit, my novels aren't timeless pieces of literature that will be studied by students for years to come. They weren't intended to be. I write books to entertain, make people laugh, cry--feel something--and maybe even make you think a little. Either about the way you feel about the world or yourself, or to inspire you to take a stand, make a change or treat others differently. Sure, some could consider my writing to be "fluff," and others might even hide the fact that they like it since it's teen paranormal action...but why do things like WHAT THE SPELL? have to be a guilty pleasure?

Why should you feel guilty about what you choose to read, watch or listen to? The answer: You shouldn't!

There's no reason to be embarrassed because you like HUNGER GAMES more than THE GREAT GATSBY or prefer to watch "Keeping up with the Kardashians" rather than "Newsroom." And don't let anyone shame you into only listening to Taylor Swift when you're alone in your room or car. Go ahead and sing "We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together" at the top of your lungs no matter who's around (unless you have a terrible singing voice....then, you can settle for just cranking up the volume and humming along).

You should NEVER feel guilty about the things you like. First off, just because a person schedules time to watch "The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills" doesn't mean they're dumb or low-brow. It just means they enjoy watching other people spend their money and fight over who's defaming who while getting botox injections and air-kissing their friends at public events. (FYI: this show is a total-pleasure of mine! LOVE!). Next, why apologize for something you enjoy? Own your likes and don't be afraid to let others know that you don't feel at all guilty about liking them. Chances are, if your friends are being honest with themselves, they'll have to admit, they kind of love it, too.

And now that I think of it, this is EXACTLY what "Glee" is all about. Being honest about who you are and not apologizing for what that looks like. Teen books and reality TV aside....you are who you are, and that's perfect. Sooooo, whether you call it a guilty pleasure or a straight up pleasure (no guilt required), be sure to tune into "Glee" tomorrow night on FOX to find out which character can't get enough of WHAT THE SPELL? And don't forget to Tweet and post about it on Facebook when you spot it, #WhatTheSpellOnGlee.

5x5,
B.

Help Someone's Dreams Come True

by Brittany Geragotelis

I'm a huge believer in people going after their dreams--and the bigger the dream the better! I also really love the idea that I have the power to choose who might become the next big thing! There's something really empowering in that....and I know first-hand how important having people believe in you can be to making your dreams come true. As many of you know, I got my start on Wattpad, where fans championed me into reaching 18 million reads of my book, Life's a Witch online. It was because people gave me their support that I ended up getting my book deal with Simon & Schuster.

And since my first published book came out Jan 29th, I've been asking my fans to continue to support me by buying my book. As much as everyone LOVES free stuff (music, movies, books, etc.), the bottom line is: it takes major time and money to create these things that you love to watch, listen to and read.

So I think that one of the coolest things a person can do is use their influence by getting involved in things they believe in. For some of us, that starts by believing in a person. Stephanie Lynn is a friend of mine who is both an awesome actress and a phenomenal singer. I met her when my fiancé was promoting his feature-length indie film, The Graduates, about five years ago. Stephanie played the "hot girl" in his movie (yes, she's hot, but don't hate on her) and when I first met her, I admit, I thought she'd be sort of mean or snooty. But she is nothing like that. She turned out to be as nice as she is pretty, and majorly talented....even outside of acting. I remember one of the nights we were promoting the movie in Ocean City, MD, and we were sitting around and Steph was singing a few songs she had been working on. And guys....she was SOOOO good!

Fast-forward five years and Stephanie Lynn is now working toward making her own dreams as a singer come true. I totally admire her dedication and love for music and would do anything to help her reach those goals. Including helping to fund her first album. Stephanie Lynn just launched her Kickstarter campaign and I've already donated $100 to her future career as a singer! I know you don't know her like I do, but take a listen to her music and decide for yourself if you'd like to hear more from her. You can donate any amount (and trust me, every little bit helps), and if you don't have the cash, you still have your voice. So, if you can't give, please post about this on your social media. You could help make someone's dream come true. And I think that's pretty awesome!

5x5,
B.

Wear your heart on your NAILS

by Brittany Geragotelis

A friend pointed out to me recently that I have a healthy obsession (I like to think of it more as a hobby) with painting my nails. I've done marble nails, drippy blood nails (for Halloween) and splatter paint nails...I just love getting creative with nail polish!

So, decorating them for Valentine's Day was a no-brainer.

If you're looking for a festive way to show your love this holiday, here's a cool nail tutorial that I came up with which is inspired by my book, WHAT THE SPELL?. It's just the kind of way that Brooklyn would express herself on a big V-day date with her honey, Asher.

So check it out and then try it for yourself! And then buy your copy of WTS (It makes for the perfect V-day gift!).

And LASTLY, because I want YOU to have something sweet this Valentine's Day, here's a magical countdown for my long-anticipated upcoming novel, LIFE'S A WITCH!

Wishing you all lots of love today!

5x5,
B.


ATTENTION BLOGGERS: If you're interested in hosting the LAW countdown widget on your own site, please GO HERE!

Book Launch PARTY!!!

by Brittany Geragotelis

Help Me Celebrate My Book Launch!

Hey all! Just a quick note to let you know that the release day for my book, WHAT THE SPELL? is almost upon us (Jan 29th!). And I want you to help me celebrate the release by joining me at my launch party! Here are the deets...ALL are welcome!

Hope to see you there!

5x5, 

B.

Wednesday Quote Day!

by Brittany Geragotelis

Here's a quote from my upcoming debut novel, What the Spell?....what do you think?

5x5,
B.

WHAT THE SPELL? Part I available TODAY!!!

by Brittany Geragotelis

The big day is finally here! The first part of my debut novel, WHAT THE SPELL? is available to buy and read TODAY! Yep, that's right! For just .99 cents, you can read the first hundred pages of WTS? on your e-readers! That's less than the cost of 3 coffees at Starbucks!!!! So, save a coffee bean and read a book!, (and if you can't afford to buy right now, no worries...you can still do your part by telling your friends and family about it on Facebook, Twitter and Wattpad).

Next, if you're thinking, "I'm just not sure I want to pay .99 cents to check out another witch book," you're in luck. Because I've uploaded a short story based on one of the characters from WHAT THE SPELL? that will give you an overview of what you'll get with the prequel, without giving away everything that happens in the book. THE ABBY DIARIES is free for all who want to read it, exclusively on Wattpad! But the freebies don't end there...you can also read the first two chapters of WHAT THE SPELL here to see if it's something you want to take a chance on.

Lastly, in WHAT THE SPELL? my main character, Brooklyn, gives herself a magical makeover once she comes into her witchy powers...and I'm doing the same thing over on my YouTube channel! In celebration of the e-launch, we're doing a series of magical makeovers online to show you how to get the various character's looks. We've even re-created celebrity looks like Khloe Kardashian (up now!) and Ke$ha. The vids are super fun and we'll be holding a contest to win a $100 gift certificate to Sephora, so be sure to check it out!

So, that's what's going on with me! I hope you'll continue to support me by buying your copy today and be sure to let me know what you think!

5x5,

Britt 

Review Time: Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me?

by Brittany Geragotelis

Review Time: Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me (And Other Concerns) by Mindy Kaling

The Story: Mindy Kaling has lived many lives: the obedient child of immigrant professionals, a timid chubster afraid of her own bike, a Ben Affleck–impersonating Off-Broadway performer and playwright, and, finally, a comedy writer and actress prone to starting fights with her friends and coworkers with the sentence “Can I just say one last thing about this, and then I swear I’ll shut up about it?” 

Perhaps you want to know what Mindy thinks makes a great best friend (someone who will fill your prescription in the middle of the night), or what makes a great guy (one who is aware of all elderly people in any room at any time and acts accordingly), or what is the perfect amount of fame (so famous you can never get convicted of murder in a court of law), or how to maintain a trim figure (you will not find that information in these pages). If so, you’ve come to the right book, mostly!

In Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me?, Mindy invites readers on a tour of her life and her unscientific observations on romance, friendship, and Hollywood, with several conveniently placed stopping points for you to run errands and make phone calls. Mindy Kaling really is just a Girl Next Door—not so much literally anywhere in the continental United States, but definitely if you live in India or Sri Lanka.

How cute is Mindy Kaling?

Why It's a Must-Read: I've always been a fan of the show, "The Office." Besides the fact that there's weirdo Dwight, boy-next-door Jim, and hopelessly loveable Michael--there are some wickedly hilarious women in the cast. And heading up these smart and funny gals is Mindy Kaling. Besides playing the self-absorbed and girlie Kelly Kapoor, Mindy is also one of the head writers of the show.

So, this means that literally every word of Mindy's debut novel, Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me?, is gut-wrenchingly funny. Seriously. Every. Single. Word. From her introduction to the chapter titles, the book had me laughing (and yes, it was out loud) and reading my favorite lines to my boyfriend (who just wanted to sit there in peace and peruse reddit). In this cheery memoir, fans will find out exactly where Mindy came from and what brought her to where she is today: a huge success.

Mindy's funny AND sexy (oh, and don't forget smart!)

What a Character: Like I've mentioned about a billion times, Mindy is freaking hilarious! But not just that, she's also smart and is one of those amazing women who've managed to infiltrate the old boy's club of comedy and turned it inside out. And as a person, she's totally likeable, because she has an intense love for her girlfriends. You're not going to see her screw her BFF over so she can go out and see a guy. So, she's funny, smart AND loyal....everything you want in a new friend. And that's exactly how you're going to feel after reading this book.

Who doesn't like nerdy, embarrassing kid photos of celebs?

A Little Something Extra: Besides the stories in the book, Mindy also regales us with awesomely embarrassing photos of herself as a kid! And as a college student. And an early professional. There's just so much to Mindy that I didn't know before and I'm so glad that I picked up this book. It was well-worth the read!


5x5,
B.

Exclusive Excerpt of What the Spell?!

by Brittany Geragotelis

There's nothing I love more than a good book. Well, except maybe a freebie. So, I decided to put the two together and give you all an exclusive excerpt of my upcoming debut novel, What the Spell? over on Wattpad! I'm beyond excited for you all to read it and want to hear what you think!

And don't forget...if you like what you read, be sure to PRE-ORDER YOUR COPY today!

5x5,
B.

Friday the 13th Fun

What are you doing to celebrate Friday the 13th?

by Brittany Geragotelis

If you know me (or follow my blog), you know that I go cray-cray over Friday the 13th. As far as I'm concerned, it's a holiday--and one of my favorites (I mean, which other holiday happens more than once a year?!?!)! So, first, I want to say Happy Friday the 13th! Help celebrate this Freaky Friday by inviting your friends over for some creepy food and even creepier movies. That's what I'll be doing tonight.

Now, on a note far less creepy, I spent Wednesday at Blackberry's Playbook Experience Event at Chelsea Market in NYC. I had so much fun getting to know some of the people at Blackberry (especially my new gluten-free friend, Farina!), as well as meeting a few of the other authors there (like the GORGEOUS and sweet Sophie Flack, author of Bunheads). And then, of course, I had the opportunity to do a reading of What the Spell?, which was beyond cool.

Just in case you weren't able to make it, take a look at what the day was like for me!

I had no idea what to expect as I was on the cab ride over to the event!

I am in LOVE with my cover!

Paparazzi shot!

Me with actress Jessica Grant. You can see Jessica in the upcoming film "Indelible" with "90210" star Tristan Wilds!

Plenty of places to sit and read.

People were inspired by my success story.

Me with Blackberry girl, Farina. We had a lot of fun bonding over gluten-free food at Friedman's Lunch.

These twins couldn't wait to get their hands on copies!

This little one was totally magical.

Even celebs like Jessica Grant are psyched about What the Spell?

It was awesome meeting fellow author and former ballerina, Sophie Flack.

So, what do you think? Wish you had come by?

5x5,
B.

Exclusive Worldwide Cover Reveal!!!

Oh, happy day!

 by Brittany Geragotelis

Hey guys!

Today, one of the most exciting things in my publishing journey so far is here: My big cover reveal for What the Spell?! I wish you could see me right now (but because you can't, I'm currently running around my apartment, doing my happy dance, and screaming out, "I'm Queen of the World!"), because you'd be able to see what a joy it is for me to bring this info to you....my fans who have made my whole publishing dreams possible!

As for the cover....I'm beyond-psyched about it! I think the model they chose for Brooklyn is PERFECT. She's just like I pictured her and I love her sparkly top. Also, I want to be clear....the background isn't just white. When the books are printed, it will be an opaque color, which fades into silver, and it will be all foil, so it will be super-dynamic--just like the book!

So, without further ado, check out the cover for What the Spell? and then tell me what you think!

5x5,
B.

Exciting News!

by Brittany Geragotelis

Hey all!

Have I got some crazy-cool news for you!

FIRST, This Tuesday, July 10th, we're going to be doing something really special on Wattpad....we'll be unveiling the cover of the prequel to Life's a Witch, called What the Spell? EXCLUSIVELY right here! And because you--my fans--have been so amazing, you'll get to see it FIRST! So, please check back in on Tuesday for the exclusive look, and then let me know what you think.

SECOND, This Wednesday, July 11th, I will be joining Wattpad at a special Blackberry event to promote the company's latest playbook! Blackberry is setting up shop at an awesome little store in Chelsea Market in NYC and they've asked us to help them showcase all the awesomeness that is Wattpad! If you're in the NYC area, be sure to stop by around noon, and you'll get to meet me, grab an autographed copy of the first chapter of my new book What the Spell?, hear all about the cool things Wattpad has coming up and play with some new technology from Blackberry! I love to meet my fans, so don't be shy and stop on by! (HINT: summer's a perfect time for a road trip, if you don't live right nearby!) Chelsea Market is located at 75 9th Ave (btwn 15th and 16th streets). Let me know if you'll be able to make it!

Well, that's it for now, though there are a few other cool things in the works...so, stay tuned!

:)
Britt

Come out and meet me!

by Brittany Geragotelis

Hey all!

Soooo, I've been hard at work on the first revision of my book, What the Spell?, and it's finally in to my editor! Phew! But really, it was such a great experience! I got to see all the things I could do to make the book better and it was actually a fun process. No joke.

So now, I'm just waiting for my second round of notes, which will hopefully just be minor stuff and not overall story-arc stuff. In the meantime, I'm getting the chance to go out and interact with some of my fans and hopefully pick up a few more!

Now, if you know me, you know that I'm not all that comfortable with public speaking. Usually I start to feel sick, faint and possibly like I might die before I have to talk in front of people. Suddenly I forget the most simple words and my face starts to shake. And the sweat....oh the sweat! Hahaha. I'm a mess!

But I've discovered that when I'm speaking on a panel and talking about writing, books and the projects I'm working on, it's not so bad. In fact, I usually have a lot of fun! Sure, I still get a little nervous, but there's something about talking about the things that you love, that make it OK. Sooooo, with that said, this weekend, I have the pleasure of speaking to two amazing groups of people about my writing experiences!

First, on Saturday, I'm going to be speaking at a Wattpad Meetup at 2pm in NYC. The meetup is meant to bring Wattpadders together for a little fun. While there, I'll be speaking to the crowd on my experience with Wattpad, how it helped me to reach my goal of becoming a published author as well as how important it is to support each other by buying more books. Since my fanbase started out on Wattpad, I can't wait to meet some of my fans in person! Fellow Wattpad writer, Caitlin Duffy will also be there, talking about her own success story. If you're interested in coming, here's the info.

Next, I'll be speaking on a panel at UPublishU at BEA (Book Expo of America). I feel incredibly honored to be a part of this group of authors talking about their successes with self-publishing. There are some other great panelists and I think it will be incredibly inspiring to any aspiring authors. And being that it's attached to BEA....well, I feel like I've hit the big time! To find out how to register for the day, who else is on my panel and the other discussions that will be happening throughout the day, check out the site here.

So if you live in or around NYC, please stop by! I'd love to meet you!

5x5,
B.

Mother's Day Momma

by Brittany Geragotelis

Me and Mom

Today is Mother's Day, so what better time to list all the things I love about my mom? Here are my top 10.

1. She's funny. Maybe she's not stand-up funny, but she always makes me laugh. One of her fave things to say? "You're funny--funny looking!"
2. She's always encouraged me to follow my dreams. And she's done this through example. She's a ballet teacher and has always said that work isn't work when you're doing what you love. Even though publishing books is a bit of a lofty dream, she's never told me I couldn't achieve it.

Mom in a chicken suit she made for Halloween

3. She's dorky. My mom's not what you would call a serious person. She's dorky, but in the same way that I am. She says weird things, she'll bust out in the splits anytime, anywhere, and she dances in the car like a lunatic. She's adorkable.
4. She's strong. Looking at her, you wouldn't think she's lived the life she's lived. She's raised three strong-willed, confident young women. There was a time when she worked several jobs at a time just to pay the bills. She was held up at gun-point. She was stalked by a serial killer. She survived horrible situations and came out the other side better for it.

Me at Disneyland

5. She's a big kid. There is NO ONE I'd rather go to Disneyland with than my mom. She wakes up early so we can be there when they snip the ribbon to let people in to the park. She makes us run from one ride to the next and she believes that everything is as magical as the first time she went there...even when we've been there a million times before. She jokes that when Matt and I go on our honeymoon there, she's going to come along, because she's so much fun to go with.

Here's a cake my mom made and decorated

6. She believes in her kids. My mom hates to read...but she's now read three of my books. She was there 100% when my sister was trying to get pregnant, then all throughout her pregnancy and now as a Memaw to my nephew. She's all for my baby sister playing video games for her chosen career. Whatever we want to do, she's supportive, and when we fall along the way, she picks us up.

Here's a dress she designed for one of her students

7. She's uber-talented. Not only is she a phenomenal dancer, but she can also sew just about anything. She makes all her costumes for her ballet performances and she made my sister's bridesmaid's dresses. Seriously, she could have a second career designing and making clothes, she's that good. And she can decorate a mean cake, too.
8. She's a scaredy cat. She will NOT watch scary movies. When we were growing up, she wouldn't even let me watch "Are You Afraid of the Dark" on Nickelodeon while she was in the same room, because she thought it was too scary. This is especially funny, considering that all of her kids are obsessed with scary movies.

Here's a hat she created for one of the cruises she went on

9. She knows what she wants. And it's perfection. To say she's a perfectionist is an understatement. Her house MUST be perfectly clean at all times. If a thread is sticking out of a costume, it must be snipped. And don't worry if you don't do something perfectly...she'll fix it. You've gotta respect someone who has a vision and isn't afraid to go after it.
10. She's a great mom. I am who I am today because of my mom and I wouldn't have it any other way. She's the best and I'm lucky to have her in my life.

Happy Mother's day, Mom! Love you!

5x5,
B.

The family that slays together....

by Brittany Geragotelis

...stays together?

I just had to show this photo that I found online yesterday. This might be the BEST. PHOTO. EVER! I only hope when I have kids we can bond like this...

Now, for the fun. Come up with your best caption for this photo and the winner will be featured on a later blog!

5x5,
B.

Review Time: Lola and the Boy Next Door by Stephanie Perkins

by Brittany Geragotelis

Review Time: Lola and the Boy Next Door by Stephanie Perkins

The Story:
Budding designer Lola Nolan doesn't believe in fashion...she believes in costume. The more expressive the outfit--more sparkly, more fun, more wild--the better. But even though Lola's style is outrageous, she's a devoted daughter and friend with some big plans for the future. And everything is pretty perfect (right down to her hot rocker boyfriend) until the dreaded Bell twins, Calliope and Cricket, return to the neighborhood. When Cricket--a gifted inventor--steps out from his twin sister's shadow and back into Lola's life, she must finally reconcile a lifetime of feelings for the boy next door.
Why It's a Must-Read: 
 Admittedly, I never read Anna and the French Kiss, the book that started it all, so I wasn't aware that this was a companion novel to Stephanie Perkins' first. But I promise, you don't have to have read her first book in order to follow this one. I think the thing that's so great about this book, is that Stephanie is such a gifted storyteller. She may not have created an entirely new universe, but her ability to tell a story that people can identify with is why you keep turning the pages. And the characters....
What a Character:  
Where do I start? The leading lady, Lola, is just as colorful as her name. She's such a unique character...obsessed with constantly reinventing herself, she looks at dressing as a way to express her mood for the day. You'd think she was an actress or rock star, considering how many wigs she has in her home collection. To say that she marches to the beat of her own drummer is an understatement. However, she's still totally relatable in that she's a girl who's still sometimes self-conscious and just wants to impress the boy she loves. 
        I also loved Lola's parents. They both added so much to the family dynamic and showed that all it takes to raise a kid successfully is love. And being that the story takes place in San Francisco, the fact that Lola was being raised by a gay couple didn't overshadow the rest of the story. I loved that it was normal to her and was treated that way (as it should). 
        And Cricket and Calliope Bell....Cricket, I love, love, loved. I had my own Cricket Bell growing up, although I don't think I realized it until I had already grown up and moved away. And Calliope? I would LOVE to read a book about her. Even though she's not one of the lead characters, she's so incredibly interesting. Can I request another companion novel?!?!?!

A Little Something Extra:
I had the privilege of meeting Stephanie recently at a book reading/signing during YA week here in NYC, where she and several other authors reinacted scenes from their books. And I was OBSESSED. With her super-hero red hair. With her acting skills while on the stage. With her presence. After the reading, I had my book signed by her and she was so sweet and nice. It's clear that she's just as unique as the characters she creates.

Follow her on Twitter @NaturallySteph and then go out and buy her book!

5x5,
B.

Help me choose my author photo

Hey all!

So, I need your help! The time has come to turn in my author photo to my design team at Simon & Schuster (my super awesome designer is about to start working on my book cover!!!!) and I'm having some trouble choosing which to use. Soooo, here's where you come in! I've narrowed down four different photo styles, but need to choose one from each category. So, take a look and then vote for which you like in each of the four categories, in the polls over to the right.

Photo A1

Photo A2

Photo A3

__________________________________________

Photo B1

Photo B2

Photo B3

Photo B4

Photo B5

_____________________________________

Photo C1

Photo C2

Photo C3

_____________________________________

Photo D1

Photo D2

Photo D3

So there are your choices....let me know which ones you like best. Vote to the right and your fave pic might just end up on the back of my book!

5x5,

B.