What I've learned by ending the series... [edited]

First of all, don't miss these contests currently going on. Lots of chances to win copies of MY SOUL TO KEEP as well as some other swag! [Now with functioning links!]

The E-Z giveaway

The Countdown contest

A Journey of Books interview and giveaway

Things I've learned by ending the Shifters series:

1. Most people don't want a series to end. I understand. I'm gonna miss the Shifters too. :)

2. There's no way to remember every single detail from the previous five books. I've had to do a lot of searching in the previous manuscripts.

3. Finding a good last line is hard! I've gone through several so far, and my editor and I agree that I haven't found the right one yet. Sigh. It needs to be perfect, because it's not just the last line in the book; it's the last line in the series!. And it will be perfect. But I only have one more chance to get it right: page proofs.

4. I'm really nervous about the reception of this book. The last in the series needs to be riveting, and fast-paced, and it has to satisfactorily wrap up all the threads. But there's no way everyone's going to be happy with the way it ends, so I'm trying to come to terms with that now, to save myself the stress later.

BEA schedule

Next week, I'll be in NYC for Book Expo America, and for those who've asked, here's my schedule:

Tuesday night, I'll be speaking at the Association of American Publishers' author's dinner. Speakers include:

Cory Doctorow, author of For The Win (Tor/Forge)
Rachel Vincent, author of My Soul To Keep (Harlequin Teen)
Anne Fortier, author of Juliet (Ballantine)
Jane Green, author of Promises To Keep (Viking)
Ann Brashares, author of My Name Is Memory (Riverhead)

*Co-Hosted with Library Journal

Wednesday, I'm signing MY SOUL TO KEEP at noon with the other HQTeen authors, in the Harlequin booth.

Thursday, I sign SHIFT at 2:00 pm with several other paranormal authors in the Harlequin booth.

I hope to see some of you there!