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July 6th, 2009
Welcome to the You 2.0 blog!
At long last, it’s here! The You 2.0 blog has been a labor of love for months now, getting everything ready behind the scenes. It’s a bit different than a traditional author blog because it’s all about being the best YOU you can be. That means going for your dreams, making a difference in your world (big or small), showing gratitude, paying it forward… and so much more! We’ll also be talking about the books we love, the things (and people!) we care about, and making sure there’s plenty of laughter to go around. In addition to the You 2.0 topics, I’ll be gabbing about what I’m reading, what I’m watching, the writing life and, well, anything else that fascinates me. And because no one likes blogging into the void (Bueller???), each time you comment on the blog, you’ll receive one entry into the monthly contest. The more posts you comment on, the more entries you’ll get! Every month, I’ll choose not one, but TWO different winners! ** Winner #1 will receive an ARC of my upcoming The Cinderella Society (while supplies last!) ** Winner #2 will get to take a prize dive in the exclusive You 2.0 prize basket to select the item they love most So what are the cool weekly features, you ask? Well, let me introduce you! Introducing… THE TUESDAY TEEN AUTHOR CHALLENGE! We all know YA and middle grades fiction is amazing, right? And I know many of you are aspiring writers of it! So as part of the Paying It Forward piece of You 2.0, I’ll be hosting a year-long You 2.0 Teen Author Challenge. For inspiration, I’ll be sharing exclusive writing tips from fabulous YA and middle grades authors like P.C. Cast, Alyson Noel, Rachel Caine, Susan Beth Pfeffer, and many more. I’ll also be sharing insider secrets about the writing biz, chatting with other authors about how they write, and offering loads of links to great online resources that’ll help you grow your writing career. But the You 2.0 Teen Author Challenge is about more than just inspiration. It’s about putting pencil to paper… or fingers to keyboard… and making your mark on the world. If you’ve never finished a manuscript, make this the year you do. If you need to improve your writing skills, now is the time! Let us cheer you on as you pursue your dream of becoming a published author. Writers of all ages are welcome (and teachers too!). All you need is a passion for writing YA and middle grades fiction. And I know you’ve got that in spades. So that’s Tuesday. What about Wednesday? Introducing… BOOKLOVER OF THE WEEK! Gratitude is a big part of You 2.0. Here’s my chance to recognize the people who are as passionate about books as we are as authors. Tune in for great interviews with industry pros like agents and editors, YA book bloggers, booksellers, and more! Check out the blue Booklover of the Week box on the right side of the blog for the first group of scheduled features. Then scroll down to the purple box beneath it for more fabulous Booklover features coming soon. Is that an amazing lineup or what??? And finally, introducing… FRIDAY SPOTLIGHTS! Friday means anything goes! Stay tuned for fun features like Author Spotlight and Librarian Spotlight interviews and sneak peeks inside the super secret “Writing Caves” of some of my fellow authors. You’ll learn all kinds of groovy things about your favorite authors, get to meet some awesome teen librarians, and get to see “where the magic happens” as some of my author buddies talk about where they write and how it inspires them (pictures included!). ** CONTEST TIME ** To celebrate the official launch of the You 2.0 blog, I’m kicking off with a contest where I’m giving away not one… not two… but THREE great prizes! That’s right… three lucky peeps will get to take the very first prize dives into the You 2.0 prize basket. And the lucky grand prize winner will win their prize dive… PLUS an ARC of The Cinderella Society… PLUS a $25 Barnes & Noble gift card! You can earn entries into the contest in tons of different ways. Here’s how the contest works (each point = one entry into the contest): +4 Comment below about the You 2.0 blog feature(s) you’re most excited about Once you’re finished, simply post a comment with the things you’ve done and your total points. Winners to be announced tomorrow. Ready, set, GO… and welcome to You 2.0!
Entry Filed under: Grab Bag |
Project FMGM proposalCOMPLETE! ![]() ![]()
A 16 year old outsider gets tapped to join a secret society of good populars dedicated to defeating the mean girls of the world.
On shelves now! IndieBound ![]() ![]() |


















Congratulations Kay! The blog looks great.
Thanks, Jessica! And thanks for being the first to pop over for a visit.
The blog looks amazing! I absolutely love it!
+4 – I am so excited about the Tuesday Teen Author. I am an aspiring YA writer, and love any tips from authors that would help get me started~
+3 – Following Via Google Friend Connect
+2 – Tweeted about the blog (TheBookExplorer)
This is so exciting~ =)
Thanks so much, Shayla! I hope you have a blast with the You 2.0 Teen Author Challenge.
The participating authors are just plain AWESOME.
Good luck with your writing!!
Very nice. I’m especially excited that Natashya Wilson will be on your Booklover of the Week feature. (being my editor and all) I’ve bookmarked this site so I can follow easily.
Hi Julie! Isn’t Natashya wonderful? I’m looking forward to her feature too.
What a great concept for a blog! I love the pay it foreward aspect!
Teri
Aww… thanks, Teri! And thanks for coming over to visit. It’s great to see you here!
Congrats on the launch!
+4 I’m most excited about the writing tips from authors. They’ll be invaluable.
+3 I follow You 2.0
+2 You 2.0 is on my blogroll
Thanks for the awesome contest Kay!
angels3@blueyonder.co.uk
Thanks, Sophie! And you’re very welcome too!
I hope you enjoy the writing tips in the Teen Author Challenge. I’m thrilled that the authors were so generous in offering their advice. They ROCK!
I love this whole concept, but what I’m most excited about is pay it forward aspect and the Friday Spotlights!
Absolutely fabulous, Kay!
Hugs!
Celesta
Hi Celesta!! So great to see you here! I hope you enjoy the Friday Spotlights. And I have to admit, the Pay it Forward piece is one of my favorites too. Lots of neat stuff planned for that in the months ahead.
Congrats on the launch!!! The blog looks great!
+4 I really like the Friday Spotlight and the Teen Author Challenge. The Teen Author Challenge just sounds really inspiring and interesting.
(both under blogs and authors) http://www.thebookcellarx.blogspot.com
+2 It’s added to my blog
+1 I checked out the Great Scavenger Hunt – I told my librarian about it and she wants to start participating I think.
Also, I love the cover for Cinderella Society.
Thanks so much for the ARC cover love, Erica! I hope you have a great time with the Teen Author Challenge. And thanks for sharing The Great Scavenger Hunt Contest with your local librarian. I hope you’re able to participate!
Yay, I’m so excited for this. I’m glad it’s finally launched. And chelsea’s first for the book lover? Very nice!!
+4 I’m excited about everything honestly. I’ll be excited to hear from agents and authors and other bloggers about what they do. So cool.
+3 following the blog via RSS
+1 I don’t know if it counts, but I’ve already checked out The Cinderella Society and I’m sooo stoked. It sounds like a ton of fun. I really love the premise.
Total: 8 (unless the last one doesn’t coutnt…then 7)
-Lauren
Hey Lauren! You bet they all count… 8 entries for you, my dear! And thanks for the sweet words about THE CINDERELLA SOCIETY. You made my day.
Fabulous Blog, Kay! I’m looking forward to seeing Natashya Wilson’s Booklover feature as well. Congratulations!
Jenn
Hi Jenn! Thanks so much for popping over.
I hope you enjoy Natashya’s feature!
Kay, the 2.0 blog is amazing! Talk about fabulous features!!
I’m sooo eager for THE CINDERELLA SOCIETY to debut next spring, but meantime I can keep in touch with 2.0. Awesome!
Light,
Nancy Haddock
Hi Nancy! Thanks so much for the nice words about THE CINDERELLA SOCIETY. You’re such a gem. Thanks for popping over to say hi!
Hi Kay! Congratulations!!! It looks fantastic.
+4 I’m looking forward to the blogger interviews. It will be fun to read about what everyone has to say as well as the author interviews!
+3 I’m a follower through Google
+2 Added YA 2.0 to my blog roll
+1 Checked out Cinderella Society
+1 checked out Great Scavenger Hunt
+2 I tweeted! http://twitter.com/bookbutterfly9
Thank you!
Thanks so much, Kim! I’m looking forward to the blogger features too. Everyone did such a fabulous job with the Q&As (including you!). And thanks for posting your Twitter address – so glad to know you’re on there!
Hi, Kay! What a cool new blog!
+4 I’m looking forward to Booklover of the Week, and I also think The Great Scavenger Hunt Contest is a really cool idea!
+2 Added You 2.0 to my blogroll
+2 Tweeted about You 2.0
+1 The Cinderella Society
+1 Great Scavenger Hunt
Total: 10–Yay! Thanks, and I’ll keep checking out the blog!
Hi Christi! Aww… thanks for the sweet words about The Great Scavenger Hunt Contest. It’s a big piece of my own Paying It Forward efforts, so I’m delighted that the response from librarians has been so positive.
First I have to say that I LOVE the cover of your book. I just saw it and it’s super cute.
I;m most excited about the friday spotlight and seeing writing caves and maybe even author libraries(?)
I’m a nerd that way.
Actually the whole blog sounds great
Hi Jennifer! Great to see you here! Thanks so much for the cover love and blog cheers. And your ideas aren’t nerdy AT ALL… I think author libraries would be neat to see! I’ll have to start a new Friday Spotlight feature for that.
Btw… if you’ll be at ALA, would love to chat over coffee!
+4 I’m excited about the Tuesday Teen Author Challenge because I love to write!
+3 Followed the You 2.0 blog via Google Friend Connect
+3 Followed the You 2.0 blog via RSS (Google Reader)
+2 Added the You 2.0 blog to my blogroll
+2 Tweeted about You 2.0 with a link to the blog as ParadoxRevealed
+1 Checked out The Great Scavenger Hunt Contest (which is awesome)
+1 Go check out The Cinderella Society (I want to read it!!!)
paradoxrevealed (at) aim (dot) com
Wow, I think you’ve set a new record for contest entries!
I hope you enjoy the Teen Author Challenge. And thanks so much for the CINDERELLA SOCIETY cheers!
Hi Kay! Happy 2.0 launch! I’m looking forward to Booklover of the Week.
I considered contributing a pic of my “cave” for about the 3 seconds it took to realize I would have to CLEAN it first, LOL!
Hi Jenn!! The Booklover of the Week feature is going to be a blast. And hey, the Author Cave feature would give you a great reason to clean yours, right?
Kay,
Great site!! You are absolutely amazing and everything looks fantastic!
Thanks so much, Linda! It was so nice of you to stop by and help me celebrate.
+4 I’m super excited about the Booklover of the Week feature. Since I’m apart of it I can’t wait until I see everyone elses!
+3 Follow the You 2.0 blog via Google Friend Connect CHECK
+3 Follow the You 2.0 blog via RSS CHECK
+3 Mention the You 2.0 blog on your blog today CHECK
+2 Add the You 2.0 blog to your blogroll CHECK
+2 Tweet about You 2.0 with a link to the blog CHECK (kelseybee17)
+1 Go check out The Great Scavenger Hunt Contest CHECK
+1 Go check out The Cinderella Society CHECK
Total: 19
Thanks Kay! I’m super excited!
You are a girl on a mission, Kelsey! That’s a whole lot of entries right there.
Looking forward to your Booklover of the Week feature!
+4 I am most excited for Tuesday Teen Author Challenge
+3 Follow the You 2.0 blog via Google Friend Connect
+2 Add the You 2.0 blog to your blogroll
+2 Tweet about You 2.0 @StopDropandRead
+1 Go check out The Great Scavenger Hunt Contest
+1 Go check out The Cinderella Society
Congrats!
Good to *see* you again, Diana! Thanks so much for coming over to celebrate with me (and for posting your tweetname… I didn’t know that was you!). Enjoy the Teen Author Challenge.
I would love to enter!
+4 I’m most excited about the BOOKLOVER OF THE WEEK part.
+3 I Follow the You 2.0 blog via Google Friend Connect
+2 I tweet about You 2.0 with a link to the blog I forgot to @ you at Kaycassidy, though I’m pretty sure your a follow of mine. If not you can view it here: http://twitter.com/Lauren817. Sorry for the inconince.
+1 I checked out The Great Scavenger Hunt Contest
+1 I checked out The Cinderella Society
+2 Add the You 2.0 blog to my blogroll
Hi Lauren! I’m SO glad you mentioned the tweet because I just realized that a bunch of people I follow were somehow not showing up in my TweetDeck groups even though they used to be there! Grrr. But I have now fixed that. Technology – 1, Kay – 1!
I’m definitely excited about the Tuesday feature – it’s always a treat to get a peek into a writer’s process, and of course tips are always welcome!
I followed via RSS and checked out the sites for The Great Scavenger Hunt and the Cinderella Society.
We love the new blog.
We’d love to be entered in the contest.
+4 Does being excited for all of the features count? If not, probably the writing tips.
Sorry. We’re aflightofminds.
+3 Following on Google Friend Connect
+3 Following via RSS
+3 Posted about You 2.0 at our blog (http://aflightofminds.blogspot.com/2009/07/look-new-blog.html)
+2 Added You 2.0 to our blogroll
+2 Tweeted but forgot to put @kaycassidy.
+2 Checked out both the bottom links.
Total of… 19? I think so. I could be wrong though.
I am in love with this blog!
+4 contests contests and more contests! I also love the Scavenger Hunt and how it also helps librarians!
+3 Following on Google friend
+3 Following RSS
+3 Posted about You 2.0 – http://bookworminginthe21stcentury.blogspot.com/
+2 Added to blogroll
+2 Tweeted (bookgoil)
+1 I love this scavenger hunt idea! I don’t know if I’ll have a different job next year (yes, I’m job hunting!), but I’ll definitely look into this when I know.
+1 I can’t wait to read The Cinderella Society – it looks really cute!
Can’t wait to explore this blog more!
W00T! Kay, this is me commenting! Love your website and all the cool, positive stuff you do!
+ 4 : I cannot wait for Booklover of the Week. Sounds like a great way to see what others love and get to know them better.
+ 3 I am following you via Good Friends Connect
+ 2 for tweeting this (iamnonfiction)
+2 for adding You 2.0 to my blogroll
+ 1 for checking out your book (which I am super excited for)
+1 for checking out the Scavenger contest (will tell librarian when I see her next)
(total of 13)
Thanks so much. The blog looks fabulous Kay!
Mik @ I Am Nonfiction
iamnonfiction@yahoo.com
http://iamnonfictionreviews.blogspot.com/
Hi

WOW. What a great site with great ideas. I have Followed your Blog. And will be a regular reader.
Thank you very much for sharing.
Love From Canada
twitter.com/RKCharron
xoxo
Hi Kay! This blog is so totally awesome. I love the Book Lover of the week feature . . .and I’d totally be willing to show off my writing cave (i.e. couch) for a Friday spotlight. I’m already following on with google, and I tweeted about your contest. So I guess that gives me 9 points.
Wow all those upcoming features sounds amazing! I’m looking forward to the Tuesday Teen author challenge a bit more though.
I am now a google friend and I follow the blog via RSS.
And I tweeted about it (@blcarol007)
Love the blog!
+4 I think i am most excited about Bookluver Of The Week!
+2 Tweeted about it here: http://twitter.com/Senfaye/status/2508356077
+1 Checked out The Cinderella Society page!
+3 Follow the blog via RSS.
+3 Blogged about it here: http://amazeofbooks.blogspot.com/2009/07/kay-cassidys-new-blog.html
+3 Follow via Google Friend Connect
+2 Added you to my blog roll!
Thanks for the amazing contest!
-Senfaye
annieluvsmuffin@Gmail.com
I’m excited to see the other blogger interviews. I want to see what everyone else answered with. xD (+4)
And I retweeted about it earlier. (: (+2)
Following via google reader (does that count? xD) (+3)
And of course I’ve checked out the scavenger hunt and the book. =D (+2)
Oh, and I checked out the Scavenger Hunt +2
Thanks again!
Hey Kay!
+4 I’m most excited about Teen Author Challenge. Setting my Tuesdays specially for that!
+2 Tweeted @kaycassidy.
+1 Checked out The Great Scavenger Hunt Contest
+1 Checked out The Cinderella Society
Yay, it’s finally here, you make me super duper excited
+4 I really can’t pick one, all of them are great but I guess Teen Author Challenge is my thing because I’ve been wanting to finish a book for such a long time
+3 Follow the You 2.0 blog via Google Friend Connect
+2 Add the You 2.0 blog to your blogroll
+2 Tweet about You 2.0 with a link to the blog
+1 Check out The Great Scavenger Hunt Contest
+1 Check out The Cinderella Society
I really hope this is gonna be great success. You rock, Kay ^^
+4 I’m most excited about Booklover of the week
+3 Follow your blog
+1 Check out Cinderella Society
+1 Check out The Great Scavenger Hunt
This.is.SO.awesome. Where to start…? Well, though it’s hard to choose, I have to say I’m most excited about Booklover of the Week, especially being able to hear about publishers and editors since they more or less go unseen which is a shame.
Also, I follow through blogger. Sadly, I don’t know via Google or RSS because I don’t really get technology
Hopefully that doesn’t actually matter, thought. I’ve also added You 2.0 (cute name, by the way) to my blog roll.
And for a last couple entries… The Great Scavenger Hunt sounds awesome. I wish my library were involved, so I sent the link to my Teen/YA section librarian hoping she’ll be interested. As for The Cinderella Society, this book was added to my wishlist a few weeks ago
It looks so cute, especially if the cover is any sign!
Kristin (email = dazdnconfusd@comcast.net)
P.S. I really like how you’re “Paying it Forward”
+ 4 I am most excited about the Booklover of the Week
+3 I follow the You 2.0 blog via my Google Reader (RSS)
+3 Mention the You 2.0 blog on your blog today
+2 Added to my blogroll
+2 Tweeted about the new site (@adw7984)
Welcome! Your blog looks great!
+4 Commented about You 2.0 blog feature that excites me – well there is so much. I love that is is active but I think the opportunity for authors or want to be authors I should say is here!
+3 Following via Google Friend Connect
+3 Following via RSS
+3 I made a post about your blog
+2 You 2.0 has been added to my blogroll
+2 I just tweeted anout your blog
+1 Checked out the scavenger hunt
+1 Checked out The Cinderella Society
Yes – to all of the above.
Total points: 19
Congrats Kay! The site looks great and you have the best ideas for features! One more stop on my daily procrastination tour. Grrr
What a fabulous blog, Kay! Congratulations
Amazing blog, and really cool features!
) I think it’ll be fun!
+4 I’m excited about the Tuesday Challenges! I love writing, and I could use with the inspiration and motivation to start a new story
+3 I’m following the blog!
+3 Come by my blog later today, I’ll be mentioning yours!
+2 Added the blog to my blogroll. You have to click on “Show All” cause it only shows the 10 most recently updated .
+2 Tweeted. I’m EllaPress
+1 Checking out the Hunt (can’t join, I’m in Argentina!)
+1 Cheking out The Cinderella Soc (sounds awesome, adding it to my WishList!)
Can’t wait what you come up with!
)
I know I’ll have fun over here
Ella @ http://theclockmonkey2.blogspot.com/
Hoping I can still enter. I love this and can’t wait for all the features!
+4 I’m most excited about the Bookluver of the Week feature.
+3 Following w/Google Friend Connect
Love the blog, Kay!!
shelcows AT gmail DOT com
+4 I have to say that I’m pretty excited about all the features! However, I’m especially excited about the teen writer challenge. As a teenager, I’m always looking for new fiction that’s fun and thought provoking as well as well written.
+2 Tweeted! I’m @theperfectlady. Plus I’m following you.
+1 Cinderella Society
+1 Scavenger Hunt
+2 Blogroll!
What a cool blog, Kay! It looks amazing and you have an incredible line up of guests coming!
I really love the idea of Booklover of the Week. It’s always cool to get to know a little about the people behind the blogs.
I’m following your blog!
And I posted about this blog here: http://melanies–musings.blogspot.com/2009/07/current-contests-july-09.html
I checked out The Cinderella Society! It looks like an amazing read!
I love YA books, and it looks like you have a lot of fun things planned. I can’t wait to join in! I am following you in google friend connect.
+4 Comment below about the You 2.0 blog feature(s) you’re most excited about
the first thing i liked was i could find all the ways to connect with you in 3 little boxes right in a row. i like the boxes as they help me jump around with ease. your new blog is well layed out and your plans are clear.
+3 Follow the You 2.0 blog via Google Friend Connect
i’m there as hodgepodgespv with a oscar wild as my avatar
+3 Follow the You 2.0 blog via RSS
i follow
+2 Add the You 2.0 blog to your blogroll
without the text codes, i am not talented enough to add you to my blog roll but i did add you to my list of “i want to win books”
+2 Tweet about You 2.0 with a link to the blog (you can @ me at @kaycassidy)
spvaughan http://bit.ly/gRRE5 a new blog deserves a new giveaway contest…check it out!
+1 Go check out The Cinderella Society
i did
Hello, Kay!!!
D. D. Scott here!!!
Another one of your fabulous ideas has now hit the real world with this fantastic blog concept!
Cheers to your success and best wishes for much more to come!!!
Sexy, Sassy, Smart Wishes — D. D. Scott
Wow, what a fabulous idea for a blog. I can’t wait for all of it. Especially the Booklover of the week.
Hi Kay! I’m in absolute awe. Congrats on the launch. You’re doing such a wonderful project here. I wish you nothing but huge success in all of your many ventures!
+1 Woo-hoo! I’m so excited about Cameryn winning June’s Great Scavenger Hunt Contest! (She had 7 entries, so I had hopes…) I love what you’re doing! It’s fantastic to offer this program to libraries, and what’s more it’s a program that rewards READERS!
+4 Your You2.0 blog looks fantastic, too. Since I’m a librarian, a not-yet-published children’s writer, and a book blogger, I like the sound of most of the features. I think I’m especially looking forward to hearing from Industry Pros in the Booklover section.
+1 Your new book looks great! I will definitely want to read it, whether in ARC form or after it’s out….
+4 Booklover of the Week & Friday Spotlight sounds fantastic! I’m so excited x)
+3 Followin’ ya via Google friend contact.
+2 Linking this to my blogroll.
+1 The Great Scavenger Hunt Contest sounds awesome! It’s such a cool concept.
+1 Checked the Cinderella Society page. I can’t wait for it to hit shelves.
Ack! How did I miss this yesterday?! Okay here goes:
+4 I looooove the fantastic lineup! I’m so excited to hear more from the insiders of the industry. And look! It’s me! LOL!
+3 Follow the You 2.0 blog via Google Friend Connect – Done!
+3 Follow the You 2.0 blog via RSS – Done!
+3 Mention the You 2.0 blog on your blog today – done! http://dissectingperfection.wordpress.com/2009/07/07/you-2-0-blog-launched/
+2 Add the You 2.0 blog to your blogroll – done!
+2 Tweet about You 2.0 with a link to the blog (you can @ me at @kaycassidy) – done!
+1 Go check out The Great Scavenger Hunt Contest – saw it a while ago.
+1 Go check out The Cinderella Society – Ah, but you KNOW I’ve done this one already
I’m so excited Kay! Congratulations on the big launch and we’re all soooo happy to see this! =D
Congrats on the new blog, Kay! It looks like a fabulous place to hang out.
~ Vanessa
Wow, you guys are completely amazing!!! Thanks SO much to everyone who commented. Even though I wasn’t able to respond individually to each and every one of you like I had hoped to, please know I am totally thrilled that you came over to celebrate the launch with me. I appreciate you more than you know!