Or should that be an old (new) release? I’m not sure, but hang on and I’ll tell you why.

A few months ago, I received the rights back to my short story The Trouble with Firsts that appeared in the 2009 Debs e-anthology The First Time (per the contract). I didn’t think much of it until I remembered that I had another YA short story that didn’t currently have a home. What if I used those two stories to walk through the process of publishing something online at Amazon and Barnes and Noble?

Advantages? Here’s what I thought:

• Clean, edited manuscripts pretty much ready to go
• Short length, making the formatting and technical review easier
• Low risk

It was surprisingly fun along with being educational. My goal isn’t to earn a lot of money with these stories–or even much at all–but to learn how the process works.

And it is also a low risk way to have some of my writing available to new readers as well. A 99-cent short story sampler versus $8.99 for Geek Girl? Some readers might want to go with the 99 cents to start. It’s nice I can give them that option.

So, without further ado, I give you: The Trouble With Firsts:

The e-book contains two short stories:

• The Trouble with Firsts: a story about first dates, prom, and humiliation–not necessarily in that order.
  First published as part of The First Time e-anthology, October 2011
• Speechless: a story about not speaking up–and what happens when you finally do.
  First published online as part of the launch for The Geek Girl’s Guide to Cheerleading.

So, there you have it. My new (old) release. Or my old (new) release. It’s available on:

• Kindle
• Nook

It’s hard to believe this is the very last day of 25 Days of Debs. Where did November go? Our very last, but certainly not least, Deb is Jenny Moss, a former NASA engineer and author of three terrific books.

Jenny’s Firsts:

Anthology story: Evan and Penny

First line: 

“Didn’t you say this was your stop?” he asks me.

A really sweet story of “first like” and the perfect way to end The First Time anthology.

2009 Debut: Winnie’s War

Most recent: Taking Off

Wow! Even more cover love! This story centers around  Christa McAuliffe and the space shuttle Challenger accident.

Catch up with Jenny: visit her blog.

Remember, The First Time is available for Kindle and Nook.

It’s Thanksgiving here in the US and I’m thankful for many things. When it comes to writing and publishing, I’m unbelievably thankful for the 2009 Debs. This community of authors is so caring and helpful and awesome and I’m always a little astonished that I’m somehow included in this group. I can’t imagine navigating the world of publishing without them.

Today, on our second to last day of 25 Days of Debs we have Teri Hall, author of a very interesting YA dystopian novels.

Teri’s Firsts:

Anthology story: The Corridor

First line: 

Pho’s waiting in the corridor, just like he said he would be.

This story is set in the same world as Teri’s books The Line and Away. If you’re a fan, you’ll want to read this one for sure. If you haven’t read Teri’s books yet, I have the feeling you’ll want to after sampling the world of this story.

2009 Debut: The Line (debuted in 2010 ~ Teri is another Deb who had her release pushed into 2010)

Most recent: Away

Remember, The First Time is available for Kindle and Nook.

Today we have Kirstin Cronn-Mills, terrific YA author with one book on the shelves and one set to come out next year. A couple of years ago, I was lucky enough to do a book signing with her at my local Barnes & Noble. I can’t remember how many books I sold (maybe six?), but I remember the conversation I had with Kirstin.

Kirstin’s Firsts:

Anthology story: The First Time I Got Stranded In The Really Big Empty

First line: 

You know how graduation parties normally are–cake, ham sandwiches, picture boards full of kid-in-bathtub photos, with a few confirmation and fishing shots thrown in for variety?

Per Kirstin’s blog, this is an epilogue to her debut novel. But the story works as a standalone story as well. No matter where you live, you’ll feel that really big empty.

2009 Debut: The Sky Always Hears Me and The Hills Don’t Mind

Up Next: Beautiful Music for Ugly Children ~ coming in 2012!

Catch up with Kirstin: visit her blog.

Remember, The First Time is available for Kindle and Nook.

Up today is middle grade author Kurtis Scaletta, who has three terrific middle grade novels to his name. Just ask Kyra. She loves his most recent release.

Kurtis’s Firsts:

Anthology story: Azalea

First line: 

Dennis Erikson had penciled lines on the doorjamb of his bedroom at every quarter inch between four feet, nine inches and five feet high.

A warm, heartfelt story that takes place in a garden center. Missing summer on this blustery November day? Then curl up with this story of many firsts.

2009 Debut: Mudville

Most recent: The Tanglewood Terror

Love that retro cover! This is a book both girls and boys really love. Kyra’s teacher is reading it right now as the read aloud book for their class and the kids just can’t get enough. This would make a great holiday gift or the middle grade reader in your life.

Catch up with Kurtis: visit his off-topic blog.

Remember, The First Time is available for Kindle and Nook.

TGIF and it’s time to celebrate with Deb and multi-published YA author Saundra Mitchell.

Saundra’s Firsts:

Anthology story: Kissing the Dog-Faced Boy

First line: Right now, she’s sick to her stomach.

Oh, moody and angsty and with descriptions that make me wonder if Saundra spent time working in a carnival (must go check her bio).

2009 Debut: Shadowed Summer ~ a 2010 Edgar Nominee (Best YA Mystery)

Most recent: The Vespertine ~ an Amazon Summer Reading list selection! And look at that cover!

Be sure to visit Saundra. Her website is filled with resources, including some great ones for writers.

Catch up with Saundra: visit her blog.

Remember, The First Time is available for Kindle and Nook.

Moving on to day 17 with another awesome guy story, this one by J. A. (Jon) Yang.

Jon’s Firsts:

Anthology story: Perfect Firsts

First line: 

You’d think it gets easier each time, but you know what that song says: breaking up is hard to do.

The premise of this story is incredible. And the ending … aw, *sniff*.

2009 Debut: Exclusively Chloe

Catch up with Jon: visit his blog. And when you do, make sure to read his post on The Game of Publishing.

Remember, The First Time is available for Kindle and Nook.

Up today is Lauren Bjorkman!

Lauren’s Firsts:

Anthology story: The Shark King

First line: 

My phone pings–a text from my friend Emilia: Caught a boy yet?

Oh, you will not believe what she does catch! Another sweet story that will make you want to book airline tickets to Hawaii.

2009 Debut: My Invented Life

Forthcoming: Miss Fortune Cookie ~ look for it in 2012!

Catch up with Lauren: visit her blog

Remember, The First Time is available for Kindle and Nook.

So, most Mondays? Meh. But today we have Lara Zielin to start off your week.

Lara’s Firsts:

Anthology story: Selling Mr. Peanut

First line: 

I knew this wouldn’t be a regular job the minute I spotted all the ancient wooden dildos under the glass case.

And you know from this first sentence that this is not going to be an ordinary story. And that first sentence leads into one of the sweetest stories ever. No. Really. It does.

2009 Debut: Donut Days

Most recent: The Implosion of Aggie Winchester

And if you need an extra dose of fun for your Monday, check out Lara’s videos. It’s not everyone whose brutal Kirkus review gets turned into a death metal song.

Remember, The First Time is available for Kindle and Nook.

Day 13 of 25 Days of Debs is perfect for creepy, scary zombies, which we have courtesy of Carrie Ryan, a New York Times bestselling author.

Carrie’s Firsts:

Anthology story: A Game of Firsts

First line: 

We could’ve left the city–there was probably still time after we saw the first one.

I started this in the evening, thinking I’d read a little bit before bed. Um. No. I read the entire story and was buzzing afterward.

2009 Debut: The Forest of Hands and Teeth (just the title is scary)

Most recent: The Dark Hollow Places (book 3 in the Forest of Hands and Teeth series)

More scary, scary zombies.

Remember, The First Time is available for Kindle and Nook.