Don't Give Up on OUaT (and Me)!!!

You might have seen this posted on Twitter today, well this will be the long sappy version. 

OUaT has been around for a long time compared to other sites that started around the same time. It has evolved into so much throughout the years. What started as a 1 person blog, evolved into team of folks located worldwide. But life happens and people change, move on, etc...

OUaT has slowed down a lot in the last 2-3 years. Many of the reviewers have moved on in life. They have become Moms, started new life ventures or just didn't have the time anymore. And this is ok and expected. What I didn't expect, was that 2019 would affect me and OUaT. Here comes the sappy-sad part...

2019 has been one year to remember and it's not even over yet. This year has been good at times, but sad/heart breaking at other times. I have had to deal with medical issues that have impact my life, The passing of my Father in Law (CANCER SUCKS) very recently, my oldest is in his Senior year of High School, and the Family business we own has struggled. So OUaT, took a back seat and I honestly just has no energy to deal with it. 

I have seen its effects on our readers, our numbers have gone down. Publishers and PR companies have taken notice and its under stable that they just don't see OUaT as an asset to them. I will be OK, if these relationships never get reversed, we had a good thing for a long time. 

I will say, that this is not me quitting, this is not me saying that OUaT is going away. Nope! I have come to realize that I do miss OUaT. I miss having something to write about. I miss reading (its been over a year since I have finished a book). I still watch movies, but I miss chatting about them. Like, I said, I miss it. With that being said, I will start in 2020 to dedicate time again to OUaT. I will say, that OUaT won't be what it used to be, because it's going to be pretty much Me, Myself and I again. I do have 1-2 folks that still share a review here and there (which I am GRATEFUL for). So if you have been here since the start, it will be similar to how I use to run the pace back them. A post here and there and who knows what about. If you came along these last couple of years, I understand if OUaT, is not what you need anymore. Thank you for hanging out while you did. 

These are posts I plan to bring back in 2020:

• book reviews 
• movie reviews
• random post about life events/moments
• giveaways (not as often as before)
• make up posts
• pretty much anything I feel inspired to write about 

Social media will be waking up also (OuT Instagram, Twitter and Facebook). 

So there you have it. Again I ask, don't give up on OUaT (and me). See ya back at it in 2020! 

XOXO

OUaT's Traveling this Weekend!

Where you can find OUaT members this weekend! 

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Viva Las Vegas! Shannon and Yara (me) will be in Vegas this weekend to attend Jamie McGuire's A Beautiful Wedding Book Event. We are excited to spend Saturday surround by the authors and the books we love. Will be arriving today Friday to register and a mingle right after and then let Vegas direct our Friday night. Then Saturday (1/31) is the big day. 

On Saturday we start off with a photo op with the Jase and Alex, the models that are Travis Maddox and Abby Maddox (lol)! Then sometime after that we head to the signing event that includes Jamie herself but also Colleen Hoover, Abbi Glines, Jennifer L. Armentrout and many more. Then once we have met and gotten all our books signed and fangirled our butts off, we head later that night to Aces & Eights Cocktail Party with the Authors and Models. We can't even described how thrilled and excited we are. We have our books and party dress ready to make the most our of this event. 

"What Happens in Vegas, Stays in Vegas"

So we can't wait to let you guys know how the event went after we have come back home and settled back into the real world. Make sure you are following our Twitter, Instagram and Facebook as will be updating with pics and so much more.

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The windy city will be bustling with bookish folks this weekend and OUaT's very own Leydy, will be one of them. Leydy will be in Chicago attending ALA Midwinter conference. She will be attending the conference for a few days. We can't wait to see all the goodies she brings back home.

We will find out what the "It" books are from all the different publishers will be for this year. And I'm sure Leydy will be making some stops that we might recognize from Divergent while she is visiting Chicago.

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So if any of our readers will be at either event, look for us and say Hi. We always love to meet new folks when out and about enjoying our passion for BOOKS!!!

OUaT Update: Giveaway Winners

Hey everyone! 

First off, I'd like to say thank you to everyone who participates in all the giveaways that we share on the site. We will continue to share as many as we can for everyone to enter for as long as we exist. 

Alright with that being said. I've noticed a pattern when we contact winners after they win and I thought it would be good to address it so that hopefully it doesn't continue. For a few months now, we have contact the winner and after 48 hours we haven't gotten a reply back, but then the next winner also doesn't reply back. Normally this is OK if it is a giveaway OUaT is hosting but most of the times the giveaways are provided by PR companies, Publishers, ext... And these companies most of the time have a deadline by when they need the winner information, if they don't receive it by the date assigned, then the giveaway prize is no longer available. So we have had a few giveaways that we didn't make cutoff, because the winners would not reply back. This sucks if you ask me, because I'm sure others that enter to win, would have replied back in the time given. 

So PLEASE only enter a giveaway if you WANT TO WIN the prize and make sure the email you have provided is a good working email that can receive emails from us. Make sure you check your spam folders daily as well. 

Thank you for your cooperation and hopefully no more prizes go unclaimed. 

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Next item on the table, lol! There are a couple of you that have won and haven't receive your prize. I'm aware of it and will be getting those packages out soon. I usually take time off during Christmas break and didn't really check or do much with the site during this time so I could spend it with my family. So just bare with me, this month you should receive your prize. This pertains to giveaways provided directly from us (OUaT), NOT publishers, agents or PR companies.

If you have any questions or concerns, don't hesitate to email me - YARA.

Hope everyone has a great start to 2015!!!