Lucie Simone's thirst for education, plus a book giveaway

**Giveaway is now closed**

Today we welcome back Lucie Simone and her latest novel, "Picture Perfect." Lucie has a passion for travel, yoga, and writing. She has a degree in Journalism, a Master of Fine Arts in Television Production, and is a certified yoga teacher registered with Yoga Alliance. Her love of comedy resulted in a stint studying improvisation, which, ironically enough, taught her to be a better writer. Her short story, "A Taste of Italy," won the New York Book Festival competition for best e-book and is a bestseller at Amazon UK. The release of her debut novel, "Hollywood Ending," a romantic comedy about life in Hollywood for the not-so-rich-and-famous, marked the launch of her small press, Simon and Fig, which publishes Chick Lit, Lad Lit and Women’s Fiction exclusively. Lucie lives in Los Angeles.

To learn more about Lucie visit her website, Facebook and Twitter pages.

Thanks to Lucie, we have TWO e-books of "Picture Perfect" to give away to some lucky readers anywhere in the world!

What's Cool about School!
It’s September, and to a lot of folks, that means it’s Back-to-School time. When I was a kid, I dreaded the end of summer and the return to school, to waking up at 6am, to riding the school bus, to doing homework, to taking tests, to eating cafeteria lunches. I was desperate to prolong my summer vacation. Summer was this blissful retreat when the sun was bright and the grass was lush. When making a pitcher of Kool-Aid and lounging by the pool (even if it was only five feet in diameter and twelve inches deep) was the only thing on the agenda. Reading Judy Blume books and catching fireflies at night. Jumping through sprinklers on hot days and staying up late to watch scary movies in the den.

But my mom always knew how to make the transition to a new school year a little less painful. It usually involved a trip to the mall and a burger from Orange Julius. A few quarters for the arcade and a new pair of shoes. And before long, I’d be excited to start wearing long pants again. I’d look forward to meeting new kids in my classes and filling my Trapper Keeper with paper and pens. Wrapping my books in disassembled paper bags and drawing pictures on them.

And once I actually got to school, I somehow managed to enjoy myself. Goofing off with my friends at recess, exchanging notes in the back of class, whispering over who the cutest boy was, making papier-maché volcanoes and dioramas out of shoeboxes. Sure, there were things I didn’t like about it. Math, for instance. And there was always one teacher who needed an attitude adjustment. You know, the crotchety old lady who smelled like bug spray and seemed hell bent on terrorizing everyone into submission. But overall, returning to school was fun.

In fact, I loved school so much that I didn’t quit after high school. I didn’t even quit after college, going on to pursue my master’s degree. And I would probably still be in school today if I had the time for it. I’d study all sorts of things that I fluffed off during my schooling years. I’d study world religion, philosophy, French poetry, renaissance art, Greek mythology and the Russian language. Why? Because I somehow graduated with a Master of Fine Arts only to discover how much I don’t know...about life, history, art, other cultures, and so much else that makes up our world. And of course, let’s not forget all the Back-to-School paraphernalia I’d get to play with, too! I know I would have a blast filling up my Trapper Keeper with gel pens, subject dividers and college-rule paper. Not to mention the sparkly stickers that would adorn the front. I am a girlie girl, after all.

What about you? Would you go back to school if you could? And what would you study?

Special thanks to Lucie for reminding us about why school can be fun and sharing "Picture Perfect" with our readers. Thanks also to Chick Lit Plus for including us on Lucie's book tour!

How to win "Picture Perfect":
Please comment below with your e-mail address. (Please note: Entries without an e-mail address will NOT be counted. You can use AT and DOT to avoid spam. Or provide a link to your facebook page or blog if you can receive messages there.) 

Bonus entries (can be listed all in one post):
1. Please tell us: If you could go back to school now, what kinds of classes would you take?
2. Follow this blog and post a comment saying you are a follower (if you already follow, that's fine too).
3. Post this contest on Facebook or Twitter or in your blog, and leave a comment saying where you've posted it.
4. Join Chick Lit Central on Facebook. Edit settings if you don't want to receive a lot of messages at your e-mail account. Please read our posting guidelines as well. (If you're already a member, let us know that too.)
5. Follow us on Twitter and/or Pinterest.
6. Add a friend to our Facebook group. (Tell us who you added.) Be sure to remind them to edit their settings.

Giveaway ends September 24th at midnight EST.

http://www.clpblogtours.com/2012/08/picture-perfect-by-lucie-simone.html