I'm not sure why I feel so anxious, if that's what it is. Or maybe I'm confusing it with excitement and anticipation. All I know is that I feel a need this need to push and yell at my husband. Guess it's maternal instinct.

Meanwhile, thanks to my awesome friends on Gather, the buzz about the book is growing louder. It has recieved such wonderful praise, and these great reviews are being written by people who aren't related to me. That's progress.... In the early days, it was like hi, do you remember me from fifth grade? Could you please read my new book? Or I'd call my sister in Chicago and say, who else owes you a favor?

But now that it's finally time for the book to be born, I need help making the announcement. Will you be my book angel? Here are 10 ways to earn your wings (and a chance to win an autographed copy):

1. Read DEAR NEIGHBOR, DROP DEAD, especially in public places, although try not to do a President Bush and hold it upside down

2. Laugh extra loud to attract attention (very effective during jury duty... if they think you're crazy, it could get you off )

3. Tell EVERYONE if you loved it (and if you didn't, you never heard of me) 

4. Ask your area bookstores to order the book if it's not in stock (and when nobody's looking, move them to the new fiction table)  Repeat this procedure at the library.

5. Post a review at one of the online booksellers like Amazon or Borders (to counter any nasty ones that suggest I would be better suited to selling pantyhose at Macys)

6. Write about the book on your blog ("And this just in... the author Saralee Rosenberg asked me to shamelessly plug her new novel").

7. Post the book as a great read in your Facebook, MySpace, Gather or other profiles (it's great when people, particularly those who employ you, think you're educated/can read)

8. Send me your street address and I'll send you postcards to hand out (no clown suit or sandwich board required)

9. Give the book as a gift (a nice compromise between giving a card and let's say, a new HD TV?) 

10. Get your book club or organization to invite me to speak (my funny talks work well everywhere but funerals).

If you send me a message that you did any of the above, I'll be your BFF and enter your name in a drawing for 10 signed copies of the book.

Thanks for caring, sharing and reading a message that is as long as my first chapter. If this works, the drinks are on me!!!!