Big Sister Guides

Review of YBS on "And You Will..."

2009-04-27T04:48:00.000-05:00

One of my good bloggy buddies, Mary Davis wrote a fantastic review of Your Big Sister's Guide to Surviving College on the blog "And You Will..."

I recently read an invaluable resource for young women entering college. It’s a book called Your Big Sister’s Guide to Surviving College by Christie Glasgoe Crowder. Christie is a Certified Life Coach and motivational consultant. She’s also a close online friend of mine, whom I admire greatly. Her words of wisdom come from personal experience, and she gives extremely useful and readable advice on every aspect of college life, from academics to sex. There’s even a chapter for parents.

Click Here to Read More...

Autographed Copies - Back by Popular Demand!

2009-04-01T22:01:00.000-05:00

Hello everyone! I am so sorry it has been awhile between posts...lots of travel this summer. I wanted to let you all know that I have a small supply of books in my personal inventory so for those of you who would like autographed copies, come and get 'em while supplies last!! Great belated grad and back to school gifts!!

To order an autographed copy, please send a note to me at bigsisterguides@gmail.com

Your Big Sister One Year Later

2008-05-09T10:31:00.002-05:00

I cant believe it has been a year (and two months) since my book was released! It seems like yesterday that I was pitching the concept to Nancy, my publisher (Wyatt-MacKenzie Publishing, Inc.). I am always asked if this was this the book I knew I would write. The answer is a resounding NO! I almost didn't write at all! I had this preconceived notion that I had to be degreed in English or Literature and well read on the "classics" to be a real "Writer"... at least that is what all of the writing magazines and references I studied lead me to believe. Being that I have a book on the market now is a true testimony to don't believe everything you read! This was a book from the heart...not to mention it was easy to write because I had already written it 10 years ago... I just had to revise for a wider audience.

Having "published author" on my list of accomplishments is HUGE! I am just so grateful to this whole experience because of the other professional doors it has opened for me. Everything I am doing now is a direct result of this book and I am so glad I took the leap of faith.

So what am I writing now? So many of you have asked for and are anxiously awaiting a sequel... the next installment of the Big Sister's Guides series. Well, I am happy to say....I'm working on it! I actually have several topics in the works, I just cant seem to focus on one at a time. I am writing them all simultaneously and it is a snail-race to the finish line. I just go where my writing muse takes me, ya know!

To all of my loyal fans (most of whom are related to me) thank you so much for your continued support. Please continue to spread the word about Your Big Sister!

Managing Your Cash on Campus

2008-03-15T08:47:00.000-05:00

A common misconception among parents is that living on campus means you don’t need any additional money past what’s on your campus card. Take it from me… my poor parents thought I could live on $45 a month! When I was in school, campus cards got you food from the cafeteria and that’s it! I more than understand that there is life beyond sanctioned school activities and meals. So the magic question is… how to ask your parents for more money?

Click the titlte to read the full article on ChickSpeak.com

You're Gonna Get Googled!

2008-02-10T08:43:00.000-05:00

I was watching Good Morning America a couple days ago and there was a “college prep” piece on roommates - specifically about getting to know (or rather getting information on) your new college roommate before school starts. In the old days, we just picked up the phone and gave each other a ring. Nowadays, you will most likely find your new co-habitant on either MySpace or FaceBook or some other on-line community. That’s just what this mother did for her daughter’s proposed roommate. She dug her up on FaceBook and did not like what she saw! Apparently this young lady had chronicled lude behavior (drinking, wild partying, etc.) on her FaceBook page and the mother did not want her daughter living with her. So much so, the woman printed out over 40 pages of the girls site content, marched it right over to university housing, and demanded a transfer! While I completely understand this mother’s point, I do think that was a tad bit over the top. After all, we shouldn’t judge a FaceBook by its cover. However, your online community content puts you on everlasting “blast” and could cost you more than just a potential roommate.

Click the title to read the full article on ChickSpeak.com

Spring Term Cleaning

2007-12-05T08:39:00.001-05:00

Packing for your freshman year of college was probably very exciting and overwhelming.
If you missed all of the talk-show segments and didn’t get a chance to read that “back-to-school” article on what and how to pack for college, my guess is you took EVERYTHING except your bed (which you actually tried to figure out how that would work).
You are smiling aren’t you? I know you are because it’s true. How do I know, I did it myself when I went to school. I treated going off to college as if I was never to return. Low and behold I never entertained the thought that maybe I would have to move out someday.
Well, now you look around at the (pardon me for saying) junk that you have accumulated on top of the stuff you brought with you and well… it’s probably a bit cramped. Good news! Winter break is upon you and unless you are going skiing or to the Caribbean, odds are that you are going back home. Your first extended vacation from college-land is the perfect time to re-assess, re-group, and pare down… time for some Spring Term Cleaning.

Click the title to read the full article on ChickSpeak.com

Bringing Him Home for the Holdiays

2007-11-15T17:35:00.000-05:00

The holidays are upon us… and I know you are planning your trip home to be with your families. You may be, in fact, planning to come home with a traveling partner in the form of a new significant other. So that the experience is pleasant for all, here's my two cents worth...
I'm sure your family is aware that you are dating and you may have already mention your current love interest to them but bringing someone home is a major. Ask yourself these questions: How long have you been dating? How long have you been dating before you told your family about him? Have you both discussed the seriousness of your relationship? Bringing someone home, especially for the holidays (or some other significant event like a wedding) it sends a signal to the guy... and your family about what he means to you. I suggest be sure to evaluate the depth of your dating. It's a good idea to wait until there is some substance to your relationship before you invite him along. Think about this… If you bring Tom home for Thanksgiving... and Bill home for Christmas, well…that's just not good. Imagine the impression you are potentially giving your family! Meeting the parents is a big step for everyone involved.
You and your boyfriend should be mutually ready… and confident in the stability of your relationship. Not only that, it helps to give each other a crash course on what to expect from your families in terms of culture, traditions, general attitudes, etc. Lastly, never spring your love interest on your family. Give them a heads up so they can prepare (and be on their best behavior) for your guest. Discuss sleeping arrangements beforehand so there are no embarrassing or awkward moments in front of everyone.

Good Day Atlanta - My First Live TV Experience

2007-08-01T21:27:00.001-05:00

This morning, I was a guest on our local Fox channel's morning show, Good Day Atlanta. My book and I have been starving for local attention, and finally we got it! It was a lot of fun but it went by so fast! I did tons of preparation over the last few days for a 3 minute segment! I purchased a new outfit, got contact lenses (well, I was going to do that anyway), got a manicure and pedicure (again, that was already in the plans for this week), and brooded over what I was going to say. I wanted to tallk about my sister, get my book message out, plug A Book Is Born, and if there was time, get in a little blurb about coaching... yes, I was planning to do all of that in 3 minutes! No such luck for the latter two on my list... I did have to let Suchita (the hostess) talk too, right? Kidding aside, being on the show was one of the best things to happen to me since this book came about. Curtis and Kennedy were there to cheer me on. Kennedy charmed the pants off of everyone there! Their desire to see her again could be my "in" for ABIB and future YBS Guides! She's a natural publicist! I received a bunch of text messages from friends before and after the show. The staff was great... they made me feel at home. They said I was a natural and couldn't believe this was my first live TV appearance. Well I most certainly hope it is not the last!

Dads & Daughters - Bonding (not just on Father's Day)

2007-06-17T13:57:00.000-05:00

Your parents are equally terrified to see you go away to school or off to a new city but trust me, ladies, your dads are more horrified than they may let on. Mostly because they remember themselves (and their friends) at your age and hope you will not encounter the same kind of guys while you are away. To ease the transition, use this summer to spend some quality time with your Dad. If you are already Daddy's Little Girl, this will be so easy. Use this time to talk with him openly about his fears and expectations. This is a time to show him that you understand his concerns and for him to know he can trust you. If your relationship is not so cozy, this is the BEST time to get things right (or at least on solid footing). Take it from me, your relationship with your father will deeply impact any future relationships with men. That being said, you want it to be positive and believe me, so does he!

Take Responsibility!

2007-05-22T11:22:00.001-05:00

As graduates heading off to college or young adults heading into the "real world", this summer after graduation should be a time of reflection and preparation for the next tier of life. In both cases, you are somewhat disentangling yourselves from your parent's grasp and now it is time to take full responsibility for yourselves. For instance, maybe you have been given something really special like a new car. Yes, it is fantastic and above all FREE but trust that it has been given to you with the expectation that you will be responsible.
If you are going off to college, most likely you will not be working and your parents (or whomever you received the car from) will be footing the bill for the upkeep. You may be thinking that you are free from any of the responsibility for that car. You just have a cool automobile for you and your friends to get around town in. In lies your responsibility. Your responsibility is to take care of YOUR car. You should be the only one driving it. You should not be used as a taxi service for everyone on campus. You are expected to drive safely. You are expected to tell your parents when something happens, such as an accident, parking tickets, etc. These are some of the ways you are to take responsibility for yourself and something you are entrusted with. Remember, if you do not take responsibility in this situation, how will you ever be trusted to be responsible in the future? Think about that when you want to move off campus into an apartment!
As a young adult entering the real world, you have hopefully gotten a crash course in responsibility during your tenure in college. As a reward for four (or five) years of hard work, you might also receive a new car. Of course your parents (or whomever) want you to have reliable transportation to get to (or find) your new job. You, just has your high school counterparts, may be feeling like the luckiest gal on earth to have a free car. However as a newly working professional, your responsibility starts sooner. For instance, you may get a small grace period from your parents for paying for your own insurance and maintenance until you build up a bit of income. Your responsibility is to not take advantage of this time. You are now an adult, no longer a child! I am assuming you are not living under your parents roof. You want to be treated accordingly, take responsibility! Start paying your own insurance, maintenance, etc. for the car as soon as you are able…even if your "grace period" is not up! That shows that you are taking your adulthood and this generous gift seriously! The same rules for the college students apply to you too! This car was given to YOU… not your roommate, not your best friend, not your boyfriend, YOU! You should be the only one driving it…and so on!
My dear Little Sisters, responsibility goes farther than taking care of expensive material things. It is showing yourself and those that are sending you out into the world that you are more than capable of taking care of yourself and that you can be trusted to do the right thing. Your parents are having a hard enough time letting you go (even if they don’t show it). It's easier when they know, not think, but KNOW you can survive on your own. Show them that you can!

Your Big Sister is a BEST SELLER!

2007-04-15T12:04:00.000-05:00

Well, not New York Times just yet, but based on the sales from the book signing at the Pentagon City location, "Your Big Sister's Guide to Surviving College" was a Karibu Books Best Seller for March! Unfortunately, they change their best seller lists on their website weekly so it's not currently listed, but just to know that it was a success is enough for me! I was told by the buyer that they do report their stats to major publications like The NY Times, Washington Post, etc. so who knows... Thank you to all who came out to see me and to buy books!

DC/MD/VA Book Tour Round-up

2007-04-10T08:43:00.000-05:00

Well my SisterFriends (and BrotherFriends), I must say that I had a fantastic time on my very first "Book Tour". I was in the Metro DC area from March 21 to March 29 and went full tilt the whole time! Before I get into the recap of activities I must first thank my Mother, Lauren and Sister, Kelly for spreading the word, putting books in hands and arranging for many of the events I participated in!

Friday March 23
This was by far the busiest day!! My first event was my "Know Before You Go" workshop for the Junior/Senior girls at my alma mater, Springbrook High School. This was my first time presenting this workshop so I was a bit nervous and hoped I would make an impression on these young ladies. Being that this was my old high school I also wanted it to be a huge hit. It was! The girls and I had a great time! They were very engaged and had excellent questions. We had two sessions, one at 11:00 am and one at 12:30. The second had more participants... actually a couple of girls from the first session stayed for the second... how flattering! It was nice to be there and to see some of my teachers again. I would love to go back again! Special thanks to Sheri Lowe, my formal teacher who made it all possible!

My next event was the Karibu Bookstore signing at the Pentagon City Mall location. I was really nervous about that... my first in store signing... would people even come? The store was a lot smaller than I envisioned so there was not much room. I was sitting right at the entrance so I guess that was a good thing. My mother and sister were with me so they were good at directing traffic my way. The shop-keeper was impressed... first, because I showed up on time and next because I sold more books that day than any other author who had a signing at that location! Everyone who stopped by and purchased books, bought more than one! There was a principal from South Carolina who was on a trip with her students who purchased 5 copies! It was great! Lots of my family members stopped by to buy books and wish me well too.

Which leads me to the final event of that day... like there could be more, right! After we left Pentagon City Mall, I was whisked away to a restaurant to find all of the family and friends who had stopped by the signing yelling SURPRISE as I walked through the door! Yes, my mom and sister had arranged a surprise book launch party for me! I even got presents!! It was a spectacular end to a perfect day!

Saturday, March 24
The next morning, it was off to Kymm's Hair Design. Yes, I had a book signing at a hair salon! Thanks to the hustling efforts of my sister, Kelly and her stylist, Kim Pinkston, they arranged to have a signing at her shop. They both had been promoting and selling books out of the shop since the copies arrived and her patrons have been very excited. I met great people that day and sold a lot of books! Thanks Kim and Kelly!

March 25 - 28
These days were filled with visiting old friends and spending time with family... and still selling books!

March 29

My last day was spent at my rival high school John F. Kennedy High School. I presented my "Know Before You Go" workshop to a chorus room filled with beautiful girls of all grade levels. As the room filled to standing room only capacity, my heart filled with joy. I couldnt believe they were all there and truly interested in what I had to say. They were wonderful! Attentive and inquisitive and loads of fun and laughs! Teachers and Principals were also very interested and asked me back for future fall and spring events. I cannot wait to go back again!! Special thanks to Julie Desai (my sister's friend) who told Kennedy HS about my book and to Katrele Carroll for arranging my visit for her wonderful students!

March 30

I was back in Atlanta but the fun did not end there... I had an Atlanta Book Launch Party that evening! Tons of friends and family jamming to the awesome jazz sounds of The Fuzion Project at the Perimeter Marriott. It was the best conclusion to a wonderful whirl-wind week! Ineed a vacation before this baby comes!! WHEW!

Vox Truly Rocks!! My first Public Appearance

2007-03-03T19:02:00.000-05:00

Today, I participated in my first panel discussion as a published author. I was one of three professional women addressing middle school and high school girls that write for a local teen newspaper called VOX (www.voxrox.org). It was amazing! The passion these girls had for their lives, their future, and their education was awesome! They all had questions prepared for us about our careers, our lives, our college experiences and much more. The light in their eyes and their hunger for guidance, knowledge, and validation just filled my heart. Talking with them really made me feel that I was doing what I was meant to do. Reaching girls at this stage in life and arming them with enhanced common sense and confidence in their inner beliefs. Writing my book, this particular book at this particular time was absolutely the right thing to do and at the right moment in my life. Without hardly mentioning the book, I still delivered my message. I even inspired a girl who is a "big sister" by showing her how she can better connect with her little sister before she goes away to college. We only had an hour but I could have sat and talked with them all evening. They wanted more and I wanted more too. I cannot wait for another opportunity to volunteer with them again and get to know each girl a little more. I felt as if this was the chance... my second chance... to be a good big sister... a better big sister to young women at this age. I felt truly blessed today. Thank you, God...keep them coming!

I Feel The Love!!

2007-02-14T12:30:00.000-05:00

Happy Valentine's Day everyone! I hope you spent the day and evening with someone you love (and it didn’t have to be a significant other)!

It is amazing that significant events surrounding my book happen on some sort of holiday or special occasion. On my birthday, I received my advance reading copies of the book that were sent out to reviewers and endorsers. On Christmas, my wonderful sister gave me an engraved scrapbook with my book title on it so I could chronicle my adventures as a published author. And yesterday, Valentine's Day, I received my actual books!! Yes! They are in my hot little hands ready to be signed and sold! I could hardly breathe when I opened the box! It is like seeing your newborn child for the first time. It was real. I wrote a book and it was published. I am a writer. No, I am an AUTHOR! My heart is exploding with love and gratitude that I had the faith to believe in myself enough to do this. And those of you who were there cheering me on and especially those who were the inspiration for this body of work, from the bottom of my heart, THANK YOU!

Happy New Year!

2007-01-16T10:30:00.000-05:00

Another new year always means new beginnings and resolutions. For me, my new beginnings are of course being a newly published author and preparing for motherhood again. My resolutions… well, I really haven't made any. I can't recycle the ones from last year… losing weight is not an option when you are 5 months pregnant. But here is one that I know is on my list of priorities for this year and the years to come… to make a difference. I know that's pretty broad but I believe that is what I feel I need to do. Make a difference in my own household, to a member or members of my family, to a friend or friends, to the young ladies I hope to reach with this book, to other women (of any age)who also may need a "Big Sister". To touch a life in some way… to make someone smile… to help someone make a change in their life for the better. That's my new year's resolution… one I know I can keep!

The Best Christmas Present

2006-12-25T10:18:00.000-05:00

In addition to being surrounded by family this year, I received the best Christmas present that was so thoughtful and so unexpected but it is something I will cherish forever! So that we would not spend a ton of money on each other, my family decided to do the "Secret Santa" thing for Christmas this year. Each person chose a name out of a "hat" and that was who you purchased a gift for (under $25). My grandmother (Nanny) handed me my gift from my "Santa" and said "As soon as you open this, you will know who your Santa is". I opened the box to find a leather bound scrap book with the following engraved on the cover:

An Author's Journey

Surviving the First Year

Christie Glascoe Crowder

The title of the book and the publication date was also embossed on the bottom right. On the back it read:

To My Big Sister with Love

From Your Little Sister

I was moved to tears. I had written a book for her... my little sister, Kelly... an in return she had given me a book to keep my memories of this time of my life. My cup runnith over!

I've Added 2 More Hours to My "Fame"

2006-12-08T10:01:00.000-05:00

Last night (Thursday, December 7) I was on a live local radio show called TEEN TALK. The hosts were two lovely young ladies... Seniors in high school who were voracious for information about the college experience. We talked before the show, during commercial breaks, and after the show! It was great! We talked about EVERYTHING...Sororities, parties, safety, health, homesickness... You name it! And it was (of course) great publicity for the book but I what really excited me was that I really felt that I made a difference to these girls (and to their audience of 20,000+). They were wide-eyed and attentive to everything I had to say... I actually felt like an "expert" for the first time in this whole process! It was a relaxed conversation as if they were my little sisters asking me to tell them the stories of my youth which is EXACTLY what I am going for! If I EVER had any doubts about my book and my message and my ability to do some good in this world... They all disappeared in that one happy little hour on Radio Sandy Springs (www.radiosandysprings.com).

Well, in two weeks, I will be on Sandy Springs Radio again, but with a mostly adult audience. I will be on the Organization Nation show with my good friend and Professional Organizer, Monica Ricci (www.catalystorganizing.com). We are talking about Dorm Room Spring Term Cleaning/Organizing. We taped this show a couple of weeks ago so it was a lot easier than being live. With Monica being a friend, I was not as nervous and it was more about the subject and less about the book or it's contents. It was great fun!

It looks like I am on my way, gang! Hopefully these appearances will boost pre-sales and buzz about the book! Until next time...

My 2 Seconds of Fame (and counting)

2006-10-12T12:34:00.000-05:00

A couple of days ago, Christine (my PR guru) sent me a media lead from a reporter for the New York Daily News. She was writing an article about "A Girls First Bra" and was calling for women to recall their first bra experience. Given the nature of my book, Christine naturally thought this was a good chance for me to get a little press. I contacted the reporter and what do you know, she called me! I was thrilled! We had a great conversation… lots of laughs and fun recalling my early bra experiences. We also talked about a lot more… including the book. I was so excited! I was going to be quoted in a major NY publication!! The article came out today (http://www.nydailynews.com/10-12-2006/city_life/story/460776p-387677c.html). Out of our 30 minute conversation, she chose one little boring sentence for the piece. I felt like a balloon with the air let out of it. Oh well. To tell you the truth, I am not really that sure what I was expecting. Maybe a few more meaningful sentences. Maybe a small book plug. Something that would make me send the link to everyone saying "Look! Your Big Sister is in the Press!", but I am not sure this is the article to do that with.

Well, I am a "bright-side" kind of gal so I will look on the bright side… this was my very first media interview and I made a good media contact. My name is in the paper! After the conversation we had, she may very well call on me again…or who knows, I could call on her. Any positive publicity is a good thing. Baby steps, Chris… baby steps! I'll get there! There is definitely more to come… and it will!

Want to know how "A Book Is Born"?

2006-10-06T17:34:00.000-05:00

As some of you may know, I am a member of a fantastic organization called the Mom Writer's Publishing Cooperative (MWPC). This group is what made Your Big Sister possible as well as all of the other wonderful titles on the roster. Well as the name suggests, we are all mothers and authors and our books are our babies. Our wonderful publisher, Nancy Cleary, is producing an anthology called A Book Is Born... 24 Mom Authors Tell All. It is a compilation of all of our experiences "birthing" our books. For anyone who has ever wondered what it's like... here is your front row seat! Please visit the website and blog (links to the right) to learn more and gain insight into the lives of these facinating women and our passion for our work.

Your Big Sister's Guide to Surviving College to Debut March 2007!

2006-09-28T08:08:00.000-05:00

The first of what I hope to be a series of books under the Your Big Sister's Guide brand will debut next Spring. "Your Big Sister's Guide to Surviving College" is a an entertaining, insightful, and inspirational map to help girls navigate the journey through college life told in a "big sister to little sister" manner.

Not only is it the first in the series, it is my first published work. I am so excited to bring something that is really special to me to the masses. Most likely if you are reading this page you got here by way of my website http://www.bigsisterguides.com/. If you haven't visited, please do so you can get more information about the book and join my mailing list.

I've created this blog not only to share with you my journey through my new life
as a published author, but also to as a means to communicate with all of my little (and big) sisters out there. I want to hear from you so please ask questions, share stories, whatever you want... I am here for you!

Well I guess that's it for now. I look forward to reading your posts. Stay tuned for more news on the books, where to buy, and where to see me in person!

Thanks!

Christie