The Story of ABBA - 2022 Edition OUT NOW!

 Hello everyone.  Just wanted to share some exciting news!  My newly updated version of my book, The Story of ABBA - For Young Readers is now available to purchase.  I had a lot of fun working on this project, updating all the illustrations, and adding a little something new about ABBA's amazing comeback.  You can find it on Amazon.com. :)

Combining charming illustrations and kid-friendly, easy to read text, THE STORY OF ABBA by Becky Laine is an unofficial biography of the Swedish pop group ABBA, written specially for the group's youngest fans. Now including four new pages all about ABBA's historic comeback.

There aren't many major differences between my initial 2016 version (that is still available to buy if anyone's interested) besides the illustrations, but I did make some slight changes to some of the text, particularly typos that somehow managed to get past my proof reading, and also some factual information that I admit to getting wrong.

On the left we have the 2016 image and on the right we have the updated version.

And then of course there are four additional pages all about ABBA's return to the music scene, with all new illustrations as well.

But that's not all!

 As a companion to my new book, I've also released a coloring book, featuring illustrations as seen in The Story Of ABBA, as well as drawings that never made it into the original book.  The book is also available for purchase at Amazon.

THE STORY OF ABBA - THE COLORING BOOK is a companion to Becky Laine’s THE STORY OF ABBA. Featuring 50+, hand-drawn illustrations of the Swedish pop group ABBA, this unofficial coloring book provides fans, young and old, the opportunity to visualize the band's history using their own imagination. With adorable caricatures, this fun coloring book is sure to be an enjoyable activity for all fans to sit back and color.

The pages are easy to color in as seen in the image below:

I honestly had a lot of fun working on these books and I really hope you all will enjoy it as well! 

- Becky Laine

2017 - A Year in Review

As the year comes to a close, I thought it was time for yet another "Year In Review" post.  Though for me this year has been full of ups and downs, I think 2017 overall turned out to be a pretty okay year for this blog.  I know that over the past couple of years, especially earlier this year, I've been pretty inactive with this blog and didn't post that often, but slowly I've began to come back to this blog and post quite a bit more.  Plus, for the first time in forever, I started posting new ABBA drawings! :D


This year, my blog turned 5 which is a really big accomplishment.  I can't believe that it's been 5 years since I created my blog and soon enough it's going to be turning 6! :O

I'd say that this year my ABBA collection has grown considerably.  I was really lucky to find Voulez-Vous at a convention earlier this year and I absolutely love that album!  My best friend Eleonore also sent me 4 wonderful singles which I could not be happier with!  And then there's my recent purchase from ABBA the Museum.  I'm really surprised and happy with how much my collection has expanded and I hope that 2018 will bring me even more ABBA things to collect!

And this year I've made quite a comeback to my YouTube channel as well.  In August I reached 300 subscribers, and with all the new activity with my random compilation videos (that I will do a proper post about in the future!), I've reached 400 subscribers in just a few months!  I'm absolutely honored to have so many subscribers and I'm really excited to be sharing lots of new content!

Also this year my book "The Story of ABBA for Young Readers" turned 1!  I can't believe it's been 1 year already since I released my updated book and I am so honored by all the attention it's received.

I'm really looking forward to what 2018 has to bring for us, especially in the ABBA world since we should be getting more information on Virtual ABBA. :D  Happy new year everyone, and I hope 2018 will bring lots of wonderful news and exciting things for everyone!

-- Becky/ABBAFan456

Happy birthday Peter!

Happy birthday to Agnetha and Bjorn's son Peter Christian Ulvaeus! :D
(I didn't forget this time!)

July 6th

46 years ago, Agnetha and Bjorn got married in the small town of Verum in Sweden. :)

The Story of ABBA For Young Readers Masterpost

For those who are new to this blog, I published a book last year called The Story of ABBA for Young Readers.   It's the revised second edition of my first Story of ABBA book, released in October of 2013.  The new edition comes with revised text along with completely new illustrations. 

Links to buy it:
-Amazon - Black Cover Edition
-Amazon- White Cover Edition
-Barnes And Noble 

Around the Web:
-Facebook
-Google+ 

 FAQ:

"Do both versions of the book have the same interior?"
Yes, the only difference between the two is the covers.  The interior of both books are exactly the same.

"What's the difference between the old and new versions?"
The Story of ABBA (2013) and The Story of ABBA (2016) are both very similar in style - simple and easy to read text with illustrations - only the old version is written by a young child for young children and so it isn't all that great.  The new version has updated information, revised text, and illustrations that look a lot better.

"Is the old edition still available to buy?"
Why yes it is.  You can find it for sale at Amazon.  

How to buy the Story of ABBA for Young Readers Black Cover Edition

I've noticed that Amazon has made it a little hard to view/purchase the black cover edition of my book The Story of ABBA for Young Readers, showing only the white cover edition in search results.  So I'm just gonna show you how to easily get to the black cover edition.

Step 1: Select the white cover edition. :)

Step 2: click the tab that says "See all 2 formats and editions."

Step 3: click the arrow next to "Paperback."

Step 4: Click the button that says  "Paperback, December 16th 2016."

And there you go.  :)

The Story of ABBA for Young Readers OUT NOW

The moment you've all been waiting for... 

The Story of ABBA for Young Readers is available to purchase right now!  You can purchase both cover variants on the CreateSpace EStore and Amazon!

CreateSpace links
Variant A
Variant B

Amazon

I'd like to thank everyone who has helped me with this book -  my family and friends, and of course thank you for bearing with me for so long to get The Story of ABBA out!  Thank you so much, and I hope you enjoy my new book!

~Becky Laine

The Story of ABBA Blog Tour: Day 1

Today kicks off The Story of ABBA Re-Release Blog Tour!  From the 11th to the 16th, we will be sharing posts until the book release!

Taking part in the blog tour are Roxanne Dickson (December 12th), Rachael Ritchey (December 13th), and Allison Rose (December 14th & 15th).  Be sure to check out their blogs over the next couple of days to follow the rest of the tour, then return here on the 16th for the release!

For my part of the blog tour, I would like to show the two cover variants for my book.  When coming up with the cover design, we couldn't decide whether to pick one that's similar to the cover of the first edition or one that's completely new!  In the end, we decided to go with two!

The first one is the one that you've all seen on previous posts:

and here is the second one:

I've drawn this picture of the cat dresses numerous times over the past 4 years and was a little disappointed when we couldn't fit it into the final book.  So we placed it on the second cover!

Which cover do you like better?  Let me know in the comments!

We're also running a giveaway for a chance to win coupons to purchase The Story of ABBA for Young Readers at a reduced price!

"Summer Night City" Art Print

I've released another illustration from my book, the Story of ABBA for Young Readers, on my RedBubble shop.  This photo is of ABBA in 1978 performing the song "Summer Night City" on a Japanese TV show.

"TopPop" Art Print

In preparation for The Story of ABBA, I've put up another illustration for sale on my RedBubble shop.  This picture didn't make it into the book, but it's such a good picture.  I even put up a colorizing video for this one.

The original image is of ABBA performing on the TV show TopPop in 1974.

The Story of ABBA RedBubble Shop!

In preparation for the Story of ABBA for Young Readers, coming out in one month, I've opened up a shop on RedBubble to sell artwork that didn't make it into the final product.  http://www.redbubble.com/people/abbafan456?asc=u  I'll be putting out more as it gets closer to the release date.  This picture which I currently have up for sale is of ABBA in 1977.  The original image was used for the "Take A Chance On Me/I'm A Marionette" single.

Happy 71st birthday, Frida!

Wishing the happiest of birthdays to our dear Princess Frida, and many many more to come!  I hope she has a fantastic day! <3  Thank you for the music, Frida!

My ABBA Collection so far

My ABBA collection has grown considerably since I last put up pictures, so I figured it was time I do yet another updated post.  :)

Take a look at that! :D  Not included are the The Album and Greatest Hits Vol.2 records.

Many thanks to my dear friend Eleonore for helping to expand my collection by giving me so many goodies, like the "Dancing Queen" poster on the right!  The poster on the left came from ABBA the Treasures.

My ABBA/ABBA related CD collection, ABBA Gold being my first. 

My large-ABBA book collection, including the first Story of ABBA for young readers and the new one.  (What do you think of the new cover?)

My copy of ABBA Intermezzo which features my book, and Bjorn's Pop Story and ABBA by Calvero.

And of course, my most prized possessions: ABBA's autographs!  I will never be able to thank Gorel Hanser for her incredible help in getting me Benny, Bjorn, and Frida's autographs!

 So that's my updated collection.  I hope you enjoyed it! :)

Story of ABBA Blog Tour

Check this post for details! :D

Save the Date: Story of ABBA for Young Readers Promotional Blog Tour!

Dear viewers,

From November 15th to December 16th, we're inviting people across the literary blogosphere and the online ABBA fan community to participate in a blog tour leading up the book's release.  And we'd like to invite you to join us! It's a great way to help new authors gain exposure, and as a stop on the tour, your blog will be visited by all kinds of new readers.

If you'd like to take part, we have a few different posting options, depending on how many reservations we've received and Becky's availability:

• a standardized pre-written blog tour post;
• an original interview (text-based) with the author/illustrator, Becky Laine;
• a book review (advance digital copy of the book will be provided);
• a unique, original post of your choice - feel free to use your imagination, we're open to ideas!

All blogging participants will receive a standardized post outlining the information we'd like circulated during the tour.  Feel free to customize it to match your personal style!  Following the tour, all participants will receive a 25% off discount code for a print version of the book in return for your kind help.

Depending on availability, we may also be able to offer a giveaway for you to host on your website, as Becky hopes to be giving away a few autographed print copies of the new book.

If you're interested in participating, please reply to this message, or contact us at storyofabbablogtour2016[at]gmail[dot]com by October 31st with the following information:

• The name and URL of your blog/website
• Available dates between November 15th and December 16th
• Desired post format (e.g. standard prewritten, interview, book review, etc.)

We encourage you to reserve a spot early, especially if you are looking to make an original or interactive post involving Becky.  Allison Rose (allisonthewriter.wordpress.com) is organizing this tour, and will be happy to help you out if you have any questions or comments.  We encourage people under the age of 13 (aka minors) to get a parent or guardian's permission prior to participating.

If you know any other bloggers who would be interested in participating, would you please help us out by passing this message along?

Thank you!

Sincerely,
Becky Laine and Allison Rose

Review: Pop Story

Another one of the gifts that Eleonore gave me is Bjorn's Pop Story! :D  In Swedish, the title translates as "The Story of ABBA", hehehe.

I find that the story itself doesn't tell the ABBA story that well.  Like, there are a lot of details that Bjorn left out, but I guess that's because this book is for children after all.  I figure my book, The Story of ABBA for Young Readers, is for children who are a little, but for children nevertheless, since I go into a lot of detail.   Anyway, Bjorn's book is still really entertaining and the illustrations are really cute!

Also the way Bjorn tells the story is really, really funny.  He's got a good sense of humor! :D  The text is super easy to read, and if I wanted to introduce my children to ABBA, I'd definitely start them off with this book.

Bjorn also includes a lot of funny stories, like the one about the bugs that flew onto the stage in Australia during the 77 tour.

Aren't those illustrations superb?? :D  (And read that text, too - it is hilarious!)

If I had to, I'd rate this book a 4 out of 5 rating.  It's really entertaining and good. Well done Bjorn! :D

"Arms Crossed"

And what a journey this has been!

It's Sunday, June 26th, at 3:30 PM, and I am here to announce that I have officially finished illustrating The Story of ABBA 2.0! 

I started this long journey just over a year ago, on May 31st, 2015.  I worked on illustrating and colorizing whenever I could find the time, and my original plan was to finish with all the illustrations in 4-5 months, maybe even 6.  But, school got in the way, I got busy, I lost inspiration once after being told what I was doing was a waste of time, but I never abandoned the project.

And now, I'm finished with the illustrating!  That doesn't mean the book is ready to publish.  I still have lots more to do, but now that this long task of drawing all the illustrations is done, things should start moving along. 

To everyone who has been waiting anxiously for my book to be finished, I just want to thank you all for waiting.  Here's hoping the book will be worth the wait! <3

~ABBAFan456/Becky

Another throwback

An old drawing next to a new one.  :)  I'm really happy with the way my new book is coming out!

The Story of ABBA 2.0 Update

I have officially started redrawing all the illustrations in my book.
 #perfectionist #thestoryofabba #foryoungreaders
 #beckylaine #drawings #abba

I thought I'd let everyone know how I'm doing with The Story of ABBA 2.0. I started this project of rewriting and reillustrating the book just over a year ago on May 31st, 2015.  And now, I am almost done with the illustration process! 

Tonight, I finished drawing pictures from the year 1981, leaving just a few more years left until I finish the ABBA story.  Tomorrow, I'll scan in the drawings and work on colorizing them.  Then I'll work on the next year, and continue doing this until all the illustrations are done.  Then all I have to do is assemble the pages, give it one final read through, and then it'll be all set! 

I'm going to try to get this book out sometime in July or August, and at the rate that I'm going, I think it'll work.  I'm really proud with the way my book has come thus far and I can't wait for it all to be done so I can share the final product with you all!