Bookish Biz

So, just a brief catch-up on all things bookish, in no particular order.

THE PULL OF GRAVITY.
For those who don't know, THE PULL OF GRAVITY is now out in paperback
and making a pretty good showing in
Barnes & Nobles across the country.

Not all of them, no, but a pretty good showing.

B&N 82nd & B'way in NYC

It's also a National Battle of the Books selection, 7th - 8th grades, for 2013-14, as well as appearing on some final nomination lists for State BOB lists around the country. One or two (or more?!) of those would be great for the book.

Movie news has been quiet, but I know they are plugging along. Like I said, Pie-In-the-Sky. Fun and flattering but I'll believe it when I see it come to fruition.


And last, but never least (!) TPoG continues to grow its school audience. I'm very excited to have landed in another Indiana High School where TPoG will be read with Of Mice and Men in the 11th grade. Of course, attendant Skype visits shall ensue, which you all know how I love (love, love) to do.

Mrs. Vorhis' box o' books arrived for Northwood HS, Indiana. :D

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As for other upcoming author appearances, you know you can find those in the sidebar of my blog right HERE, don't you? Yep, I know you do.

MY NEXT YA. So, for those who follow me here, you already know my next YA, formerly referred to as Frankie Sky, sold last spring to the amazing and wonderful Elise Howard, and is due Spring 2014 from Algonquin Young Readers. For those who don't know, Algonquin is the esteemed literary publisher of such books as WATER FOR ELEPHANTS, but this fall will mark their first season as a publisher of Children's fiction and YA. If you'd like to follow them and check out their exclusive inaugural season of releases, you can here on facebook. Because "Frankie" is a summer story (much of it taking place at the beach and at a country club pool), it will be in the second half spring launch. However, as often is the case after sale, it has a brand spanking new title which I love with all my heart, THE SUMMER OF LETTING GO, and if you want to, you can add it to your to-read list on Goodreads, HERE. You can also read more about it on my website, HERE.

OTHER WRITING STUFF. In other writing stuff, I got a sort of bite on my always-heartbreaking women's fiction, so I spent the last several weeks revising the manuscript previously known as Swim Back to Me that I am now calling THE SWIMMING SEASON. I'm sure, as always, it will come close but no cigar, and break my heart again. Still, I wouldn't mind you crossing your fingers for me. . .

And, that's that. Back to work on an old YA ms that my agent thinks has potential but right now is in the I-hate-you-now-die stages of revision. Hopefully, that will change soon.

Anyway, hope you're enjoying your spring... or, I guess, hope you're about to, as in most places the weather has belied any glimpses of same.


I'll leave you with my paperback book trailer for THE PULL OF GRAVITY because I never get tired of it. Made by 15-year-old Jude Bourke (available to make yours!), illustrations by his dad, and my friend, Karl Bourke.

- gae

Got Paperback?

This is me in my monkey hat.  

Are you sick of me yet?

(please say no, please say no, please say no...)

It's okay, sometimes I'm sick of me too.

Still, it's a dog eat dog world out there, and writers have to promote themselves.*fn1

So, once again, here I go.

If you prefer not to read any further blatant self author book promotion, here's a lovely place to sit, instead,

looking out over my father's gardens. Feel free to stay here and relax:

Nice, right?

(Are you still here?)

If you are still reading, guess what?

Square Fish did a fabulous job with the cover! 

My paperback is out! Well, the official release date is February 5, but the ship date is 1/17 which means boxes and boxes of the The Pull of Gravity in paperback are now circulating all over the country. *fn2

Meaning this: It would make me really happy if:

a) you buy one for yourself; b) you buy one for a beloved tween or teen; c) you read it and loved it and told two friends to a) buy one for themselves or b) buy one for a beloved tween or teen.

also, it doesn't hurt *fn3 if you put up a review on Amazon.

But what would make me happiest -- at least if you are local -- is d) if you come and join me to celebrate the paperback release on 2/10 at the wonderful Huntington Public Library (it's a Friends of the Library fundraiser). If you want to read more about the launch party, you may do so HERE or HERE (you must register to come!).

If you don't come, be warned. You will be missing:

a) monkeys *fn4;

b) jugglers *fn5;

c) flame-throwers *fn6;

d) delicious cupcakes *fn7; and

e) a live, bravura performance by an internationally-acclaimed musician! *fn8.

Plus, clearly, I will do the entire reading standing in a pool. *fn9

So, see, in the end, this isn't really about me and my blatant self promotion.

This is about YOU, reading a good book, telling your friends about a good book, and having an awesome Sunday afternoon in February with live cupcakes and live music. *fn10

Also, there's a Writer's Workshop and Publishing Q&A beforehand, if that's your cup of tea. *fn11

So, that's it. I love my readers and need my readers and I'm grateful if you spread the word.

Speaking of which, my next book, still unnamed but referred to as Frankie Sky, comes soon from Algonquin Young Readers. They've launched their Fall 2103 line of galleys into the Universe and have gone live on Twitter (@AlgonquinYR) and facebook. If you're either place, you should check them out and follow them. I'm sure there are monkeys and jugglers galore! *fn13

Thanks for reading.

xo gae

footnotes:

*fn1: did you skip over that link? Because seriously, at least if you're a writer, it is one of the funniest things I've ever read. Just in case, I'll give you the link again. Hell is My Own Book Tour.

*fn2: this may be a slight exaggeration.

*fn3: it actually helps -- some Amazon algorithm that does something to do something.

*fn4: lie, no monkeys.

*fn5: lie, no jugglers.

*fn 6: lie, no flame throwers

*fn7: all completely true!

*fn8: I promise "David and David" are talented, plus, we must have some relatives in another country somewhere who will vouch for them...

*fn9: hey, I will if the Huntington Library will let me! :)

*fn10: okay fine, no such thing as live cupcakes, you say? What if I put spirulina *fn12 in them?!

*fn11: my cup of tea lately is Tazo Zen Tea (I mean, come on! Lemongrass and Spearmint?!). I'd be genuinely curious what yours is, if you want to tell me. I'm an excellent listener that way. :)

*fn12: i promise not to put spirulina in them.

*fn13: has no idea if there are monkeys and jugglers. You'll have to buy the books and open the pages to see. . . :)