Due to my recent videogame obsessions, I’ve been spending a lot more time on Tumblr these days. That’s how I found this incredible drawing of Aluna from the Above World series by artist Mentacose. I love everything about it — her hair, the expression in her eyes, her clothes, the breathing shell… she’s perfect! If …
Today is the official release day of Horizon, the third and final book in the Above World trilogy. I’d like to follow tradition and share with you the book’s dedication and acknowledgements. (I’d also like to tell you why this book is special to me and why it means so much to me to have …
It’s almost time to celebrate the release of Horizon, the last book in my first trilogy. After the launch party in Los Angeles on Sunday, I’m heading up to the Bay Area where I’ll be on tour with author Pete Hautman for the rest of the week. Two of our events are open to the …
Kirkus has liked both books in the Above World trilogy so far, calling Above World “…a thrilling sci-fi adventure. Imaginative and riveting.” and Mirage “…a powerful sequel with sustained themes of friendship and honor.” Here’s what Kirkus has to say about the final book, Horizon: A fitting finale for a gripping futurist series whose four …
First things first: Book Launch Party for HORIZON April 6th, 2014 Once Upon A Time, Montrose, CA 2pm – 3pm Please join me to celebrate the release of HORIZON, the last book in the Above World trilogy. (Facebook event announcement) The launch party is happening two days before the official release of the book. If …
I’m so happy to share the front and back covers of HORIZON, book three in the Above World series. As with the previous two books, the art is by Alexander Jansson and the design by Candlewick. I absolutely love it, and I hope you do, too! It’s about time the Aviars were featured, don’t you …
Yesterday, I was at brunch with nine other people: friends I know through Chris, and their families. We all sat around a huge table. While I was talking to Meghan and her baby on my right, Chris was talking to a 10-year-old girl on his left. The girl’s mother said something along the lines of, …
Catch me at the Middle Grade Book Party panel from 12-12:45pm on October 12th, along with Kristen Kittscher, Barbara Brauner, James Iver Mattson, Ned Vizzini, and moderator Cecil Castellucci. Stay for pizza and cupcakes!
West Hollywood Book Fair celebrates its 12th edition on Sunday, September 29th. This year’s festival will feature literature, art, music, performance and community in an eclectic presentation. A total of twelve outdoor stages and indoor venues, throughout West Hollywood Park and West Hollywood Library, will host literary and arts programming that will appeal to a …
I’m happy to announce that the audio rights to HORIZON, book 3 of my Above World series, have sold to Candlewick! Candlewick and Brilliance Audio have done an amazing job on books one and two, both read by the award-winning Kate Rudd, and I can’t wait to hear Horizon come to life, too. Here’s a …
I love The Book Smugglers, which means I get equal parts nervous and thrilled when I hear they’re going to review one of my books. Last year, Thea read and enjoyed Above World, giving it an 8 out of 10 and calling it a notable read of 2012. (I still squee when I type that). …
On April 30th, Above World was advertised on Amazon as the Kindle Teens Daily Deal, and the price was reduced to $1.99. Here’s what happened. A few weeks ago, my publicist at Candlewick let me know that Above World had been selected. I have no idea how that process worked, only that we were all …
This upcoming weekend, March 30-31, I’ll be at WonderCon in Anaheim. Most of the time I’ll be in total fan-mode: going to panels, spending too much money in the dealers room, and trying to catch glimpses of my favorite authors and TV stars. Here’s the author stuff: SIGNING Sunday, March 31st, 1:30-2:00pm Mysterious Galaxy, …
The second book in my Above World series officially makes its way into the world today, but before I get to that, I want to talk about Bridget Zinn and her YA debut Poison, also releasing today. Bridget died from cancer in May 2011 at the age of 33, before getting to see her debut …
Above World releases in the UK on April 4th from Walker, and here’s the cover! Personally, I find it fascinating to see which elements of the US cover they chose to emphasize or de-emphasize. For example, the distinction between the underwater realm and the “above world” is very evident with a strong horizon line. May …
I’m still processing everything that happened in 2012: the debut of Above World, the audiobook, the signings and book clubs and events, the reviews and fan art, turning in the third book of the trilogy… plus all the difficult stuff that, frankly, sometimes seems to overwhelm the good. But instead of going into that now, …
First, the reason I’m grinning ear-to-ear today: Above World has been reviewed on The Book Smugglers, where Thea calls it a “notable read of 2012”! I also had the pleasure of writing a guest post for The Book Smugglers as part of their annual Smugglivus celebration. I chose to talk about girl adventurers and some …
Here it is, the front and back covers for Mirage, the second book in my Above World adventure series from Candlewick! Isn’t it gorgeous? Artist Alexander Jansson and Kathryn Cunningham at Candlewick have really outdone themselves. [Click for a larger images.] And the official flap copy: The desert is no place for ocean-dwelling Kampii like …
On Sunday I attended the West Hollywood Book Fair and had the opportunity to participate in the middle-grade panel. Evidence: My illustrious author buddies were (from left to right): Aaron Hartzler, our fearless moderator and author of the forthcoming young adult memoir, Rapture Practice, inspired by his experience getting kicked out of Catholic school just …
I’m still riding high after turning in Book 3 to my editor a few weeks ago. This feeling will probably last until the revision letter hits in October or November. In the meantime, other fun things have been happening. This week I saw the cover the UK edition of Above World. The book will be …
More awesome fan art for Above World! I am clearly the luckiest author ever. This time the artist is Shelby, a 15-year-old writer who’s working on a truly epic novel. I have no doubt that we’ll all be reading her books some day! But for now, here is Shelby’s rendition of Aluna. I particularly love …
Today I finished the first draft of the third and final book in my Above World series. I’ve written my fifth book and my first-ever trilogy! Although my feelings are mixed — I’ve been with these characters for over five years now — I feel good. Epically good. I hear birds chirping and see unicorns …
My favorite thing about being an author is seeing fan art and getting feedback from kid readers. Nothing puts me in a better mood or makes me want to dig back into my novel file and keep writing. Today I have two items to share: a picture of Aluna and a wee book report. This …
This weekend I’m headed to my very first ALA (American Library Association) annual summer conference. ALA Anaheim will be packed with publishers, librarians, book bloggers, readers, authors, and books Books BOOKS! I’ll be wandering around until 4pm on Saturday, and on Sunday I’ll be signing Above World. Click the graphic to see my face on …