Thanks so much for coming!

one of the many great schools I visited!

So it's been a whirlwind week, with more active weather coming! I was in California visiting schools and stores--Mrs. Dalloway's in Berekely,  Lindentree Books in Los Altos, the Bookshop Santa Cruz and the Children's Book World in LA--of course, all to promote my new book, When the Sea Turned to Silver (just in case you didn't know).  It was super fun! The only reason why I don't have more photos of any of the events is because I was too busy!

But people came out to the bookstore events and it was a thrill! Authors are always scared to death of presenting to empty chairs, I'm very, very grateful that most of mine were filled:

And on the third day of my travels, I was informed that When the Sea Turned to Silver is a National Book Award Finalist! EEKS! The winner will be announced at the ceremony in November--cross (double-cross) your fingers for me!!

the great folks at the Bookshop Santa Cruz helped me celebrate with cupcakes!

But I had to rush from the balmy CA weather to Boston (arriving after midnight!) so that I could prepare for my big launch party at Porter Square Books!

Since we don't live in the area anymore, we had to camp and prep at a local airbnb. There was a lot of prep:

even Rain Dragon helped stuff goodie bags!

 because this was to be my party deluxe.  The silver goodie bag decorated with a red tissue butterfly (which take longer to make than I thought, tissue flowers are way faster)  had a poster, an embroidered bookmark, and a "moon cookie" (courtesy of my mother-in-law, again). And if you preorder, you also received that exclusive booklet:

I admit I am  listing these things so they might make you  come to the next one!

And after stuffing about a hundred of those...it was show time! People came and I talked. And then some friends and I performed the Readers Theater to rapturous applause:

We told "The Story of the Red Stone" 

check out the cool costumes that I had made!

and then I signed books:

at the event

and after the event!

And when the day was done,  I got together with some of my awesome local friends...who surprised me with a cake:

did I mention my friends were awesome?

Lucky for me, that  cake was high in sugar because now I'm going to keep going! Come see me at Water Street Books (Exeter, NH) on Wed and at Northshire Bookstore (Saratoga Springs, NY) on Friday! AND after that, Providence RI, Austin TX and more...

You're Invited!

Come to the When the Sea Turned to Silver Book Party!

I know, I've been squawking about this for a long time-- but this book has been six years in the making! You have to forgive me for wanting to celebrate in a grand style! Please come and celebrate with me!

Saturday, October 8th at 3pm
Porter Square Books
25 White St, Cambridge MA
617-491-2220

It will be all the fun of the last book launch (and the one before that) plus some!  Gift bags shall include all kinds of awesome, including a poster, delicious treats, and a chance to win some original art!

Hopefully, you know that I am doing a big pre-order promotion--if you pre-order the book from Porter Square (which you can do no matter where you live), I'm including an exclusive "deleted" story booklet, one that I've especially illustrated and had printed.

Well, if you come to the book party, you can win one of those original illustrations, perhaps even this one:

original art from "The Stonecutter," signed, matted and framed--yours?

How? Just come to the party and if your goodie bag has a special stone in it (the significance of which will be explained)...you WIN!

Goodie bags are limited (I'm making a lot, but can't promise anything) but those who come on time (can't save bags for stragglers, really sorry!) with books pre-ordered get first dibs, so pre-order (helpful if you say pick up at launch party when you order) and COME! I hope to see you!

Not local? I'm hitting the road on a book tour so see if I'll be near you!

On my desk monday

Eeks! I received a final copy of the novel!!! It's a real book now:

the finished book with tear-worthy note from my editor/childhood friend Alvina, whom readers may know as Melody from Year of the Dog!

Yes, not just an advanced reading copy but a REAL book! With the color illustrations inside:

the color type decorations:

and the two color chapter headers:

Is it vain to say that I am so proud?  I feel like this book has been a such marathon of work and emotion, to see the finish line is just so...satisfying. I can't help feel like it's something to celebrate!

Please come celebrate with me! I have a pre-order campaign going on now--you get an exclusive "cut" story when you pre-order from my launch store (and your book will be autographed, too), as well as the actual Book Launch party itself (Sat, Oct 8th at Porter Square Books! Save the date!). I'll be announcing all my special plans (gift bags! grand prizes!) for the party later this week...stay tuned!

on my desk monday

On my wall, I have this pretty cool (even if I do say so myself) poster! My publisher revealed them to me at last month's ILA conference and I was kind of blown away.  So much so, that I asked if I could have a bunch of them. They kindly obliged and I am thrilled to say that every goodie bag at my upcoming launch party will have one in it! Doesn't that make you want to come to the party?  Save the date!!!

Not local? I'm reserving some for an online giveaway...so stay tuned for that, too!

Save the Date for the When the Sea Turned to Silver Book Launch!

October 8, 2016 at 3pm

Porter Square Books, Cambridge MA

Remember the Where the Mountain Meets the Moon Book Launch? Or the one for Starry River of the Sky? Well, I'm doing it again! And since When the Sea Turned to Silver is a companion book, it seemed only fitting to do it again at Porter Square Books!  Yes, awesome gift bags! Grand prizes! And, of course, the company of yours truly.  Please Come!

If you pre-order your book from Porter Square Books, not only can it be personally autographed, you will received some super-special goodies with it (that can be shipped if you don't live nearby). I'll be announcing what the goodies will be and more specifics in August (they will be really good, promise) but you can order now if you want! 

Want to meet me but don't live near Porter Square Books?  I'll be going on a book tour, in October.  You can see some of the places I will be HERE,  but the final schedule (we're still nailing specifics down for other dates and cities) will be in my next newsletter, so stay tuned...