Man I love days like today.
I just received a super exciting email from Candlewick. CHERRY MONEY BABY is a Junior Library Guild Selection! For those of you who don’t know the JLG, check them out. Over 3,000 manuscripts are submitted by publishers each year, and only an nth make the cut. I am so honored to have CHERRY selected.
In case ya ain’t seen it…
Things we can learn from the CHERRY MONEY BABY cover.
1. There is a girl with sunglasses on the cover.
2. There are trailers involved.
3. There is perhaps a girl named Cherry in it? And maybe something to do with money? And a baby. Definitely.
4. Awesome. Cars.
5. It was written by me. Or someone with my name.
6. Actually, hell, let’s just read the synopsis okay?:
Hollywood glitz collides with workingclass aspirations in this satirical tale of an impulsive starlet and a sharp-witted small-town teen.
Cherry Kerrigan loves her simple life, her family’s tiny trailer, even working at Burrito Barn. Forget college — she’s marrying her sweetheart from next door. But here comes Ardelia Deen, a glamorous starlet who sweeps Cherry into a world of fast cars and penthouse parties. Now Cherry’s small-town life just seems so . . . small. When Ardelia drops a bomb of an offer — one involving a baby — Cherry knows her life will change forever, no matter what she decides. John M. Cusick focuses his signature wit on Hollywood royalty and the wide-eyed dreams of Small Town, U.S.A. in a novel about discovering who you are . . . and changing your mind.
Coming September 10th! Pre-Order Now!
Dropping February 14th, 2012 in paperback!
Was it really just 18 months ago…? I was so young then:
Remember, you can find out what happens to Rose in Abandon Changes, right now on Yarn!
Today I’m chatting about young adult literature, Twilight, queer characters, and yes even adult entertainment w/ fellow Candlewick author Laura Goode at The New Inquiry. Check it out.
Following @Candlewick on Twitter? Today’s quotes are from Girl parts!
Yesterday was submission day; the New One (I’ll tell ya the title *eventually* ) is in the hands of my fabulous editor at Candlewick. Excitement! It was a grueling week, finishing up the final polish. But now that it’s off I’m bursting with ideas, and psyched to get to work on the third book. Thoughts for Girl Parts 2 are coalescing. I think bakers call it the “soft ball” stage.
Possible title: Boy Parts?
Hmm, probably not.
Yesterday I met with Candlewick’s independent sales reps at the Williams Club on 39th. My dad works for Barnes & Noble, as did I for years, but my heart’s always been with the indies (that’s the retirement plan, anyway– something resembling Black Books). I got to chat about Girl Parts and answer their questions, which ranged from online marketing to bullies to Brooklyn bookstores. It was great to get the chance to chat directly with the reps. That’s a rare opportunity, and I appreciated it.
So it’s been a week since I finished the revise– the longest I’ve gone in years without working on a new project. I’ve begun tinkering with Girl Parts II, and I may, depending on what Scott says, work a little on the adult book I occasionally dip into between drafts. The last stretch on the New One was pretty draining, so I think I needed a week off. But now I’m getting antsy. There’s nothing worse than coming back to the page feeling rusty.
I finished Matched by Allyson Condie (speaking of fantastic covers), and now I need something fresh. Any suggestions?
