This past week on FYFA (and in my life):
I’m writing this post while in the car on the way to my in-laws’ 50th anniversary celebration weekend. We are going to have a fun family weekend at a lake house (though it’s looking like the weather might not be as cooperative as we would hope).
My big news for this week is that I got feedback from Naomi Colthurst, the editor from Penguin Children’s (in the UK) that I won an edit from through the Grenfell Tower auction. She called me on Thursday, and I am beyond excited because her feedback was so incredibly positive. Which isn’t to say that she didn’t have great advice on how to make the story even better (she definitely did!), but she told me that she feels like I could probably even have gotten an agent with the book the way it is. She said that I have what they’re looking for in middle grade authors. Seriously, you guys, I just don’t even know what to do with myself after hearing this! Until now, the idea of actually getting a book published has felt like a pipe dream, but now it feels real—like it could happen. Actually happen.
My next step is to integrate Naomi’s feedback, and then I plan to start looking for an agent (she gave me some resources and advice that can help me). I’m still terrified, of course (not sure that feeling will go away), but it’s now a much more optimistic sort of terror (bet you’ve never heard of that kind before).
Here’s what you may have missed on the blog this past week:
- Bite-Sized Reviews of Hello Sunshine, In 27 Days, Love and First Sight, and Oishinbo a la carte: Volume 1
- Little Monsters by Kara Thomas: A Shockingly Spooky Read! (Review & Giveaway) – Still time to enter to win one of five copies of the book!
- Book Title Tag
Next week on FYFA:
- The Thing with Feathers by McCall Hoyle
- Some audiobook reviews
- Monthly Wrap-Up Round Up
- My July & August wrap-ups
- Let’s Discuss: Something bookish! 🙂
Latest FYFA Giveaway Winners!!:
- None this week.
Book Blogger Birthdays and Blogoversaries:
Here are the birthdays and blogoversaries this week! I hope you’ll go wish these bloggers well on their special days! Make sure you check out the calendar to see what you might have just missed or what’s coming up. (If you want to be added to the calendar, you can always fill out the birthday/blogoversary form.)
- August 30th – A Writer’s Tales‘ Blogoversary
- September 2nd – Serenity @ Lovely Reads‘ Birthday
For Review:
I don’t think I got anything this week, and since I’m in the car, I can’t check. I’ll let you know next week if I’m wrong.
Great Discussions/Goings On Around the Blogosphere:
I really need to catch up on discussions, but here’s one I read and loved—
- Shannon @ It Starts of Midnight tells us Reasons Her TBR Is Ridiculous
Pre-Order Deals:
I’m now putting these in order of release date to make it easier on myself (and you, I think). Any new deals that I just added to the list this week will be denoted with a *** so you can easily find them!
- Pre-order WONDER WOMAN: WARBRINGER by Leigh Bardugo to receive a limited-edition print featuring an original illustration of all the book’s characters by artist Jen Bartel. (ends 8/28)
- Pre-order MASK OF SHADOWS by Linsey Miller to receive a signed bookplate and a set of four jewel button pins. You will also be entered to win a GRAND PRIZE Mask of Shadows-themed crate. (ends 8/28)
- Pre-order YOU DON’T KNOW ME BUT I KNOW YOU by Rebecca Barrow to receive a character illustration print and a signed bookplate. (ends 8/28)
- Pre-order THE BIG F by Maggie Ann Martin to receive a signed and personalized book plate, a signed bookmark, a The Big F postcard, and a “Carpe that effing Diem” sticker. You’ll also be entered to win a “Make it effing fabulous” notebook, an adorable “Carpe that effing Diem” tote bag, and a cross-stitch “eff that” hoop. (ends 8/28)
- Pre-order SEE ME, SEE ME NOT by Elodie Nowodazkij to receive a bookmark and stickers. You’ll also be entered to win a limited edition signed print of the cover, a signed paperback copy, a $10 gift card and more! (ends 8/28)
- Pre-order THE DAZZLING HEIGHTS by Katharine McGee to get a glitzy makeup bag! (ends 8/29)
- Pre-order TOWER OF DAWN by Sarah J. Maas to receive an exclusive pouch! (ends 9/4)
- Pre-order I HATE EVERYONE BUT YOU by Gaby Dunn and Allison Raskin to receive your very own phone pocket! (ends 9/4)
- Pre-order CINDERELLA, NECROMANCER by F.M Bougham to receive a bookmark, postcard with cover art, signed bookplate, chocolate hazelnut tea and lavender tulsi tea. You’ll also be entered to win lots more prizes! (ends 9/4)
- Pre-order GIRLS MADE OF SNOW AND GLASS by Melissa Bashardoust to receive a snow globe picture frame! (ends 9/4)
- Pre-order BEHIND THE SONG edited by K.M. Walton & including stories from lots of great authors to receive a FREE download of three songs by the contributors. Plus, everyone who preorders will be entered to win a $50 gift card to iTunes to find the songs that match your heartbeat. (ends 9/4)
- Pre-order WELCOME HOME edited by Eric Smith and including stories from lots of other amazing authors to receive signed postcards, autographed by Young Adult rockstars Adi Alsaid, Courtney C. Stevens, Dave Connis, Kate Watson, and Shannon M. Parker. (ends 9/4)
- Pre-order THEY BOTH DIE AT THE END by Adam Silvera and you can enter to win annotated copies of all three of Adam’s books! (ends 9/10)
- ***Pre-order FIREBLOOD by Ellie Blake to receive a free EXCLUSIVE bonus chapter! (ends 9/11)
- Pre-order BEFORE SHE IGNITES by Jodi Meadows to receive calligraphy cards with BEFORE SHE IGNITES quotes, a bookmark, signed bookplate, a postcard, and a very special dragon card with art! (ends 9/11)
- Pre-order WHEN I CAST YOUR SHADOW by Sarah Porter to receive a signed bookplate with original artwork. (ends 9/11)
- Pre-order ODD & TRUE by Cat Winters to receive a limited-edition Odd & True print. (ends 9/11)
- Pre-order WARCROSS by Marie Lu and receive “Life After Legend” an exclusive short story set after the events of the Legend Series (ends 9/11)
- Pre-order SPEAK EASY, SPEAK LOVE by McKelle George to receive a bookmark, signed bookplate, signed postcard, and the full set of character cards. Plus, you’ll be entered to win even more cool things like bottle cap earrings and a Shakespeare insults print! (ends 9/16)
- Pre-order ONE DARK THRONE by Kendare Blake to receive a set of custom THREE DARK CROWNS SERIES playing cards! (ends 9/18)
- Pre-order HUNTING PRINCE DRACULA by Kerri Maniscalco to receive a special limited-edition novella featuring a STALKING JACK THE RIPPER story told from Thomas Cresswell’s perspective. (ends 9/18)
- Pre-order MOXIE By Jennifer Mathieu to receive stickers, buttons, temporary tattoos, a mini-zine and more! (ends 9/18)
- Pre-order THE LAST KIDS ON EARTH AND THE NIGHTMARE KING by Max Brallier to receive a zombie slugger, bookplate signed by the author, and to have your child’s name listed in the Acknowledgements of Last Kids book #4! (ends 9/24)
- Pre-order STARFISH by Akemi Dawn Bowman to receive a signed bookplate, a bookmark featuring a quote from the book, and a gorgeous STARFISH promo card! (ends 9/25)
- Pre-order THE LANGUAGE OF THORNS by Leigh Bardugo to receive a quince flower enamel pin. You’ll also be entered to win one of six grand prize packages! (ends 9/25)
- Pre-order AHIMSA by Supriha Kelkar to receive a bookmark, bookplate and mini coloring sheet. (ends 10/1)
- Pre-order HARRY POTTER AND THE PRISONER OF AZKABAN ILLUSTRATED EDITION and receive a Knight Bus tote bag (UK & ROI Only. If you’re in AUS or NZ, find the offer HERE). (ends 10/1)
- Pre-order BROODING YA HERO by Carrie DiRisio to receive stickers, bookmarks and limited edition postcards. (ends (10/2)
- Pre-order GRAY WOLF ISLAND by Tracey Neithercott to receive a book map, character stickers, post card, bookmark, signed bookplate and illustrated character print (first 15 people). Plus, you’ll be entered to win even more! (ends 10/9)
Other Current Giveaways on FYFA:
(Besides the ones listed with this week’s posts)
- August Discussion Challenge Link-Up & Giveaway – Link up your August discussions here and enter the giveaway
Even More Awesome Giveaways on Other Sites:
- Lisa @ Lisa Loves Literature is celebrating her eighth blogoversary with a HUGE giveaway with lots of prizes!
- AJ @ Reads All the Things is celebrating her blogoversary with a giveaway of a book of your choice!
- It’s Caffeinated Book Reviewer’s six-year blogoversary and she’s giving away a $25.00 Amazon gift card!
- Enter for a chance to win the Remnant Chronicles!
- Head over to Star-Crossed Book Blog and enter for a chance to win a Metal Infinity Charm Bookmark for the Omega release.
- Read It Forward is giving you the chance to win Gretchen Rubin’s The Four Tendencies!
- The Bookkeeper’s Secrets is doing a year-long giveaway!
Lots of good stuff! Have any giveaways or great discussions happening on your site right now? Feel free to share them in the comments!
How awesome you were able to talk with an editor at Penguin! That must have been an incredible experience, especially since she had positive feedback to give you.
Michelle 🙂
Yes, it was such a fantastic opportunity, and it was amazing (and a bit intimidating!).
I’m glad your meeting with the editor was so positive. Have fun at the anniversary celebration!
Thanks, AJ! We had a great time at the lake this weekend!
Wow, the book news is amazing! I think when something you’ve been working on gets positive feedback from someone who works in publishing and knows what they’re talking about you get a real boost. I hope you take the feedback and manage to get your book out there. It may be terrifying but you never know what will happen unless you try.
Exactly! I think, until now, I felt like I had just written “something” but it didn’t feel real. I still didn’t feel like I had authored a book. But after talking to Naomi and getting such positive feedback, it suddenly made me take myself more seriously. 🙂
Oh wow, that’s so exciting! That’s definitely really encouraging (and impressive!) that an editor from Penguin loved your book so much. Best of luck finding an agent for it! 🙂
Have a good week, and enjoy that lake house! 🙂
Yes, up until now I still didn’t really feel like the book was actually a book, if you know what I mean. This makes it seem so much more real.
Oh wow! That is incredible!! Congrats!
Here’s my STS
Have a GREAT day!
Old Follower 🙂
Thanks, Jessica! Who knows what will happen, but this makes me really excited to keep moving forward with the book.
That is FANTASTIC news! I was wondering when you’d hear back. I hope the revamped version of your book makes a splash among agents. You’re so close!
It was really exciting! I keep having to convince myself that it was a real conversation. 🙂
Congratulations on the feedback! That is so exciting! Can’t wait to see where you go from here with your novel.
Don’t forget my 8th Blogoversary giveaway is for a few more days <a href="https://misclisa.blogspot.com/2017/08/lets-celebrate-year-number-eight.html"HERE.
I’m so glad you reminded me about the blogoversary celebration—I don’t know how I missed it! It’s been added to the list!
Thanks, Lisa! You never know what will happen, but this makes me feel like it’s a real possibility. 🙂
Such awesomeness for you. And I’m sending good vibes that you’ll find a publisher! Have a glorious time at the lake house:)
My Sunday Post
Thanks so much, Laura!
That is great news from the editor!! Congratulations! I hope you had a great time at the lake house and have a great week!
Thanks so much! Who knows what will happen with the book, but the feedback was really encouraging! We had a fun time at the lake house, even with the less than ideal weather. 🙂
Wow, congratulations on that news! That is so wonderful and must have been amazing to hear. I will be one of your first readers, for sure! Have fun at the lake! 😀
Thanks so much, Rachel! I’m really excited (and intimidated at the same time). 🙂
Your news is awesome! Congratulations! Good luck with your agent queries.
Thanks so much, Jen!
That’s the chance of a lifetime! And she offered practical advice about the agent hunting, which is the ice on the cake, since I suppose it’s not easy to know where to start. Best of luck! Oh, and, I don’t know how you manage to do all the things you do AND do them well. You’re a force of nature ;).
Yes, advice about getting an agent is invaluable. I hope I can make the most of it!
What fantastic feedback from Colthurst! That’s amazing! So excited for you and your next steps!
I hope the weekend getaway was a lot of fun and that your week is off to a great start!
Thanks, Tanya! It’s pretty intimidating still, but I’m hopeful.
I am so excited for you Nicole! Her feedback sounds great and I wish you success. I hope the weekend celebration was a great event.
Thanks, Kim! I’m really hopeful that this is a good sign I can make this happen. 🙂
What fantastic feedback – that’s so awesome you won the auction and that you are well on your way to getting published someday. 🙂 I’m so excited for you! Just makes me want to work on my own writing more!!
Hope your weekend was fun and you enjoyed the lake house/anniversary celebration.
-lauren
Yes, don’t give up! I have no idea what will happen, but this certainly gives me hope and makes me want to keep with it!
Wow!! Congratulations on that edit and getting such great feedback. You must be so excited. Is this the book you worked on for NaNoWriMo? I’m so glad you joined that FB group, as last November was such a hard time, and honestly, I’m surprised any of us got anything done, so the group was a great support system. I can’t wait to hear more!
Yes, it was my NaNo book from November. On the one hand, I didn’t feel ready for “real” feedback, but this was such a great opportunity that I couldn’t pass it up, which was nice because it sort of forced my hand. LOL! Her feedback was incredibly encouraging, and I’m definitely going to keep plugging away. (And, yes, I agree that the FB group was a godsend with all the craziness last November—otherwise I would have been a distracted mess).
That is so exciting! I’m so proud of you and I can’t wait to be able to buy your book someday! I’ll be keeping you in my thoughts that the next few steps go smoothly! ?
PS Not sure if you saw but we’re giving away 6 of our favorite ebooks to celebrate our blogiversary like Six of Crows, Illuminae etc.?
Ugh! Sorry I’m so behind on replying that I just managed to see this now! I’ll definitely add it to my list of giveaways and help spread the word!