My HUGE Announcement: S&S Bought My Book!

I’ve been such a sporadic blogger lately, for lots of reasons: a little gymnast who needs daily transportation; a new book idea (a middle grade!) that popped out of nowhere and has taken over my writing life; friends and family visiting from far away; a zany summer schedule with all my crew at home. But one of the main reasons for my radio silence is that I’ve been keeping a big, distracting secret that makes it almost impossible to focus.

And now I can finally tell you about it!

Guys, I have a book deal for my middle grade verse novel, RED BUTTERFLY, with Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers. 

!!!

My sweet little protagonist, Kara, is going to be in a real book! She will have a pretty cover and she will be edited and people will walk into a book store and hopefully pick her up and look at her and maybe choose to read her … this is mind boggling!

Here’s the official announcement:

Christian Trimmer at Simon & Schuster has bought world English rights to Red Butterfly by debut author A.L. Sonnichsen. The middle-grade novel in verse tells of a Chinese girl raised in solitude by her American mother, who must navigate China's strict adoption system when she is torn away from the only family she has ever known. Publication is set for winter 2015; Kate Schafer Testerman of kt literary was the agent.

I have so much to be thankful for. SO MUCH. The funny thing is, I’ve had many of these blessings all along this journey—a God who planted in me this desire to write and who has given me the strength to pursue this dream; a family who loves and supports me; friends who have been my cheerleaders, critique partners, beta readers and information specialists (I’m afraid if I’m more specific, this will become more of an Oscar acceptance speech than a blog post). Also, I’m hugely grateful to Kate Testerman, my amazing agent, whose faith in this book renewed my hope. And to Christian Trimmer, my new editor (eek!), whom I adore already.

As many of you know, the journey to this point hasn’t been a skip through the park. But I’m very, very thankful I had the encouragement from others to help me persevere. THANK YOU ALL!!

Bloggy Friends: Up Close and Personal

I've been a hopeless blogger this summer. Sorry! Between gymnastics and summer activities, I'm having a hard time keeping up.

But I did want to stop in to tell you something so fun: I get to see Janet Johnson tomorrow!

She's stopping by my house and staying with us on her way to the Oregon Coast with her family. I even get to meet her kids.

And when Janet and I get together, you better believe there's going to be some hacky sack action going on, since we're co-founders of the Hacky Sack Club. Stay tuned for the craziness!!

I'm so excited. I've met a few of my bloggy friends in person, but most of you I only know online.

Have you ever met any of your bloggy friends or critique partners in person? Was it a good experience?