Thursday, July 25, 2013

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!!

48 comments:

  1. HURRRRAAAAAYYYYYYY! Congratualtions, Amy! I am so excited for you!

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  2. YEEEEEEEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!! Congrats! xoxo

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  3. Congratulations!!! That is incredible news.

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  4. Sounds like a beautiful story. Congratulations!

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  5. Congratulations on the wonderful success!

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  6. Amy, I just saw the announcement on PW!!! So fun to see YOUR picture and the title. So proud of you. CONGRATULATIONS!!!!

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  7. Huge congrats, Amy! SO happy for you!!!! WOOT!

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  8. Wonderful news. Many many congratulations!

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  9. Woohooooooo!!!!!!!! Way to go- that's amazing!! Sending cupcakes!! :)

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  10. WOO HOOOOOOO AMY!!!!!!!! I know I already congratulated you on Twitter but **throws confetti** here too. I can't wait to read Kara's story!!!

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  11. So happy for you! I can't wait to read this, have it on my shelf and tell people - I KNOW HER!

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  12. Woohoo!!! Throws confetti! Congratulations. I just met you and already I'm super stoked for you. Such a great premise!

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  13. As one who has made a nasty habit of tripping over park benches, I salute you!

    This is a good day and I'm going to celebrate on your behalf! Cheers.

    And enjoy those cookies. Cookies are meant to be eaten.
    ~ Wendy

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  14. I can't even say how excited I am about this. Totally made my week. :)

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  15. Oh, Amy! What wonderful news!!

    Congratulations!

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  16. Congrats Amy! This is wonderful news! So happy for you!

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  17. Very cool, Amy. Very cool. Congratulations.

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  18. Amy, I'm SO SO thrilled for you! I can't wait to read the REST of the book. Just the little part you had me check on was enough to make me want to read more...and that was what a year ago or so and I still remember it -

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  19. Wonderful news, Amy, getting published by one of the major book publishers. You wrote a great book and your agent did great for you. I thought that you had another agent. Maybe you switched to Kate. Best wishes to you and your family.

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  20. Wow! What amazing news! CONGRATS, Amy!!

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  21. Hi Amy - that is amazing news ... what brilliant luck - well no - good writing obviously .. I love the name Red Butterfly - the kids will love it ...

    Congratulations though .. I suspect you'll be having a fun weekend .. enjoy family and friends' visits .. cheers Hilary

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  22. I'm so excited to hear your terrific news. You've got a great title, a unique premise and it's in verse too. Can't wait to read it, and I'm happy to see another writer friend who's starting to go places. (It just allows me to point to all these cool writers--yeah, I know her. :)

    Congratulations!!!

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  23. Congratulations!!!!! So excited for you!

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  24. How incredibly exciting! Congrats to you!

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  25. Such wonderful news!!!! So happy for you, Amy! I can't wait to read it. You deserve to do the full-blown Oscar speech so go for it. :)

    Hugs and confetti!

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  26. A huge congratulations! I remember you from QT. So glad to see your book find a home.

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  27. Congratulations! And to S&S, what a big deal! I look forward to this book!

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  28. Big congrats! So excited for you. :)

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  29. Congrats, Amy! You rock my word today!

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  30. Congratulations, Any! Wonderful news...and an incredible team to make your Kara shine! I'm looking forward to reading it.

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  31. Amy!!! I'm jumping up and down for you right now! This is such WONDERFUL and exciting news!! I love, love, love your voice and can't wait to read your book! I teach middle school - when your book comes out I will be THRILLED to help you promote it!!

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  32. I swear, I miss all the good stuff! Congratulations on your book deal, Amy! Such good news. Wishing you all the best. So, so thrilled for you!!

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  33. Wonderful news!! Congratulations! :D

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  34. Huge congratulations! It sounds absolutely amazing. What a wonderful premise! Good luck with it!

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  35. Woo hoo!!!! Congrats, Amy! 2015 sounds so far away, but it will be here before you know it.

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  36. I still grin all crazy-like every time I read the PM blurb. Hurray!!! So beyond excited for you. :D

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  37. So I missed this official announcement madness while I was away and I think I deliriously facebooked about it at approximately 3am in Ireland when no one was reading but I wanted to SHOUT IT FROM THE ROOFTOPS! You know how excited and proud I am. Thanks for being awesomesauce you and for inspiring me. I can't wait to read this book. : )

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  38. Wonderful!! We are so happy for you. We send you virtual chocolate chip cookies. Wish we could send the real ones.

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  39. YayYayYayYay!!!!!! I am throwing hackey sacks everywhere in celebration for you!!!!! Sorry, I'm just now hearing about it, but that doesn't diminish my excitement. I cannot WAIT to read Red Butterfly!! So happy for you, sweet lady.

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  40. I haven't been to other blogs for a really long time, but I just wanted to congratulate you on your sale! SO happy for you!!

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  41. You make so many great points here that I read your article a couple of times. Your views are in accordance with my own for the most part. This is great content for your readers.
    Amazing news

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