I feel so incoherent and amazed at this news, but here it is: I have a book deal! I am super crazy excited to announce that Snappsy the Alligator (Did Not Ask to Be in This Book) will be published by Viking Children’s in the summer of 2015.
My critique group/support group/tell-me-I’m-not-crazy group Carter and Elizabeth sent me these peonies:
with this note:
What does the note mean, you ask? You’ll know when you read the book. Or, you know, maybe sooner, I haven’t really worked out my promotional strategy yet.
When Danielle called with the news, I pretty much screamed for the entire phone call. So the kids knew there was something going on.
Julie [on phone]: GARAGARRAAGGGGG!
Eli: Did your book get published?
Julie [considers explaining publishing process, again]: YES!
Eli: GARAGARRAAGGGGG!
Henry: GARAGA…[goes back to reading]
Zuzu [pointing outside]: How come they get bubbles and I don’t?
Ramona: I’m hungry! HUNG-GA-RY. Feed me.
So we all deal with exciting news in different ways.
Also I told them the book was being published by Viking/Penguin, and they were bummed when they realized it wasn’t being published by a Viking Penguin.
I am so happy about all of this. Joanna Cardenas is amazing and enthusiastic and just as excited as I am. She loves my book and I love that she loves it and it is still completely weird to me that words came out of my brain and somehow an editor in New York City not only read those words, but likes them. My agent Danielle Smith is an incredible, hardworking, passionate woman, and I’m so lucky to have her on my team.
Fabulous news! Over the moon for you, Julie!
YAY! So thrilled for you! I can’t wait to meet Snappsy!! 😀
Fainted. Fell in it. I love Snappsy so much!! I’ll just be here blubbering and champagning in the the corner. LOVE YOU.
OHMYGODTHATISSOEXCITING! I can’t believe I knew you when. I have many great-nephews who will need signed copies.
I am bursting with joy for you! BURSTING!
Oh, YAY! So excited for you, but not at all surprised, Julie! I can tell just from twitter that you have what it takes!
Congratulations! Your book sounds adorable.
SO happy happy happy for you, Julie!!! I can hardly wait to meet Snappsy!
I am so over the moon for you, and jumping up-n-down and yelling (okay, in my head, i’m at work) And crying because I have to wait 2 years!! to read about Snappsy, but at least then there will be pictures. (that’s what I tell myself)
Congratulations again Julie.
Carter & Elizabeth – nice job with the flowers. 🙂 you can plant bamboo for me, they take about 5 years to grow. j/k
Oh, Julie…I am SO happy for you!! What an accomplishment…we have a writer in the family, finally! I always remember how Nana wanted me to write down my thoughts for young souls….I’m so glad that you’ve done it! Much love, Aunt Sandra
BEST NEWS EVER. Congratulations!!!
Can I book you for an author visit at Sam’s school in 2015? You can totally sleep on my couch!
GARAGARRAAGGGGG!
YAY! I’m so happy for you I could GARAGAGGA. 🙂
SO. PROUD. OF. YOU!!!!!!
HURRAY! SOOOOOO excited for you! I must be on the same wavelength as I have a very irritated alligator on my postcard for LA. 🙂 Congrats, Julie!
Well, simply put…you’re next book WILL be about a Viking penguin! CONGRATS!!!
*your
That is fabulous news!!
Julie!!!! YAY, to the highest degree!!!! This is awesome news! Have fun celebrating!
SOOOO Exciting! Love the post about your kids’ reactions. My kids were very similar when I got the call. Enjoy this moment. Your hard work and humor have paid off! Congratulations!!
Congratulations, Julie! Can’t wait to read it! Love that you shared your kids’ reactions, too.
Congratulations, Julie! Wonderful news. xoxo
YEAH YEAH YEAH!!!!!!!!
Wow, Julie!! Soooooo thrilled for you! Love the title!!!
Dear Julie I am very happy for you .
It is nice to publish so you can share with so many new friends who rhink like you
and like how you see things. Congratulations
uncle rog
Hi Julie,
I subscribe to Publisher’s Weekly Children’s Bookshelf newsletter and just read the news moments ago (Up late working my currently slow-going WIP)
I love your reviews on Katie Davis’s “Brain Burps About Books” podcast. and I’m so glad to share the thrill of finally selling a book with another author.
Most of my writer friends were already published, though most weren’t when I first met them. They are rightly mentioned in my Acknowledgements page for the upcoming book.
Earlier this year, I officially sold my first middle grade novel to a small press back in January (Offer made in December 2012) and since it took me a DECADE from when I first wrote it to selling it to a small press a writer friend of mine suggested, I know how HARD WON this accomplishment is. I’m so thankful for the friends and resources that helped me persevere to that day when I got the e-mail (For some it’s the “Phone Call”) longed to get.
Still don’t know what year is being targeted tor release, but I’m beginning work on edits with my editor right now, and despite the doubts and jittery nerves (Since I’ve never gotten to this point in the process) I know I was given the right editor.
While the feedback I got from writer friends and a few non-writer beta-readers was invaluable, it’s still nice to finally work with an editor who gets my story, which for my niche (My blog’s url alone says it all) is no simple task!
Take Care and congratulations,
Taurean (Taury)
Hooray, Julie! This is fabulous news. And I, too, am disappointed that this is not being published by an actual Viking Penguin.
Never a doubt. Never.
As a writer, be very proud not only because it’s so hard to do, but also because you’ve earned it. That, and at some point some free publicity.
Very well done!
GARAGARRAAGGGGG and HOORAY!! Awesome news, Julie, definitely worthy of celebratory bubbles, perhaps blown by a Viking penguin!
Congratulations! Can’t wait to read it.
Wow! Big congratulations, Julie. Snappsy!
That is so awesome Julie! Congrats! I’ll take one. 🙂
You ARE a rock star, or better, a BOOK star! I too look forward to meeting your creation.
Carter told me this was an excellent story! You and Danielle have hit the ground running! Congrats to you both!!! Can’t wait to meet Snappsy!
I will dress as a Viking Penguin for the book release party. Until then, happy dance around the house to confuse the dogs. I am so excited for you, Ju. Well done. Well doing.
HOW AWESOME IS THIS?!?!?! A dream come true!! Huge congrats!!
Thanks so so much for all your huge congratulations, everyone! I’m still soaring in the clouds about all this!
What an exciting time. I am thrilled for you, Julie. Congratulations!
Congrats!!! This is so exciting!
Congratulations, Julie! That’s great. I’m very happy for you.