Tag Archive for The Spaces In Between

Publication Day: The Worst Day of All

In her most excellent book, Still Writing, Dani Shapiro talks about “writing in the dark”:

“There is only one opportunity to write in complete darkness: when you’re at the beginning. Use it. Use it well. The loneliest day in the life of a published writer may be publication day. Nothing happens. Perhaps your editor sends flowers. Maybe not. Maybe your family takes you out for dinner. But the world won’t stop to take notice. The universe is indifferent. You have put the shape of your soul between the covers of a book and no one declares a national holiday. Someone named Booklover gives you a one-star review on Amazon.com.

So what is it about writing that makes it — for some of us — as necessary as breathing? It is in the thousands of days of trying, failing, sitting, thinking, resisting, dreaming, raveling, unraveling that we are at our most engaged, alert, and alive. Time slips away. The body becomes irrelevant. We are as close to consciousness itself as we will ever be. This begins in the darkness. Beneath the frozen ground, buried deep below anything we can see, something may be taking root. Stay there, if you can. Don’t resist. Don’t force it, but don’t run away. Endure. Be patient. The rewards cannot be measured. Not now. But whatever happens, any writer will tell you: This is the best part.”

I agree with Dani Shapiro.

But here we are.

Publication Day. A kind of death.

One other thought that I had recently:

Writers don’t finish books, readers do. 

Thank you for your interest, your time, your support. 

Exit 13: The Spaces In Between, now available in bookstores, etc. This is the second book in the “Exit 13” series by Scholastic. 

 

Summer Hours, Some News, etc.

Cool image created by Scholastic Australia — as in: actual Australia — promoting the first book in the “EXIT 13” series — you know, the place with wombats and kangaroos, and koalas eating eucalyptus leaves — whereas the second one in the series, where things really get bananas, titled THE SPACES IN BETWEEN, comes out August 1st. I still haven’t seen it yet, but I hear it’s pretty good! Ages 8-12.

Thanks for stopping by. We are in the “Summer Hours” phase. It’s too hot to read blogs. People are vacationing.

I will post randomly. Meanwhile: Many, many good things are happening behind the scenes. I sold three books that I can’t talk about, and I’m handing in a middle-grade novel in a few days. A range of things. I’m happy & proud of what I’ve done. But more on that later, the pride thing, believing in the work and standing behind it. Even though the world is indifferent. Doesn’t matter.

Oh! Anyway, the cool image . . . 

Meet Ella, the First Young Person on the Planet to Read “EXIT 13: THE WHISPERING PINES”

This is Ella, a 4th-grader from Colorado. 

After an exhaustive search, where no money was spared (or spent), we determined that Ella is officially the first young person on the planet to read the first book in my new series, EXIT 13. 

Just look at that smile. She’s obviously in thrall. 

Thank you, Ella, for being such an enthusiastic reader. I’m lucky to have on my side (and in my family!). 

The Whispering Pines is available exclusively through Scholastic Book Clubs and Scholastic Book Fairs. 

It will be available in stores in February, 2023. 

On a personal note, this is my first book with Scholastic in a dozen years. I began my publishing career back in 1986 with Scholastic. In many ways, professionally, it’s where I grew up. I published all sorts of books with them over the years, various and sundry, including the Jigsaw Jones mystery series. However, I was given my hardcover home at Macmillan by Jean Feiwel, and I’ve mostly published with Feiwel & Friends over the last decade. I’m grateful to co-exist with them both. But, yes, it feels nice to be back with this particular series where I first began. I thank Debra Dorfman (Lakow to me) for that.

Here’s the cover of the second book in the series, The Spaces In Between. Let’s admit it: Illustrator Kevin Keele does a killer job with these covers. Even better, there’s a graphic novel element to these hybrid books, enhancing the overall Cool Factor!

Teachers, Librarians: I have a few extra books in my closet. Happy to send a signed copy your way if you hope to share it in your school or classroom. Just zing me at jamespreller@aol.com and write “Free Book” in the subject heading. While supplies last. 

Thanks for stopping by!