Hello friends!
We're less than a week out from the October 3 publication of FAR FROM THE TREE, which means that I'm currently running around, looking like this:
(I use that gif way too often, I know, but Beaker just GETS ME.)
Anyway, there have been a lot of FFTT updates, so rather than tweeting, instagramming, and facebooking about them incessantly, I thought I would put them into one handy list here! Also, I am here for any and all reasons to make a list! Bullet points! Check marks! True story: I once made a list of all the lists I had to make. It was Peak Me.
- Somehow or another, FAR FROM THE TREE has been long listed for the National Book Award for Young People's Literature. It's been two weeks since I got the news and it still feels like a dream, to be quite honest. To be part of this list, with these authors and books, is an honor that I never thought I would experience, and I'm so grateful and happy for it. If you'd like to hear a little about all ten of the YPL nominees, WAMC Northeast Public Radio has a great segment on the titles by judge and bookstore owner Suzanna Hermans.
- A lot of people have asked me how I heard the news, so I'll tell you: I was on Twitter early that morning, since I knew I had a lot to do and wouldn't have time to tweet later in the day. Right around 7:30am, Lisa Lucas, the executive director of the National Book Foundation, tweeted that the NBA long list had been announced, so I clicked on the link to see if any friends had been nominated. I saw Elana Arnold's name first and was thrilled for her! Then I saw my name, my brain became a white noise machine, and I made a noise that sounded like an asthmatic hyena choking on a peach pit. I happened to be staying at my mom's house that morning, and she later told me, "I knew it was a big deal because you kept setting your coffee down and leaving it behind." I believe this is the most accurate statement that anyone has ever made about me.
- I'm also doing some events around the country to promote FFTT! I love doing events, meeting readers, and sampling local breakfast options, of course, but I'm especially excited that I'll get to visit a few new (to me) states. North Carolina and New York City, I cannot WAIT to see you. There are also a few more dates that I can't mention quite yet, so stay tuned.
- If you're curious to learn more about FFTT, great news! Epic Reads has posted the first three chapters online! Grace, Maya, and Joaquin, the three siblings at the heart of the book, each take turns narrating the story, so here's a chance to get to know more about them. Also, doesn't Epic Reads make the prettiest graphics?
- If you, like me, enjoy getting things for free, then you should go visit Heather and Jessica at Go Fug Yourself because they're giving away a copy of FFTT! And while you're there, you can also look at the glorious pictures of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle being in luuuuuvvvvvv. Why do those pics make me so happy? I don't even know these two people, and yet! (Question: Do you think he sent her a bouquet of newly-sharpened pencils on the first day of fall? I just have a feeling that he did.)
- Finally, to come full circle, FFTT will be in stores in less than a week, including Barnes & Noble, Amazon, and my beloved indies. But in addition, it'll also be available in Meijer, Fred Meyer, Kroger, and Walmart stores nationwide! You could buy my book while you're grocery shopping!
- And finally, thank you to everyone for your good thoughts, tweets, texts, comments, and all-around wonderfulness about FAR FROM THE TREE. Writing this book, as some of you know, really took it out of me, and I feel so grateful to have so much support from so many people, both in the publishing world and beyond. I hope I see you while I'm on tour!
RB xo