Happy February, Friends:
Here in Southern California the skies are blue and it’s a beautiful seventy-three degrees out. My finicky Chihuahua-mix even went out today without his coat. (Isn’t he adorable?)
Writing wise, I’m excited that SUNNY PARKER IS HERE TO STAY comes out in paperback on April 15. In its review, Horn Book writes, “Sunny’s hopeful perspective and commitment to community care enhance the swiftly paced narrative. Ultimately, Sunny’s journey is a celebration of the power of empathy, intergenerational friendships, and collective action—potentially inspiring readers to create positive change.”
In other big news, my book, SPELLING IT OUT will be available on May 13. In fact, we just got our first review. It’s from the notoriously picky Kirkus, which calls SPELLING IT OUT “a thoughtful coming of age story.” Describing main-character Ben Bellini, Kirkus writes, “In his well-drawn character arc, Ben shoulders responsibilities beyond his years to help Nan: His growth signals the champion he’s becoming in his personal life.“
The other day, someone asked me books get easier to write as you go along. You know what? I don’t really think so. Each book has its own challenges, from finding the right voice to making sure you have the authority to tell the story you want to tell. In addition, sometimes life throws you curveballs, making it harder to find time to write. For me, the key isn’t if writing gets easier; it’s if I’m growing as a writer. Am I swinging big? Am I taking chances? I think those things really matter if you want to have not just a sustainable career as a writer, but one that you never tire of.
So whatever you are up to these days, swing big! If I can do it, you can do it.