Dhonielle and I have been working for this moment for nearly four years now — through countless drafts, a couple of agents, four editors, and endless edits. Also: new jobs, new apartments, a hurricane, a baby, and a hundred other little life events.
So we should be relishing every moment right of launch week, right? But it doesn’t feel real. In fact, I still haven’t actually gotten to walk into a bookstore and see Tiny Pretty Things on shelves yet. I know what you’re thinking. But there’s good reason for that. This week happens to be sheer and utter chaos.
First there was the absolutely fabulous Teen Author Carnival, which on our actual release day. It was at the gorgeous Jefferson Market Branch of the New York Public Library — my favorite branch and one of my favorite places in the city. And it truly did mark a milestone — I’ve always wanted to a reading at the library, and already this year, we’ve done two. The other one was at the amazing 42nd Street main branch — and we were on a line-up with such luminaries as Libba Bray, Gayle Forman, and our former professor, David Levithan! Pinch me!)
Anyway, this time around, Dhonielle and I were on a panel about Darkness in YA — a very fitting topic — and then did a signing. And then, since our Pub Day was also her actual birthday, we went to our favorite burger joint in the city, Umami. With two kids who were just about ready to KONK, since it was already 10 p.m., way past their bedtime.
Yesterday was head down working, and hanging with the kids, who were still recovering from their weeknight outing. And now: BEA. Which, of course, is ceaselessly overwhelming. I still haven’t looked at the schedule yet, but I know Dhonielle is speaking today, and then I get to hang with my awesome #WeNeedDiverseBooks buddies — and the uber-amazing Karma Brown, who’s also in town, with some big plans to score a few Magnolia cupcakes. So I’m going to try to slow down, relax, and enjoy all the little moments.
If you in town, Dhonielle and I will be doing a signing at the lovely La Casa Azul, a super-cool bookstore tucked away in Spanish Harlem, with the rest of the #WNDB crew. Come and see us and Tiny Pretty Things!
Rock on, Sona! I’m so thrilled you’re having a great launch week!
Deep breaths! You may have the craziest launch week EVER!!! You go girl!
Sona — those cupcakes were perfection. But seeing you in person, in NYC, at BEA, was even better 🙂 Here’s to a fantastic launch week AND some rest next week!