Finally!! 1 Big Announcement Revealed!

April 13, 2013January 14, 20146 Comments

Hi, all!

I’ve been promising an announcement for some time and TODAY’S THE DAY! I absolutely can’t hold it in any longer. 🙂 I wanted to do it via vlog, but I have a cold and sound like Snuffleupagus! LOL. So I’ll do my very best to convey my CRAZY excitement via blog!

I’ve been holding onto this news for months and oh, my, it has been SO hard not to spill!! Only a handful of close friends know and I’m thrilled to finally be able to tell everyone else.

So . . . back in December, I signed a new book contract!!

Actually, a 4-book series contract with my ever-so-amazing publisher, Simon & Schuster.

The series, currently untitled, is a chapter book series for kids ages 6-9 (roughly) and it is my first EVER time writing fantasy!

What kind of fantasy? How about one centered around unicorns? 🙂 It felt like such a natural step to take after Canterwood and it has been So. Much. Fun. I’ve written the first book and had a blast doing so. The series will be edited by the awesome Alyson Heller at Aladdin. I’m thankful to Fiona Simpson for her interest and notes early on. Also, huge thanks to Kate Angelella for helping talk this project through and flesh out concepts.

Alyson is just as excited as I am about all things magic, unicorn-related, and did I mention, princess-y?

The main character is a princess and writing as a princess made me want to move to a castle, LOL.

The entire world is superfun and magical! I can’t wait to share it with you!

Of course, not everything in the books are sparkly and happy. Evil creatures, including some baaad unicorns roam the lands.

Ultimately, the series is about a girl and her unicorn–her best friend. They’re about to embark on some amazing adventures together.

The first two books in the series have a tentative publication date of summer 2014.

Yaaaaaay, unicorns!!! 😀 I’m so, SO glad I finally got to share and hope you’re as excited as I am.

For those of you who might remember me stating that I have multiple announcements–that’s still true! I can’t say anything about the other surprise yet, but I will the second I’m able! It’s thrilling in a completely new way. 🙂

I’ve been collecting unicorn stuff since I made the book deal and I’ll be sure to snap pix and post them on Facebook and Twitter of what I’ve got. If YOU have anything unicorn related, I want to see it!

Happy weekend, all!

xoxo

My visit to Simon & Schuster! Pics!

January 20, 2009January 14, 20147 Comments

Signing TTR at Simon & Schuster in the big, but not-so-scary boardroom.

Handing a signed book to Venessa Williams from marketing. (Unfortunately for Venessa, she’s a Gator (University of Florida) and I’m a Seminole (Florida State University.) We had to go to separate corners for fear of a fight.) 😉

Signing! It was sooo beyond me that someone would actually want a book that I signed. Crazy!

That’s my “OMG, I’m in shock” face. I couldn’t believe I was at THE S&S!

Signing away and feeling important, LOL. 🙂

Chatting and not signing.

Isn’t the table shiny??

Chating with the famous Jessica Handelman. She designs all of the Canterwood Crest covers and I adore her!

Jess and Jess

First shot at the S&S lobby. Big thanks to the fab Alyson Heller who put my books on display!

~*~

So, obviously, I finally had time to post trip pics!! I had THE most amazing, wonderful, crazy time in New York City. On Friday, my editor, Kate Angelella, threw a meet-and-greet for me at Simon & Schuster. Yep, as if she wasn’t busy enough, she took time to gather everyone together on a Friday. Amazing, huh?

Going to S&S was one of the most surreal experiences I’ve ever had. I was such a dork that I was even excited to see EK’s desk! That’s where the magic happens, you know.

Everyone gathered in the boardroom (sounds like an episode of The Apprentice!) and we got to chat before Kate introduced me. I knew most everyone from phone calls or emails, but it was so wonderful to meet them in person. After my introduction, I had the chance to thank everyone for supporting Canterwood Crest. Yay, S&S team! 🙂 They make my job easy as an author and when you know people are supporting you and your work, it elevates your drive to work even harder.

As if that wasn’t enough, I also got to have lunch with Agent Alyssa and we had a blast! I hadn’t seen her since the first Canterwood Crest photo shoot, so it had been a while.

I had a wonderful time and can’t wait to go back. They’ll probably be like, “Jessica Burkhart? She’s here? Again? Call security…”

All photos were taken by Editor Kate. Not one blurry shot. 😉