[Eye of the Storm] Jon Skovron's Newsletter #10
From the Eye of the Storm #10
Spring is rapidly giving way to Summer, even though it was snowing less than 10 days ago. I’ve just put my mom on a plane back to Arizona after a very nice visit. I was thinking, now it’s time to get back to work and do some writing. Except I realized that a week from today I will be in Iceland, and I still have a ton of details to sort out regarding my trip.
Two nights in beautiful Reykjavik, then the rest of the week in London, where I will meet with my lovely UK publishing team for the first time. I am not by nature much of a planner, but I’m trying to get better at it, including thinking ahead about what it is I want most to see while I’m over there, rather than my usual impromptu wanderings. Of course, I’m also not even kidding myself about having time to write up my newsletter, but the following week, I promise I will included enough pictures to make you envious of my trip (tastefully, of course).
Book news!
I just got the UK advanced review copies of Hope and Red in the mail today, and they are…significantly larger for some reason.
It’s still paperback, of course. Which reminds me, I keep meaning to mention the paperback thing. All of my YA books had hardback releases. Those are very nice to look at, and make a writer feel fancy, but I’m actually thrilled Hope and Red is releasing in paperback. I don’t know about you, but I never bought hardbacks until I was in my thirties. And even then, only authors I already knew. Because $20 is a lot of money spend taking a chance on a writer you don’t know. $10 seems so much more reasonable for me, especially considering the fact that this will be my first book outside of YA, which I think means that a majority of my intended readers will not be familiar with my work.
In other book news, the anthology Summer Days and Summer Nights received it’s third starred review, this one from School Library Journal, who called it “a sizzling must-have that will be too hot to keep on shelves.” In the world of YA, a starred review from Kirkus, Publisher’s Weekly, and School Library Journal is a big deal. I’m so happy for Stephanie Perkins, who not only wrote one of the stories, but also edited the anthology. No doubt keeping all of us in line and on time was no small feat.
I just signed a giant stack of bookplates for the anthology last week, and I believe those are being shipped from one author to the next, until every author is on there. So if you’re the sort to collects autographs, that’s going to be a pretty sweet item. I’m not sure if there will be a contest to get those, or what…I’ll keep you posted.
Now listening
In commemoration of my upcoming trip to Reykjavik, here are some of my favorite Icelandic bands:
Samaris in particular I find really enjoyable to write to lately. It sets the right tone for the somewhat darker nature of Bane and Shadow. Usually I discover albums serendipitously as I go that work for each book. But there are also albums run like an underlying theme for a certain character through all three books. For example, whenever I need to reconnect to who Hope is at her core, I go back to that album of Chinese folk music I shared a while back. Most of the main characters have their own special album by this point. Maybe once the book is out, and more people have read it, I’ll do some sort of playlist. Ooh, and maybe I’ll make a big mix to play at the party.
Did I mention there will be party? We’re still working out the details, but for those who are local, I’m planning to have an actual launch party at One More Page Books in Arlington. We’re still working out the details, but know that One More Pages sells wine and chocolate as well as books, so…it’s going to be that kind of launch party.
Anyway, I’m off on exciting travels next week, and I look forward to sharing them with you when I get back. Possibly a day or two late if the jet-lag crushes me.
Jon