Milestones
We’re having a week of milestones around here. Rose got her braces off today; she wore her Smile shirt in honor of the occasion, but her own smile was even bigger.
Our orthodontist and his staff are wonderful. They sang to Rose when she was finished and gave her a bag full of goodies from the verboten-while-you-have-braces list: Skittles, Snickers, Fritos, gum. And a bottle of sparkling cider. Awesome.
I sent my copyedited manuscript (the middle-grade novel) back off to my editor at McElderry, so that’s one step closer to publication. Did I tell you this book has a new title? My working title was Not the Whole Truth, but we’ve changed it to The Prairie Thief. I discovered it has a Kindle page already, even though the book doesn’t come out until August. My first digital edition!* (I’ve been told there will eventually be digital editions of my Martha and Charlotte books, but I don’t know what kind of timetable Harper has in mind.)
The final cover isn’t ready quite yet, but I think I’ll be able to share that soon.
Rumor has it there will be another major milestone in this household this week: evidently a certain two-year-old intends to become a three-year-old on Friday. At least, that’s what his sisters claim. Personally, I find it hard to believe, seeing as he was born only ten minutes ago.
*Edited to add: The book is coming out in hardcover as well.
Beth says:
Your book has a goodreads page (because of the kindle page), so now it’s on my TBR list.
Congratulations on all the milestones, even the impossible ones.
On January 11, 2012 at 7:39 pm
sarah says:
Congratulations Rose! š
I love the title The Prairie Thief. It’s instantly intriguing. Not The Whole Truth is good too, but the other is snazzy.
Please tell the sisters they are mistaken. Rilla was a toddler just a moment ago, therefore her younger brother can not POSSIBLY be three.
On January 11, 2012 at 7:53 pm
tanita says:
Eleven weeks is the braces-off countdown for my little sister. And she is COUNTING, yo.
I’m really intrigued by the whole ebook thing! Your publishing company pitched you the idea, or is this a book that you pitched to them, and they said, “Oh, let’s do that in ebook form!” or…? My agent and I, for the last several years, have had Conversations about ebook rights; I knew this was coming, and he kept thinking that ebooks would pass children’s lit right by…
Oh, that kid can’t possibly be turning anything but two again. Wow. My nephew is three this April, and we’re still all in denial…
On January 12, 2012 at 3:00 am
sarah says:
Congrats to Rose! Your orthodontist sounds awesome! My kids would beg to get them back on for that treatment.
Three!!!!! It can’t be………
On January 12, 2012 at 5:29 am
Ellie says:
Yay for Rose! My Calli is only just beginning that journey.
I’m with you in the disbelieving department. Three? No way.
On January 12, 2012 at 6:02 am
Melissa Wiley says:
@Tanita, there will be a print edition of the book too. This was my first contract where a digital edition was part of the boilerplate. Whee!
@Beth, GoodReads is how I discovered the Kindle edition too! I was on my GR profile page and saw that people have started to mark the book to-read. Such fun! Both of my other 2012 books are there as well. Funny how much has changed since my last book came out. I took a hiatus between Rilla and Huck, and in that small space of time, the entire publishing landscape changed.
@sarah (Knitting-the-Wind Sarah, as opposed to Herding-Turtles Sarah; I am blessed with a plethora of Sarah-friends!) š —thanks for your kind words about the title. I’m happy to hear you think it’s intriguing. I was pretty attached to the original title (because of what it means in the book), but I understood my publisher’s concerns that it makes the book sound like it is for older readers. I’m getting used to The Prairie Thief. It was my suggestion, but it has taken a while to grow on me! š
On January 12, 2012 at 6:13 am
chilirlw says:
Emma’s on track to start the braces thing in the spring. Is Beanie going to need them too?
Are the Martha and Charlotte ebooks going to be the unabrideged editions?
On January 12, 2012 at 6:42 am
Melissa Wiley says:
I *assume* Martha & Charlotte will be unabridged, because page count/printing cost won’t be an issue….(and they only abridged the first two books in each series anyway—the others just never came out). But we haven’t talked about it in depth. Haven’t talked about it at *all* in over a year…but last I heard, there was a plan to do it eventually.
Beanie has a consult with the orthodontist in March! I am sure she will need them. It’s getting crowded in there…
On January 12, 2012 at 6:52 am
Penny says:
Congrats to Rose! That is a beeeeeeg deal š
And to you on your book goodness, too,
And 3? NO WAY!!
On January 12, 2012 at 10:24 am