Amy Makechnie's Blog, page 17
October 12, 2022
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This is Amy’s Newsletter, a newsletter about love stories, good books, and making a life as a writer.
May 10, 2022
TEN THOUSAND TRIES in Paperback!
hello readers,
A quick note to say THANK YOU for your support of TEN THOUSAND TRIES, which launched into the world last July. I am so grateful for you, the readers, the reviewers, the word of mouth givers, the librarians, teachers, the parents. THANK YOU.
The exciting news of today (the 10th of May) is the paperback release! It is fitting as May is ALS Awareness Month, an issue that our beloved Golden and his family are grappling with. But it’s not all sad, is it!?
We’ve got middle school, pranks, Lucy, Benny, their coach(es) and Dad. Let’s not forget The Dark Lord and The Squirrels.
Sometimes you try and get what you want, and sometimes…you don’t. And it’s still worth doing. That’s what this book is about, too.
Thank you for purchasing, for telling your friends about Golden, for writing a review, requesting at your library, showing up for events, and sending me texts and emails as you’ve read this story. (btw, you can still do that 
I AM SO GRATEFUL!
Happy May to you – spring has sprung in New Hampshire (and so have the black flies).
Amy
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March 16, 2022
Teacher Resource: 10,000 TRIES CHART
Dear teachers, parents, and readers of all ages. What do you want to master? Or at least get a little – or a lot – better at?
Skateboard tricks? Bravery? Thank you’s? Soccer? A foreign language? Cooking? Drawing? Bed making? Juggling? Bike tricks? Dog training? Cooking? Listening? Meditating? Yoga? Being funny? (Did you know Seinfeld practices this every day by writing and rewriting jokes?) The possibilities are ENDLESS.
Who do you want to become? Who do you want to be?
Download this chart and start making your marks…every effort counts. Then watch how your progress increases EXPONENTIALLY by trying just a little bit every day. You can do it – even if it takes 10,000 tries (read the book and see how Golden strives to become his soccer idol, Messi. And his dad).
I would love to hear about it! Send me an email at: amy.makechnie@gmail.com
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January 1, 2022
Happy New Year & Favorite 2021 Reads!
hello readers,
Happy New Year, friends! We lived all of the days of 2021, and that is something to celebrate. Congratulations. It was not always an easy task but here we are. We did it. It’s a new year, where every day ahead of us has not happened yet – that feels hopeful and exciting.
I hope you had a wonderful holiday. It’s been grand around here, though each person in this household has uttered (or moaned) at least once, “no more sugar.” I’ve noticed these weird rashy-red dots on my face when sugar is a major food group. Alas, it was good while it lasted, but now I turn to the vegetable, which always makes me feel best.
I know that holidays are not always happy, and often feel sad. So much of that stems from missing the people we have loved – or love – in life. Wonderful chef, Ruth Reichl writes about the ghosts in the kitchen she cooks with. I love this imagery, that I am baking cookies with the ghosts and memories of those I love.
This year, my only son was not home for Christmas. He is a missionary in Florida. We spoke to him over Face Time. He’s doing well, growing in all of the best ways. I wouldn’t change the circumstances, even though we all wished he was here. And I love Christmas music, but occasionally I would feel a sadness I couldn’t quite identify or understand.
My oldest daughter came home for Christmas (she brought THE FIANCE – who is wonderful :). There was one Sunday morning, after wonderful-fiance had flown home, when we all went for an early morning winter walk. It was snowing as we trudged up the hill in our big winter boots, the huge maples covered with mounds of snow. The heavy tree branches creaked in the winter wind, which was perhaps their way of laughing at us when they dropped a foot of snow on our heads.
As I took a step forward, I looked up and saw two frolicking dogs, my husband, and our three girls ahead. Each (other than the dogs) was wearing nearly-identical big winter coats and boots. They were laughing and teasing and bumping shoulders as snow fell on their shoulders and heads. It was the simplest, most perfect scene. “This,” I said to myself. “Is a happy day.”
I hope you found a happy day with your people, too.
Love, Amy
BOOKS READ in 2021:
I use Goodreads to keep track of books read, and here they are, starting with the most recently finished. I enjoyed all of these books (and happily quit reading if I detest a book).
If I had to pick the TOP FIVE, here they are:
1. INSIGHTS FROM A PROPHET’S LIFE (non-fiction; religious. So inspiring)
2. ATOMIC HABITS (non-fiction; self-improvement. Nearly every page is dog-eared!)
3. WE WERE LIARS (fiction; YA. Devastating & second time reading)
4. THE PLOT (fiction; adult. A story about a writer who steals a dead student’s story…IDK, was it wrong?)
5. BETWEEN TWO KINGDOMS (Memoir. I love Suleika‘s writing! Her newsletter is a favorite)
Favorite Audiobooks of the year:
DUTCH HOUSE by Ann Patchett, narrated by the inimitable Tom Hanks
TEN THOUSAND TRIES because narrator Michael Crouch is the bomb-diggity and read this so well!
Happy New Year!
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November 23, 2021
Happy Thanksgiving!
hello readers,
I am sending the happiest of Thanksgiving wishes.
I love turkey and mashed potatoes and the pies and all of the traditional Thanksgiving faire. Do you? I have been laughing at the number of people this week who have told me – in hushed, whispered tones – that they don’t like turkey, not one bit!
But the turkey keeps getting made because, well, the brother loves it and if Molly didn’t make it, her brother would bring his own. Kelly from the orthodontist doesn’t like turkey and no one will eat the leftovers so why are they making such a BIG turkey? Because it’s Thanksgiving! says her husband. Christina from the hair salon is bucking tradition and making prime rib, (she said this apologetically).
This made me laugh, but I understand. Tradition is comforting.
I have a stubborn need to make chocolate pie at Thanksgiving, just like my mother always does. And even though I no longer put black olives on all ten of my fingers, they will be parked at the table next to the pickles. Tradition.
How about squash? I wish I liked it Everyone will tell you how healthy and delicious it is. I don’t like it, but every Thanksgiving I eat it because it’s actually NOT ALLOWED not to like squash in the Makechnie family. The last time I confessed the sin of hating squash (I do this every couple of years when I’m feeling brave; it’s promptly forgotten) to my father-in-law, I thought he might actually cry. So I eat it and smile. For Arthur.
What about the cranberry? Do you like it in that one big blob from the can? Or does it need to be stewed on the stove for hours with some orange and rosemary?
Oh, and the ROLLS! This recipe from Cook’s Country is our current favorite, FYI!!! It’s worth the 3-4 hours of prep and baking because my goodness they are flaky, buttery goodness.
Opinions on the food may vary, but everyone I spoke with agreed that the gathering is the most fun and most important part of Thanksgiving.
Take a listen to Kelly Corrigan and Anna Quindlan’s podcast entitled ON TURKEY + FORGIVENESS, where Kelly shares a new reading about gathering around the table with people who might annoy and disagree with you on any number of issues (just say one word: vaccination) – and LOVING + FORGIVING THEM ANYWAY. That’s the kind of day that sounds worth celebrating.
This year, we have some empty chairs at Thanksgiving table. Two of them are my oldest kids (college and church service mission). This makes me sad, but in the meantime, I will love those I’m lucky enough to gather with, well. I will feed them rolls and eat their squash.
If you’re looking for a Thanksgiving zine, check out this awesome PDF from creative, Austin Kleon. It has fun activities for everyone, including the ever needful “I AM GRATEFUL FOR” list.
Happy Thanksgiving friends. Thanks for reading with me this year. Thanks for buying books, including my own. I am so so grateful.
Love, Amy
P.S. WHAT ABOUT THE PIE? What’s the favorite??? My secret? I don’t really like pumpkin!
The post Happy Thanksgiving! appeared first on Amy Makechnie.
November 2, 2021
The French Acquire Guinevere St. Clair!
Nov 2, 2021
Bayard, The French publisher for THE UNFORGETTABLE GUINEVERE ST. CLAIR, has just sent their cover art with their title in place for their edition.
They are calling it, QUATRE ENFANTS DANS LE VENT, which translates as FOUR CHILDREN IN THE WIND.
It will be released in February 2022. As my first foreign rights sale, I cross my fingers French readers love it all the way across the pond!
The post The French Acquire Guinevere St. Clair! appeared first on Amy Makechnie.
Book Recommendations & Best Fall Cookie
hello readers,
Happy October from New Hampshire. Here’s a scene from the road where I walk every day. Who first built that stone wall, and when?
Scenes like this always remind me of Robert Frost’s poem, “Nothing Gold Can Stay.” Indeed, a week later and a storm is creating havoc up the coastline, knocking most of the golden red leaves from the trees. I wax nostalgic about such things.
I suppose if things stayed the same, life would be dull, and there would be no new stories. Like: THE MCNIFFICENTS! After many weeks of waiting, the book contract arrived. This time, instead of a big brown envelope via Fed Ex, I signed electronically. In mere moments, it was back in New York City.
I took a screen shot to gaze upon every time I want to pinch myself:
Are you giddy about this “delightfully chaotic family”? I am giddy. Coming summer 2022. Why do we have to wait so long?! I KNOW.
Spooktacular Book Recommendations:
Though not a fan of the “horror” genre, I do like to be scared. As I wrote on my Instagram account, I started writing a new book and wanted inspiration from a dark and scary fairytale.
Enter Frankenstein, a book my school’s AP Lit class just finished. I struggled through it due to the older style of text, but I wanted to read it before THE DARK DESCENT OF ELIZABETH FRANKENSTEIN by Kiersten White, which is a retelling of Frankenstein from the POV of Elizabeth, Frankenstein’s (the scientist, not the monster) longtime love and eventual wife. In the original story, Elizabeth is strangled on their wedding night. Yikes.
What will happen in the retelling? Will Elizabeth, a somewhat untrustworthy narrator, live? I still don’t know as I have TWO MORE CHAPTERS left. It’s really good and a perfect read for this chillier, spookier, fall weather.
p.s. I’ve never recommended “horror” or “gothic horror” in my life, but hey, nothing gold can stay :))) Have you read either? Artie (ha, how calmly he sits) and I would love to hear!
Because Readers Have to Eat – Here’s My Most Favorite Pumpkin Cookie:
A long time ago, when my children were smaller and I was a baking machine, I made this cookie on repeat for two straight months, October-November.
It was the cookie all of my children requested (and they hardly like pumpkin). One time, my son took in a plate of pumpkin cookies with penuche frosting for Teacher Appreciation Week and a teacher took the plate from him and ate them all before they made it to the teacher’s lounge. He still speaks about this great injustice. I’m still laughing.
You can find the recipe on my website, HERE!
If you liked this post, consider subscribing to my monthly author newsletter, where you’ll get all things bookish (and tasty) delivered right to your inbox.
Happy Fall y’all!
Amy
The post Book Recommendations & Best Fall Cookie appeared first on Amy Makechnie.
October 1, 2021
TEN THOUSAND TRIES is an Audiobook!
It’s here! The TEN THOUSAND TRIES (Editors’ Pick, Best Books Ages 9-12) audio book was released yesterday, September 30, 2021 by Dreamscape Media, LLC (Publisher)
I feel extremely lucky to have Michael Crouch narrating. He’s narrated for Rick Riordan, Stephenie Meyer, James Patterson, Madeleine L’Engle, Gayle Foreman, and many more.
I’m about three hours in and am LOVING it. I hope you do, too.
Take a listen on Audible or Libby or wherever you get your audiobooks!
This week I also published my September newsletter. If you’d like my latest book recommendation (it’s a good one) and my favorite muffin recipe CLICK HERE!
Sign up for future newsletters so they come right to your invox…like maybe I have a chocolate cake recipe or a favorite pen that you didn’t know you were missing out on, you know?
Love, Amy
The post TEN THOUSAND TRIES is an Audiobook! appeared first on Amy Makechnie.
August 5, 2021
Thank You For Launching TTT!
Hello friends!
A quick thank you for helping me launch Ten Thousand Tries into the world.
I am very appreciative.
Golden and his gang has received some really great press since its July 13 launch:
* “A heart-tugging and uplifting story about never giving up—on the soccer field, on loved ones, and on life.”
– Kirkus Reviews – starred review, June 2021
* “A touching tale about family, love, and grief….Whether or not they are a fan of soccer, this title is sure to make readers laugh and cry. An excellent read-alike for Gary D. Schmidt’s Pay Attention, Carter Jones, 2019.”
– Booklist – starred review, June 1, 2021
“A warm-hearted sports story about a kid learning to accept the painful limitations and also unexpected glories of passionate determination.”
– Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books, July 2021
* “Makechnie (The Unforgettable Guinevere St. Clair) breathes life into both soccer scenes and contemporary struggles in this emotional tour de force centering family, love, grief, and death.”
– Publisher’s Weekly – starred review, July 2021
Wow.
When I submitted the final draft, I wrote to my editor, “Here you go – my heart and soul.”
I put a lot of my heart into this book.
These characters almost feel like they are my own kids (and truly, much of this story was inspired by them!)
I hope you enjoy it, too.
xoxo,
Amy
The post Thank You For Launching TTT! appeared first on Amy Makechnie.
July 12, 2021
New Middle Grade Launching TOMORROW!
Tomorrow, July 13, 2021, TEN THOUSAND TRIES, my new middle grade novel launches into the world.
Thank you all for ordering, adding it to your Goodreads, and helping me launch this baby!
Named a "Best Book of the Month" pick by Amazon, here's a book description:
Ten Thousand Tries
GOLDEN “Macaroni” Maroni is determined to become master of his eighth grade universe by channeling his hero: international soccer superstar, Lionel Messi. But first he’s got to survive middle school, win the soccer championship, and stop Lucy Littlehouse from moving away. If he can do that, then maybe he can prevent Dad from losing to the three worst letters in the alphabet: A-L-S.
Golden believes he can find a way. Even if it takes TEN THOUSAND TRIES.
You’re going to laugh, you’re going to cry, and you’re going to love it!
* "A heart-tugging and uplifting story about never giving up—on the soccer field, on loved ones, and on life."
– Kirkus Reviews - starred review, June 2021
* "A touching tale about family, love, and grief....Whether or not they are a fan of soccer, this title is sure to make readers laugh and cry. An excellent read-alike for Gary D. Schmidt's Pay Attention, Carter Jones, 2019."
– Booklist - starred review, June 1, 2021
"A warm-hearted sports story about a kid learning to accept the painful limitations and also unexpected glories of passionate determination."
– Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books, July 2021
