Rajani LaRocca's Blog, page 11

The Cover Reveal for MIRROR TO MIRROR!

I’m absolutely delighted to share the cover of my forthcoming novel in verse, MIRROR TO MIRROR, coming in March 2023 from Quill Tree Books/HarperCollins! MIRROR TO MIRROR is about musical identical twins, anxiety, misunderstanding, forgiveness, and a bond that is stronger than fear. I can’t wait for you to read it!

Read my cover reveal interview with John Schu, and check out the cover reveal trailer below — turn your audio on!

A Fun New Picture Book—MAUNTIE, coming in 2024!

I’m thrilled to announce that I have another picture book coming with Candlewick Press in 2024!! Mauntie is about a little girl who loves her favorite auntie…and finds it really hard to share her. This story featuring family, food, and riddles will be illustrated by amazing Nadia Alam!! I can’t wait to share it with the world!

Priya loves everything about her Mauntie — her special auntie who plays games, makes snacks, and tells riddles. But when Priya’s older cousin comes over and captures Mauntie’s attention, Priya feels left out. In this story about family and growing up, Priya learns the answer to the biggest riddle of all.

A Beautiful Cape Cod Conference!

I had such a fantastic time as a faculty member at the Andrea Brown Literary Agency’s Big Sur on Cape Cod conference! I got to spend time with friends and run two fabulous critique groups full of talented writers as well as enjoy the glorious Falmouth beach and sun!

 

RED, WHITE, AND WHOLE Wins the Crystal Kite Award from New England SCBWI!

I am thrilled beyond belief that RED, WHITE, AND WHOLE has won the 2022 Crystal Kite Award from New England SCBWI! I’ve been a member SCBWI since 2013, and the New England chapter is my home, where I have made so many creative friends! To have this book of my heart chosen by my peers for this honor is such a dream come true! New England SCBWI produces so many incredible books each year, and I am blown away!!

See the complete list of winners for all SCBWI divisions here.

     

A Glorious Time at SCBWI Florida!

I was honored to be a faculty member at the SCBWI Florida Conference 2022! The theme was “Reunited, and It Feels So Good!” It certainly felt fantastic to hang out with writers, illustrators, and fellow faculty members, including:

Teaching a Novel Intensive with agent Saritza Hernandez and editor Eileen RobinsonGiving my first in-person Keynote EVER on “Writing the Story Only You Can Write”Being on a “creatives” panel with Dan Santat, Jennifer Swanson, Bruce Coville, and Pat Zietlow MillerGiving a workshop on Writing the Verse NovelListening to inspiring keynotes from Pat Zietlow Miller, Jennifer Swanson, Dan Santat, and Bruce CovilleDressing up for the ’70’s themed dance party!

TLA 2022!

What an incredible time I had at my first in person Texas Library Association conference! The weather was beautiful in Fort Worth, and I had such a great time meeting wonderful librarians from all over Texas! I got to sign copies of RED, WHITE, AND WHOLE (at my first in person conference!), I’LL GO AND COME BACK, SEVEN GOLDEN RINGS, and THE SECRET CODE INSIDE YOU! I also got to spend time with my publishing teams at Candlewick, Lee & Low, HarperCollins, and Little Bee Books and catch up with some amazing friends! I was on the panel “We Are Family” (yes, we played the song!) with fellow authors Emma Otheguy and Olugbemisola Rhuday-Perkovich and a nonfiction panel on “Continuing the Curiosity” with Jennifer Swanson, Laurie Wallmark, and Candace Fleming! I also got to record an interview with The Van Show! I went home exhausted but excited to return next year!

I’LL GO AND COME BACK In-Person Book Events!

I had such fun launching I’LL GO AND COME BACK in person at two of my favorite local bookstores! On April 10, I had a well-attended in-person launch at Brookline Booksmith, where I talked about the inspiration for the book and read the story! Then on April 23, I headed to Silver Unicorn Bookstore, where I read the story and got to hang out with several friends! This book means to much to me, and I’m grateful I got to launch it so beautifully. If you missed these events, you can still order signed copies today!

Greenwich, Connecticut School Visits

What an amazing week I had in Greenwich, CT visiting three superlative schools: Greenwich Academy, Sacred Heart Greenwich, and Greenwich Country Day School, where I had breakfast with their Newbery Club, which had selected RED, WHITE, AND WHOLE as their winner, complete with Tiger Claw medal! There was such a love of learning and books at all of these schools, where I got to present to students from Kindergarten through Grade 8! I absolutely loved visiting these schools, and hope to do so again!

Newton CAS AuthorFest 2022!

I had such a lovely time at the 2022 CAS AuthorFest in Newton! On Tuesday, April 12, I visited Williams, Cabot, and Underwood elementary schools, then returned to Cabot in the afternoon for an awesome book signing where I got to see so many author friends! Then on April 13, I headed to Angier Elementary School, where I received another warm welcome! It was an incredible two days, filled with book love, wonderful schools, and fantastic students!

We Are All Readers Book Festival 2022

I loved attending the first annual We Are ALL Readers Book Festival in Rhode Island on April 9, 2022 along with several other incredible authors! In light of the resurgence of book bans across our country, I spoke about the importance of diverse books for everyone and the fact that everyone deserves to see themselves and their experiences reflected in the pages of books. It was an fantastic event full of book lovers, and I can’t wait to return! The organizers did an incredible job!