Jonathan Auxier's Blog, page 3
March 19, 2016
SOPHIE QUIRE Launch Party!!
This book marks the culmination of 2.5 years of difficult work on a story that I genuinely feared would never see the light of day. And now that it’s about to go out into the world, it feels like a good time to celebrate! Please join us for the Sophie Quire Launch Party at Classic Lines Bookstore in Squirrel Hill. Sunday, April 3, from 3-5pm. Everyone’s invited–please spread the word!
For more information, check out the Facebook Event Page.
March 15, 2016
Seeing STARS!
Sophie Quire and the Last Storyguard doesn’t hit stores until next month, but the book has brought in some nice STARRED reviews …
From Kirkus: “This novel should be in the hands of every human young enough at heart to be enchanted by the written word.”
From Booklist: “This affecting, compelling story stands on its own, embodying and highlighting the power and impact of tales well told—and why they endure.”
Now doesn’t that make you want to run out and preorder the book?!
February 18, 2016
Adventures in Reading …
A while back, my wife and I contributed content to a textbook called Children’s Books and the Developing Reader. I also drew illustrations for the chapters. While switching computers, I came across the files and thought they might be worth posting …
February 3, 2016
The Collector’s Gift
A few years back, I helped write a short film for the very talented Ryan Kravitz, who had traded in a successful career as an art director to take up animation. It’s finished and out in the world now (apparently having racked up a ton of accolades), so I thought I’d post …
January 18, 2016
Free SOPHIE QUIRE ARCs and Wraparound Art…
Only two more months until Sophie Quire is out in the world! Already, advanced readers copies (ARCs) are being given out at various conferences. If you’re keen to get one for yourself–check out our Goodreads Giveaway.
In the meantime, here’s the full wraparound art for the book, drawn by the brilliant Gilbert Ford! Click the image for a bigger view…
December 4, 2015
Some SOPHIE QUIRE Art
This week I finished the last of the illustrations for Sophie Quire — 45 drawings in all! Here are a few of my favorites; light spoilers ahead …
The Bookmender of Bustleburgh
Deeds of Derring-Don’t
The Book of Who
The Mandrake
Trapped in the Menagerie
Into the Hinterlands
The Lighthouse at the End of the World
Everything But the Kitchen Sink
November 15, 2015
How to Get Signed Books!
Just as note as we approach this holiday season: If you want a signed/personalized copy of one of my books, please call Classic Lines Bookshop. They are right down the road and keep my books in stock — which makes it pretty easy for me to swing by and sign things. Just give them a ring and let them know you want a signed book shipped to your address. (If you want it personalized, make sure to let them what name you want in the book!)
November 5, 2015
ARCS of SOPHIE QUIRE coming this week!
Hello pilgrims! Just posting a note that I’ll be at the American Association of School Librarians conference this weekend (Nov 6-7) with freshly printed arcs of Sophie Quire & the Last Storyguard! I’ll be signing free books on Saturday at 11:30 (at the Authorpalooza event) and 5:30 (during the Meet & Greet). Supplies are limited, so if you want a book — come early!
If you can’t make the event, I’ll also be at NCTE doing a “Nerdy Book Club” panel on Saturday Nov 21 and an ALAN “Whodunnit” panel on Monday, Nov 23!
September 30, 2015
It’s done!
I am delighted to announce that after more than 4,000 hours of writing, Sophie Quire & the Last Storyguard is finished!
This book has been without question the most difficult challenge of my career. Two years is a lot of time for most writers, but for me it was a sprint that very nearly broke me. More than a few times, I considered abandoning the book altogether. But every time I got to that point, I thought of Sophie — mending books in a city that no longer read stories — and I knew I had to finish.
Sophie Quire is technically a companion to my first novel, Peter Nimble & his Fantastic Eyes — but it is also a standalone story with a different hero set in a different world. The combined books are in many ways an examination of what it means to live in a world that has lost its sense of enchantment. Peter Nimble and Sir Tode are a major part of the story … but it is not their story. The tone is darker and the stakes are much higher. Also, it has way more monsters! The book will come out Spring 2016.
I cannot wait to share this story with the world.
May 7, 2015
A Call from the Mouse …
Hello friends! The announcements came through the trades today–DISNEY JUST OPTIONED NIGHT GARDENER! From Variety:
Disney has bought the rights to Jonathan Auxier’s “The Night Gardener.”
It will be developed by Sean Bailey’s Disney live-action group with Auxier adapting the script. Jim Whitaker will produce.
The book is Auxier’s follow-up to his widely popular “Peter Nimble and His Fantastic Eyes,” with this story following two orphan siblings who travel to work as servants at the creepy, crumbling Windsor estate, but neither the house nor its inhabitants are quite what they seem. Soon the children are confronted by a mysterious specter and an ancient curse that threatens their very lives.
Disney has had quite the success lately of remaking their animated classics such as “Cinderella,” which just passed the $500 million mark at the worldwide box office, and “Maleficent,” but this acquisition shows they are still interested in developing original IPs.
Obviously this is still very far from being an actual movie, but thrilling nonetheless!
