very big news about my next project!

Shi Cheng, China, photo by Chinese National Geography. Can you believe this place is real?

So I have some big news! I’ve signed on again with Dutton/Julie Strauss-Gabel for two more books! I cannot tell you how happy I am about this. Working with Julie (and the rest of the team at Dutton/Penguin) has been the ideal experience for me. Julie is one of the smartest, kindest, most interesting people I know and it’s an absolute honor to have her as my publisher. She shapes my books and makes them better, every time, by asking wonderful questions and guiding me to where the story really needs to be. The team at Penguin has done incredible things for the Matched trilogy every single step of the way, from cover art to marketing to school and library outreach. I am thrilled to be publishing two new books with them. And, of course, my agent (Jodi Reamer) who negotiated the deal, is just tremendous. She is so savvy and smart and I am truly blessed to be able to work with her and Julie.

The first of the two books won’t be out until Fall 2014, so there is a little while left to wait, but I am having SO MUCH FUN writing this book. Here’s a bit from the press release (edited a little because I am the biggest spoiler-phobe in the world):

Ally Condie, #1 New York Times bestselling author of the Matched trilogy, to publish two new novels with Penguin Young Readers Group

New York, NY – March 11, 2013 – Ally Condie, #1 New York Times bestselling author of the Matched trilogy, will publish two new novels with Dutton Children’s Books, an imprint of Penguin Young Readers Group, it was announced today. The first book, scheduled for publication in fall 2014, tells the story of Rio, who has waited her whole life for the opportunity to leave her safe, underwater city of Atlantia for life on the surface. But when her life takes an unexpected twist and Rio must remain below, she is left with increasingly dangerous questions about the complex political and religious system constructed to govern the fragile divide between land and sea.

The second book is not yet scheduled. The deal was brokered by Julie Strauss-Gabel, President and Publisher of Dutton Children’s Books and Jodi Reamer, Writers House. Julie Strauss-Gabel will edit the books. Dutton has North American rights.

Julie Strauss-Gabel said, “I am thrilled that we can all look forward to more books from Ally Condie at Dutton. I’m excited to introduce fans of the Matched series to exciting new worlds and heroines as strong and compelling as Cassia.”

Ally Condie is the author of the critically-acclaimed, New York Times bestselling Matched trilogy. Matched has been called “the hottest YA title to hit bookstores since The Hunger Games” (Entertainment Weekly), and a “superb dystopian” (The Wall Street Journal) featuring “impressive writing that’s bound to captivate young minds” (The Los Angeles Times). Crossed, the second book in the Matched trilogy was released in paperback March 12, 2013.

We don’t have a title yet (I refer to it right now as the “Rio Book”). But I will be sure to keep you posted as more information becomes available. One of the things I’m really excited about regarding this book is that it’s a story about sisters. (Don’t worry, there is also romance!) I love reading stories about families and relationships and so I hope I can do that justice in this book. And I hope you readers will like it too.