PEARL Neurosis, Kirkus, Challenges and a Check-In
I admit it. I've been going a little crazy ever since the first ARCs of PEARL arrived. The book doesn't come out for months and months (July), so it's not unusual that there wouldn't be any mentions of it yet. But hello? Neurotics R Us here. What I tell myself: No one is mentioning it because they read it and hated it and don't want to hurt your feelings. Well, actually a couple of people have mentioned it on GoodReads, but really I can't go there, because I think (and no offense meant to GoodReads) that people tend to be rather mean there. It is not a friendly place for authors to visit. No no no.
BUT! This morning I got a notice that PEARL was mentioned in the Kirkus Reviews blog called, "Best of 2010 Authors Pick Must-Reads in 2011". I know we all normally cower when we hear Kirkus has mentioned our books since they have a reputation of being pretty hard on books. But this is not a review. Just a sweet shout-out by the extremely generous Lauren Myracle:
Pearl by Jo Knowles (Henry Holt, July 19; Jumping Off Swings): "Why? Because it's by Jo Knowles, and Jo Knowles is wise, kind, brilliant and amazing. I don't even know what Pearl is about—just that IT'S BY JO KNOWLES, and that's all the enticement I need."
Thank you, Lauren!! I am so touched by this. Lauren is one of my all time favorite authors and for her to say such sweet things is, well, a huge gift.
In fact, a book I think everyone should actually be looking forward to is Lauren's truly brilliant and stunning book, SHINE. The writing is incredibly powerful and the story unfolds in ways that terrify, surprise and move. It's already on my list for the big award. The cover isn't available yet on IndieBound, but here is the link to learn more. It comes out in April and everyone should read it!
In other news, registration for the OVERCOMING CHALLENGES workshop sponsored by NESCBWI and held at the Eric Carle Museum is now open! I went to this workshop last year and loved it. I was so inspired, I wrote about it here. I was very surprised and deeply honored to be asked to participate. And now, reading over my journal entry, very intimidated! But it should be lots of fun. :-)
I hope those of you who signed up to BE A WRITER with me are having lots of success so far! I managed to revise 7 chapters yesterday before doing any house-related tasks, so I'm feeling pretty good about that. My house, however, is kind of a pigsty. Oh well!
BUT! This morning I got a notice that PEARL was mentioned in the Kirkus Reviews blog called, "Best of 2010 Authors Pick Must-Reads in 2011". I know we all normally cower when we hear Kirkus has mentioned our books since they have a reputation of being pretty hard on books. But this is not a review. Just a sweet shout-out by the extremely generous Lauren Myracle:
Pearl by Jo Knowles (Henry Holt, July 19; Jumping Off Swings): "Why? Because it's by Jo Knowles, and Jo Knowles is wise, kind, brilliant and amazing. I don't even know what Pearl is about—just that IT'S BY JO KNOWLES, and that's all the enticement I need."
Thank you, Lauren!! I am so touched by this. Lauren is one of my all time favorite authors and for her to say such sweet things is, well, a huge gift.
In fact, a book I think everyone should actually be looking forward to is Lauren's truly brilliant and stunning book, SHINE. The writing is incredibly powerful and the story unfolds in ways that terrify, surprise and move. It's already on my list for the big award. The cover isn't available yet on IndieBound, but here is the link to learn more. It comes out in April and everyone should read it!
In other news, registration for the OVERCOMING CHALLENGES workshop sponsored by NESCBWI and held at the Eric Carle Museum is now open! I went to this workshop last year and loved it. I was so inspired, I wrote about it here. I was very surprised and deeply honored to be asked to participate. And now, reading over my journal entry, very intimidated! But it should be lots of fun. :-)
I hope those of you who signed up to BE A WRITER with me are having lots of success so far! I managed to revise 7 chapters yesterday before doing any house-related tasks, so I'm feeling pretty good about that. My house, however, is kind of a pigsty. Oh well!
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