Tuesday, November 8, 2011

My HUGE News: IN THE SHADOW OF BLACKBIRDS Found a Publisher!!!

I'm thrilled beyond belief to announce the sale of my young adult novel, In the Shadow of Blackbirds, to Amulet Books (the folks behind the Diary of a Wimpy Kid series, Lauren Myracle's Shine, and other amazing books for kids and teens).

Here's the official announcement from Publishers Marketplace:

Cat Winters's IN THE SHADOW OF BLACKBIRDS, the story of a teen girl mourning the loss of her first love in 1918 California, where a flu has turned deadlier than a world war, and spirit communication has become a dark and dangerous obsession, illustrated with early-twentieth-century photographs, to Maggie Lehrman at Amulet, by Barbara Poelle of Irene Goodman Agency (World English).
Foreign rights: Heather Shapiro at Baror International

My journey to this point in my writing career has been a long, long, LONNNNNNNNNG one, so even though I've known about this news for a little while now, I'm still in awe and pinching myself to make sure it's real.

I'll be chronicling my journey into print right here at CatWinters.com, as well as at twitter.com/catwinters and facebook.com/catwintersbooks. I'll also be sending out updates (the book's Goodreads debut, cover art reveals, events, giveaways, etc.) through my mailing list.

Thank you Mrs. Martin of Crown Valley Elementary for making my writing feel special back in the second grade and planting this dream inside me. Thank you Ms. Deily for featuring my poems on the wall at Back to School Night in sixth grade. Thank you family and friends for encouraging me throughout the years. Thank you Barbara Poelle and my brand-new Amulet family. And welcome future readers! I can't wait to share this novel with you. I'm so proud of it.

My celebratory blackbird balloon.
They really do make such things!  

10 comments:

Sarah Skilton said...

Woo hoo! Congratulations! How exciting :) I love historical YA, and the photographs sound like an amazing addition to the story. You're in great hands with Maggie.

Cat Winters said...

Thanks, Sarah! I'm thrilled to bits to be joining the Amulet family.

Other readers: Sarah is a fellow Spring 2013 Amulet author. Check out her website: http://www.sarahskilton.blogspot.com

Bethany Crandell said...

Congratulation's Sarah! My dear friend is a new Amulet child, too. If your book is anything as wonderful as hers, and it sounds awesome, it's obvious they have darn good taste!! :)

Cat Winters said...

Thanks, Bethany!

Anonymous said...

congrats on your sale, Cat! your book sounds great - can't wait to read it. and of course, happy to know another debut 2013er.

Cat Winters said...

Thanks so much, Brandy. It's nice to meet you, too! I read about your 2013 debut, as well, and I can't wait to learn more about it. I was obsessed with ballet when I was a kid.

Ara Burklund said...

I just can't stop being excited about your sale! So cool!!! Huge congratulations!!!!

Cat Winters said...

Thanks so much, Ara! I can't wait to hear about your current projects (plural!).

Meg Winters said...

Congratulations!! This road was a long and difficult one, but it's worth it! By far one of the best books I've read! ♥

Cat Winters said...

Thanks so much, Meg! Your opinion means a lot to me. :)