Thank you, 2011!

I'm incredibly grateful for what happened to me in 2011. A few weeks ago I blogged about my long, grueling writing road, so if you read that post you already know this past year marked the end of my seemingly impossible journey to a publishing deal. In the Shadow of Blackbirds is now on Goodreads, and it's extremely satisfying to see people already taking an interest in my literary baby.  I'm so excited about all the behind-the-scenes preparations I'll be going through with this book in the coming year, and I can't wait to eventually share my characters with all of you.

To my agent, Barbara Poelle, and my editor, Maggie Lehrman: thank you from the bottom of my heart for making 2011 a year I'll never forget! I'll always remember the morning my daughter called to me out in the garage, "Mom, there's someone named Barbara calling. Isn't that your agent?" And Barbara's words, "Amulet put in an offer," were some of the five most magical words I've heard in my entire life.

I'm also grateful for meeting my fellow Lucky 13s authors, who'll also be debuting in 2013, and my fellow Amulet/Abrams authors. You guys are so talented and amazing, and I can't wait to have your books on my shelf! And, of course, I'm so thankful for all my friends and family who've been standing by me and cheering me on for literally decades.

The past year wasn't without its dark spots. I lost a very dear uncle who battled Alzheimer's for five years, and I witnessed my fourteen-year-old dog get attacked by a dog three times his size (our dog survived, but he took almost two months to recover from the bite wounds). The sweet seems to always come with the bitter.

I hope 2011 treated you well and you experienced more highs than lows. Let's now take a deep breath, gather our courage, and plunge straight into the awaiting adventures of 2012!

HAPPY NEW YEAR! 

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!