Cottager News and Events (and Judy Blume!)

Hello, hello! It's been a loooong time since we've shared what's been going on with us Cottagers, and we have lots of BIG news to share -- new books on the way, upcoming events, and a workshop that might interest you writers!

Kara's News ~ 

1. I started working as a contributing writer for Gen-X website The Mid earlier this year.

2. My middle-grade trilogy, The Unintentional Adventures of the Bland Sisters, was acquired at auction by Abrams. Book One is due to pub in Fall 2016.*

3. I’ll be doing a reading/signing at Newtonville Books on Saturday, June 27th at 11am. 

* Here's the announcement from Publishers Weekly. Go, Kara!

Jamie & Kara's News ~ 

Attention, writers! Jamie and Kara are thrilled to be on the Highlight Foundation Faculty this summer! They'll be teaching a weekend workshop, THE IN-BETWEENERS: WRITING EARLY READERS AND FIRST CHAPTER BOOKS, on June 11-14. To register, visit the Highlights Foundation website.

Read their advice about writing and early reader or first chapter book here. 


Jamie's News ~
I have some exciting book news! Candlewick Press has signed up a fourth Joe and Sparky early reader--Joe and Sparky, Party Animals! Is Joe's pet worm, Wiggy, real or imaginary? Can a chicken conga? All will be revealed in 2016!

Kristen's News ~
 

Her YA romance, Hung Up, was released in paperback earlier this year. It's about people falling in love on cell phones. (Fact: That's basically how she met and fell in love with her husband.)

Her middle-grade novel Too Cool for This School also came out in paperback this year, and has been picked up for Scholastic Book Clubs and Fairs. (Fact: this book contains wolves and a massacre, sort of.)

Kristen's next middle-grade novel, PROJECT unPOPULAR almost has a cover, and will be out in the world next fall. (FACT: Nerds are change resistant, and that's not necessarily a bad thing.)

Kristen traveled to Key West (her first trip to Florida) to study with Billy Collins and Hemingway's cats kept trespassing into her B&B and drinking out of the pool. (FACT: She also got invited to Judy Blume's house which was easily the most amazing thing that's ever happened to her while traveling.)

 

Anika's News ~

Anika's picture book Baking Day at Grandma's (Philomel 2014) was a Crystal Kite finalist and received yummy reviews from Publishers Weekly, Kirkus and School Library Journal. It even got its own song.

The artwork for her next book, Monster Trucks (HarperCollins Children's Books 2016), illustrated by Nate Wragg, is nearly complete. Cover reveal coming soon!

Anika has TWO MORE pieces of stellar news. Unfortunately, it's a wee bit early to officially share them. Stay tuned for an announcement soon . . . . 

Mr. Pig's News ~

Mr. Pig is hitting the road again! His destinations include Illinois, California, Paris, and South Carolina. Why? He's visiting the studios of Matthew Cordell, Jackie Clark Mancuso, and Ethan Long! 

Make sure to visit the Cottage in May and June to check out the studio tours!