Jan 3, 2012

The Big Day, Sparkle Dust, and Gratitude

Today, my debut novel, UNDER THE NEVER SKY, hits the bookshelves. I've been imagining this day for more than a year; you would think it would easier for me to believe it’s really happening, but I find myself rather stunned.

Part of me is still the writer in the corner table at the local coffee shop, headphones stuffed in my ears, frantically typing away during the 2.25 hours in which my youngest was in preschool. The writer who stayed awake many, many nights, staring at the ceiling and wondering, how do you get published? Will it ever happen? What’s the magic to it? Is there a wand somewhere? Sparkle dust? How do you do this?

I can answer those questions now. I don’t think any of you will be surprised to hear that hard work--and tons of revision—is a major part of it. But the part that’s clearer to me everyday is this: people.

A book is written by one person who is supported and encouraged by many. Here, friends, are my supporters…. The sparkle dust that made this happen… along with my thanks.

Editor, HarperCollins Crew, Agent, Mentors & Writing Friends: Thank you for your time. Thank you for your thoughtful critiques and words of encouragement. Thank you for your belief in me and UNDER THE NEVER SKY. Thank you for picking me up when I needed it. Thank you for making me look far better than I would have without you. And thank you for sharing this journey with me. When I turn the pages of NEVER SKY, I see you: your comments and reactions, and all the thousand ways you helped to shape it. Thank you.

Family & Friends: Thank you for supporting me on this impractical, time-consuming, reclusive obsession of mine. Thanks for being patient when I disappear into the writing cave, and for pulling me out of there from time to time. Thank you for putting up with me this year (which has been a little stressful and harried, in spite of all the good fortune I've had.) Most of all, thank you for being the point. I am lucky to do what I do, but my life is about you. What matters are the birthday parties and school plays and impromptu dinners and the football games in the court and walks to Starbucks. You make my life rich, and I'm so grateful for every one of you.

Bloggers & Readers: You. Guys. Are. Awesome. Many of you have read UNDER THE NEVER SKY and loved it. Thank you for sharing your enjoyment with me; this so much fun because of you, and so very rewarding. To those who read it and didn't love it, I thank you for giving it a try. I did my best, I promise, to entertain you. If you're a potential reader, I do hope you fall in love just a little bit. If you do, I’d love to know about it.

I want to thank the YA Muses in particular for this week’s UNDER THE NEVER SKY celebration. You guys are wonderful.

In closing—though it’s probably rather clear by now—I want to say that I’m grateful. Really, really grateful for this day, and this accomplishment. Thank you for sharing it with me.

Happy New Year!

22 comments:

  1. Congrats on the big day! I am so excited to see Under the Never Sky finally on the shelves.

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  2. Veronica, you're sort of the pioneer for Apocalypsies releases, but it seems like you're very Zen about the whole thing. I'm so happy UNDER THE NEVER SKY is getting the attention it deserves. Congratulations!!

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  3. Huzzah! Congratulations! Very excited to get my copy and get stuck in, as my UK friends say... :)

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  4. Eve, Caroline & RJ - Thank you for the kind words & support! :)

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  5. Yay! I can't wait to read it. I'm so glad your release day is finally here! Congrats!

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  6. Hi! So glad today's the day! i actually got an arc for under the never sky and i loveeeeeeeeeeee it so much, you are fantastic author. it's a trilogy right? i can't wait for the next, although the ending is like insanely perfect :) thanks for going beyond ya expectations, you've made me happy! :)
    ~alyssa
    lilleetleet@verizon.net

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  7. Congrats on such a wonderful accomplishment!

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  8. Congratulations!! Fan support from your friends on blogger and goodreads is something you can always count on :)

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  9. I've watched this book grow since it was just a baby manuscript and here it is today, all grown up and beautiful! Congratulations, Veronica! It's so fun to watch your book's birthday! Balloons, fireworks, smooches and cake to you! :)

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  10. What Lia said. Twice. Love you, V! Congratulations!

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  11. COngratulations! How excited you must be! I'm excited too as your book has been on my To-buy-and-read-in-one-day list for a long time. I'm glad I can finally stop waiting. :)
    Nutschell
    www.thewritingnut.com

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  12. Thank you Mindy, Gabi, Naomi, Eric and Lia!!! Nutschell, I hope you like it! Tricia, that's awesome to know. Alyssa, I'm so glad you loved it!!!

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  13. Congratulations, Veronica! I'm very happy for you and am so looking forward to reading it.

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  14. Congratulations Veronica! Now I know what you've been up to all of these years. Best wishes! I can't wait to read your book.

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  15. Veronica! Congratulations! I am picking up my copy today at Vromans bookstore in Pasadena and plan to tell them to order lots because I know I will be telling everyone they need to read it! So thrilled for you and this beautiful deserved success!

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  16. I'm so happy for you, Veronica. Thanks for being such a great role model and inspiration.

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