June ☀️: Open to see the WHAT HAPPENED TO RACHEL RILEY cover! 😍
It's now available for preorder wherever books are sold.
Without further ado…
Anna Hunt may be the new girl at East Middle School, but she can already tell there’s something off about her eighth-grade class. Rachel Riley, who just last year was one of the most popular girls in school, has become a social pariah. But no one, including Rachel herself, will tell Anna why.
As a die-hard podcast enthusiast, Anna knows there’s always more to a story than meets the eye. So she decides to put her fact-seeking skills to the test and create her own podcast around the question that won’t stop running through her head: What happened to Rachel Riley?
With the entire eighth grade working against her, Anna dives headfirst into the evidence. Clue after clue, the mystery widens, painting an even more complex story than Anna could have anticipated. But there’s one thing she’s certain of: If you’re going to ask a complicated question, you better be prepared for the fallout that may come with the answer.
ICYMI: How I Came Up With The Idea For What Happened to Rachel Riley
What Happened to Rachel Riley releases 1/10/23 from Quill Tree Books, an imprint of HarperCollins.
The amazing Afoma helped me launch the cover yesterday on her blog Reading Middle Grade, where I gave my first ever interview about the book.
Whenever I do author visits to schools, the kids always ask about the book cover. Did I draw it? (No.) Do I get any say in it? (Sometimes.) Do I like it? (Always.)
For my middle grade books, the covers have always come together in a delightful alchemy of Pinterest boards and color schemes and artists painstakingly chosen. We’ve talked themes, aesthetics, overall look-and-feels.
For What Happened to Rachel Riley, I was exhausted—I had very recently had a baby and was just completely fried. I sort of threw my hands in the air and told HarperCollins I trusted them.
And what they made was beautiful.
There are so many tiny clues and hints tucked into the cover that will only make sense once you read the book. I can’t wait for you to do so. 🐄🔑🤫
And now, for that awkward author-ask.
Why, why, why do authors ask you to buy their book so far in advance?
It’s so bizarre. We don’t buy couches six months in advance (well, with this supply chain…) We don’t buy t-shirts six months in advance. But books—we often do.
It’s just like GoodReads adds. When a lot of people decide to preorder a book, it tells Fancy Important Bookstore People which books are going to be popular. Which books people are excited for. Which books are impacting readers. This, in turn, leads to more “push” for a book from reviewers + marketing departments. It can make a massive difference in how well a book does.
“When you preorder a book, it’s a clear message to the publisher that there is demand for that author’s work, that series, and those characters.” - Bookriot
It feels like so much of being an author is asking.
Asking people to publish your book (most say no).
Asking people to read your book and give it a blurb or review (most say no).
Asking people to let you on their blog or podcast to talk about your book (most say no).
Asking people to preorder (most say no).
You sort of start to feel like one of those vacuum salespeople. Who on earth buys a vacuum from someone who just showed up on their front door? No, sir, you can not come in and demonstrate it. I have a sleeping bebe. Adios.
The vulnerability of the ask: nobody tells you that about being a writer. They tell you about writer’s block and how slow publishing is; about your hand hurting after signing books and not reading your reviews. But nobody talks about how often you have to hand your heart over on a platter and just…ask for things.
Some people go to work, show up and do their job, and don’t ask anyone for anything, all day. How lucky is that?
But in a weird way, I don’t mind. It makes me feel like I have a whole team of people around me, rooting for me. The people who do say yes: my incredible editor, Alyssa. Afoma and all of the other ridiculously generous bloggers, who do so much work for authors for no pay. The authors who are 10 times bigger than I am who agree to read and blurb my book out of the goodness of their hearts; authors I can really do nothing for. The people who write book reviews so kind and tender that I almost cry. The people who do buy a book six months in advance, just because you asked them to.
When you put yourself out there again and again, you’re given so many opportunities to be reminded of just how good people can be.
Some people go to work, show up and do their job, and don’t ask anyone for anything, all day. How lucky am I?
I poured my heart into this book. It is weighty and sensitive and silly and mysterious and I hope it points you (and the middle schooler in your life) to some true things about what it’s like to be a middle school girl.
Thank you so much for considering a preorder.
And lastly, a book I’ve loved lately for…
Kids: We bought Green Ember on audio after 97 people recommended it, and to be honest, I went in with low expectations—it seemed a touch above my kids’ comprehension levels and anything with swords/fantasy will be a hard sell for me. We busted it out on a long car ride up north and the entire family was completely taken with this story of a talking rabbit rebellion. It’s quirky and deep and sort of like a mini Lord of the Rings with animals? Anyway. Five stars. (I will say the 4-year-old doesn’t really *follow* it super well, but she still likes to listen along! The 6-year-old follows along perfectly.)
Middle graders: I heard Alias Anna was terrific, and it lived up to the hype. A WW2 historical fiction tale told in verse? Gimme.
Adults: I finally finished Les Miserables and rewarded myself with a 3-day binge of The Ice Cream Queen of Orchard Street. It was my favorite book of 2022 so far, hands down. Hilarious, smart, and a great commentary on the American Dream.
Thanks for reading along!
-Claire-