Ten writers for children. All with something to say.

12/9/13

A look back at 2013

For me, 2013 was a little crazy on the personal side, with a move from Oregon back to the Midwest. The relocation is still a bit of a nightmare, but it is fun to think about the highlights of the year where the writing is concerned. Here we go, a countdown:

5. My first-ever book tour for The Fallout. The Fierce Reads tour sent me to eight cities in nine days and I had such a great time getting to know the other Macmillan authors and meeting avid readers at every stop. Here I am at the Austin Teen Book Fest.


4. Receiving the ARCs of my middle grade novel Shipwreck Island, the first in my four book series.



3. I got to see some of the Spuds this year! John and Christy at ALA, and David at The Red Balloon. I am so excited for 2014, and the first ever All Spud Retreat.

2. I wanted to be more productive in 2013. I wrote five entire novels this year (2 MG, 3 YA). Not including all the revisions, I estimate that I wrote about 240,000 words. Three of those novels are under contract, two aren't yet. Fingers crossed.

1. Two days ago, I signed contracts for my ninth and tenth novels with Feiwel and Friends/Macmillan. The first is my YA novel The Detour. I drafted it last month, during National Novel Writing Month, and it will hit shelves Fall 2015. Which will be here before we know it... 

5 comments:

Christy said...

You inspire awe, Stephanie! You are so productive in the midst of moving, tours, and more. Congratulations on all these forthcoming projects!

Edie Hemingway said...

What an amazing year you've had, Stephanie! Congratulations on all you've accomplished!

Lauren said...

I too am in awe! Moving, touring and writing novels- not just one, but many! Brava!

Stephanie said...

But now I've set a precedent...

David LaRochelle said...

You are a marvel, Stephanie. Wow. Congratulations on all the successes that you made happen with your hard work.