Prepare to party...

I'm back from a week on a houseboat and somewhat befuddled by the constant rocking of my home and the lack of clinging, heavy scents emanating from the bathroom. And did you know I can't just put on my swimsuit, open the door, and jump into eighty-five degree F. water? What's up with that?

Thanks for all the congrats on the Al's Book Club pick! I come back to even more news. Publisher's Weekly gave rapunzel's revenge a starred review (they star the standout titles), and the lovely Robin Brande let me know that book of a thousand days appears on Oprah's Book Club Kid's List. Wow. I'm living a charmed life. I was able to send off the latest draft of forest born (Bayern 4) to my editor last Friday and have high hopes to get it done by fall '09, now that it's finally behaving for me. Good book! Do you want a treat? Do you? You are such a good book, yes you are, yes you are...

Now mark your calendars on August 23 for the book event of the year! (Unless you managed to get tickets to one of the Breaking Dawn concert/book events, then we're too jealous to talk to you anyway, unless you're really nice then we'll still be your friends, especially if you make us brownies, but really our friendship isn't dependent on the brownies, but it'd be a nice gesture anyhow...)

Here's the schkoop:

August 23, 2008 -- The King's English will host a fun-filled afternoon, celebrating our fantastic local authors, organized in honor of the launch of Shannon and Dean Hale's new graphic novel Rapunzel's Revenge, illustrated by Nathan Hale. Saturday, August 23, 2008 1:00 p.m. at the Anderson Foothill Library, 1135 South 2100 East, Salt Lake City, Utah. Authors talk at 1 pm, followed by book signing, live bluegrass band, games and activities, all free and open to the public. Authors include: Shannon & Dean Hale, Nathan Hale, Ann Cannon, James Dashner, Jessica Day George, Mette Ivie Harrison, Kimberly Heuston, and Sara Zarr.

Comments

[Anidori-Isilee]

Yay for the starred review! I can't wait to read RR! And yay for B1000 appearing on Oprah's Book Club Kid's List. And double yay for FB possibly coming out in fall 09!

And that event sounds awesome. :-)

[Janssen]

I am a grad student at the iSchool (library and information studies) at the University of Texas, Austin and I work with one of my professors on the Notable Children's booklist for the ALA. The publishers sent in Rapunzel's Revenge a few weeks ago and both my husband and I read it and loved it. I hope it gets put on the list - I'll put in my two cents for it :)

It's really really a fine book.

[Heather]

Have you been to Powell? If so, you deserve it, and I hope you had a fabulous time. I have to say, I actually teared up a little at the Oprah's list comment. I LOVED Book of a Thousand Days, and I'm so happy to see it getting some much deserved attention. I am also very glad that FB is being a good book! Lucky me who can't wait until fall '09!

[kirsten]

hey, that sounds like fun - my daughter picked out Rapunzel's Revenge at the bookstore on Thursday - she read it 3 consecutive times that day! I finally got a chance to read it yesterday- fun stuff!

[Evelyn]

That's great! Hey is Forest Born from Finn's point of view? Just wondering!

[Leanna]

I can't wait to see you and all the other authors at the event! Congrats on B1000 and the Oprah Book Club Kid's list!

[Rosalee LuAnn]

Ah! Over the past few years there have been all sorts of things at the Kings English bookstore I've wanted to go to, which is within reasonable driving distance from home, but they're ALWAYS when I have other important plans. Gah. Stop doing this to me!

Actually, I MIGHT be able to make it to this one... but it would be a bit of a stretch. I'll try :)

[Miss Erin]

You're so famous, Shannon!!! I'm so happy for all your mahvelous success. :D

[Christen]

Why do you live in Utah... Noooo... And why is the event on the day when I start college... :( ;)

[Gretchen]

Holla on all the awards!
Anyhow, I've never been able to attend a book release party, but I think I'll be able to make this one! Yay!

[cuileann]

Dang it. Shan-fan since pre-PA days and I STILL don't live in Salt Lake. :P

[Ruby]

I got my copy of Rapunzel's Revenge in the mail on Thursday!
I love it! I took it to school on Friday (yes, we are already in school) and showed it to our librarian. She wrote it on her list of books to buy for the library! Congratulations to all of the Hales.
By the way, I haven't seen it mentioned that there was a fourth Hale in on this project, Melinda Hale is credited with the balloons and lettering, which was no small task. Just a guess, but would that be Nathan's wife?

[Elizabeth]

Oh! So much good news! Congratulations!!!!!!!!

I wish I could go to your booksigning, but I live too far away. Couldn't you come to the East Coast every once in awhile? Preferably Wilmington, DE or Washington DC?

Oh well, CONGRATS on everything!

[Enna Isilee]

Gah! My family planned a vacation that weekend and I just can't back out... again. Though I had a reasonable excuse the first time we rescheduled it. I don't think my parents would let it fly with this excuse.

"I really do want to go (I really do) but you see... there's this release party..."

[Calliope1of9]

You should go on Oprah. And bring Dean. I would loooove to watch Dean talking to Oprah on her show. That would make my life complete. http://www.squeetus.com/stage/mince_10sugs.html

[Dr. Sallie N. Cheinsteen]

Heck yes! Huzzah for books! Huzzah for Shannon! Huzzah for awards! Isn't that a funny word? I am so happy! Can't even imagine how you must feel! I really hope I can go to this event and meet you. Oh, I really do. Really do.
Really do.

[Annie]

Oh my gosh, that's wonderful! Everything, that's all wonderful!

Yes I'm sure Forest Born is a WONDERFUL book :)

I would love to see that house-boat. I love boats. The problem would be my books - where to keep them (not much space), and things like that.

Congratulations, Shannon!

[Provence]

Hello Shannon,
How are you ?
I am entering 6 th grade!
And I just finished the book of a thousands day ! I really liked it!
I also read princess academy !
( It was my favorite book ! )

Bye !

[Olivia T.]

Squee! How thrilling to hear about Rapunzel's and Dashti's successes, and that Rin is finally behaving herself! :)
I am SO excited for you! Congratulations!

[Rachael]

My book group at church is reading B1000 for our discussion this week. It is going to be stellar, I can feel it. Congrats on the O list, Shannon.

[Ellenboro]

Congratulations a plenty on your starred review! I still haven't got a copy of Rapunzel's Revenge but my little 10 year old neighbor does and she'll wake up tomorrow to find that it has gone missing. Mwaha ha ha ha! >=]

Actually, she's going to the beach and her mum let me borrow it so she'll forget the book for a second and pay attention to the sun, sand, and sea. And she's already read it three times.

And, Shannon, I only wish I could go to the most spectacular event of the year. (I've not gone to any of the Breaking Dawn concert events. Nor do I live near any.) And, for that matter, I also do not live near Utah. Therefore, on August 23, my mum shall find me in my room sitting on my bed in fetal position murmuring like the little dude off of Lord of the Rings. Those of you who will attend, have fun.

[Paige]

Congrats Shannon!!!! You guys deserve it!!
wish i could drive from denver to celebrate with you but i spent all my money on a trip to LA for the BD signing...but the brownies are in the oven i swear! i still want to be your friend!!
I just can't believe that you didn't get to go to one of the events! your name was in the book because she loves you! you totally should have been given tickets just for being an awesome friend to her.

[Elizabeth Watson]

NO! A book signing/party with Rapunzel's Revenge (which I absloutly love!!) this Saturday, and I don't fly out to Utah until Wednesday?!? How unfair... Bother, I shall just have sit on the couch with my copy of the book, some tissues and choclate and imagine all the fun going on without me... *sigh* Any chance you could change the date? ;) No? Well, do have a ton of fun, any lucky people who are going! :)

[Enna-girl's girl]

Congrats all around for everything!
I dunno if this has already been asked and answered (or asked and ignored), but which character is Forest Born based on? A new one we don't know, or an old one?