I'm a reviewer and I'd like to have an ARC (Advance Reader Copy) of your new book. How do I get one?
Contact Bantam Dell publicity. See my Contact page. They handle the distribution of ARCs, as well as review copies of my other books.
How do I schedule you for a book signing, conference, appearance or speaking engagement?
All requests must go through Bantam Dell publicity, please. Requests sent to me personally via my web address, Facebook or MySpace often mistakenly get overlooked.
Will you speak to my book club by phone?
Because of my writing schedule, I'm not currently doing any club phone chats. But please check out the Book Club page for bookplates and printable extras to share with your group.
Will you ever write a Garden Spells sequel?
I love that readers ask this question. I had no idea people would care so much about these characters, enough to want to see their stories continued. There is a possibility of a Garden Spells sequel (or maybe a prequel) in the future. It might take a while. My next few books are either being written or are already in the pipeline.
Will there ever be a Garden Spells movie?
Garden Spells has been optioned for film and a script is being written, possibly for a TV movie. That's all I know right now, but I'll certainly keep you updated!
Are the dishes Claire creates in Garden Spells real? If so, where can I find them? I've had a lot of people ask, so I've compiled some recipes of real dishes made with edible flowers mentioned in Garden Spells here [Recipes].
Where can I find more about edible flowers and their properties?
My research began with medicinal and folkloric uses of edible flowers...of course, I ended up on a crazy, fictional tangent and I took great liberties with the magical flowers in Garden Spells... but a wonderful starting point is Botanical.com, which gives histories and medicinal uses for plants, herbs and flowers. There's even a link for recipes.
What is Bantam Discovery?
It's a great new program at Bantam Dell that simultaneously releases a book in both trade paperback and mass market paperback. Beginning April 29, 2008, Garden Spells will be available in both paperback formats, as well as hardcover.
Is The Sugar Queen a part of Bantam Discovery?
No. The Sugar Queen is available in hardcover and trade paperback only. At the moment, there are no plans for a mass market format.
I've never heard of some of the candy mentioned in The Sugar Queen. How do I find out more?
Click on the Candy page. There's an image of every sweet in the book.
Why was the release date of your third book, The Girl Who Chased the Moon, changed?
My publisher and I needed some time to put more kapow behind the book. It happens a lot in publishing, and I know it's frustrating, but to help with the wait, I'll be posting some The Girl Who Chased the Moon excerpts and related contests on my website. Stay tuned!
Your new book is titled The Girl Who Chased the Moon, but I remember seeing it listed as Festival of the Naked Lady? Why is that?
When I first started writing the book, I called it Festival of the Naked Lady. That title began to appear in pre-pub news before the change. But the book is officially titled The Girl Who Chased the Moon, which I love.
What's next for you?
I'm now working on my fourth book, a novel of superstition, romance and, interestingly enough, peaches. It will be released in 2011.
When are your next appearances? Will you be coming to my city?
I try to keep an updated list of signings and appearances on my News page. If you'd like me to come to your city, let your local bookstores know!
How long did it take for you to get published? Can you give me advice on writing a book?
I graduated from college in 1994, and that’s when I started writing seriously. I sold a few small things along the way, but Garden Spells didn’t sell until 2006. That’s twelve years writing as close to full-time as I could manage, folks. Twelve long years. This is what I know: There's no shortcut. There's no secret handshake. You sit down, you write. YOU FINISH IT. You revise and make it the best you can make it. You do your research on where to submit and you submit it. Then you start writing something new. It's all about the rinse and repeat.
Will you read my manuscript/partial/pages?
For legal reasons, I only read work that comes through an official channel. If you have an upcoming book you'd like me to read for a possible quote, please have your agent or editor contact my agent or editor.
When are your books going to be translated/published in my country?
Unfortunately, I don't have any control over which countries buy rights to my work. And if a foreign publisher buys rights to Garden Spells, but not The Sugar Queen, there's nothing I can do to make them! That's where the reader comes in. Tell your bookstores. Tell the publisher. If you click on the Tidbits link on The Sugar Queen and Garden Spells pages, you'll find which countries have bought rights/published my books so far.
Why haven't you answered my e-mail?
The sheer volume of e-mail I receive has made it impossible for me to answer it all. If you have questions, be sure to check all the FAQs, as well as the extras around the site. Chances are, you might find what you're looking for. I do read everything sent to me, and thank you so much for writing. To all my readers, my heart is yours.
