WALLFLOWER made the short list for the Bram Stoker award!

January 23, 2019 in booook stuff

Welp, it’s finally happened. One of my books is almost maybe being considered for an incredibly prestigious award. Possibly.

Seriously, I cannot begin to tell you how swimmy my head gets when I see my book listed alongside powerhouses in the horror genre (especially my agency sister Courtney Alameda!).

This is enough. Truly. But if I could go to the awards in a blood-red tux and sit among the masters who make the world’s skin crawl, well . . . that’d be something else.

Sigh. Now, we wait.

From The Vampire’s Coffin (1958)—featured in WALLFLOWER

For those of you voting on which books will officially be nominated, I am more than happy to send you a PDF (that will implode after February 23rd). Or, if you’re stuck in the past like our hero Phoebe Lane, my publisher will send you a physical copy. (I would take them up on that. They’re bee-yootiful.)

Just please, Daniel Framsky, don’t turn the television off before the nominees are announced.

Behind the Scenes of ATTACK OF THE 50 FOOT WALLFLOWER

December 17, 2018 in booook stuff

Before I say goodbye to Phoebe for a while, here are some behind-the-scenes photos and snapshots from our lovely launch at The King’s English.

(I mixed in some professional reviews too.)

Note: pictures taken by the multi-talented Shawn Saunders and Hannah Leigh Garrett.

Second note: The ant’s name is Ulysses S. Ant.

“Entertaining, sardonic, and covers themes of teenage confidence, independence, friendship, and justice.” -School Library Journal

“Phoebe makes a delightful narrator, having just the right amount of sass and befuddlement, which only increases as she realizes that she may in fact be transforming into a Shiver herself . . . There's a touch of existential contemplation—it's hard to avoid when you've called up the image of a man in the heavens—making this a satisfying mix of mild adolescent angst and creature feature comedy.” —BCCB (starred review)

"This book is wild, weird, hilarious, heartfelt, imaginative, and inventive. The spirit of Kurt Vonnegut is alive and well in its pages." -Jeff Zentner (award-winning author of The Serpent King)

“Phoebe is a plucky, snarky heroine, and her fantastic adventure will entertain teens . . . A fluffy romp with heart and action.” —Kirkus Reviews

“This high-concept meta-narrative works on multiple levels, from its good-natured ribbing of common tropes (like “the gay girl always dies”) to its commentary on female agency, but, more importantly, it’s frightfully fun.” —Booklist (starred review)

Thank you, everyone, for everything.

Goodnight, Phoebe.

Find ATTACK OF THE 50 FOOT WALLFLOWER on:

ATTACK OF THE 50 FOOT WALLFLOWER (soundtrack)

September 11, 2018 in booook stuff

Every movie needs a kickass soundtrack.

Here's ATTACK OF THE 50 FOOT WALLFLOWER'S.

Because the story simultaneously takes place in 1958 and 2018, I took the liberty of jumping back and forth between the timelines. So not only do we have Little Richard, Doris Day, Buddy Holly, and The Chantels, but also The Flaming Lips, Julia Holter, Perfume Genius, and Holly Herndon.

Tracklist:

Each song is preceded by a description of the scene it’s scoring. Beware light spoilers.

1. OPENING CREDITS

Frontispice, for 5 Hands by Maurice Ravel

2. AH, PENNYBROOKE

Everyday by Buddy Holly

3. MA, WHERE ARE YOU?

Vacuum by Pharmakon

4. FIRST DAY AT FREEMAN

Maybe by The Chantels

5. GRAY ROCK

Twilight Time by The Platters

6. THE BURIED LAB

Chorus by Holly Herndon

7. KATIE AND THE ANTS

If I Knew Your Were Comin by Eileen Barton

8. THE DRESS FITS

So Lillies (Live at RAK) by Julia Holter

9. GATHERING GAZES LIKE LAUNDRY STATIC

Rebel Rouser by Duane Eddy

10. HAL v. SHELLEY

I Am Who I Am by The Books

11. WHAT’S DADDY LOOKING AT?

The Supine by Andrew Bird

12. REVEREND MARSH

Concerning the UFO Sighting . . . by Sufjan Stevens

13. THE HAM RADIO CRACKLES

Keep a Knockin' by Little Richard

14. ENOUGH FOOD TO FEED A WRESTLING TEAM

Call Me by Johnny Mathis

15. MONTAGE

A Guy Is a Guy by Doris Day

16. I’D RUN TOO

Have You Heard? by Joni James

17. CALVIN AT THE CARNIVAL

The Gash by The Flaming Lips

18. TALES OF THE UNSPEAKABLE

Dark Parts by Perfume Genius

19. RHODA'S GOT SOME MATCHES

Burn the Witch by Radiohead

20. PHOEBE GETS A HAIRCUT

When I Grow Up by First Aid Kit

21. THE BUNKER

Folk Lonely by mr. Gnome

22. LIKE A PEZ DISPENSER

Star Stealers by mr. Gnome

23. BYE, BYE BETH

Goddess Eyes II by Julia Holter

24. THAT'S THE SCOUT

Attack of the 50 Foot Woman by Ronald Stein

25. PHOEBE BATTLES THE GRAY ANTS

Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots by The Flaming Lips

26. THE CHANNEL CHANGES

Orphaned by Max Tundra

27. MA

Mercury by Sufjan Stevens

28. THE CURTAIN RISES

The Wayward Wind by Gogi Grant

Rest well, Phoebe. See you soon.

SAY YES TO THE GIANTESS (Attack of the 50 Foot Wallflower sneak peek)

August 31, 2018 in booook stuff

Thoughts I had while watching this video:

I look tired.
That's cool. I'll bet, like, only 17 people watch this anyway.
Did I pronounce Sam Bosma correctly? OH NO! I DIDN'T PRONOUNCE FRANCESCO'S NAME CORRECTLY, THAT'S FOR SURE. Ugh. Now he gets one huge favor from me, to be collected whenever he sees fit.
I hope my inability to come up with actual adjectives for the lovely people who worked on this book doesn't reflect on my writing ability . . . or their loveliness.

Jeff Zentner's book is called Rayne and Delilah's Midnight Matinee (I was so close!), and you can preorder it here. It also has a purple cover and involves scary movies. Yesssssss.

Thanks again to John Cusick, Christian Trimmer, Liz Kossner, Krista Vossen, Sam Bosma, and FranCESco Francavilla. You all have my heart.