Antony John » News

Busy times

Antony — Fri, 27 Aug 2010 21:42:50 +0000

Only 75 days to go until Five Flavors of Dumb is officially released, and things are moving fast!

For a start, the Dumb tour will now incorporate stops all across Missouri, Chicago, and Seattle. I’ll post details as soon as they’re sorted out.

But that’s not all . . .

Today I mailed my editor (the extraordinarily talented Liz Waniewski) the first draft of my next novel, entitled The Hallelujah Book Tour. I know, I know, Dumb hasn’t even come out yet, but that’s how publishing works. Hallelujah (as we refer to it) is already scheduled for a spring 2012 release, believe it or not. Anyway, in my opinion it’s funny and chaotic and touching, and I hope Liz (and everyone else, eventually) will like it!

So now I can get on with yet another new project, which is so top secret I can’t even talk about it here. At least . . . not yet.

This jacket rocks!

Antony — Sat, 12 Jun 2010 14:04:54 +0000

So a few weeks ago I met Lauren Myracle at a signing. As a fan, it seemed natural to give her an advanced copy of DUMB. Not that I was sure she’d have time to read it, mind you, but it was pretty cool to think that one day she might.

Well, she did . . . and then some! In fact, she gave a blurb for the cover: “No glittery teen novel here, thank heavens. Five Flavors of Dumb is raw, fresh, funny, and authentic. Piper is my hero.” I’d comment on this if there was anything to add, but really, how do you top that?

What’s more, Kristin Smith, cover designer extraordinaire, has finalized the jacket. And because it is 100% certifiably awesome, I’ve decided to show the whole thing:

I know, I know. Normally authors just reproduce the cover, because that’s what everyone cares about the most, right? (And maybe because that’s all that’ll fit onto a blog without spilling over the edges!) But IMHO, this whole jacket is about as close to perfect as you can get. And I can totally get away with saying that because I had nothing to do with it. Seriously. That author bio? Written by the good folks at Penguin HQ (and more to-the-point than I can ever be). That flap copy? Not a word of it was written by me (but believe me, I wish I’d come up with a summary half as enticing). And Kristin’s cover? Oh, man, that cover . . .

I’ve been noticing several bloggers including DUMB on their “Waiting for Wednesday” posts (where YA fans discuss the releases they’re most looking forward to), and at this point, I think 99% of that has to do with the cover. Don’t believe me? Look here, and here, and here. When the comments say things like “how cool is that cover?” and “the cover looks more like a movie poster than a book cover” and “the cover of the book is gorgeous, I love her boots and sunglasses” well, any self-respecting author should admit that it might have rather more to do with the cover than the contents.

So far, anyway!

DUMB love

Antony — Sat, 08 May 2010 00:05:52 +0000

Made-of-awesome author/agent Mandy Hubbard read an advanced copy of FIVE FLAVORS OF DUMB and very kindly wrote about it:

“I read FIVE FLAVORS OF DUMB by Antony John this week:

And OMG: AWESOME. I didnt expect it to be so emotional! Holy crap, I got choked up like, every other chapter. Yet not in a depressing way at all– in that hopeful, rooting for a character you love kind of way. I’ll review it in full when it hits shelves this fall.”

My only question is: how did she find time to read it while fielding offers for her clients’ novels, writing her own (she’s under contract for, like, 287 novels herself), and bracing for the launch of YOU WISH on August 5th? Seriously, I’m completely in awe.

I guess I’m placing too much emphasis on sleep these days.

A funny thing . . .

Antony — Mon, 19 Apr 2010 20:52:25 +0000

I’m a bit slow on the uptake here, but fellow Upstart Crow author Jody Sparks declared BUSTED her funniest book of 2009. It’s the first award I’ve won. I don’t even have an acceptance speech ready.

It’s great to hear that people find BUSTED so funny. Humor is a tricky thing in books–a combination of context, timing, and characterization that either works, or doesn’t. Unfortunately, it’s not always possible to know how people are going to respond until they’re actually reading it. Thanks, Jody, for the vote of confidence!

By the way, Jody’s blog is awesome, so go read it!

DUMB update

Antony — Mon, 01 Jun 2009 03:06:31 +0000

Yes, indeed, writing really is the most ridiculously gratifying career. In what other job can you justify taking time off to read biographies of Kurt Cobain and Jimi Hendrix, or obsessively (re)watch YouTube footage of the aforementioned artists (pre-suicide/overdose, of course)?

All of which is to say that things are going well on the book front . . . I finished the first draft of Five Flavors of Dumb (to be released by Dial Press in 2010) earlier this year, and got wonderful feedback from my awesome editor, Liz Waniewski. Seriously, there’s nothing better than getting that first revision letter and realizing (a) your editor loves your book, and (b) has precisely the same vision for it as you.

Anyhoo, the second draft has now been finished as well, and I can already confidently declare that this novel is everything I hoped it would be. In fact, it’s MORE than I hoped it would be: about 15000 words more, in fact. But that’s what editing is all about, right?

Coming soon to a bookstore near you

Antony — Wed, 17 Sep 2008 15:47:49 +0000

I always figured that if I were fortunate enough to have a book published, I’d try to schedule lots of author events. I like meeting anyone who’s the slightest bit creative, and I like sharing stories of what makes me tick, so book signings seemed a natural fit. Well, I’m pleased to say I’ve got events aplenty, starting on October 11 (which was the earliest I was allowed to begin scheduling). So if you’re in Missouri or Seattle (or anywhere close) in October, please read on!

OCT 11, ST LOUIS, MO: On Saturday October 11 from 3.30-4.15pm, I’ll be introducing Catherine Gilbert Murdock (yes, the author of DAIRY QUEEN. Yes, I know, it’s amazing and I’m honored. Yes, I’m nervous as hell) at The Big Read Festival (www.bigread.net). I’ll even sign copies of Busted if I can stop my hand from shaking. Address: Clayton High School Campus, Clayton MO 63105

OCT 16, ST LOUIS, MO: On Thursday 16th at 7pm I’ll be doing my first solo signing (with a talk and questions) at the renowned Left Bank Books at 399 N Euclid, St Louis MO 63108 (314-367-6731). Come watch me hyperventilate!

OCT 18, ROLLA, MO: On Saturday 18th from 1-3pm I’ll be chatting with and signing books for the good shoppers at The Reader’s Corner at 819 N Pine St, Rolla MO 65401 (573-426-4434). I’m hoping to use the time to talk to anyone who comes by about any aspect of writing and publishing that interests them, so please come meet me.

OCT 25, ST CHARLES, MO: On Saturday 25th from 1-3pm I’ll be hanging out at Main Street Books on 307 S Main St, St Charles MO 63301 (636-949-0105). Like at Rolla, I really intend to just hang out, sign books, and meet readers, so please come along.

OCT 30, SEATTLE, WA: On Thursday 30th at 7pm, I’ll be returning to my old stomping grounds at the University Village Barnes and Noble for a talk, questions, and signing. I can’t wait to see old friends again, so let’s hope they show up! The address is: Barnes & Noble, University Village Shopping Center, Seattle WA 98105 (206-517-4107).