A Dream Years in the Making (and the Moment It Became Real)

It’s a Dream Come True!
I was in the middle of teaching when my watch buzzed and I saw the flash across the screen of the email. It was first offer on the book I had spent months (years!) working on. I temporarily forgot what I was in the middle saying, and tried to pull my mind back to class. This was the moment. The moment I had spent the last almost two decades working towards.

And the day wasn’t over yet.

Black Holes, Grief, and Silver Linings

I started writing Something Bright and Beautiful back in 2023, and it was the amalgamation of many different interests and experiences. I had fixated on a line from the novel The Chaos of Standing Still by Jessica Brody, that was something along the lines of silver linings were everything (sorry if I got the quote wrong.) And I couldn’t get that idea out of my head.

Then, tragedy struck. A friend of mine lost a child in a horrible accident. It was absolutely devastating. The worst thing a parent could ever experience. I had been reading a lot about astronomy and black holes at the time, and it struck me that a black hole was a metaphor for loss like that. For grief like that. It rips you apart.

Then one day, on a run, the idea kind of slammed into me. (I get a lot of ideas on runs.) I had this idea of a girl ripped apart by the death of her brother and finding the silver lining. It was one of the moments that grips you so strongly that I knew I had to write the book.

It took about 12-18 months of hard work, early mornings, and late nights until I was ready for querying. I’ve shared plenty about my querying journey and I how knew this book was different. I still faced plenty of rejection, but ultimately landed my agent.

Then, everything just took off.

Buzzy in Bologna

My agent, Sara, and I worked liked crazy on revisions to get the book ready for submission in time for the Bologna Book Fair. The goal was to create buzz and excitement for Something Bright and Beautiful. I had no idea what to expect going in, and honestly I didn’t expect much. But thanks to Sara and her co-agents, the result was unbelievable. We sold the book in Italy and Germany BEFORE we had sold it in the US. Crazy!

Auction in America

Back in my home turf, I fully expected to wait. In everything I’ve read, interviews I’ve listened to about the submission process, it takes a long time. But, once again, my expectations were totally exceeded. There was interest. A lot of interest. I spoke to several really wonderful editors. ( And was totally nervous the entire time, and very grateful for Sara being there.) Multiple houses were interested, and eventually the book went to auction. (😱)

I went with Feiwel and Friends, and I’m absolutely thrilled! (If you’ve followed this blog since the beginning, you know I’m a Marissa Meyer fan–F&F are her publisher!) It’s scheduled for release in April, 2027.

You can read the whole announcement here! I’m still pinching myself.

About the Book (a teaser!)

Sixteen-year-old Ellie has been in mourning for the last year since her twin brother, Jack, died in a car accident. Ellie barely eats or sleeps, her grades have plummeted. The only thing that brings her solace is running under the stars – the same constellations she once studied with her brother.

Then, on a midnight run, she collides with a mysterious boy she’s never seen before but is inexplicably drawn to. Homeschooled most of his life due to illness, Tom is finally healthy and experiencing the wide-open world for the first time. Ellie isn’t looking for boyfriend. She isn’t even looking for a friend. But she can’t help but feel like the cosmos are pulling them together. . . until a stunning discovery throws Ellie’s entire universe into chaos.

Thank You!

It has been such a wild whirlwind these past couple of months and my head is spinning! But I want to thank you all for following along for the journey. You have seen the years and years of writing and rejections, and been with me the entire time. Thank you, truly! And enormous thank you to my agent Sara, and to Lora, Annelise, overseas, and Liz Szabla, editor extraordinaire! Also, a massive thanks to Amy Shaw and Rachel Lawrence for their feedback and encouragement.

And most of all to my Heavenly Father for his abundant blessings.

What’s Next?

Stay up-to-date and get the latest on all things SBAB–cover reveals, preorders, etc!—and future books news! Sign up below and I’ll send you the playlist for Something Bright and Beautiful!

You can also follow me on Instagram. I post about writing, books, being awkward, and coffee. All my favorite things. it’s a good time and a good way to connect with me!

“It would not be much of a universe if if wasn’t home to the people we love.”

Stephen Hawking

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