20-Feb-2008
Hi folks,
It’s deep winter here in Vermont. I’ve often said that if I lived in a warmer climate, I’d never get books written. Nothing like ice storms and sub-zero temperatures to leave you trapped inside, no excuses. So winters are a productive time for me, but I thought I’d come up for air for a minute to give a little update.
The big news is that HarperCollins made an offer on my next two novels, and I was thrilled to accept. I’m so excited that I will continue working with my editor, Jeanette Perez, and the rest of the oh-so-fabulous Harper team.
Now I’ve just got to write the books! The working title of the first is Dismantled, and the tentative release date is May 2009. The premise: A terrible crime returns to haunt old college friends who once formed a group called the Compassionate Dismantlers, believing that things (and perhaps, people) must be taken literally apart to truly understand them.
I had a wonderful time at the ALA winter meeting in Philadelphia where I met librarians from all over the country, and signed advance copies of Island of Lost Girls, which is coming out in April from Harper. I got my first blurb, from Keith Donohue, bestselling author of The Stolen Child: "Island of Lost Girls is an unsettling account of the secret lives of children, told in unexpected twists and turns, as if Alice had fallen down the wrong rabbit hole and lost her childhood. McMahon never flinches, but her readers will at every dark secret." I loved The Stolen Child, so his praise means a lot to me.
My Tiki Girl, my young adult debut from Dutton, is being released this May – it’s going to be a busy summer! I’ve recently posted excerpts from both Tiki and Island on my web site, if you’d like a sneak peek.
As usual, thanks for all the support and happy winter!
Jennifer
