It is an amazing experience to see characters you made up outside of your head for the first time.  And Brian has done an incredible job bringing the critters of McKenna School to life–I can’t wait to share them with the rest of the world!

And they’ve said some nice things about my book.

Richard Peck, author of at least a million books (most recently, SECRETS AT SEA), winner of the Newbery Medal for A YEAR DOWN YONDER, and one of my favorite authors when I was in junior high (for the Blossom Culp series!), was gracious enough to read and say,

“It’s my kind of yarn when a classroom pet nibbles on a social studies textbook but finds it too dry.  And when an owl is unnerved by its food talking back.  Malcolm, the somewhat conflicted hero of this piece, is indeed a rat of valor and merit.  So is his story.”

                       

And Kathryn Erskine, National Book Award winner for MOCKINGBIRD and genius author extraordinaire of other books like THE ABSOLUTE VALUE OF MIKE, said,

“Malcolm at Midnight has all the valor and adventure of The Tale of Despereaux with the wit and antics of Frindle that will keep kids both laughing and mesmerized.  It’s everything a young reader wants — mystery, cliff hangers, a fast pace, engaging characters, and a satisfying story.  And there are even footnotes (yes, footnotes!) that add to the humor.  Three cheers for the fresh and funny Malcolm!”

These quotes will be on the front and back covers. Woo!

The next day, I asked him what was his favorite part of the wedding, and guess what it was?

Yep.

“Being the ring bearer.”

“See?” I said. “Sometimes the things that “terrify” you are the things that are the most rewarding.”

Which made me pause. As I’ve mentioned, Youngest and I are a lot alike socially. I tend to duck out of things if the spotlight gets too near me. And lately, I’ve been thinking a lot about how I’m going to promote my first novel, MALCOLM AT MIDNIGHT. The whole idea of it makes me squirm. But I do think what I told Youngest is true. So I’m going to try to get through being “terrified,” so that I don’t end up feeling regretful–which, I didn’t share with Youngest, but I know from experience, is how you feel when you don’t stretch yourself to try something that you know you should have.

A longer post to come on my thoughts on book promotion.

The revision letter and marked-up manuscript is here for MALCOLM AT MIDNIGHT! And it’s not too bad. In fact, I think I can do this!

I’ve been waiting for a package from my editor all week, so when I took E to baseball practice at 5 last night and saw it leaning on the doorstep, I squealed a little. E rolled his eyes at me as only an almost-seventh grader can do. “Hey!” I said in my defense, “You aren’t quite old enough to know what it’s like to work really hard on something and want it for years and then have it finally come true. But I hope someday you do.”

Because it feels really, really good.