Marilyn's Monster Book Party TODAY, April 18!

Can't wait for today's MARILYN'S MONSTER PARTY at WORD Brooklyn! Marilyn's Monster is my new picture book, illustrated by the amazing Matt Phelan. It looks like this:

And do you know what else will be at the party? CUPCAKES. Also, MONSTERS!

So if you're in the NYC area, I hope you'll come by! Hear a story, get a signed book if you like, eat some cupcakes, color and do fun kid-friendly activities, and take home a free mini-monster of your very own! My other books will also be available for signing if you want to stock up! :)

Exciting Things!

SO MANY exciting things to tell you! In mostly reverse chronological order, here are a bunch of them:

1. First, the most time-sensitive: I'll be reading/talking/signing with an AMAZING lineup of other YA authors at the NYC Teen Author Festival event at McNally Jackson Books tonight at 7pm! More info here at the NYCTAF website. I'll also be signing books tomorrow from 2:30–3:00pm as part of the No-Foolin' Mega Signing at Books of Wonder!

2. Second, my new picture book Marilyn's Monster is finally out and about, and Matt Phelan and I had a wonderful launch party for it at Children's Book World in Haverford, PA! If you missed the party, don't be sad! You can still come to my Marilyn's Monster party at WORD in Brooklyn on April 18!

3. Now that the whirlwind of new-book-coming-out stuff is calming down (a little), I can take a breath and tell you the super exciting news that Evil Librarian won the 2015 Sid Fleischman Award for Humor! I was completely blown away by this and still haven't quite recovered. I'm so honored and can't wait to officially accept the award at the SCBWI Annual Conference in Los Angeles this August! You can see more about the award and the full list of Golden Kite award winners and honorees at the SCBWI website.

4. The UK edition of Evil Librarian comes out on April 2! I received my lovely advance copy in the mail just the other day. >:)

5. Evil Librarian is on the 2015-16 master list for the Green Mountain Book Award! Vermont students will be reading and voting on the nominated books over the coming year to choose a winner (to be announced next May).

6. I'm very happy to share that I've joined the Writing for Young People MFA faculty at Lesley University! I'll be teaching starting this June, and am super excited to be working with such a talented group of fellow writers, including the also-just-starting-in-June Jason Reynolds!!

It's Pub Day for Marilyn's Monster!

Know what is super exciting? When a book you've been working on for a long time is finally released into the world. And today is the day that happens for my new picture book Marilyn's Monster! It has beautiful, beautiful illustrations by the amazing and wonderful Matt Phelan. Here is the cover so you can begin to see what I mean:

And here is what reviews have been saying so far:

"Rich with feeling, it’s a warm, gently funny reminder to chase down one’s dreams, rather than waiting for them to appear on the doorstep." —Publishers Weekly (Starred Review)

"A surprising spin on monsters with nicely effective artwork—and heart." —Kirkus

"Knudsen’s charming story is a great fit for Phelan’s gentle watercolor-and-pencil illustrations. With just a few lines and brushstrokes, he depicts the wide range of Marilyn’s emotions, from wary hopefulness to sullen grumpiness to, finally, utter joy. The whimsical, friendly monsters are equally expressive, and their supernatural antics in the background will tickle funny bones. Little ones feeling lonely or worried about making friends will be empowered by Marilyn’s determined, take-charge attitude." —Booklist

"Knudsen’s brilliantly simple narrative and Phelan’s whimsical pencil and watercolor drawings speak to the universal need for belonging and the anxiety born of impatience ... Every one of Phelan’s monsters is wonderfully weird, and readers will have fun noting similarities between them and their human friends." —School Library Journal

"A charmer ... Ms. Knudsen has packed a surprising amount of relatable emotion into this story of humility and derring-do." —Wall Street Journal

Also, it is a Junior Library Guild selection!

You can read and/or download a fun Q&A with Matt and me on the Candlewick Press website. 

And you can see some of Matt's early sketches for the book on his blog.

Finally, see yesterday's post for how you can get a signed copy! It's too late to pre-order (now that the book is out, you'll just be, you know, regular ordering, but that is also good!) but you can still order a signed/personalized copy from Word Brooklyn, and/or you can come to the launch party at Children's Book World on March 14 to meet Matt and me and have cake and stuff!

LAST CHANCE TO PRE-ORDER MARILYN'S MONSTER!

Hey, look, it's my blog! I had sort of misplaced it for a while. But thankfully I'm back just in time to tell you that TONIGHT IS YOUR LAST CHANCE TO PRE-ORDER MY NEW BOOK BECAUSE IT COMES OUT ***TOMORROW***!!!

What book, you ask? I will tell you! It's my new picture book MARILYN'S MONSTER, illustrated by the incomparable Matt Phelan! Look at the beautiful cover! But then keep reading for important info below.

1. You can pre-order a signed copy NOW from WORD in Brooklyn, NY. If you pre-order by March 9, they'll send the book out to you on or just after release day (or if you live nearby, you can stop in and pick it up). Place your order here, and be sure to specify either the name of the person(s) to whom you'd like the book inscribed or "signature only" in the comments field.

2. If you live near Haverford, PA, you can come to the MARILYN'S MONSTER LAUNCH PARTY! The wonderful Children's Book World is throwing us a celebration, and Matt and I would love for you to come. Signed books, fun activities, and CAKE! Here is the info:

Saturday, March 14th, 1:00pm
Matt Phelan & Michelle Knudsen
Launch Party for Marilyn’s Monster
17 Haverford Station Rd., Haverford, PA 19041
610.642.6274

You can, of course, order the book from anywhere you like, but you can only get signed books in the ways listed above. And even if you don't want a signed book, I still encourage you to support independent bookstores! You probably have an awesome indie bookstore right there in your very own town. And if not, pick one in some other town and they will ship books out to you. 

Evil Librarian Blog Tour Day 3!

Today on the blog tour I'm over at books4yourkids.com, answering Tanya's really great interview questions!

Also a reminder for anyone in the NYC area that tomorrow is the official launch party for Evil Librarian! It's at WORD in Greenpoint Brooklyn, staring at 7pm. You can see all the info here. (RSVP encouraged but not required — you can totally decide to just come by at the last minute! There will be SO MUCH FOOD AND DRINKS and also many delicious mini cupcakes.)

EVIL LIBRARIAN IS COMING

Less than three weeks until my new book (and debut YA novel) EVIL LIBRARIAN is set free to roam the Earth! I could not be more excited. Here is some news about the release and pre-ordering and the PARTY that will be happening in Brooklyn very soon!

But first, please look at how awesome the full jacket design is:

The designer is Matt Roeser, because I am the luckiest girl in the world.

OK so here is important information you need to know about this book:

1. The release date is September 9, 2014.

2. You can pre-order RIGHT NOW, and I hope that you will. Pre-ordering is THE most important thing you can do to help an author's book. Among other things, pre-orders get rolled into the first week's sales figures, which can help get a book onto a best-seller list. It also signals to the stores that there's a demand for the book, which might encourage them to order more copies for the store, which will help it to stand out on the shelves and be discovered by new people, and so on. (Two good posts that explain the importance of pre-orders really well are these by Kevin Hearne and Brian McClellan, if you would like to know more.)

3. You can pre-order from anywhere you like, but if you pre-order from WORD in Brooklyn, I can sign it for you! Then you can either pick it up at the store (at the party or any other time on or after 9/9/14), or have it shipped to you wherever you are. You can order from WORD here; just put a note in the comments field saying whom you would like the book signed to (e.g., "For Sue and Linda" or "Happy birthday, Joe") or say "just signature" if you want it signed but not personalized.

4. WHAT'S THAT ABOUT A PARTY? I'll be celebrating the book's release with some of my very favorite book people at WORD on Friday, September 12, at 7:00pm, and you are invited! See the handy launch party invite on Facebook for all the details. RSVPs encouraged, but not required.

5. The book has been getting some great reviews, which makes me really happy. Here are some particularly nice little snippets, plus the very kind words from Stephenie Meyer (you know, she wrote those Twilight books you may have heard of) that appear on the back cover, in case you can't see them clearly in the picture above. :)

[A] self-aware supernatural dramedy... The writing is clever, the tone wry, and the stakes high, with surprises that keep the plot unpredictable. Cyn’s internal monologue provides plenty of amusement, especially when her hormones threaten to overpower her common sense. It’s an entertaining tale with room for future installments.
— Publishers Weekly

Snappily narrated, tightly plotted and generally just right. Forget paranormal romance; this horror-humor-romance pastiche is where those in search of hot nonhumans should set their sights.
— Kirkus Reviews

"If Louise Rennison and Christopher Moore had a bibliographic love child it would be this cheekily narrated supernatural offering."
— School Library Journal

Hysterical! Smart and funny, with a little drama, a little romance, and just the right touch of evil.
— Stephenie Meyer, author of the bestselling Twilight Saga

Brooklyn Book Festival!

I'll be signing BIG MEAN MIKE at the Brooklyn Book Festival this Sunday, September 23, from 2-3pm. Come find me at WORD's booth (#151), get a signed book, and say hello!

Come to my party!

The official launch party for my new picture book, Big Mean Mike, is happening this Saturday, September 15! And you should come, because there will be books and snacks and cupcakes and mini monster trucks and other fun things. Here are all the deets:

Who: YOU and all your friends and your kids and your friends' kids (and your kids' friends, and their parents and cousins and aunts and uncles and grandparents)


What: BIG MEAN MIKE launch party and reading and book signing

When: Saturday, September 15, 4:00 to 6:00 p.m.

Where: WORD in Greenpoint, Brooklyn

Why: Because it will be a good time, and you will be supporting an awesome independent bookstore, (and also, you know, me), and you will hear a fun story, and you can even get some early holiday shopping done, because hey, who doesn't like a signed, personalized book? NO ONE. That's who.

I'll be reading the story around 4:30 p.m., and all the rest of the time there will food and drinks and fun things like coloring activities for the young people and the young-at-heart people and anyone else who likes to color.

Facebook RSVP encouraged, but not required. Did I mention CUPCAKES AND MINI MONSTER TRUCKS?

Also, bunny pens.

You know you want to come.

So, yay! I can't wait to see you there! :)

BIG MEAN MIKE!

Hooray! It's pub day for my new picture book Big Mean Mike!

I'm so excited for this story to be out in the world at last. And so grateful to illustrator Scott Magoon for his absolutely perfect amazing wonderful fabulous artwork! I would try to describe it here for you, but there is no way I could do it justice. You must see it. MUST. Because Mike is awesome. And the bunnies. OMG THE BUNNIES. That is all I will say at this time.

I'll be having a book party for Big Mean Mike next month, on September 15, at WORD in Brooklyn. I would love to see as many people there as possible! More details to come. For now, please help me celebrate the official release with good thoughts and best wishes for Mike and his friends. Purchases of multiple copies of the book from your local independent bookstore are also a great way to celebrate! ;)

BIG MEAN MIKE pre-order drive and book party!

For a limited time only, pre-order a signed, personalized copy of my new picture book, BIG MEAN MIKE!

Between now and August 7, you can pre-order my new book from WORD in Brooklyn, and I will sign it, and they will either:

• send it to you the week of the book’s release on August 14!

or

• hold it for you to pick up in person at the BIG MEAN MIKE BOOK PARTY on September 15!

Some important things:

1. You only have about a week to place your order! Only orders received by August 7 will be able to be signed and personalized in time for mailing.
2. If you want the book personalized (e.g., “For Margaret” or “Happy birthday, Uncle Len!”), just let us know in the comments field when you order.
3. If you’d like to pick up your pre-ordered copy in person at the BIG MEAN MIKE BOOK PARTY on September 15 instead of having it shipped to you the week of August 14, please mention that in the comments field, too.
4. Feel free to order some of my other books at the same time! :)

Here is a handy link for ordering:  http://www.wordbrooklyn.com/michelle-knudsen

More information on the book party to come soon, but I can tell you that it will be at WORD in Greenpoint, Brooklyn on Saturday, September 15, from 4–6pm, and also that it will be very fun and if you live in the NYC area, you should come! Children are welcome and encouraged. Some of my other books (Library Lion, Argus, The Dragon of Trelian, The Princess of Trelian) will also be available for purchase/signing at the party.

Stay tuned for more info. In the meantime, feel free to post questions below or email me through my website.

Get a signed copy of THE PRINCESS OF TRELIAN! (And, if you hurry, a free copy of The Dragon of Trelian, too!)

Pre-order THE PRINCESS OF TRELIAN from WORD bookstore on or before April 6 and you'll receive a signed, personalized copy the week of the official book release (April 10). Just let them know when you order (see link below for details) whether you want the book personalized (i.e., signed to someone in particular) or just signed and dated. Then, when the books arrive, I will zip over to the store and sign your book before they mail it out to you.

PLUS! The first 10 people to pre-order THE PRINCESS OF TRELIAN starting Tuesday, March 6, will get a free trade paperback edition of The Dragon of Trelian to go with it!

Here is the link: www.wordbrooklyn.com/michelle-knudsen

Special thanks to the ever-awesome WORD bookstore and my also-ever-awesome publisher Candlewick Press for setting up this promotion. I'm looking forward to signing books for everyone who pre-orders, and I'm extra excited that 10 of you will get FREE COPIES of the first book! If you haven't already read book 1, this is your chance to get both books at once. And if you have already read the first one, this is your chance to give it to some nice friend of yours who you think will like it, too! :)

Special PRINCESS OF TRELIAN pre-order promotion!

Starting this Tuesday, for a limited time, pre-order THE PRINCESS OF TRELIAN and get a free copy of The Dragon of Trelian!

The ever-awesome WORD bookstore will give a free trade paperback edition of the first Trelian novel, The Dragon of Trelian, to the first 10 people who pre-order book 2, THE PRINCESS OF TRELIAN, starting this Tuesday, March 6! I'll post the pre-order link here and on my website late tomorrow night.

Special thanks to my also-ever-awesome publisher, Candlewick Press, for partnering with WORD for this promotion. I'm excited that 10 of you will get free copies of the first book! If you haven't already read book 1, this is your chance to get both books at once. And if you have already read the first one, this is your chance to give it to some nice friend of yours who you think will like it, too!

WORD 3rd Annual Holiday Open House - This Weekend!

Come to WORD in Greenpoint, Brooklyn this weekend for their fabulous holiday open house! Authors will be on hand to make book recommendations (their own and their favorites written by other people) and to gift wrap your purchases for you. Oh and of course, signing books, too! :)


I'll be there tomorrow 12/11 at 3pm, but the fun starts today with Sarah MacLean (The Love By the Numbers series), Michael Showalter (Mr. Funny Pants), and Emma Straub (Other People We Married), Michael Buckley (NERDS, The Sisters Grimm), and Fiona Robinson. You can see the full schedule and author lineup here.