writing

this is a pre-BEA post.

First, the very basic facts:

 

Yes, I am going to be at Book Expo America next week.

I will be signing ARCs of THE NIGHT CIRCUS at 3pm on Wednesday the 25th at Random House booth #4420.

 

Now you know, and I will return to normal, not-bolded font.

I will be in NYC all week, at BEA on both Tuesday & Wednesday. I have various intimidating things on my schedule like video interviews and cocktail parties and I am trying not to get too terribly nervous about them. If I think too hard about all this, my head starts to hurt, so I am kind of coasting on nervous/excited and attempting to be zen.

I was going to take pictures of kittens in suitcases to go with this post, but I haven’t actually gotten around to properly packing yet. There may be bonus kittens in suitcases over the weekend.

By erin, ago

circusy things

A roundup of circus-related news & such for a rather grey Monday:

 

THE NIGHT CIRCUS received a starred review from Kirkus. *star-shaped confetti*

THE NIGHT CIRCUS was chosen to be one of the six (6!) books presented on the Book Expo America Editors Buzz Panel. Which is absolutely marvelous, particularly because my editor has a lovely speaking voice.

Note how it is on the adult panel, not the YA one. THE NIGHT CIRCUS is not YA, despite the fact that I am still seeing it mentioned as YA around the internets. It has adults who are young in it. It also has adults who are old and adults whose age is difficult to discern and the story itself covers about thirty years worth of time. The book itself is not YA. It is adult or general or whatever not-YA is called these days.

Also, I saw this once and figured it was just a random, possibly autocorrect-influenced mistake and now I’ve seen it three times so it’s clarification time: THE NIGHT CIRCUS is about magicians* not musicians. I don’t know where that started, or why it’s perpetuating, but no. Not musicians. Magicians.

And I am told from reliable, inside sources that there are circusy things going on at the London Book Fair even as I type.

Oh, and I gave the circus its own website page, I will be gradually adding more info and such over there.

I think that’s it for the moment, but I am certain there will be more to come.

 

*not even the best term for them, really, but there isn’t a better one.

By erin, ago

night circus cover

I’m on a train surrounded by fog & trees. I’ve had an adventurous couple of days which I will describe in detail later, but for now, in case you haven’t seen it elsewhere in the wilds of the internet, this is the cover for THE NIGHT CIRCUS:

 

I said when I first saw a concept version it that it is nothing I ever would have pictured but I utterly adore it and this polished version is even lovelier. The art is by Helen Musselwhite, an amazing artist who works in hand cut paper. (I am in love with her floating island domes.)

And paper art is truly appropriate for the book.

By erin, ago

early night circus, uk version

I always expect Saturdays to be boring mail days but sometimes they surprise me.

Look what just arrived:

 

Bound proof of THE NIGHT CIRCUS from my wonderful UK publisher, Harvill Secker. They call them bound proofs, which is nice & easy & doesn’t involve wondering what ARC stands for, precisely.

The cover makes me swoon:

It’s an abbreviated version of the opening lines & the stars are shiny. And they’re all stars but the fancy camera had to go and blur most of them. That’s okay, it looks dramatic this way.

And this is the back:

By erin, ago