My fifteenth novel for kids is out in the world!
Wonderful Fan Art
The opening lines of Footer Davis Probably Is Crazy read, “The day my mother exploded a copperhead snake with an elephant gun, I decided I was genetically destined to become a felon or a big-game hunter. That was good, since I had tried being a ballerina, poet, artist, and musician, and I sucked at all of those.”
This was actually very true in my life, both the snake-shooting (my mom really did this), and the fact that I spent a good part of my first 8 years of life trying to find something–ANYTHING–I was good at doing. I wanted to be creative and artistic. The problem was, I was awful at just about everything I tried.
I’ve always been so amazed and impressed by people who can draw, and today, I got some sketches from a young fan who gave Footer and Peavine and Angel life on art paper, and captured Footer’s attitude, too. I added some background and art credit, and got her permission (and her mom’s) to show the world.
So completely fun! Thank you, Annie. Keep reading–and keep drawing!
The Amazing Edgar Awards
On Tuesday this week I embarked on a gigantic adventure thanks to the Mystery Writers of America and Sylvie Frank (my editor), Paula Wiseman, and her amazing team at Simon & Schuster‘s Paula Wiseman Books. Footer Davis Probably Is Crazy was nominated for an Edgar award in the Juvenile category, along with amazing books by Avi, Matthew Baker, Lauren Oliver, and Kevin Sands (a fellow Simon and Schuster author).
First up–getting from Hopkinsville, Kentucky to New York City. I’ll try to let you journey with me!
MWA and S & S treated us *so well*. We began the awards week with a visit 
and signing at the incredible Mysterious Bookshop in Tribeca–which is, quite literally, wall to wall mystery books, complete with ladders on rails and the best ever atmosphere.
The next day, we had a great panel discussion about writing mysteries/darker themes for children and young adults, moderated by Lyndsay Faye. We moved on to Books Of Wonder for another panel event, with all of the Juvenile and Young Adult nominees. That bookshop was a magical children’s place, complete with signed rare books from the authors who wrote the very text of my own childhood.
The next day, S & S Kids gave us a festive, lovely reception to celebrate!
Then it was time to get ready for the big event itself (thank you Blooming Nails for healing my chipped, cracked mess of a manicure in record time). Everyone looked SO good, dressed up in their best!
(Yes that’s a raven on a skull on my tunic, because THIS IS THE EDGARS!)
The awards ceremony was larger than life, and fun, and electric, with so much talent packed into one room!
Then the presentation for my category came…
O.M.G.
I think if I hadn’t seen everyone at the table staring at me and bouncing and clapping, I would have kept sitting there in disbelief.
Winning the Edgar is a highlight of my career, and I want to give many thanks to MWA, my agent Erin Murphy, my editor Sylvie, and to everyone at S & S Kids/Paula Wiseman books for making it possible.
Footer Makes the Bank Street List!
Happy to announce that Footer Davis Probably Is Crazy made the Bank Street Best Children’s Books list, in the 9-12 section!
COVER REVEAL: THINGS TOO HUGE TO FIX BY SAYING SORRY by Susan Vaught
In writing Things Too Huge to Fix by Saying Sorry, my narrator Dani was easy to create. Her voice rang in my mind as soon as I imagined her (she is still making comments, by the way, even as I pen …
Source: COVER REVEAL: THINGS TOO HUGE TO FIX BY SAYING SORRY by Susan Vaught
Head on over to Nerdy Book Club to read the whole article!
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