I have to say that this is an incredible time in publishing for creative pursuits. I know there are many who are predicting doom for publishing and the printed book, but I think things are simply going to change (and for the better!) because people will have more options and choices. For instance, even five years ago, I would not have known about, nor had access to the types of resources that have allowed me to put JAZZ out into the world. I am releasing it under my own imprint, Ignite Books, and I worked with a very enthusiastic and supportive former Greenwillow/Harper Collins editor to get the book in the best shape it could possibly be. The result is a fun, funny story with elements of romance and a little bit of intensity thrown in. YAYYYY!!!!!
Here is the blurb from the back of the book:
"Jasbir, a.k.a. Jazz, has always been a stellar student and an obedient, albeit wise-cracking, daughter. Everything has gone along just fine--she has good friends in the "genius" program she's been in since kindergarten, her teachers and principal adore her, and her parents dote on her. But now, in her junior year of high school, her mother hears that Jazz was seen hugging a boy on the street and goes ballistic. Mom immediately implements the Guided Dating Plan, which includes setting up blind dates with "suitable," pre-screened Indian candidates. The boy her mother sets her up with, however, is not at all what anyone expects; and the new boy at school, the very UNsuitable hottie, is the one who sets Jazz's blood boiling. When Jazz makes a few out-of-the-ordinary decisions, everything explodes, and she realizes she'll need a lot more than her genius education to get out of the huge mess she's in. Can Jazz find a way to follow her own heart, and still stay in the good graces of her parents?"
The official release is slated for January. If you'd like a review copy, please leave a comment below, or email me, and I'll do my best to get one out to you as soon as I can!
19 comments:
Huzzah! Congratulations!!!
Yay!!!! Beautiful cover!! Congratulations!
Congratulations! I would love to review this! If that is possible, please let me know and I'll send you my address.
nbmars AT yahoo DOT com
WOO HOO! Gawjus! Congrats!
Thanks, everyone!! Yayyy!!!!
Wpw, congratulations. I really loved Shine, Coconut Moon. I'd love to have a review copy, sorakainomori at gmail dot com.
Congratulations! Sounds awesome.
I love this cover. Knowing your next book is coming out very soon, makes me very happy.
So thank you for doing what you had to do, to get it to your fans.
I'd love to review it (bakerjodie at googlemail dot com).
Thanks, Sarah!
Doret: that was the reason I decided to go ahead with this - my readers. You all are the reason I write!
For those of you who've expressed interest in reviewing the book, I will follow up with you via the email addresses you've left. Thank you so much for your interest!
Congratulations! Also, I'm curious, since you said you're publishing under your own imprint. Do you mean that you're working as an editor and starting a new imprint at an existing publishing house? This may be a really stupid question, but I don't know much about how imprints work, and your statement struck me, because it made me think about the music industry and whether there are any parallels in publishing. So many artists now release music under their own labels, some of which are pretty busy indie labels also producing the work of other artists, and others which are only technically incorporated "businesses" that basically act as an umbrella under which the artist just worked hard, bought studio time, etc. I think both are legitimate, but I don't know if the distinction exists in publishing as well. Thoughts? Also, I lurk a lot, so hi, and I love your blog. Can't wait to read your book.
@ mclicious: Thank you! And thanks for de-lurking :). It's funny, but all of my music industry friends totally "get" what I'm doing. Independent music and film are such accepted culture-shapers, while publishing has been much slower in moving into the independent sphere.
I'm doing both of what you describe above; I'm putting out my own work under my own "label" - in this case, "imprint" - and I also am working toward helping others produce high quality work and publish independently. Haven't announced that yet because I'm still working out the kinks, but I am SUPER excited about the changes taking place in publishing. More options for writers!! What could be better? *smile*
Oh, sorry - just re-read your comment. No, I am not working as an editor at an existing house. This is all independent. :)
Aha! Well, very cool then. If you ever have the time and interest once you're moer established, I think it would be very interesting to see how one starts their own imprint. It seems fairly easy these days to start a lit mag, especially if it's online, but starting an imprint seems so much more unattainable. Go you!
GORGEOUS cover! I'd most definitely love to review it. I adored SHINE, COCONUT MOON!
harmonybookreviews[at]yahoo[dot]com
I'd love a review copy, too! I'll drop you an e-mail with my info. And the cover looks great--congratulations. What an exciting development (and what an intriguing process to get there!).
-Sarah
Congratulations -- somehow we missed this before. Your own imprint!!! Boy, do we all have QUESTIONS for you!
I just got my copy and the book looks great! I love what I'm reading so far and look forward to reviewing it. And I'm also interested in learning more about your imprint, because I see writers' collectives as an alternative to the current direction of the publishing industry. It's a lot easier now than it was even 5 years ago, not to mention 20 when I tried to start a publishing imprint.
@ Lyn - yes, we have to talk!
@ Tanita - I'm happy to answer questions! But it sounds far grander than it is, I think. Especially since, as Lyn notes, things are WAY easier now than they've ever been for authors to connect with editors and alternative methods of getting their work into the hands of readers. It's an exciting time and I'm looking forward to working with some wonderful authors and editors!!
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