10.22.2007

HarperCollins Spring 2008 Preview

It’s that time of year! Publisher events galore! Autumn is like Christmas for us book loving people! I went to the HarperCollins Spring 2008 preview last Wednesday, and I just RSVP’d for an event with Shaun Tan and a party to celebrate the 20th anniversary of Redwall. And I have nothing to wear to any of them. And I believe I’m one of the few librarians who actually worries about such things. Don’t believe me? Check out the fashion at an ALA conference. I rest my case.

So…the HarperCollins preview. First off, it was the first publisher event I’ve been to since I started this job where I felt completely comfortable. I don’t feel like the new person anymore who knows no one or nothing. Instead, I got to single-cheek-kiss Michael Santangelo and have Kate McClelland tell me how beautiful I am (*blush*). I got to congratulate Patty Rosati on her new baby and talk about the cover of Melissa Marr’s next book with Anne Hoppe. Needless to say, I exhaled a huge sigh of relief.

So what goodies did I see? So many, soooooo many. This is going to be a long post.

1. The next Septimus Heap book, Queste. Unfortunately, I don’t have a cover but, nevertheless, this is going to make lots of kids (and librarians) happy come April 2008.

2. Roscoe Riley Rules, a new intermediate series by Katherine Applegate, promoted as “Junie B. Jones for boys”. We’re always in need of more “boy books” so I’m thrilled with this one. (June 2008)

3. You’re a Bad Man, Mr. Gum! by Andy Stanton, described by Michael Stearns as Monty Python-esque. I don’t know if that’ll help its kid appeal, but I know I’m excited for it! Check out the link for an excerpt. (March 2008)

4. A new picture book by Neil Gaiman, illustrated by Gris Grimly: The Dangerous Alphabet. Unlike Wolves in the Walls, the editor says this will be a “true picture book”, in that it will actually be appropriate for the younger crowd. (May 2008)

5. Erin Hunter is also coming out with a new series: Seekers. The first book is The Quest Begins. It’ll be huge, of course. (June 2008)

6. I got goosebumps over the cover of the sequel to The Secret History of Tom Trueheart by Ian Beck: Tom Trueheart and the Land of Dark Stories. The plot sounds awesome – lots of strong female characters, per the editor – and the cover is super dark and foreboding. Chills! (June 2008)

7. Kevin Henkes has a new novel coming out: Bird Lake Moon. I don’t have a pic of the cover for you, but I thought it was a bit too subdued. Nevertheless, I expect greatness inside. (May 2008)
8. I got really excited about a debut author, Jody Feldman, and her book The Gollywhopper Games, which was described as “Encyclopedia Brown goes to Charlie’s chocolate factory.” Ooooh, intriguing! I have the galley and can't wait to read it. (February 2008)

9. The pièce de resistance! Fancy Nancy: Bonjour Butterfly! I’m such a Fancy Nancy geek and this one does not disappoint. It’s trés magnifique! That’s a fancy way of saying it’s wonderful. (February 2008)

10. And I’m just at the tip of the iceberg! I didn’t talk about Gail Carson Levine’s Ever, the Kanns’ Purplicious (sequel to Pinkalicious), Not a Stick by Antoinette Portis, or Laurence Yep’s Dragon’s Child. Not to mention an adorable picture book called Woolbur by Leslie Helakoski and illustrated by Lee Harper. Keep your eyes open because you will no doubt see Woolbur with face-out placement on B&N’s ubiquitous wall o’ picture books.

Phew! I’m exhausted. I still didn’t tell you about everything, but I think this is enough for now.

Note: A big thank you to HarperCollins for all these links and photos!

9 comments:

Erin said...

Gail Carson Levine has a new book coming out!!??!

Unknown said...

Yes! The editor said it was more "complex" than Fairest, stating that it was the natural progression from Ella to Fairest to Ever. The cover, which isn't available online yet, is very similar in mood to the cover of Fairest.

stormywriting said...

I'm a new reader... did you just get a job at HC?

Unknown said...

LOL! No, not working for HC and never have. I don't artificially hype anyone's books - I'm just naturally enthusiastic, it's my thing.

But it must be said, too, that I don't go about burning any bridges either - you won't read me ripping books up here. If I didn't think a book was all that special, I just don't talk about.

I see you're a Wicked Lovely fan, Stormy. Just WAIT until you see the cover of Ink Exchange. I didn't think it was possible, but it's actually more stunning than Wicked Lovely's stellar cover.

Amy Fiske said...

I'm soooo jealous of all your event-hopping. Location, location, location.

Hey, we're in the same project group for emerging leaders! How cool is that?!

Erin said...

YAY for 'Ever'. Can't wait!!!!!

Barrie said...

Hi Laura! How great to see you mentioned our fellow classmember's book on your blog. We're all excited about Jody's book and the 27 others that are in our debut class. Come visit our website at http://www.classof2k8.com/. It'll be up and running in a few weeks.
~Barrie Summy, 2K8 Class Secretary

stormywriting said...

"I see you're a Wicked Lovely fan, Stormy. Just WAIT until you see the cover of Ink Exchange. I didn't think it was possible, but it's actually more stunning than Wicked Lovely's stellar cover."

This is a bit after the fact, but, um, WOW on the cover. I have this dangerous urge to run off to a Kinkos or Proex and make a poster of the Ink Exchange cover.

Anonymous said...
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.