melissa marr

Dear Lovelies,

2011 recap:

It's been a strange and kind of surreal year for me. I ended my first series in February with the release of Darkest Mercy, released my first adult novel (Graveminder) in May, and co-edited my first anthology (Enthralled, Sept 2011) with Kelley Armstrong.

In between those, I co-authored (also with Kelley) my first children's book Loki's Wolves: Blackwell Pages Book 1 and then sold it (Little, Brown; releasing in 2013).

To make life more chaotic, the universe saw fit to throw the film stuff into a little more of a spin-the director of the Wicked Lovely film switched to Mary Harron (of American Psycho fame) and we parted ways with Universal Studio. I got the call with that news the day my plane arrived in Philly (returning from my annual Scottish escape) moments before an earthquake (??). Yes, I was standing in the street outside the airport on the phone with one of my producers answering the "Is this an okay time to talk?" trying to answer without laughter. Of course, the extra amusing part was receiving the renewal check the same week an article in Variety and everywhere else announced that the project was dead. . . The lesson here, my lovelies, is that Hollywood is a weird place OR "don't believe everything you read."

In the personal corners of my universe, my kids and spouse are doing great. We spent part of August in Scotland again, and we are spending quite a bit of time in the mountains. My son is obsessed with both snowboarding and tennis, so we're up here a lot (including right now). I had a bit of extra travel because my daughter was college shopping and because of two releases so close . . . and a trip to Italy for tour & the Bologna Book Fair. I turned several of those into holidays by adding extra days in various places and having family join me--this meant a week in Florence with my spouse. (I so LOVE Italy!) Still, I feel like I had far too many frequent flier miles this year, so I'm planning a stay-home-more year in 2012.

For those who didn't see my gleeful tweets in December: my little girl nailed the SATs, and between that & her awesome achievements to date, she got into her top pick and their Honors College program and a great scholarship. I am so proud of her! (I'll be weeping like crazy when she leaves, but for now, I'm concentrating on her successes.)

The other big news in the personal corner is that, after YEARS of discussion, Loch & I are finally going through the process of adopting. I'm told it could be up to 18 months of waiting for the baby-or as little as a month from now. I'll share the good news when our new son or daughter arrives.

Reader Questions:

Is there or isn't there going to be a Wicked Lovely movie?

We are pretty far along, so it certainly looks a lot more likely than it has any other time since the initial option. That's why the articles were so funny: they were announcing the death of the project even as I was getting good news in it. I've seen the concept art (it's stunning). We have a script, director, producers, and a few other aspects I can't share. My producers continue to say there IS a movie, & to verify that it's not just words, they pay me. Books are optioned, but option doesn't equate to being filmed. There are stages. In other words, I'm tentatively optimistic that there may be a film. We won't actually know if it's filming until the cameras turn on though.

Will there be more Wicked Lovely books?

My publishers have asked the same thing, and right now, my answer is "I doubt it." It could happen, but I'm not planning to write any more right now.

Is there a Graveminder sequel?

Again, I'm not planning one. I have written about a third of one, but I'm not committed to it right now. I've actually written the starts of 2 other adult novels (different worlds) that I haven't finished either. Maybe someday, but that's not where my Muse wants to be right now. I am working on another adult novel, The Ananchronists, that's due to my editor in 2012.

Will you have a book out in 2012?

Yes. I have a new YA novel (Carnival of Souls), a short story collection, and the paperback re-release of Graveminder & Darkest Mercy.

What's Carnival of Souls about? What about arcs? Cover?

I'm not allowed to answer that one yet. They have a schedule. I just write the books. They're in charge of the rest--and honestly, that's just fine. I have THREE publishing teams now: HarperTeen, Harper/WilliamMorrow, and Little,Brown. I can't imagine trying to handle all the tasks they do! Mostly, I write and say thank you to all the amazing people who handle the rest.

. . . also, I am getting superstitious about the presence of a KATE in every endeavour. My adult editor is Kate Nintzel, children's is Kate Sullivan, & one of the heads of HC YA is Kate Jackson. With this many Kates in my corner, I'm feeling like there's some good luck associated with the name. That's my new writing advice: look for a Kate ;).

My 2012 Schedule

• Jan 17-Graveminder trade paper releases. 
• Feb 21-Darkest Mercy paperback AND Faery Tales & Nightmares (my short story collection, about 75% Wicked Lovely stories) 
• April 11-15-RT Booklovers Convention in Chicago. 
• June-I'm at Book Expo America in NYC and (I think) ALA in Anaheim.  There will be copies of Carnival of Souls there with or without me : ) 
• September-Carnival of Souls (my new YA) releases. It is NOT a stand-alone. I meant for it to be, but as it turns out I couldn't fit the whole story in one book. 
• Still September-"Justine and the Smart Chicks," AKA Smart Chicks 3.0 tour  (US & Canada) with Kelley Armstrong & other not-yet-announced authors in not-yet-announced cities. Tour organized in cooperation with Justine Magazine.
  . . . and that's it. I'm home with my family and writing.

NOTE: I will not be doing anything else event-wise in 2012.

 

Melissa