Final copies of The Art of Scandal are here! They’re impossibly beautiful, and I’ve cried three times already. No video, but buckle up for a big, long emotional post about how I’m feeling four weeks from release day.
Many of you have been following this book since it was showcased in Pitch Wars. (Denise and Charish, thank you for being my lone manuscript request. I couldn’t have asked for better mentors). If you were watching closely, you might have noticed how quickly things progressed from that point. I received my first offer of representation three days after the showcase from an agent who immediately understood who I was as a writer, where this book fits in the market, and how to ease constant anxiety that I’m doing publishing wrong. (Sharon, we both know I’d be a mess without you) A few months later, we sold Scandal to my dream editor, someone who not only loved the book but saw its potential for more: More romance, more backstory, and more family. She spotlighted themes I’d approached tentatively in the original draft and encouraged me to put more of my voice on the page. (Seema, I am eternally grateful to you. You truly have a gift; the book world is better because you’re in it.)
All of that to say, this book started as a whirlwind, then became a marathon, and now it feels like a sprint to August 1st. But I’ve been writing most of my life and I never really thought this could be a possibility for me, that enough people would love this book that it would end up in stores and on bookshelves. I’ve always been a writer. Now I can call myself an author. Thank you so much to everyone who has had a hand in bringing this book out in the world. And thank you so much to every current and future reader. My fourteen-year-old book-loving heart is lining those pages, which makes you a bit part of a dream that’s been decades in the making.
It’s hard to believe we’re only one month away from The Art of Scandal being out in the world! June was so hectic that the month went by without me sending an update, but I promise I will make up for it in the coming weeks. Starting with exciting news you may have seen already, I’m so pumped that I have to share it here. Not only is The Art of Scandal included in the Summer Steamy Lit Box, but it will also have a beautiful special edition cover. I’ve seen an early sketch, and it’s stunning. Definitely (appropriate for the book) a work of art. You can preorder the summer box now and receive it in late August.
I’ll share more news about the special edition as it becomes available.
In addition to my book being a Steamy Lit Box pick, I’ll be attending Steamy Lit Con in August, and I hope to see you there! If you are attending and would like to preorder a copy of The Art of Scandal, you can preorder through The Meet Cute Bookshop by July 17th to pick up your book at the event.
I have a lot more to share about upcoming events. Looking forward to sharing the complete schedule with you soon!
In case you missed it, The Art of Scandal received a second starred review from Library Journal and a wonderful review from Shelf Awareness. It was also listed as a Must-Read Romance Book of the Summer by Paste Magazine.
And if you can’t wait until August 1st for a peek at the first few chapters, you can read them now using Amazon’s Look Inside feature!
There’s also a Goodreads Giveaway until July 23rd!
That’s it for now. More news is coming soon about preorder goodies (save those receipts), covers, art, and exciting new book news that I can’t wait to share with everyone.
Just discovered your work on the Threads app. Should be interesting seeing how writers use it.