SLJ review, other thoughts, other things
This is a quick post mostly to say that Charm & Strange received a lovely review from the School Library Journal, for which I am very grateful. The review will be in the upcoming issue. It reads:
Gr 8 Up–The dark and twisted heart of this YA novel unfolds slowly, every chapter revealing a hint of the terrible secret that holds Andrew Winston Winters deep in its painful grip. The narrative toggles between the present, as Win, a surly Vermont boarding-school student (chapters titled “matter”), and flashbacks to his past as Drew, the middle child between his sensitive older … read the rest
Chicago bound: ALA and a few launch party photos
Next week is the ALA national conference and I am excited to be heading to Chicago for it. I’ve been absolutely humbled by how supportive the library community has been of my dark little book. It makes me teary to think about and I am so grateful to have the opportunity to attend the conference and meet so many wonderful book-loving folks in person. I will be there from Thursday to Sunday, and I will be part of a panel of Friday morning and then I will be signing Charm & Strange Friday evening in the exhibit hall.
Panel: 11:00 … read the restBooklist review, a few event photos, and a reminder about Mrs. Dalloway's...
Charm & Strange has been out now for a few days and I am so overwhelmed from the kind words and messages I’ve received from readers who’ve connected with Win’s story. It’s very special.
I also found out that the book got a wonderful review from the ALA Booklist journal! It was in their June 1st issue and will also be in the June 15th issue. It reads:
[gn_quote style=”2″]Debut author Kuehn comes out swinging with this confident, unnerving look at a damaged teen struggling with something violent inside of him. The book alternates two time frames. In the first, … read the rest
Pub day reflections
Last December, in the grim, sorrowful days after Sandy Hook, I spent a week furiously reviewing pass pages (this is the final post-copyedit manuscript review) and doing what I could to make Charm & Strange the best book that I was capable of writing. When it came time to send the manuscript back to my editor, I took a moment to internally say goodbye to the story. It was a bittersweet moment, because I knew I would never work on the story again. It was finished. Forever.
Today, almost six months later, that finished book is being sent … read the rest