Our friend the Morris Award, flanked by Apollo, Athena, the frog, and the ‘mander.

So as most of you have probably already heard, Seraphina received the Morris Award for best YA debut novel yesterday. I feel so fortunate that I got to be there in person and hear it announced. I got to meet this year’s Morris committee, shake hands, have pictures taken (including one where we all wore fake moustaches! Librarians are sillier than is commonly supposed), and just feel so very loved and encouraged all around. I managed to give my speech without falling off the stage, and they gave me a standing ovation.

I have never had a standing ovation before in my life, and I was a pretty good belly-dancer back in the day.

Anyway, it was wonderful. I got to see a whole bunch of Random House people I met last spring, meet a few I missed when I was there, and meet the new publisher, Barbara Marcus, who’s been the energy and impetus behind the new edition of Seraphina that’s coming out (maybe sooner than expected! I’ll get a date for you). She was so kind and encouraging, and she reminded me of Hannah, my boss at Children’s Book World, which was great. I’m feeling all excited to get back to work now!

Hello, darlings! This afternoon I will be travelling to Seattle, Land of Librarians, to be present for the ALA Youth Media Awards announcement tomorrow morning, and to give a little Speech of Gratitude with the other Morris nominees a couple hours after that. I’m the only Morris nominee who will be there in person, I understand, which is too bad because I would have liked to meet the others. Ah well, another time.

Anyone interested in watching the award announcement live, here’s the link. The link to the link, really, not the webcast itself. The presentation is at 8am PST, and I’ll be up for it, win or lose, rain or shine.

Given that it’s Seattle, rain is quite likely.

Apparently there’s a tradition of previous Morris Award winners interviewing the new nominees. I feel honoured to have been interviewed by the winner of the very first Morris Award, and fellow fantasy writer, the incomparable Elizabeth C. Bunce. It’s up at her blog. Go read and enjoy!

Also! Next week (1/28) is Rachel Hartman week at Lytherus.com! It’s mentioned down toward the bottom of this article about Christopher Paolini week (this week). Super exciting!

Hello darlings! I know you all miss me terribly when I don’t report in very often, but it’s actually a good sign. It means I’m working very hard on the sequel – and we all want that, right?

While I’m occupied elsewhere, of course, news keeps accumulating. I have a few items of interest for you.

• Random House is so excited about Seraphina that they’re going to be re-issuing the hardcover on February 26th! This is a huge vote of confidence and I am flattered and honoured that they’re lavishing this kind of attention on me. This edition will feature bonus material compiled especially for the re-release, along with a new cover. Those of you who love the original cover, fear not: that beautiful woodcut still features, but enhanced and re-envisioned in the spirit of celebration. I can’t say more. We shall reveal it closer to the date.
• The Morris Award winner will be announced at ALA Midwinter in Seattle on January 28th. I’m driving down and will be giving a little speech (won or lose! rain or shine!) along with the other nominees, who will be appearing on video. I think I’m the only one in close driving distance. Any librarian friends or fans in attendance, though, I’d love to meet you and say hi!
• The Morris Award speeches – text and video – will be available online at the YALSA site. I’ll let you know when those go up.
• Also, in conjunction with my nomination, I will be doing a couple interviews over the next few weeks. Watch this space for more information on those!

Annnnd… is that all? Probably. I could tell you how much I have left to revise on the sequel, but that might make you sad. Let it simply be said: I’m having FUN again, writing. I fell off that pony cart for a while, I admit, but I’m back, it’s good, and heck it’s nearly spring, right? OK, in Vancouver spring is virtually identical to winter, except the days get longer and there are flowers, but still. Longer days. I’ll take that.

Today is the release of the UK paperback edition of Seraphina! It’s a bit confusing, I realize, because I believe the original UK edition was available in both hardcover and paperback. But this edition is from Corgi Press, and has a different cover, the North American cover art without the border and with a new font.

Here’s how you celebrate in corgi language, as per the inimitable Pam Bliss: Yark! Yark!

And here’s a lovely review of the new paperback at Bookwitch.

Three cheers: Yark! Yark! Yark!

Seraphina has been short-listed for the 2012 Cybil Award (YA SF/F category). What a wonderful honour, and lovely news to wake up to on the first day of the new year!

I’ve also seen Seraphina mentioned on a lot of year-end best-of-2012 lists, on a lot of blogs, all over the internets. More than I can keep track of or link to, alas, because I’d love to give you each a hug individually and say THANK YOU. This book has done as well as it has because of you – yes YOU! – and all your love and support. I really appreciate it.

And now, as ever: to work!