Hello friends,

Thank you so much for helping me to celebrate the release of Wicked Marigold this past week! I was thrilled to see many of you at the virtual launch party, and I absolutely loved answering your questions, especially the super-smart ones from the young readers in the audience. I hope you had a good time, too! And I hope that if you’re able to get your hands on a copy of Wicked Marigold, either from your favorite bookstore or at the library, it’ll bring you lots of joy and laughter.

Special thanks to author Nick Courage for being in conversation with me and asking the most delightful and surprising questions, and to the Penguin Bookshop for hosting this event. I hope that you’ll check out Nick’s wonderful books for kids, and that you’ll visit the Penguin or order your next great read from their online store!

A quick roundup of Marigold media

• I wrote an essay for Literary Hub about the healing benefits of reading—and writing—books that feel like a escape from our everyday lives.

• I also wrote an essay for School Library Journal’s Teen Librarian Toolbox about why I love fairy tales, why I love complicating them, and how I try to play with the familiar structures of old-fashioned stories to bring modern ideas to readers.

• Young Adult Books Central had me over for an interview this week! Be sure to scroll to the bottom of the page, where my wonderful publisher, Candlewick Press, is hosting a giveaway of five copies of Wicked Marigold (US only).

• I had a lot of fun chatting with writer Shannon Balloon on her Middle Grade Matters podcast. Find the episode on Shannon’s site or wherever you get your podcasts.

Where I’ll be in July and August

I’ll be staying close to home in western Pennsylvania for the rest of the summer, but if you’re in the area, too, I’ll hope to see you at one of these events! (If you’re in the rest of the country, world, or universe, I do hope to visit you, too, and plans are in the works for travels farther afield.)

• Saturday, July 20 (tomorrow!): Signing Wicked Marigold at the Penguin Bookshop, Sewickley, PA from 12:00-1:00 pm. More information here.

• Saturday, July 27: Author talk at Grove City Community Library, Grove City, PA at 1:00 pm. More information here.

• Friday, August 23: Pizza party and in-person book launch for Wicked Marigold at Riverstone Books Squirrel Hill, Pittsburgh, PA from 5:30-7:00 pm. In conversation with middle grade author Jonathan Auxier. RSVP here—tickets are free!

Signed books?

If you want a signed copy of Wicked Marigold or any of my other books but can’t come to one of my events, you can order a copy from Riverstone Books and make a note in the comment area about how you’d like it signed. I’ll also be visiting other bookstores in the Pittsburgh area to sign stock and drop off bookmarks, so local readers, keep your eyes peeled!

Once you’ve read Wicked Marigold, I’d love to hear what you and your young readers think! Feel free to get in touch any time. Until then, happy reading!

Caroline