Monday, April 30, 2012

Popular releases tomorrow!

W-O-W--WOW!

I can't believe the *fourteenth* Canterwood Crest book releases on Tuesday! This was a series that started with one book in mind that I wrote in 2009. Ya'll know the story, but I'm feeling nostalgic. I was 19, a senior in college with a full course load and I heard about National Novel Writing Month. It was late October 2006, and NaNo is November 1-30, so I had no ideas, no outline--nothing. I jumped into it and started writing my first ever novel.

Tidbit: It was a YA novel called "High Jumps at Collins Academy" first. :)

I wrote my butt off and actually crossed the 50,000 word mark on or just before November 30. My draft was UGLY. I mean, it was seriously scary! But editing on my own, later edits with my ex-agent and edits from my first editor, Molly, got the book on track. That one book turned into a four book deal and after Molly left S&S (I got the call on my birthday!) I got the greatest gift: High Jumps, now Canterwood Crest, was under the guidance and editorial input of Kate Angelella.

Everything changed after that. Call it two girls clicking over a story. Or maybe it was the beautiful photos. Or the insane, nonstop marketing. Or the schedule of writing a bi-monthly series for a while. All of those things, and more, came into play into getting my series from one book to 20. Those were all important components, but it was, without a doubt, the edits from Editor K that got us to where we are: over 500,000 copies of the series in print.

I am ever so grateful to Kate and Simon & Schuster for embracing a girl with a desperate need for horses in her life, but being unable to do so unless I could write about them. Canterwood allows me to live vicariously through my characters and I couldn't be more immersed in Horse World. Best part? I got to see Kate pet her first horse. Nice coincidence, huh? :)

I'm busy working on MASQUERADE and Kate had her hands full with projects and will soon be editing my book.

I sincerely want to thank all of Team Canterwood for your support. I would NOT be able to live my dream without you. If you could only know how grateful I am!

Let me know if you spot POPULAR! I'm going to be spending release day in Rochester, MN, so I'll sign copies at Barnes & Noble, take pics and let you know where the books are in case you live nearby.

xoxo

31 comments:

αιѕнαн ❤ said...

OMG! =) I discovered Canterwood Crest in 2010---girly, fun, and full of adventure---not like those other teen books and instantly fell in love. I read all of the books at once! I am still Team Jacob---! Now I was Team Taylor...=)
Congrats Jessica on the release of your latest book!

Isabella said...

I can't wait to read Popular.
9 hours seems like forever.

Isabella said...

I dicovered the Canterwood series when i was on Amazon, looking at the wildwood stables series. I found the books at my public library. I became obsessed after reading Take the Reins. I've read every one in the series except Home Sweet Drama because someone who checked it out LOST IT! I'm so mad. Anyway, I heart horses but can't afford to take lessons. (Any suggestions for a way I could get past that obstacle, anyone?) Anyway, I can't wait to read more about Lauren but I do miss Sasha. But I do like how Lauren has more personality than Sasha. She's not just a girly-girl who likes lip gloss. NO OFFENSE. Seriously. I love Sasha. Wow, this comment's really long. Keep writing, Jessica!

Anonymous said...

Congratulations! I cannot believe how Canterwood has grown but you have worked for and deserved every success.
Best wishes for you and Kate!

Anonymous said...

YAY!!! I'm getting it tomorrow after school!!! I'll probablyl never get to concentrate for 6 hours!!!! *sigh*

Dappled Gray Girl said...

WWWWWWWOOOOOOOOOOOOOOWWWWW!!!!! Now it releases in 5 hours - - But I'm not reading it anytime soon because my local library doesn't even have INITIATION yet! <:'(

Anonymous said...

3 HOURS!!!!!!!!!!

Anonymous said...

43 Minutes!!

Connie said...

OMG...cannot wait for Popular!!!! I still like Sasha better, but hey, I've only read two books narrated by Lauren. Maybe I'll grow to like her. I like all the drama in Canterwood, how problems work out but soon create new ones. I live super far from MA, so I can't come get a signed copy. Aww...come sign in CA sometime!!!! Go Canterwood Crest!

Lea said...

Got the book two days early at B&N. It was amazing! I miss Sasha, like everyone else, but I can't wait to read about Canterwood's new era in COMEBACK now!

spider72hr said...

Got POPULAR over the weekend! LOVED IT!!!! Great job - loved the ending. So Awesome!!!!

Anonymous said...

OMG!!!!!!!!!!! I CANT WAIT TO GET POPLULAR TOMMOROW!!!!!!! STUPID LIBRARY IT JUST HAD TO BE CLOSED ON TUESDAYS AHHHHHHH I CANT WAIT ONCE I FINISHED INITATION (I THINK THATS HOW U SPELL IT!) IN JANUARY I WAS SOOO SAD I HAD TO WAIT 4 SIX MONTHS I MISSED LAUREN AND KLOE TOO MUCH ....... BUT NOW ITS HERE YAYYYYYYYYYYYYY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Anonymous said...

I got Popular yesterday, and I've already read it 1 1/2 times already!! I absolutely love it, and I can't wait to read Comeback next when it releases in August!!

MaryKate said...

I absolutely LOVE LOVE LOVE CCA! Jess, you got me into riding and now I am in love with horses and everyone at my stable is soooo nice and I am closer with one of my friends because of riding. I am even going to a horse sleep away camp this summer (It is called Pony Farm at Touchstone Farm in NH)! I went to see a movie at my local movie theater in summer 2011 and they were giving out Take the Reins. I read the whole thing that night and couldn't stop. I feel like I am living through the characters when I read your books! I learned so much about horses and I was so drawn in by how much I relate to Sasha and knew I needed to read the rest of them. Thankfully, my trusty NOOK Color was on hand because I bought the whole series and finished in a week. I waited until midnight when Initiation came out and read the whole thing by 3 AM! I didn't do the same thing when Popular came out (I fell asleep- lame, I know) and when I woke up that morning, IT HADN'T DOWNLOADED!!!!! I was so mad, but waited through the day, almost cried when it STILL wasn't downloaded and called customer service and when it FINALLY downloaded I read the whole thing and LOVED IT! CLIFFHANGER!! I can't wait another minute for Comeback and now I am totally Team Drew and so NOT-Team Riley! I was a team Eric fan I I love Sasha to death!!!! I still like her better than Lauren! CCA all the way! I would so go there if it was real I'm serious, biggest fan ever! Can you tell by how long this post is?! If you want to email me send to marykatemurphy02@gmail.com and check out my video on youtube about Canterwood my name is ihearttartsgirl88! PLEASE SUBSCRIBE!!!! I <3 Canterwood!

Love From Your Biggest Fan,
MaryKate

P.S. I would so skip french too!

Adina said...

OMG YAY POPULAR IS OUT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I would run out and buy it right this second but i dont have any money *sad face*. I'm gonna get it as soon as i got some dinero :)

Kendall said...

I just saw ihearttartsgirl88's video on Canterwood Crest Seiries and loveddddd it!!!!!!!!!! make more please




P.S. now i have stronger stuck in my head!

Isabella said...

Does anyone know a website where I can read some of Popular? I have to wait to read it because my public library doesn't have it. :(

Isabella said...

Yet.

Anonymous said...

I love CC so much (too prove it, i have every book and i read the series at least 3 times...but but book 1, about 6 times) im getting the neaxt book for my birthday in mid-may

Violet and Ruby said...

Hi, Isabella,

Websites aren't allowed to put up POPULAR (or any other book content) for free without the publisher's consent. It's called "piracy" and when people access books (or music, movies, etc) without paying for them, it really, really hurts the publisher, author, chance of the series continuing, etc.

So sorry you have to wait, tho!

xo

Jess

Connie said...

I read Popular! Sooo good, can't wait for Comeback to see what is wrong with Khloe and Lauren....

MaryKate said...

Hey kendall it is ihearttartsgirl88! You really like my video? I'll totally make more and thnks for watching and also for reading my supppperrr long post :) thanks!!

MaryKate said...

Kendall- This is ihearttartsgirl88. I just finished a new video for youtube and it's called Jacob and Sasha- Sparks Fly! It's not posted yet but will be in a couple of days! Everyone else watch it especially you Jess! You're the best author ever!

Anonymous said...

I just finished reading Popular!! It was AWESOME!! I can't believe Khloe and Lauren are jelous of each other!! I LOVE drew, and think that Lauren and him make a great couple!! I hope what Khloe said to Drew won't effect anything. :)

kendall said...

YESSSSSSSSS!!!!! I LOVED IT!!!! IT WAS SO COOL AND AWESOME AND ....your welcome!! hahah

kendall said...

YESSSSSSSSS!!!!! I LOVED IT!!!! IT WAS SO COOL AND AWESOME AND ....your welcome!! hahah

kendall said...

YESSSSSSSSS!!!!! I LOVED IT!!!! IT WAS SO COOL AND AWESOME AND ....your welcome!! hahah

Kendall said...

hey MaryKate yes it was AMAZINGGG, yes you should totally make more and that post was pretty long but totally worth reading. Your welcome 4 readimg ur post no problem!!!!!

Kendall said...

Yes MaryKate it was AMAZINGG!! you should totally make more, and that post was reallyyyyyyyy long hahahahahahahhaha:):):):):P

Kendall!! said...

no problem MaryKate! i loved your video it was AWESOMEEEEEE so yes you have to keep doing more videos and i was team eric and team drew too! thx for sending back to me!

Kendall said...

Hey MaryKate this is kendall and yes your video was AMAZINGGGGGG, positively!! keep doing videos for sure and that post was nothing compared to 387 chapters in a book i read.its hurt my eyes hahahahh thx!!!!

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