A Beautiful Book Giveaway to Thank Joy McCullough!

Three years ago, I entered Pitch Wars with my book, MIDSUMMER’S MAYHEM. I was nervous, and I didn’t expect to get in, but I figured I didn’t have anything to lose by trying. And then, at the end of August, I found out that Joy McCullough had chosen to mentor me! Her suggested edits weren’t easy, but they were so insightful…and right. And over the next two months, I worked harder than I ever had to revise and polish my story. Then, after a whirlwind showcase, I signed with my wonderful agent, and MIDSUMMER’S MAYHEM became my debut novel, published in June 2019.

But beyond the incredible opportunity that Pitch Wars presented, it gave me wonderful friendships—including my friendship with Joy, who is a supremely talented playwright and author. I was lucky enough to travel to her Seattle launch of her stunning debut YA, BLOOD WATER PAINT, a novel in verse about the 17th century Italian artist, Artemisia Gentileschi. We baked cookies together, and I watched in awe as she talked about her remarkable book.

In summer 2019, when I went to the west coast to promote MIDSUMMER’S MAYHEM, we baked again (cookies and brownies this time). And at wonderful Third Place Books, Joy was “in conversation” with me and my friend Chris Baron to introduce our books to the world.

Joy has read each of my novels before I sent them anywhere, and she’s helped me make them better. I can’t thank her enough for her support and her wonderful friendship.

And so, of course, I asked her to read and blurb my forthcoming novel in verse, RED, WHITE, AND WHOLE. And here’s what she had to say:

And so, to thank Joy for being the most wonderfully supportive author, mentor, and friend, I’m giving a way a chance to win one of her books! There will be TWO winners, and each gets to choose among Joy’s incredible MG and YA books, both published and forthcoming:

BLOOD WATER PAINT, the acclaimed young adult novel in verse about the painter Artemisia Gentileschi.

A FIELD GUIDE TO GETTING LOST, Joy’s debut middle grade novel about a girl with a passion for science and a boy who dreams of writing fantasy novels must figure out how to get along now that their parents are dating.

WE ARE THE ASHES, WE ARE THE FIRE (coming February 9, 2021), a contemporary YA novel in prose and verse about a girl struggling with guilt and a desire for revenge after her sister’s rapist escapes with no prison time.

ACROSS THE POND (coming March 16, 2021), a MG story about a girl who moves from the U.S to Scotland about new beginnings, burgeoning friendships, and finding your flock.

To enter to win, you can:

• Comment here
• Head over to my Twitter and retweet/comment there.
• Go to my instagram and comment there.

I will choose the winners at 7 PM ET on Thursday, October 1!