Christmas in August….for reals!
August 16, 2011
The Mailman is a pretty popular guy at our house. Small white and blue trucks, and big brown trucks usually bring my kids screaming to the front door with high hopes they will get something. Usually it’s not for them, but this time it was.
And guess what he brought?
A Christmas Goodnight just came in the mail! The first sample copy was wrapped in Christmas wrapping paper by my editor (how she got some in August I have no idea) and looky-looky!
It’s always a bit surreal, these moments. Children at Play fabric was such a whirlwind…it was created fast and produced fast to make it in time for Spring Market. This book on the other hand, I started 2 years ago, exactly. I finished it a year ago, so getting my fingers on this is rather sweet. But honestly, seeing my children’s reactions for the first time is precious.
This is a OH SO VERY candid moment of me reading it the first time. Precious. Not exactly promo material, but maybe this will give you an idea how little eyes see the book.
It was so magical and hilarious to witness their reactions. This lasted for like 12 minutes, but I love you all, and am only showing you 1 minute:) So sorry about the quality. I need to hire a movie-techie-elf. Someday.
But really you guys…I love this. I love illustrating. I LOVE the world of books, and I really, really hope to keep my hand in it. Working on this book was an amazing experience, one where I knew I was where I belonged!
But to keep illustrating books, I need your help:)
To give you a little scoop on the world of publishing, authors and illustrators get to publish more books based on how well their previous books have sold. Meaning, you could have a really awesome book, but if just your mom and your cousin purchase it, the chances of you getting another contract are really slim. Sad, but true. It’s just how the publishing world works.
I’m not asking you to go buy millions of copies (although, that would be really cool, and I’d mail you some of the to-die-for Swiss chocolate my brother just brought home from a trip to Geneva). But, you can help your local libraries, bookstores and communities be aware of it so that they can buy it. I have a little PDF download here that my amazingly wonderful editor put together, and if you print it off and hand it to your librarian or local bookstore, you can make sure that your favorite local book places will be carrying it.
And if you DO want to get your hands on a copy, you can pre-order it here, here and here. Did you know that by pre-ordering it, it tells the Harper Collins Publishing elves that they need to get more out by Christmas? (And shhhhhh…secret: It’s a steal of a price to pre-order online!)
So, print off this info sheet and make sure your library will have it, or local bookstore, etc. (I’d especially love to see us all supporting our local bookstores this Christmas!)
I’ll be posting more about the making of the book, and other really fun facts as we get closer to the holidays. Although, right now, it’s really feeling like Christmas!
To print A Christmas Goodnight info sheet for your local bookstore or library click here
To Pre-order on Amazon click here
To Pre-order on B&N click here
To pre-order at a local bookstore in the USA click here
Merry Christmas!
xo
sarah
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August 18th, 2011 on 8:23 am[...] so much for the great response to A Christmas Goodnight It’s always a bit nerve wracking to share even a little bit of something that I’ve [...]
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YIPEEEEE, I’m SO excited for you, huge congratulations, it looks fabulous. Catherine x
Congratulations, Sarah Jane!
Can’t wait to see it in real.
Just placed my order–yippeee!!
Just placed my order–yipeee!!
Congratulations, Sarah
Congratulations Sarah! So happy for you! Thanks for the promotional PDF.. I’ll also pre-order! May you have many more books in your future!
It looks beautiful, Sarah! Will definitely be ordering and letting my library know!
FUN!!! Every year my Mom gets us all a picture book that we read for our big Family Christmas Party/FHE and I’m suggesting this book.
Oh, congratulations!! I just pre-ordered two copies and I’ll share the link on my gift blog.
Yay! Just pre-ordered. Am thinking this will be this year’s special new Christmas book- like to get a new one each year to add to the collection!
I just placed my preorder. It looks great!
Beautiful!! Not only the illustrations, but that your first illustrated book is out!!!!!!!!!!!! We will be pre-ordering!
Please send me an email privately and let me know where I can send you and your family one of Marissa’s books. I think your kids would really love that and you might enjoy seeing the illustrations on her first printed book! If you want, I’ll send a couple and you can do a give-away of her book on your blog, too. Just let me know.
How exciting!!!! Sounds like the kids loved it–so sweet!
Apparently, it’s a comedy! hee! What a darling clip with the kids. Congrats on the book and I wish you continued success with it. Your illustrations are so absolutely charming and perfect.
Sarah! This is so exciting!!! I will be preordering several, and have printed off the sheet for my local library(ies). Loved the video- what a great moment captured! My 2-year-old Joseph requested “again, again!” (he must’ve noticed your darling Ella;)
Hurray on your decision for more space in your home & brain. I cannot imagine how you do it ALL!
Wooo! The book turned out soo nice. Congrats on a job well done, and good luck in the book market.
Merry Christmas and congratulations! The book looks lovely!
I pre-ordered it a month ago! I’m so excited to get it in the mail this autumn.
my most sincere cONGRATULATIONS Sarah!!! You are such an inspiration !!! : D
I have already ordered my copy!!! : D
lots of love to you and your family!!!
Uh, your editor might possibly have had a stash of Christmas wrapping paper under her desk since last Christmas. For once, procrastination & less-than-tidy ways pay off!
I love, love, love this post!
Ordered! This is not the kind of thing I usually do, but I’m falling in love with your illustrations (through your fabric line), my girls love books and get at least one special one every Christmas, and you were so right that it’s a steal to pre-order! Thanks! and I wish you all the success in the world.
We love buying a new Christmas book every year. I’m pre-ordering now and buying one for our friends! (We give each other Christmas books as family gifts.) YAY!
Wow Sarah, it looks fantastic. I am so there, I will have to see what Australian stores are ordering. I love my online shopping but I do agree that we should support our local bookstores.
Well done on being so patient for 2 whole years. I can’t imagine how you must have felt waiting to see the ‘real’ book.
I am so excited that your story is not only Christmas (my favourite time of the year) but Christian Christmas.
Keep up the good work.
Debra
Oh yeah, Sarah I forgot to say. I entered my email address incorrectly with my other comment so it probably won’t work.
But I also meant to say I will be passing your info on. A good Christmas book each year is such a treat.
Debra
We’re so excited for you! We totally preordered a copy.
I’m preordering mine right this minute! I can’t wait to see it- the illustrations are darling. It was so good to see you and catch up this weekend. And I’m excited to meet your little ones and watch Natalie play with them all! Thanks again for coming to support us, it was so sweet of you to come! xoxo
I’ve just placed it on my Amazon list–we also give copies of interesting/beautiful Christmas books at Christmas–looks like I’ve found this years!
Congrats to you–
E.
[...] so much for the great response to A Christmas Goodnight It’s always a bit nerve wracking to share even a little bit of something that I’ve [...]
Hi, your book looks beautiful. i just pre-ordered as well! I just wrote and illustrated my first childrens book ! check me out at http://www.lauratilley.com
for a signed copy, email me direct…
igtilley@yahoo.com
Congrats, Sarah! Loved that little video : )
My son just loved the little video of you reading the book to your children. He’s requested the story so we can have fun reading it too. Of course, I’m looking forward to seeing the beautiful illustrations from your very talented self. Congratulations Sarah!
How exciting! I’ve got my pre order in!
Wow! Thanks for letting us know how it works out there in illustrator/publisher-land. I love your art and I hope you get to illustrate many more books. I always wondered why I kept seeing books that were illustrated by Valeria Petrone (my son likes her art so we have quite a few), now I have an insight.
I’m guessing you will go far since your art is amazing. I truly hope more fabric is also coming in the future!
This is absolutely adorable! I am all warm and fuzzy, and your beautiful book will definitely be on our shelf.
Sarah Frances
Hooray Sarah!! Looks darling! So happy for you! I just put several copies in my Amazon cart…this will be the perfect Christmas gift for my kids to give to their cousins for Christmas!
I just pre-ordered mine- I can’t wait to see it! How wonderful!
Sarah! Totally cried watching the video! It must make you feel like it was all worth it! I am just coming out of the summer photography plug (finished editing my last summer wedding tonight!) and finally have time to check other blogs and see what other people have been up to all summer. Oh, I love your work. Can’t wait to have time to play with that fabric of yours. Love ya
Tara
I didn’t order a million, but I did get two. I know I’m going to regret it when the price goes up!