updates and such.

Listening to: Mountain Sound by Of Monsters and Men
Line Obsession: "And here" -- Early pointed to the number one, in the middle -- "this is Pi. His mother named him Polaris, but she said he would have to earn his name." - from Navigating Early by Clare Vanderpool

Hey friends! How goes your summer? Have you read any good books? Seen any good movies? Been road-tripping with your best friends?

Here's what's new in my neck of the woodlands:

This is probably not exciting to anyone else, but never the less: Update #1: I got new glasses! 

This is my first pair of Warby Parkers. And I like them a lot.

Truthfuly, I was hesitant about trying Warby Parker.

I love what they're about, of course, but I thought ordering perscription glasses online would be a fiasco. My glasses need lots of invisible bells and whistles - the lenses have to be thinned; there's ye olde astigmatism to consider. I need no glare, no scratch, and so on. It's not as easy as picking a cute pair, adding it to the virtual cart, and being done with it. Know what I mean?

However, I can now confirm that ordering from Warby Parker is just as easy (and way more fun) than ordering glasses from my eye doctor. They have a much better selection, the price is fan-flipping-tastic, and when I called with a question, the guy I spoke with was very kind and helpful. Their Home Try-On Kit is just about the smartest idea ever, and so much nicer than dealing with a hovering salesperson. And their frames are so pretty and well made. I especially like that the frames are on-trend and still classic, which is not always easy to find at such an affordable price. I'll definitely order from them in the future. Probably the near future, because I tried on another pair that I really, really liked as well. Those sneaky Warbies ... reeling me back in already ... :)

Seriously though, if you've been considering trying them out, I highly recommend them! 

(My frames are called Crane, and the color is Whiskey Tortoise.) (And if you have questions about the process, holler in the comments. I had lots of questions before I ordered, too.)

Slight tangent: I know you can't see much of the yellow dress in the selfie I posted above, but I should confess here that I wore it with black tights and cowboy boots. IN JULY.

This always happens around mid-summer. I start to get desperate for Fall. Feisty for fall.

Last week, I bought a sweater. This week, I busted out the tights. The temperature is still volcanic, but I couldn't help myself. I need to remember fall is there. Somewhere. (Summer clothes are so boring, but I digress.)

Update #2: My book is ... nearly book-shaped!

I have a few fun updates on the book: 

- First, A Snicker of Magic got a little nod in Publishers Weekly's 2014 Spring Previews!! It's so crazy to see Snicker nestled in with so many amazing titles. I can't wait to read them. I am especially excited for Rebecca Behrens's When Audrey Met Alice and Nikki Loftin's Nightingale's Nest (LOOK AT THAT BEAUTIFUL COVER!). And I didn't know Tess Hilmo had a new book coming out until I read it in PW. Tess Hilmo is, basically, a story-magician. I would read anything she writes, but apparently Butch Cassidy has something to do with her new story. So I'm already smitten.

- I read my first pass pages! 

While first pass pages can still be edited, they're typeset and designed exactly the way they'll appear when the book is ... a book. So I got to see the whimsical fonts, the ridiculously adorable chapter headers, the scene breaks ... and a very special little illustration I can't show off just yet, but gosh I love it.

Next time I see the pages, theyll probably be in a galley! A GALLEY!! *muppet arms*

- I'm not allowed to reveal anything about the cover yet. But I think it's okay to tell you that I've seen early sketches. And I think I can tell you that it's whimsical and lovely and so, so FUN. Basically, I want to live in the cover. I think you will, too. I can't wait for you to see it. We'll do a fun reveal later this year. It's too bad we can't have a real reveal party. I would give you lots of cupcakes. Cowboy boots would be optional. :)

I sent my copy edits for A Snicker of Magic so, in most ways, I've let it go. I'm trying to let it go, anyway. It's crazy to think it all started a few years ago when I staggered out of this concert - all breathless and excited - and ran smack into a crazy new story idea ...



Thanks for putting up with my updates! What have you been into this summer? Also, help a girl out: I hear The Lone Ranger ... isn't so good. Is it worth seeing in the theater or should I just wait and Redbox it?