After my school visits in Austin last Friday I went back to Bookpeople and autographed stock, something I've never done before. Another author first. It's crossed my mind to sign my book when I come across it at a bookstore, steathily, but not sure how that would go over.

Then I drove over to Z-Tejas where I was to meet Cynthia Leitich Smith and her husband Greg Leitich Smith for appetizers. Parking was very scarce, so I ended up driving back to Bookpeople which was only a block away and running to the restaurant. I was in a full flop sweat when I got there. It was a beautiful clear sunny day so we decided to sit on one of the patios. For two hours we chatted and I, being a newbie, asked them lots of questions. We had some fabulous goodies to eat and I'm going to borrow from Cynthia's blog entry for the description:

"We split the Grilled Shrimp & Guacamole Tostada Bites (herb-and-pumpkin-seed tostada rounds, topped with pesto-grilled shrimp, fresh guacamole and a dash of chipotle), Grilled Jumbo Quesadillas (stuffed with smoked chicken), and Tejas Trio (Tejas Trio Chile con queso, salsa picante and guacamole with tortilla chips." Yummy. I started an exercise campaign, by the way, since I got home to work off four months of naughty eating on no exercising while working on book 2.

For those of you who don't know, Cynthia runs the website, Cynsations, which I enjoy reading every morning along with Elizabeth Bird's blog on School Library Journal. I brought along Tantalize and Ninjas, Piranhas, and Galileo for them to sign. I'd only had time to read the first thirty pages of each, but they are both great books.

Cynthia and Greg invited me to come the next morning to a SCBWI Austin event at the B & N in Westlake. And I decided to take them up on it. I'm so glad I did. Varian Johnson, author of "My Life as a Rhombus" spoke on the subject of "Pie Charts and Footnotes and Doodles Oh My" which covers the subject of using supplemental elements in books. He spoke very eloquently and gave lots of examples in recent books. Sitting next to me in the audience on a very uncomfortable looking stool as chairs were in shortage, was Anne Bustard, author of Buddy: The Story of Buddy Holly. We got on the subject of Buddy Holly and she told me she did a signing in Lubbuck the same weekend as Buddy Holly's 50th High School reunion. Word got out about her signing and people showed up from the reunion including Buddy's high school sweetheart who she got to visit with. Anne and I, by the way, share the same agent, Rosemary Stimola. Agent siblings I guess you could say. I also met author Brian Yansky, author of My Road Trip to the Pretty Capital of the World," and his wife Francis Hill, author of "The Bug Cemetery." Oh and I got to meet April Lurie in person! We've been email buddies for several years now, introduced by our mutual friend Dianna Hutts Ason (An Egg is Quiet). Aprils most recent book is, "Brothers, Boyfriends and Other Criminal Minds."

After the event I was invited to accompany a group who were going to lunch and we walked over to Le Madeline's. Cynthia and Greg were there, as was Julie Lake, author of Galveston's Summer of the Storm about Galveston's huge storm of 1900 that killed between 6,000 and 10,000 people. I sat next to Varian Johnson, who I learned is an engineer who specializes in bridges. I asked him what went wrong with the Minnesota disaster and he drew me a precise diagram on a napkin explaining the failures. On the other side of me was author Philip Yates, "Ten Little Mummies." I gleamed this little tidbit from his website - his father was director of American Bandstand from 1956 to 1973. I bet there are some interesting stories there. Down at the end of the table was debut author Shana Burg, "A Thousand Never Evers" with her prized advance reading copy of her book, seeking advice from April Lurie.

I had a fabulous time. Thanks Cynthia and Greg for the invites!

Last Thursday I drove down to Austin by myself to attend two middle school in Austin - O. Henry, and Lamar. I'd met both librarians at a pre-pub dinner in Austin a while back and have kept in touch. I stayed with my sister in law Colleen and her husband Kevin out in beautiful Dripping Springs. There were five deer in the yard when I drove up. Kevin and their son Paul had been packing a U-Haul all day for a drive to North Carolina where Paul will be starting a new job. Their dog Odie was there to greet me as I got out of the car. Later, we went to Rosie's Tamale House for Mexican food and then headed home. Odie slept with me a few minutes that night under a blanket and then disappeared back downstairs to his assigned bed.

Early the next morning, I headed over to Bookpeople, a wonderful store on 6th and Lamar (they had the biggest Children's Section I've ever seen), and hooked up with Meghan and Mandy and we headed over to Lamar Middle School. We drove past the University of Texas which brought back many fond memories.



Meghan Dietsche Goel, Children's Book Buyer and Mandy Brooks BookKids Events Marketing Director

The kids were already waiting for us when we arrived. Librarian Leilani Clark introduced me and I spoke about my book a little, then read the intro then took questions. They were very fascinated with the Marfa Lights. We also got on the subject of idioms, folklore and urban legends of Texas and I told the legend of "never drive over a snake as it will come up in your car and bite you" and the dark, cold night my father as a teenager in the 1950's drove over one on a lonely West, Texas road and what ensued after that.



Reading from VOE at Lamar

The kids asked wonderful, insightful questions and were great! I signed books and handed out pink (for Valentine's day) tootsie pops. I loved my visit! Librarian Shelby Counts from Burnet Middle School brought over two girls who wanted to meet me. I was very honored. Overall, a great visit! A little trivia - my mother did her student teaching at Lamar almost fifty years ago!



Burnet Middle School Librarian Shelby Counts and two fans!



A gorgeous handpainted mural of dragons in mythology - a perfect tie in with my book!



Leilani Clark, Librarian at Lamar M.S., me, and Shelby Counts from Burnet Middle School

Next, Meghan, Mandy, Leilani, and Sara and I had lunch at the Magnolia Cafe. Yummy! I had the very decadent Magnolia enchiladas which had guacamole and beans inside and we discussed movies particularly the recent Oscar nominated movies filmed in Marfa, YA and MG books, and Sara's recent trip to Italy. Someone asked what the title of my next book is, which is an Elizabethan YA historical, and I said, "It's Up in the Air" and at first they thought this was the title. This will be the working title, I think, from now on.

Next we headed over for a visit at O. Henry Middle School. This poster greeted me outside the library's doors:





And just inside a display of books, mine included!
\

There was large crowd of sixth, seventh, and eighth grade English classed. I spoke again, read, and took questions. The kids wanted to know about the writing process and what books I liked to read. One asked what my advice would be to aspiring writers. And my simple response was "Read." I think learn more from other writers than you do from reading books about writing. It went by really quick and was a blur. After I signed books and handed out tootie pops which created a little bit of a mob scene. Word reached the hallways and kids popped in asking for two or three. A special hello to Ashleigh.



Speaking at O. Henry Middle School




Me with Sara Stevenson at O.Henry

Later when I came back to Dripping Springs, Odie was there to greet me.


Odie

The Marfa Lights Valentine Inspired (Jumbo Lights in the book)




Last Tuesday evening Kay Cosper, friend and co-worker of my husband, held a wonderful book party for VOE. She belongs to a women's book club at my husband's office which has been in existence for ten years or so (it started out as women getting together and eventually they added books!). She selected my book when it was her turn, and although they usually meet at resuarants, she held the event at her beautiful home in Fort Worth.





Over thirty ladies attended and we had a wonderful time eating and then discussing the book. Most had not read a YA or middle grade book and were pleasantly surprised. One member shared that when she ordered the book at B & N, the clerk "warned" her VOE was a children's book. They all seemed to really enjoy it and asked wonderful questions. Those who grew up in Texas said they could relate to the many quirky characters including Grandma Birdy.


Signing Books!


I can't thank Kay enough for all the wonderful touches throughout the house, the delicious food, and for sharing my book with her friends.


Picture of me as a child




Guests received Valentine Pezes

This is it! The cover of the German edition of "The Very Ordered Existence of Merilee Marvelous." It will be out February 1st. The title translates to something like, "My Orderly World or The Day on Which Everything Turned Upside Down."

Our back yard view mentioned on previous blog - lots of beautiful birds -
I think I startled them when I walked outside



I spend too much time browsing and procastinating on the internet. Sometimes I unearth some good nuggets about VOE.

The Greensheet Education Foundation has named VOE Book of the Month for January. Here is their review:

"See the world through the eyes of a young lady who has been labeled as "different." Thoughtful and kind in her own way, Merilee Monroe sees through people, seemingly with Tootsie Pops. Actually, she is spectacularly intuitive and her intelligence is revealed through the story. Suzanne Crowley has successfully created a cast of characters whose lives draw readers in; it's sad when the story must end. It's even more interesting because "Dragon Girl" is a real girl whose very ordered existence is not so very different from yours or mine. Marvelous. Stupendous. Pippi Longstocking would love to hang with Merilee."

And Dr. Debra Moore, a psychologist in California has a review of VOE on her website. Aspie, for those of you who don't know, is the nickname for Asperger kids:

"A delightful first novel by an author with obvious insight into the autistic spectrum. The main character, Merilee, has sensory sensitivities, cried endlessly as a baby, is bullied by the other schoolchildren, prefers to stick to fixed routines, and involuntarily utters words at the end of her sentences. Clearly full of intelligence, curiosity, compassion and wry humor, she emerges as highly likeable and engaging.

Her interactions with family and members of her small Texas community give the reader a good sense of the nuances of Aspie social navigation. Her interactions with the new kid in town - who has his own neurological challenges - gives us a look at the depth of perception that we often underestimate in children, whether on the spectrum or not.

Though directed at the older child and teen population, I'd highly recommended it as an easy, pleasurable read for all ages."



And lastly, I found the German publisher who will be publishing VOE. It will be coming out next month, no cover yet. Can't wait to see that. The new title, translates to something like, "My Very Orderly World, Or the Day Everything Turned Upside Down." I like it alot.

Road trip today! My daughter and I are off to San Antonio to visit Trinity University where she's been accepted and has a scholarship offer.


Currently Reading: The Tea Rose by Jennifer Donnelly (LOVED A Northern Light, one of my favorite YA books)

Sinbad


My father is an artist. But he hadn't picked up a pen or brush in over thirty five years. The stresses of running an architecture firm through the years stifled his creativity and he just felt he didn't have "it" anymore.




I remember as a child accompanying him to art fairs where he exhibited his watercolor and oil paintings. He always sold well and I was thrilled to go fetch us cokes and snowcones. His paintings, mainly of Texas landscapes were beautiful and ethereal. One of his oils hung in the Chancellor's office at The University of Texas. Through the years all of us in the family have encouraged him to start up again. About five years ago, when I lived in California I asked if he could draw a leopard or lion, something exotic for our game room. He declined, again saying he just didn't think he could do it anymore.




But about a year ago my parents were visiting us here in Southlake. He brought a sketchbook and pen, and inspired by our beautiful view of a small lake that always has dozens of birds, he began to draw. It was the beginning.

Every week a new drawing appears in my mailbox - a special gift that I can't wait to open. His work continues to improve and I'm so, so proud of him. Several months ago he found an animal sanctuary called Pride Rock here in Texas and asked the owners if he could come photograph their animals. They said of course! They house tigers, lions, and wolves. His drawings of these creatures are especially haunting and magnificant.



Mia



You can find my father's work at: www.wildlifeartbyacree.com He plans to donate part of the proceeds back to the sanctuary. You can read more about Pride Rock at www.priderock.org Enjoy!



Niki




Zoe

It's been awhile since posting. I sometimes have anxiety about what I'm going to post and then I have anxiety that I haven't posted in awhile and well, it's a viscous circle. Not that I have a lot of time to think about it. I finished a rough draft (hooray) of book two December 12 and then I started on Christmas preparations. Relatives will be descending upon us this afternoon and I have a brisket in the oven.

No big news for VOE, just nice little things that warm my heart. Back at Halloween, my son's elementary school had a storybook parade where the kids dressed up as a character from a book. They had a parade around the interior of the school carrying their book. I went up to see my son pass by and then went home. I heard later there was a girl dressed as Merilee, my main character. I was so disappointed I didn't see her. Then a teacher posted a bunch of photos and I perused these hoping to find her and I did. Sort of. She was in line behind someone, barely one eye showing. But I definitely could see my book in her hands. A few days ago I was up at the school talking to the librarian, Judi, one of my biggest fans, and "Merilee" happened to come in! Judi introduced us and I visited with her awhile. It was great!

I was at a Christmas party last week and a friend said a teacher friend of hers from Scottsdale called her recently after seeing on the jacketflap that I was from Southlake. She asked her if she happened to know me. Yes, my friend told her, I do know her. The teacher is a special ed teacher and told my friend she was really enjoying the book.

Also at the party, another friend told me her mother-in-law is a children's lit professor at Harvard and she had seen my book prominently displayed at the bookstore there. I'm assuming this was a BookSense display.

The college acceptances are rolling in for my oldest daughter. She's been accepted to four schools so far, one with a very nice academic scholarship. It's real. She'll be leaving us soon . . . .

Happy Holidays to all!





My ginormous Christmas tree

It's been awhile. I'm trying to finish a rough draft of my second book, prepare for Christmas, help my daughter with college applications, and fit in a booksigning or two.

A couple of weeks ago, I did a booksigning at our local Barnes & Noble here in Southlake. It was in conjunction with a school fundraiser that benefits the Gifted and Talented program which all three of my children are in. I signed 53 books, and yes a lot of these were friends and acquaintance but I was still very pleased.


Me with Ann, daughter of Sue who organized the fundraiser

Because of the signing one of the local GT teachers learned the Marfa lights are in my book. Her clasee just happened to be studying the Marfa lights and she asked me come talk and do a reading. Her class of fourth graders at Durham elementary were extremely intelligent and asked wonderful questions.

And lastly, I spoke to our local newcomers club in Southlake of which I'm a member. It was my first time to speak with a microphone, and although I was shaking in my shoes before they introduced me, somehow I was calm when I reached the podium. I brought show and tell - some of the books I made as a child, and an early draft of my book.

Back to work . . .

It's funny how small things can really make one happy. A couple of nights ago I got my first fan email, from a middle-schooler who was doing a book report on my book. She wanted to ask a few questions about me and my inspirations for the book. Now I've read where famous children's writers say they don't have time anymore to answer book report letters, but I have to say I'm faraway from that day. I was totally thrilled to be able to write back to this reader, and I wrote a long email.

The next day I was at our local Barnes & Noble and I happened to walk past the autistic section (which is right in front of the escalators) and a lady was there sitting on the floor with a stack of books. On top of the stack was my book. This is the first time I've seen someone besides a family member or friend buying my book. I walked up to her and said, "I wrote that book." She looked up at me and asked "What?" I had to repeat myself two times. I think she didn't believe me at first, and I did not look my best, I have to admit. I was dressed in sweats (how many of you dress in sweats intending to work out and then never do?), no make-up, and my hair in a half ponytail. Finally she understood what I was saying and I learned she has a nine year old boy with autism. She'd read about my book in our local newspaper. I had tears in my eyes when I told I was thrilled to see her with it. I'm sure I seemed like a crazy person, but it was quite a moment for me.

Since my book debuted six weeks ago, in the midst of all the emotion - the celebrating, daily googling, surviving the review gauntlet, I've also been working on book 2. Slowly. Very slowly. I did hit a milestone yesterday - 140 pages, my projected half-way point. Yea. Hooray. Except I don't know what happens next. This is a good thing right? Stephen King never outlines. He believe if the writer is not surprised, the reader will not be either. Well today I guess I will be in for more surprises as I face yet another blank page.

For some reason, I'm finding it harder to write a book this time around. I wrote VOE on the sly, no one really knew, and this gave me the protection of no worries, no deadline, no embarrassment if I never finished. But it's funny, my kids were younger, and I operated under the belief that I had it hard back then, that as they got older, they'd need me less. Any future book would be a breeze! They'd all be in school. I'd be free! But that's not how it turned out. I have three kids - two teenagers in two different schools, and a first grader. The gamut. Distractions abound. Parent meetings, school supplies, cub scouts, soccer, ferrying teenagers here and there, college applications (aahhh! that's a whole nother blog subject) teenagers learning to drive (scary, very scary), and most recently am abnormal mammagram scare (hardest weekend waiting and then two hours of my life at the a- turned out to be nothing though) There's always something to worry about (my husband thinks I find things to worry about) and distract. Like blogging. Back to the empty page.

About a week ago, my friend Gay hosted a luncheon for me at her home. We invited good friends and some local librarians. I signed about sixty books total. And we took orders for fifteen more books, which I later signed and hand delivered. It was a wonderful event.


Lovely booksigning table. Gay even sewed on stars to the tablecloth.



Pez centerpiece




Me with my sister Karen





My friend Therese had this gorgeous chocolate replica of my book made for me




Toasting VOE



A lovely spread, Gay even had PB & J and pickles in honor of Merilee's favorite lunch



My friend Connie brought me this beautiful frame with the cover of VOE




My friends Deni and Wendy




Me



Friends, my sister, me and local librarians



A chocolate Fountain, always a hit


Me with Gay, hostess extraordinaire

I've been doing research lately into Queen Elizabeth 1st wardrobe for my second novel. I'm not ready to go into the details of my novel yet, but I want to share some of the fascinating tidbits I've found mainly in Queen Elizabeth's Wardrobe Unlocked by Janet Arnold.

1. Queen Elizabeth did not pose for many of the dozens of portraits of herself. She simply did not have time. Instead painters were given a "face pattern" (still not sure what this is) and were allowed to come to the Great Wardrobe where clothes, jewelry, and fans would be laid out for the painter to meticulously paint. Sometimes one of Queen E's ladies in waiting would pose in the clothes.

2. Clerks of the wardrobe kept meticulous records (which still exist)
of all of Queen E's apparel which included over 1900 items of gowns, cloaks, gloves, and fans.

3. As many as 36 people - tailors and embroiderers worked at a time at the Wardrobe of Robes.

4. Sweet powder for the clothes and fuel for fires was purchased to keep the rooms of the Wardrobe aired.

5. So many jewels were sown into her clothing that sometimes they'd fall off as she walked.

7. Elizabeth was not bald in her later years, but graying and enjoyed wearing wigs that were at the height of fashion.

8. Elizabeth was very proud of her long slender hands and adored gloves which she was frequently painted wearing. Gloves were oiled with perfumes, in Eliabeth's case, light and airy as she didn't like them heavy or overbearing.

6. Here is a typical entry in the records: Item one rounde kirtle of white clothe of silver workes like droppes and braunches of flame colour silke with knotted buttons of venice silver downe.

In other news: VOE was reviewed in The Rocky Mountain News as a Pick of the Week. The reviewer said VOE was . . . purely felt and beautifully worded . . . Crowley is a wonderful storyteller, both in her conversational style and in craftingf characters that you can't shake from your thoughts - and don't want to.

About a week ago my husband and I travelled to Houston for a booksigning at The Blue Willow Bookshop which is very near where I grew up. Lots of old friends of my parents and mother-in-law (my husband and I grew up on the same street - that's another story) came for the reading. It was wonderfully fun and afterwards, Valerie, the store owner, held a ladder, for me as I signed the author's wall - way up high!



Valerie and Me at the signing



beautiful display of VOE



signing books for kids




gathering crowd of friends and family

Afterwards, my friend Andrea White, fellow HarperCollins author of Surviving Antartica: Reality TV 2083, hosted a cocktail party at her lovely home. We had a fabulous turnout of friends, family, teachers, and librarians.



Party guests, my father off to the left watching proudly



Me talking with the head of libraries for HISD




My proud parents, Acree and Corinne



More party guests



My mother-in-law Mary and her friend Judy



Signing



Mary shows my nephew Matt his name in the acknowledgments



My parents with sister-in-law Annemarie and her son Sean, my train expert

It was a wonderful night. Launching my book in my hometown surrounded by family and friends.




Me and Andrea White, my hostess

I've been very lucky and humbled lately to be feted by several friends. On September 9th, my friends Janet and Susan hosted a wine and cheese party on a lovely, rainy Sunday afternoon. I signed 41 books! One kind soul brought a "bag of books" (24!) for me to sign. The books were for her extended family and teacher friends. Thank you Janet and Susan!



Vicki, Laurel, Pat, Janet (hostess), and Rena




Allison, Kay, Karen, Dee, Amy, Terry, and Susan (hostess)




SuuzE (there's a story behind the spelling) bag of books bringer, and Lauren and Caitlin




Bag of Books



In other news:

My book will be receiving another starred review, this one in School Library Journal!

There is a wonderful article on Marfa (where my book is set, but it's called Jumbo in the book) in the October issue of Town and Country, including a two page spread of my in-laws house where we stayed a couple of weeks ago for the booksigning.

I came across this last night while googling. It's from KLIATT:


Crowley, Suzanne. The very ordered existence of Merilee Marvelous. HarperCollins, Greenwillow. 460p. c2007. 978-0-06-123197-1. $16.99. J*

An amazing book, especially since it is Crowley’s first book. The main character has Asperger’s syndrome, and I feel safer in the knowledge that Crowley’s own daughter has “a unique view of the world”; it is clear that she treats such a child with great love and respect.

Merilee lives in a small town in west Texas named Jumbo. This place is filled with characters, and I do mean characters. One after the other colorful, outrageous, funny, loveable—there isn’t a dud among them. Crowley gets everything possible out of this place with spot-on dialogue and memorable images that come one after the other. Merilee is brilliant, she reads all the time and draws dragons in her notebook, but she needs her “very ordered existence,” e.g., a rigid schedule, and she doesn’t talk much and doesn’t let anyone get close to her…except maybe her mama. This changes when a poet and his young son come into town, and the little boy, Bis, follows Merilee around and becomes a part of her family’s life, because his father is a neglectful parent and alcoholic. It’s a lengthy story, but so many scenes are heart stopping, it doesn’t seem to be long. I predict this book will be treated seriously as one of the finest works in children’s literature to be published this year. Claire Rosser, KLIATT

This is a miscellaneous post of things I'm thinking about today interspersed with extra photos from my Marfa trip.

1. An advance reading copy of VOE is being sold on ebay right now by a seller that is also selling pickle jars and diapering items. How they got my book I don't know.



artwork in sister and brother-in-law's garden

2. My oldest daughter had her wisdom teeth out today. For those of you who have been through this, you know the first day is not pleasant. When we got home from the doctor, I put her in my bed with the ice pack, handed her the remote and put it on "Animal Planet." Animal Planet has always been good to get your mind off things. A particularly good documentary with Jane Goodall was on.



lily pond in garden



3. On my webpage at HarperCollins Children's you can now download an audio excerpt from VOE. Lily Rabe, an actress (currently in the movie "No Reservations") is the reader.



beautiful cactus


4. My son spent time with a friend today after school while I was dealing with my daughter and the wisdom teeth. The mother of my son's friend gave them whoopie cushions she bought from the grocery store. Remember them from the seventies? There have been all kinds of interesting noises since we got home.



the train that Merilee loves


5. My Aunt Martha from San Antonio left a message today that she is a third of the way through VOE and adores it. It's so heartwarming to hear from relatives. And I've saved the message that my father left after he finished reading it. Not sure what I'm going to do with it. But I've listened to it several times.



Paco and Pokey


6. A friend sent an email wanting to know where I got the idea of the butt spiders in the book. Actually they are an urban legend, which is a contemporary form of folklore. Right now I'm reading a lot of English folklore for book 2, an Elizabethan novel. My friend also wanted to know where I got the hilarious names. Some of them I made up, others I found looking online at obits from small Texas town newspapers. I was living in CA at the time. Of course I only used a first name, or a last, and never both.



me with poster from the book signing, at my mother-in-law's home





7. A nephew is flying in tomorrow from PA to go to college here. We are going to help him move into his dorm. His mother has been sending packages ahead - things like bedding and towels. One very tall and skinny package arrived and I couldn't imagine what was inside. I later found out it's his light saber - he's a Star Wars fan.


between Alpine and Marfa after a rain, Cathedral Mountain
in the distance



8. I'll be doing a reading and signing at Blue Willow Books in Houston Sept. 13 at 4:00 if anyone is in the area.



sunrise



9. VOE got as high as a 23,000 ranking on Amazon last night and made #81 on a children's specialty list. Woohoo! Not that I am checking often. Ha.


mountains outside of Marfa

Several years ago when I was contemplating writing my book, I was not sure where I was going to set it. After a girl's trip in 2002 to Marfa, Texas to stay with my sister-in-law Lynn Crowley, I I discovered West Texad was perfect as the setting for VOE. It's magical, ethereal, and majestic. One night on our trip we went to see the Marfa Lights and they were there that night. I knew then they would play a role somehow in my book and they do. After I had written a first draft I sent a Lynn a copy, and she called, tearful and touched, and said she'd give me a booksigning one day when I got it published, and I remember thinking, "yeah right. In my dreams."

But it happened, and last weekend we drove eight hours to Marfa for the booksigning at my sister and brother in law's bookstore, The Marfa Book Co. I'd come full circle. And it was especially poignant because the mother character in VOE owns a bookstore in Jumbo, Texas (fictionalized Marfa).

We stayed at Tim and Lynn's beautiful, modern home which sits on a gentle rise six miles outside of Marfa, with a faraway view of purple mountains. They have three big ole, sweet dirty dogs that greet you when you drive up - Paco, Louie, and Pokey. Actually they have four. The other one was at the vet recovering from a rattlesnake bite.


We arrived about an hour before the signing, freshened up and then went on over to the bookstore. There were flowers from Greenwillow books, a large poster of VOE in the window and wine ready to be served. I put out a big bowl of Tootsie Pops, which made an interesting juxtaposition next to the wine and champagne. Ten minutes before the reading, the store manager mentioned that a really interesting author they'd had recently only had three people show up for her reading. I took a large gulp of my wine. But at six o'clock sharp lots of people starting filing in thank goodness. Lynn told me later there were fifty people not counting family.


My sister-in-law Lynn, My mother-in-law Mary, me and my daughters








I chatted with some of them and signed a few books for those who couldn't stay. This relaxed me greatly. Allison, who works at the bookstore and at the school there, brought several junior high girls who'd never been to a booksigning. I was so happy to talk to them.

A few minutes later my sister-in-law walked over to the podium and graciously introduced me. My stomach dropped. I walked up and said hello and started to read the first two pages, my favorite. Then when it came time to read another section, I realized I'd taken my marker out at some point. There was an embarrasing silence (EPN my husband and I call it, embarrassing party moment) as I thumbed through trying to find my place. I felt like I was floating above the room. I finally found my place and continued on. Later I found out my son was being restless in his seat, so his big sister reached over and pinched him and he started to bawl. I have no memory of this. I do remember looking out and seeing about ten people, young and old sucking on the Tootsie Pops. Anyway, I did a question and answer session and got some wonderful questions. One lady asked if I had called the town in VOE Jumbo because of the movie Giant, that was filmed around Marfa. I hadn't, I just liked the name (Jubilee was another candidate) and had seen it somewhere. But how perfect, that connection and I hadn't even meant it. Another man, a writer himself, asked, "Where were you raised up? Your voice is beautiful." This made me feel so good considering my long, dramatic pause earlier. Then is was time to sign books. It was a whirlwind. They quickly sold out. People bought two and three copies. I had to ask my husband to fetch two copies I had in the car and they quickly sold those. They started a list. I really enjoyed talking with everyone. They all have very interesting stories. There's Bo and Kenny Beanland who know my friend and fellow Greenwillowite, Naomi Shihab Nye. Bo is from Denmark and we discussed Scandinavian lit. She still remembers as a girl when Karen Blixen (Out of Africa) came home to Denmark. There was Katherine Alexander who was exhibiting beautiful paintings in the gallery space of the Marfa skies. A few cowboys. Family. Friends of my mother-in-law and the other in-laws. Kind, nice people who bought my book.










I spent so long talking with people after the signing I didn't realize how much time had passed and we had a dinner to go to at the house. So we rushed home (greeted again by the sweet doggies)and inside we had a wonderful dinner of enchiladas, qaucamole, salad, rice, and empanadas, and again wonderful, wonderful people.




We slept in the next morning. The kids enjoyed time by the very zen-like pool and my husband, brother-in-law and I went into Marfa to look at some of his projects and attend the Farmer's Market where I bought homemade tamales (which didn't last the day so tasty they were) and a beautiful crystal rock from a ranch woman selling arrowheads and fossils from her ranch. I would have bought more (I love rocks) but had left my wallet in the car. Oh and on the trip to Marfa we ran over a rattlesnake by accident. We backed up to look at it and it was still alive coiling. We drove on.

In the afternoon we picked up my mother-in-law at her beautiful adobe home and drove to Alpine (Whiskey in VOE). I was able to get some photos of Cathedral Mountain which plays a role in the book. Also one of the train. It's in there too.




Cathedral Mountain






That night my mother-in-law hosted a dinner at her house for us and some of her friends and neighbors. They'd all been at the signing too except for Kosta (who is from Bulgaria) who missed it because he sat down to read the paper too late. Two people brought delicious homemade bread. We sat outside and ate enjoying a cool breeze and the sunset. We had chicken, vegetables, and homemade chocolate cake. Yum.





The next morning we drove home. I couldn't have asked for a better first signing. It was a dream.


the journey home

Suzanne

For those of you that didn't see my last post, my website is up!
It's at www.suzannecrowley.com

Hey everyone,

My beautiful website it up! The webdesigner did an excellent job capturing the heart and soul of VOE. Come see! It's at: www.suzannecrowley.com

It's been a very special day. I actually discovered my local Barnes & Noble had my book out last night - three copies. It was a thrill walking around the aisle and seeing them there! And today there were more sightings. My parents went to two book stores in Houston and bought a bunch of copies. A neighbor found them at a B & N in a nearby city. And my sister in law in College Station found copies there. Hooray!



A good friend in Florida, Pam, sent me a beautiful arrangement.



And she bought ten books for her book club in Florida. This is the same club I started four years ago by riding up and down my street on my bicycle and leaving homemade flyers on front porches. I got a great response of eleven ladies. It's still running although with a few new faces.

My daughter and I checked the B & N today and looked at the copies again. It's like visiting the new baby in the nursery.



Other good news:

I got interviewed by the Marfa newspaper where VOE is fictionally set. I'll be doing a booksigning Friday night at The Marfa Book Co hosted by my sister-in-law Lynn who is the owner of the store.

My friend Dean Lorey's book, Nightmare Academy debuted today. Joint birthdays!

I'll have a website up very soon. It's gorgeous!

And I found out recently that VOE is number three on Booksense's Children's Picks for Fall 2007. Hooray. Hooray. Oh Happy Day.

It's hard to describe this in-between time of the book being finished and the last couple of weeks waiting for it to hit the shelves. It's been sweet, fun, anxious-ridden, and happy. It's a little like waiting for your wedding, or the birth of a baby. Lot's of phone calls, emails, and letters from friends and relatives asking when? when? Not till Tuesday, and not a day earlier, I assure them, although I have to admit I've made a few sneak appearances at B & N looking to see if, perhaps, maybe....

There's been some very nice moments. Like when my parents came to visit last weekend. We were having a glass of wine before going to Brio and I brought out two copies (author copies which arrived in a beautiful HarperCollins box which I still have. I don't want to throw it away) and handed one to each of my parents. We toasted the book and then my father immediately sat down and started reading. He finished a few days ago and called to tell me how much he loved it and how wonderful it is. My mother finished last night and called with her love. They are both so proud.



A few days ago, a glorious starred review in VOYA appeared:

"Crowley's daughter, who has her own "unique view of the world," is the inspiration for this heart-stirring introduction to thirteen-year-old Merilee Monroe, a girl whose life revolves around keeping her V.O.E.-Very Ordered Existence-intact. Her V.O.E. has become increasingly difficult to maintain with mentally disabled, eight-year-old Biswick O'Conner following her everywhere. Folks in Jumbo, Texas-population 1,258-once thought Merilee might be a genius because she could quote Shakespeare at age three, but Merilee knows that there is a "thin line between genius and bottom-barrel stupidness."

"Crowley's first-person narrative opens wide Merilee's frenetic yet very astute mind. Sensing the internal battles that her daughter is fighting, Mama gives Merilee a journal to release her bottled up words, but what flows out are detailed drawings of dragons of every shape and style. Secondary character development in this small-town yarn is impressive, with bad-tempered Grandma Birdy so real that one can almost feel the sharp edge of her words, which are tempered by the West Texas, common-sense drawl of newcomer Veraleen and the unconditional quiet love of Uncle Dal. Merilee, who defines herself as having "some sort of qualitative umbrella, asparagus problem" might not always be understood, but she is loved, especially by Mama who makes sure that Merilee can spend a quiet afternoon in Mama's bookstore, reading Edmund Spenser's The Faerie Queene from the monthly box of classics specifically ordered for Merilee. Using one of Merilee's favorite words, this book is marvelous. Offer this gem to young teens who enjoyed Cynthia Lord's Rules (Scholastic, 2007) and Sarah Adams Kocha's The Boy Who Ate Stars (Simon & Schuster, 2006)." - Ruth Cox Clark.


There have been some anxious moments. Like yesterday when I spent most of the late afternoon and evening in bed, moaning with stomach pain. That morning I'd spend obsessively googling VOE for any news. This is something I do often (it's the height of procrastination) and it only seems to add to my anxiety of the book release. Later in the day I'd gone to see "Becoming Jane" with my sister Karen. This was only after writing a few pages of Book 2. The movie was a reward, you see. But I ate popcorn and two Reeses peanut butter cups - the big ones, and drank a cherry Slurpee on an empty stomach (and I'd skipped dinner the night before I realized later))and by the time I'd made it home in this awful Texas heat, I thought I was going to faint. I'd like to think it was the popcorn, but I think it was everything - the last couple of weeks- the worry, the excitement, the anticipation, the heat, and yes, the popcorn.

Yesterday morning a bunny I've named Gilderoy, whom we haven't seen in a while, was hiding under a bush outside our dining room window where we had a perfect view of him. My daughter and I watched him awhile as he peered back at us. And this morning there was the most beautiful, magnificant lizard - brown, black, and white with a crested head, sunning himself on our driveway. Nothing like the skinny little lime green ones we have around here whose necks pop out red... blowing their bubble-gum my mother calls it. The bunny and lizard, I think both are sweet reminders of what's to come in several days.

VOE is part of the "FIrst Look" program at HarperCollins where readers can sign up to receive advance reader copies of upcoming books. Here are some very lovely and sweet reviews of The Very Ordered Existence of Merilee Marvelous:


Marvelous! As Merilee would put it. The characters in this book were inspirational, and it almost felt as if I were there meeting them. Usually when I finish a book as good as this one, I hate when they finish because I want to keep going, but in the end of this one it stopped perfectly! Just the way a good book SHOULD end! 5 stars!!!
— Joyce (Eastover, SC)

These are the words of my daughter...

"The book was the best book I have ever read and I have read a lot of good ones. At first, I was not sure how it was going to turn out but I loved it. I did now want to stop reading it. It was like a TV show, I could see pictures of the story in my head and, if I wasn't reading it, it felt like I was going to miss something in the book. Merilee, in a lot of ways, is sort of like me, I am going to tell all my friends about this book. On a scale from 1 to 10, it's a 30!"

I think that means it was a hit - thank you for sharing this with her.
— Madie (Molalla, OR)

Sometimes you come across a book that is like a precious gem. You want to show it off to everyone you know. The Very Ordered Existence of Merilee Marvelous is one of those gems. The main character has a Asperger's Syndrome, which is a form of autism. Merilee has a lot of characteristics that my Aunt Sarah, who has autism, has. Merilee was gruff, off-putting and endearing all through this sweet story that took place in small-town America where everyone knows everyone else's business. For a different, refreshing read, I highly recommend this new author.
— Jess (Herndon, VA)

Merilee "Marvelous" is a wonderful character. Any kid (young or old) would enjoy reading about her VOE, and her adventure that comes of it nonetheless. I felt her joys and her sorrows through Suzanne Crowely's astounding writing style and I greatly enjoyed the spectacular change that took place in this story. I can't wait for Crowley's next book.
— Lenora (Buford, GA)

What a "Marvelous" book! Suzanne Crowley does a fantastic job of showing the reader what it is like to live inside the mind of a child with Asperger's syndrome. You feel compassion for Merilee as she faces everyday ridicule from her schoolmates as well as major upsets to her V.O.E. I recommend this book to children and adults alike who want to understand what life is like for someone with Asperger's syndrome.
— Kelly (Port Hueneme, CA)

I recently ran across this very wonderful review of my book on a YA and children's literature
professor's blog. Dr. Ruth Cox Clark's blog is at madchatterya.blogspot.com:


"If and when I start on Tantalizing Tidbits for Middle Schoolers 2, Suzanne Crowley's debut novel, The Very Ordered Existence of Merilee Marvelous, will be included. I absolutely loved this book. Part of it may be because it is set in small town West Texas and I love the down-home feel and the great tidbits of rural speech. The small town of Jumbo, TX helps the Monroe family raise Merilee, who exhibits Asperger Syndrome symptoms. Merilee has a daily schedule of what she does to help her keep her V.O.E. - Very Ordered Existence - intact. Overall her family is supportive, other than a bratty sister and the very sharp tongued Grandma Birdy, who I initially disliked but you can't help but change your mind about her, at least a bit, when you find out what her earlier years were like. Biswick and Veraleen are newcomers to Jumbo and they most certainly mess with Merilee's V.O.E. Biswick bubbles over with bits of trivia and data, but has absolutely no social skills and has the audacity to eat Merilee's purple Tootsie Pops without asking! Biswick and Veraleen, a herbalist/nurse who was fired from a nearby hospital, quickly become a part of the Monroe family, much to Grandma Birdy's dismay when Veraleen outdoes her in the kitchen. Merilee was quoting Shakespeare at age 3, and at age 13 she is into the classics, which her mother buys a new box of books for her each month so that Merilee can curl up in a leather chair in Mama's bookstore and read. I love this young teen and adore this book. A gotta have for every MS/JH library. It will be out from HarperCollins in September."

Thank you very much Dr. Clark. I'm so honored.

In other news I learned recently that the German edition of VOE with be out in Spring of '08!

After checking doors for days I finally saw my book for the first time, but it wasn't at home. After leaving for a long planned girl's weekend (with six sister-in-laws and my mother-in-law) on Galveston Island, I discovered my book was on it's way to my house but was delayed. It would arrive that night. I knew I wouldn't be able to stand it, waiting for four days till I got home from my trip. So I emailed my editor from my phone at the airport and asked if they would overnight another one to the hotel. They said yes. Yippeee.

That night at the hotel, I called home and asked my oldest daughter if she would check outside and check and see if the first copy came. It had. I told her to open it up while I was on the phone and describe it to me. She said it was "beautiful, of high quality construction, and felt good in her hands." It was a wonderful moment, and fitting that my oldest daughter was the first to see the book.

The next morning the group of us ladies had spa treatments. As I had a mini massage I had a hard time relaxing knowing my package might arrive any moment upstairs at the front desk. But I somehow managed to make it through the massage and after, a twenty minute hot tub soak with rose petals. Poor me. Then I quickly got dressed and ran upstairs. The package had arrived. Aah. A moment I've been waiting for my whole life. And I got to share it with loved ones, who I don't see very often. Even better. I found my mother-in-law and three sister having pedicures and manicures. I opened it up while everyone watched. Wow. The book is gorgeous. I can't quite describe how it felt. It was kinda a blur. I know I felt faint and had to take some deep breaths. One sister took a photo, but I held the book over part of my face, and peered over it. I had no make-up on, my hair askew from the massage,and a pimple the size of Maine right square in the middle of my cheek.

Later that evening,we had champagne up in the hotel room to celebrate and my sisters surprised me with a nightie they had found shopping that day. It reads "One good book deserves another." The day I happened to see my first book just happened to be Harry Potter release day. I went with my sister-in-law Maureen to the local Wal-Mart at midnight to get our copies. I have a confession. I've only read one HP book. I know. Shame on me. But I wanted to share in a moment in history and be there with everyone else. And it was my day too. We got our HP books, free assorted bookmarks and posters, and bananas and fingernail polish remover (requests from back at the hotel) and headed home at 12:30. It was the end of a wonderful day. I went to sleep with my book next to me as I'm sure millions of HP fans did with their book.

Sometime that day or the next, I can't remember since it was all a blur, I got news from back home that our cat Amber had tummy problems, to say the least, and had had an accident all over my dining room silk curtains that puddle on the floor. And I actually didn't care. I had my book.

I once saw a very wise cartoon posted on the bulleton board in my pediatrician's office. It read: Every mother's fantasy: 12 hours in a hotel - ALONE! Only a mother with a newborn would understand this - actually any mother, no matter how old our children are. We need a break sometimes.

Yesterday morning my husband decided at the last second to take the kids (I have three - two teenagers and a six year old) boating on a beautiful lake that's about two hours away. "You can work on your book," my husband offered. They'd be gone overnight. My heart soared. A weekend by myself. In eighteen years, I don't think I've ever had two days to myself at home. This is even better than 12 hours alone in a hotel room.

And the timing couldn't be better. I started my second book this summer, an Elizabethan novel, quite a departure from VOE. And as every mother who is a writer knows, summer is not the best time to start a book. The children are at home. Milling around. Bored. Hungry. They can, and will interrupt at any moment.

My goal was to write five pages each day while they were gone. Very doable. I set up a rewards system. If I got three pages done, I could go get a manicure and pedicure, something that I hadn't been able to do in quite a while. I made my goal and went to the nail salon. My next goal was two pages and then I could sit outside by the pool and read a book. Made that. Read some of The Book Thief - brilliant book by the way. There were also mini rewards - trips to the cabinet in the laundry room where I keep my chocolate stash (which has been discovered recently and raided by one of my children - I have a suspect). Right now there's tootsie rolls. Ah - and trips to the door see if a package has arrived.

Anyway, I actually wrote another page and decided to reward myself with a movie. Hmmm. I haven't watched Pride and Prejudice in a while. Very nice reward, indeed. Back when they used to play P & P endlessly on the A & E network my husband would come home from work, catch me watching it and say, "Are you watching him again?" We all know whose he talking about. Mr. Darcy/Collin Firth!

But an hour into the movie, my family surprised me. They had decided they didn't want to stay overnight. Oh well. I'd surpassed my writing goal, been to the spa, read, and watched a movie. And had twelve hours to myself at home. I'll take that anytime. Thank you husband.

It's not that I'm excited or anything, but you see I'm on UPS/Federal Express watch here. My first novel, The Very Ordered Existence is coming out August 21st ! I've been counting down the days for months now. In fact, my publisher, HarperCollins, has a nifty little counter doohicky (there's a word for it but I can't think of what it is) that does it for me on my webpage. But I heard from my editor today, the brilliant Virginia Duncan, at Greenwillow Books, that they expect to receive the real thing any minute now and as soon as they do, she will overnight it to me.

Now by the real thing, I mean the real thing - hardback book, with real cover. I've had the Advance Reading Copy (ARC in the industry) for several months now, and that alone was a thrill seeing it for the first time. But holding the "real" book in my hand will be one of those moments one never forgets. When I was a little girl, I hand made books. They started out as picture books when I was very young and graduated to chapter books when I was older. I had one of those cheap little typewriters kids used (no white out of course). I'd make a quota for myself everyday of how many pages I needed to do and if I ran out of ideas I'd just type dialogue till I got to the requisite number. When I called my mother with the good news (March 17th 2006) that I received a book contract, the first thing she said was, "Remember those books you used to make when you were a little girl? Now you'll finally have a real one." Here's a photo of some of those handmade books:


I'm also waiting for a copy of the audio book of VOE (nickname of The Very Ordered Existence of Merilee Marvelous) which I hear is coming very soon also. It's narrated by the lovely Lily Rabe, an actress and daughter of Jill Clayburgh and playwright of David Rabe. When I was told Lily was the narrator, I ran up to the bookstore and got another of her audio books, "The God of Animals." I"m very pleased - I think she will be a perfect Merilee.

Anyway, back to UPS/Fed Ex watch. It requires sharp ears for that low rumble of the delivery truck and lots of door openings and peeks. All day. You would too, wouldn't you? Especially if you were supposed to be writing book number two and needed frequent breaks to stretch your legs? And I never know where they will leave a package. Somtimes it's on the front porch, for some reason, always leaning against the door. Here:


Or it's by the side door, right on the mat, in case I don't see it.


Or, it's hiding behind my son's bicycle, here:



If I have to sign for the package, the UPS man will pound on the side door because he still thinks our doorbell is not working after it got knocked out by lightning a month ago. If I'm not here, he's very good about leaving his cell phone number. If I call, and he's nearby, he'll come back and deliver the package. He'd be my favorite person in the world, if we didn't suspect he is the culprit who knocked over our mail box (since a neighbor saw him backing his UPS truck down our long skinny driveway).

Well, I better close for now. I have writing to do. And a few door checks. Just a few.