
I just rediscovered this picture. My husband baked these pink celebratory cupcakes on my last day as a librarian, almost two years ago. Anna, thankfully, sold to my publisher only two months later. (In other words: The quitting-the-job thing, which EASILY could have backfired, did not.)
Phew!
And here's a celebratory cookie he recently gave me. Because Jarrod is the best, that's why:
Phew!
And here's a celebratory cookie he recently gave me. Because Jarrod is the best, that's why:

Thank you for your recent celebratory blog comments—for cheering me on through Lola, for compliments about the VERVE cover and the John Green post, and for general Anna-related-gushing-awesomeness. You've filled this author's heart with a lot of love. I am lucky to have readers like you.
So it's time to dip into your questions from the comments!
Liz Czukas asked: This is totally unrelated to your current post, but when do we get to see cover art for Lola? I'm jonesing for another dose of the Perkins magic and some cover art might ease my suffering.
So it's time to dip into your questions from the comments!
Liz Czukas asked: This is totally unrelated to your current post, but when do we get to see cover art for Lola? I'm jonesing for another dose of the Perkins magic and some cover art might ease my suffering.
Anna's cover was revealed last March. My best guess is that Lola's will be revealed around the same time. MAYBE earlier, because it has an earlier release date, but I kind of doubt it. Even I haven't seen it yet!
In response to this—"I'm already preparing to dive into Isla and the Happily Ever After, but there are several adjustments to my lifestyle that need to be considered first."—Kristan asked: Lifestyle adjustments? Pray tell, what do you mean?
I meant that since Anna's release, my life has become more . . . complicated. More email, more requests for my time, more this, more that. And it's GREAT, of course, but it's new.
It means that my daily schedule—which took me a year and a half to figure out, after quitting that library job!—is a wreck again. I'm five months behind on email, I have a large number of overdue interviews, and, oh yeah, I have to write a novel this year. And edit one. And begin another. And provide feedback for my critique partners. And continue promoting Anna and begin promoting Lola and blog and tweet and Facebook.
I'm currently testing new ways to balance these things. (And have a life outside of my career, too!) I have a feeling it'll take time.
But it is, admittedly, a nice problem to have.
Lakien asked: Brazil, really? AWESOME. Can you say which publisher?
Man, I had no idea how huge young adult literature is in Brazil until a few months ago. You Brazilian book bloggers blow my mind! Portuguese rights for Anna and the French Kiss were sold to Brazil's Editora Nova Conceito. I'm not sure when it will be published; you'd have to email them directly.
Brianna Lee asked: I'm an aspiring author and was wondering if you have any tips on writing and getting published, thanks. :)
I frequently talk about writing and publishing here, so you can always browse through my blog's "Writing Advice" label, as well as follow my blog or subscribe to it. Also, I recommend checking out the links and books in my On Writing section!
Robin Mellom asked (in regards to Anna): I grew up in Atlanta so I laughed out loud at the line about EVERYONE in Georgia going to Panama City. Haha! We totally went there every summer. Did you ever live in ATL??
I *LOVE* hearing that I've made someone laugh, but, unfortunately, I can't take credit for that joke. The Panama City line was courtesy of my husband Jarrod, who was raised in Georgia. But I did live in Atlanta for three years, in Decatur, which is also where Anna is from (I never specifically mention it, though locals will recognize the few names I throw out).
Connie Onnie left a gift, a link to this website: Enchanted Serenity of Period Films.
IT'S FABULOUS. The costumes! The swoon!
Marissa (link didn't work?) read my ENTIRE blog (Wowza! Thank you!) and also left a gift: And here's some Chris, my fav HBM :D

Merci! What a cheerful picture. I believe that was from the most recent Bridge School Benefit, correct? I've seen some great videos from that show on YouTube.
Alexa asked: Have you seen the BBC series MI-5? It's on about series five now but Richard Armitage is the lead in the last two series, and before that it was Rupert Penry Jones and before that Matthew Macfadyen - it is chock full of HBM and definitely worth watching.
Nooooooooo! I haven't! It's been in my Netflix queue for ages, and I still haven't found the time to dive in. I will MAKE time this year. Thanks for the reminder.
And now, because you said the magic words, I'm allowed to post a picture of Mr. Darcy. Here is Mr. Darcy in his MI-5 role:

And here is Mr. Darcy as Mr. Darcy:

I love it when someone mentions the magic words!
And I asked you for a list of books that you enjoyed in 2010, and here were your excellent responses:
Restoring Harmony by Joelle Anthony
The Last Good Place of Lily Odilon by Sara Beitia
Plain Kate by Erin Bow (two mentions!)
Stolen by Lucy Christopher
Matched by Ally Condie
Graffiti Moon by Cath Crowley
The Lonely Hearts Club by Elizabeth Eulberg
Where She Went by Gayle Forman
Harmonic Feedback by Tara Kelly
Ash by Malinda Lo
The Piper's Son by Melina Marchetta
The Ghosts of Ashbury High by Jaclyn Moriarty
Grace by Elizabeth Scott
Nothing by Janne Teller
Extraordinary by Nancy Werlin
Now I have a NEW question for you. Did anybody try organic eggnog after reading this post? Please tell me that I got at least one of you addicted! This year, I began adding it to my coffee, tea, scrambled eggs, cookies, and biscuits. I already miss it.
Until next year, eggnog! *kisses last carton*