Announcing the Sale of My Fifth and Sixth Novels to Penguin!

Hi everyone, I am so incredibly excited to share some wonderful news: I have just received and accepted an offer from my amazing publisher, Plume (an imprint of Penguin), to write two new novels! My agent worked out the details of my new contract this week, just in time for the weekend when we can celebrate! The next two books, both untitled at present, will be my fifth and sixth books with Plume, and will be published in the next year and a half. Plume has me on an every eight-month publishing schedule right now, which satisfies my need to keep writing, writing, writing, and my readers who love to keep reading (thank you!). Though the formal announcement will be released next week, I wanted to give you all a sneak peek of what’s to come from me:

BLACKBERRY WINTER: To be published in a few weeks–on September 25th!

THE LAST CAMELLIA: In production now, to be published on May 28, 2013!

UNTITLED NEW BOOK #5: Will likely come out in the winter of 2013, or possibly early spring.

UNTITLED NEW BOOK #6: Will come out about eight months after book #5.

Though I can’t give many hints about the new books yet, I can tell you that the fifth book is set in Seattle on a houseboat on Lake Union (you know, where Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan fell in love in “Sleepless in Seattle”!).

So, that’s my news! I’m so incredibly thrilled, and extremely grateful to my wonderful agent, Elisabeth Weed, and fabulous editor, Denise Roy.

Funny story to share: I have three little boys (ages 5, 3 and 1), so there tends to NEVER be a good time to talk business on the phone during the day, but somehow I end up figuring out creative ways of sneaking in a phone call (um, like hiding in my closet). The last time my agent called about a book deal, I was shopping with the kids at Trader Joe’s (I nearly fainted on the cereal aisle). This time? I was in a parking lot outside of Starbucks. Fortunately, my dad and mom (who were with us at the time), sat in the car with the kids while I chatted with Elisabeth outside. Funnily enough, she also had her kids in the car, and we had to wrap things up quickly when her baby and my baby started crying. 🙂

Thank you, thank you, everyone, for reading my novels, cheering me on, and for your friendship and kindness to me over the years. I feel incredibly blessed and grateful to be able to do what I love most: tell stories.

Hugs! And champagne all around!

21 Comments
  • August 24, 2012
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    Sarah! I am so thrilled for you! It’s been such a joy to watch this from the beginning with Violets.
    By the way, if you head down to Napa, let me know and I will tell you all the most wonderful places. Hint: Don’t go to the Geyser. Not worth it.

  • August 24, 2012
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    Congratulations, Sarah! That is wonderful. I can’t wait to continue reading your stories:)

  • August 24, 2012
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    Congratulations, Sarah! Not sure what impresses me more – your fabulous books and new contract or the fact that you’re able to release a new book every eight months with three little boys! Keep up the amazing work. Couldn’t be happier for you and your success.

  • August 24, 2012
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    So thrilled for you Sarah!! Huge congrats I hope you celebrate all weekend!

  • August 24, 2012
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    Glenda

    Congratulations! Celebrate this weekend! Yay! Can’t wait for #3…not soon enough… so looking forward to reading all of them. I can’t wait to dive into all of your upcoming books. Love your amazing work!!

    Best to you and your family always!!!

  • August 24, 2012
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    Sarah — MAZEL TOV! That is very exciting. As a big fan from book one, I am excited to read these next creations. Also, I was in Seattle earlier this week (my kids’ first venture out of California, my second visit to your fair city). We had a wonderful time, ate great food and even took a boat ride in Lake Union. Can’t wait to read your story set there. Congrats again. Leslie Gordon

  • August 24, 2012
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    Sally

    Congrats! Can’t wait to read them all, superwoman!

  • August 24, 2012
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    Susan Ericksen

    Sarah –
    What you have inside of you NEEDS to come out on paper…You are an amazing writer and deserve all the blessings this world has to offer. Keep writing and don’t stop. You have enough inside of you to last your entire lifetime…..We will follow you and support you with much excitment …and always waiting for the newest and latest book you can deliver to us. So proud of you Sarah….Congratulations! The best is yet to be!
    Susan Ericksen

  • August 24, 2012
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    Jenn O'Brien

    Yes! Best news I’ve heard (read) today.
    Just added the 2013 release date to my reminder calendar and have the countdown going for next month’s release!
    Many congratulations!

  • August 24, 2012
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    Carolyn Daniel

    Congratulations! Violets of March was the first book I read on my new Kindle! Love all your books, and cannot wait until the new ones are published.

  • August 24, 2012
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    Congratulations! I love this post! I am so very excited!!! I can’t believe you are on an 8 month rotation, I love it, but its crazy! I can’t wait to keep reading your galleys and helping to spread the word! Thanks for making my night.

  • August 24, 2012
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    Texas Phyllis

    Wow, what exciting news! Obviously they see your talent and drive! You are one amazing lady! I am so thrilled to (1) have stumbled across Violets of March and (2) been fortunate enough to chat with you via FB and your website . I ‘m very excited that there are now FOUR more books in the works. I will be waiting for the release of each one. Congrats to you and so glad to hear you are feeling better.

  • August 25, 2012
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    Andrea Weaver

    Yay! Congrats, Sarah! I am so excited!

  • August 25, 2012
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    Huge Congratulations to you Sarah. I love your books, and it’s almost too good to be true that your next books are a done deal!! Hugs, champagne and chocolate!!! You have earned all this success…thank you for your devotion to your words!!

  • August 26, 2012
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    Kaira Rouda

    Sarah!
    It’s so wonderful when great things happen to great writers! I hope you so much fun celebrating your well-deserved success! Can’t wait to read the next book, and the next, and the next….! Cheers!! xo

  • August 26, 2012
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    Congrats!! Looking forward to #3, #4, #5 and #6! We were married on a yacht on Lake Union & I have bittersweet memories of watching the UW rowing team practicing from my dad’s hospital room.

  • August 26, 2012
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    Runa Nakayama

    Wow Sarah, I’m so happy for you, I feel like as one of you loyal readers, we are a little part of all of your journey! I bet you are a big inspiration for so many people, specially mom with kids, that dreaming big is possible! Can’t wait to read Blackberry winter soon!
    hugs

  • August 27, 2012
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    Congratulations Sarah! This is very exciting – and impressive – I can’t imagine how you can write a novel so there are enough to be published every eight months – wow!

  • September 1, 2012
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    LOis A. Brown

    I loved the first of yours aaaaaaI have read-The Bungalow ait was fasinating. I also love the beach , the sea, and islands, so it made it so much better. It also made think of my daddy fighting during that war,while I was born during the war wait for him to come home. The mystery and the surprises were great. And love and mother. Thanks for writing. Keep writting with those sweet, crazy little boys!

  • September 4, 2012
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    Nicole Brant

    That is so wonderful! I love love love your books and eagerly anticipate each one. This thrills me that I have so many to look forward to! I don’t know how you manage to write novels with 3 small boys running around! Wow!

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