by Julie, celebrating in Somerville
Have you ever seen the musical Mame? (Hopefully onstage.) There’s a song at the beginning of the first act I’ve been humming for the past 24 hours:
Light the candles
Get the ice out
Roll the rug up
It’s today
It’s today indeed! The launch of a brand new series. I am so, so thrilled that Pruning the Dead is finally in folks’ hands. I’ve been working on this series for a while, and Lilly, Tamara, Ernie, Delia and the gang have all moved into my brain as I’ve been working on the books. I look at the world with a “Lilly would like these earrings” and “Tamara would rock those shoes” mindset, even though Lilly and Tamara aren’t real, and most of you haven’t met them yet.
Today they are all standing on Lilly’s back porch, taking a bow as the rest of the characters in the series clap and celebrate that Goosebush will be on the cozy reader’s map. I’m enjoying creating this town, and its inhabitants. I’ve been changing the Massachusetts coastline to suit the novel, but that’s the lovely part of being a novelist. I can change the world.
Lilly Jayne is the center of the story, and it is refreshing to write about someone who is not that much older than I am. She is a woman who is coming back to life after a period of mourning, and in doing so starts fixing things. There is a quiet power to women in their mid-sixties, and Lilly owns that power, but doesn’t abuse it. Making her an amateur sleuth made so much sense to me–she knows everyone, cares, and has nothing to lose by making things right.
I’ll be celebrating for the rest of the day, and I’ll also be on Facebook tonight with Sherry Harris and Liz Mugavero to celebrate our joint book birthdays! Head on over to my Facebook page at 8pm ET–we’re going to be doing a live event, so you’ll get to see us all and ask questions!
Also, Pruning the Dead is the first of my books to have an audio book option! So thrilling!
Thanks for celebrating with me today!
Congratulations to all of you! And special congrats on the audiobook, Julie.
Thank you so.much!
I picked up my copy yesterday! I’m so excited to start reading it, Julie, because you’ve been talking about the book since the beginning. And awesome to have it in audio, too. Love you – and see you all tonight at the party!
Thank you so much Edith! Your support means the world!
🎉 🎉 Happy Book Birthday! 🎉 🎉
I have been looking forward to this series since you started talking about it!
Thank you! That means a lot.
I’m so happy that this series is out! My copy is waiting on my iPad. It’s been a journey and worth every step. Love you!
Love you too, and Happy Book Birthday to you!
Okay that’s the kindle and audio books bought! I look forward to enjoying them 😀
Thanks so much for your support!
Congrats, Julie! Hope you have a wonderful release day. Cheers!
Congrats! Read it weeks ago on Netgalley! Fantastic book. I hope this isn’t a bad thing but it gave me a sense of serenity when I was reading it, with all the talk of the flowers and plants. Still a great mystery, though!
That’s wonderful. I want folks to like visiting Goosebush!
Congratulations, Julie!
Thanks Liz!
Congratulations on the new book! I was lucky enough to win an aRC of the Book, and read it a few weeks ago. I really liked it. I can’t wait for Book 2!
Thank you!
Congratulations on the release of “Pruning the Dead”. I can’t wait for the opportunity to read it. Lilly Jayne definitely sounds like my kind of gal.
2clowns at arkansas dot net
Thank you Kay!
Congratulations! (No, I haven’t read it yet. I haven’t seen it yet! Quick, where’s the nearest bookstore?)
Thanks Sheila!
Congratulations, Julie – sounds like a great new series!
Thank you so much!
I am so happy for you, Julie! Super congratulations! I am really looking forward to diving into your new series!
Thank you so much my friend!
Congratulations! I read it through NetGalley in December and I loved it!
Thanks so much!
I am absolutely thrilled for you, Julie. You’ve worked so hard and it exciting seeing your success. And to have an audiobook come out at the same time—even better. Congratulations.
Thank you Grace!!
Congrats, Julie, on the big launch!! I remember when you gave us a sneak preview of the cover. I’ve been waiting with bated breath ever since. Gosh, it feels good to exhale. 🙂
I don’t do Facebook, so Happy Book Birthday to Sherry and Liz! Have a great time at the party.
Thank you!
Congrats on the book finally hitting the shelves! The characters and setting are fabulous. I think readers will really enjoy it.
Thanks so much Mark!
Congratulations, Julie (or should I say Julia?) Pruning the Dead is on my iPad and ready to rock and roll.
Thanks Barb!
Congratulations, Julie!! So happy for you! May the sales fairy visit your new series. <3
That you Ellen! And may they indeed!!