Today is THE day. The day the cover for my debut middle grade novel, FINDING PERFECT, sneaks past the gate and shows itself to the world. The day I’ve been waiting for.
So. Here. It. Is.
I am so grateful to Kristi Radwilowicz of FSG, the force behind my cover, for her thoughtful creativity, and Angie Chen, my editor, for her unending editorial wisdom, and the entire FSG team for their continued support.
When you read the book, you’ll be amazed to see how many story elements Kristi was able to weave into my cover! Now, for a bit about the book:
To twelve-year-old Molly Nathans, perfect is:
- The number four
- The tip of a newly sharpened No. 2 pencil
- A crisp white pad of paper
- Her neatly aligned glass animal figurines
What’s not perfect is Molly’s mother leaving the family to take a faraway job with the promise to return in one year. Molly knows that promises are sometimes broken, so she hatches a plan to bring her mother home: Win the Lakeville Middle School Poetry Slam Contest. The winner is honored at a fancy banquet with white tablecloths. Molly is sure her mother would never miss that. Right…?
But as time passes, writing and reciting slam poetry become harder. Actually, everything becomes harder as new habits appear, and counting, cleaning, and organizing are not enough to keep Molly’s world from spinning out of control.
In this fresh-voiced debut novel, one girl learns there is no such thing as perfect.
Stay tuned. FINDING PERFECT hits shelves October 2016! Until then, thanks for letting me share my cover and my excitement.
****
Elly Swartz loves writing for children, and not long after she began writing, she got a sign that, indeed, this was the right path for her. She opened a piece of Bazooka Joe gum and wrapped around the sugary, pink delight was a fortune that read, “You have the ability to become outstanding in literature.” She keeps her fortune tacked next to her desk in her office.
Elly’s debut middle grade novel, FINDING PERFECT comes out on October 18th, 2016 with Farrar, Straus and Giroux. FINDING PERFECT is a middle grade story about a twelve-year-old girl named Molly, friendship, family, betrayal, OCD, and a slam poetry competition that will determine everything. She happily lives in Brookline, Massachusetts with her husband, two tall and loving, twenty-something sons and one-year-old beagle named Lucy.
You can visit Elly on her website, Facebook, and Twitter.
HOORAY and congratulations! It really IS the perfect cover! I love it and can’t wait to buy your debut novel.I loved the story in early draft and can’t wait to read it in final. YOU are awesome! xoxoxox
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Oh, Debbi. Thank you so much. I have loved loved loved sharing this journey with you. I am excited for you to read the final version. And, can’t wait to celebrate YOUR cover next 🙂 xoxo
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Love the cover! So sweet I can almost taste it!
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Ha! Yes, much sweetness 🙂 Happily candy found it’s way on the cover AND in the story! Much thanks.
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LOVE this cover! Dare I say it’s PERFECT!?!?! Congratulations, Elly! So happy for you. I can’t wait to read this book. Is it October yet??!?!
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Aww,thanks, Vicki! I am so grateful for the cover. And while I do wish October was here, at least it’s finally 2016 – for both of us!
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Elly, it’s a lovely cover. Don’t you love it when a cover truly reflects the story? Woohoo.
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Thanks, Mylisa. And, yes! It was truly amazing to me to see how many story elements she actually wove into the cover 🙂
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Congrats, Elly! It is the perfect cover–simple and elegant :). Can’t wait to read it!!
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Thanks so much, Maria! I really do love the simplicity, too!
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I love the cover, Elly! And the “Keeping it together inch by inch” made me laugh out loud — I know this book will speak to me in so many ways! Congrats!
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So appreciate your thoughts, Andrea. The tag line is one of my very favorite things about the cover! Thanks again!
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Wonderful cover!! Many congrats, Elly!
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Thanks, Janet. Beyond excited 🙂
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Oh, this cover is so wonderful. I adore it. I love how everything’s lined up perfectly–except the one little piece at the end that isn’t. I can’t wait for this one. Congratulations, Elly!!
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Huge thanks, Elaine. So happy you noticed the out of line eraser. Love all the details they put into the design. It ties in with so much in the story. Again, thanks!!!
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It’s awesome, Elly! Can’t wait to read it! Congrats!!!!
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Thanks, Penny. Can’t wait to share it with you!
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Congratulations! Sounds great…looks great!
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Much thanks!
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Elly, the cover is great! What a great way to start 2016!
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Thanks, Kathleen. Agreed – a wonderful way to kick off the new year 🙂
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A great cover and a truly gripping premise! I can’t wait to read this book and find out how it comes together…or how it falls apart…and hopefully comes back together…see? I’m worried about Molly already!
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Oh, Bridget, thank you so much! And, yes, while writing Molly’s story, I constantly worried about her!
See you Saturday, my friend and Sweet 16 debut sister 🙂
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