Blast Off

I’ve launched.

THE COUNTDOWN CONSPIRACY has completed its countdown. We’re out there, now. Spreading adventure, science, and engineering to readers around the world.

And so it’s time for me to step away from my EMU nest.

This is unexpectedly one of the hardest things I’ve had to do so far. It’s the end of the beginning, and I’m not sure I’m ready. Nicely, however, I’ve made a lot of friends during the beginning, and they’re coming with me as we all venture into the next phase of our careers. So that is making the transition a little easier.

It’s odd to be on this side of the launch. Everything seemed to build up to that one magic moment when my book hit shelves. I can’t help but compare it to what happened when Curiosity landed on Mars. Anyone who knows me knows how much the Curiosity rover inspired my debut, and now, it continues to inspire me.

When Curiosity landed on Mars in 2012, all anyone could talk about was the tremendous feat it took to get it there. The nail-biting landing sequence. The cheers when it successfully set down.

But landing was only the beginning of Curiosity’s job. Its real work started when its wheels touched the Martian surface. And I feel that way about my debut.

We made it. We’re here. Let’s celebrate.

But also…let’s get started. It’s time to dig in and do what we came here to do.

Lots of love to my fellow EMUs who have been a part of my journey. It’s been an honor to share in this experience with you all.

Onward.

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Katie Slivensky’s debut novel (THE COUNTDOWN CONSPIRACY) released on  August 1st, 2017 with HarperCollins Children’s.

Katie is a science educator at the Museum of Science in Boston, where she coordinates school visits, does live presentations, and runs the rooftop observatory program. She lives in a suburb of Boston with her two completely absurd cats, Galileo and Darwin, and is represented by Ammi-Joan Paquette.