The Announcement you probably never saw coming...

So... remember that time I kept a BIG secret from you guys for five months???

Well...

I *kinda* did it again...

Messenger’s YA Novels Get Six Figures at S&S

Laura Rennert of Andrea Brown Literary Agency sold North American rights for Shannon Messenger’s debut young adult novel, Let the Sky Fall, and a sequel. The six-figure deal went to Liesa Abrams, executive editor at Simon & Schuster for the Simon Pulse imprint. Let the Sky Fall, slated for March 2013 publication, is about a 17-year-old boy who has no idea how he survived the category five tornado that killed his parents. Though his memory has been erased, he is haunted by dreams of a beautiful, dark-haired girl. Now, years later, he finds out the girl is real: she’s his guardian sylph, an air elemental, who harnesses the power of the wind.

(You can see the complete article HERE)

And from Publisher's Marketplace:

Children's: Young Adult

Shannon Messenger's debut young adult novel LET THE SKY FALL, about a teen who survives a deadly tornado but loses his memory, only to discover that the beautiful girl who haunts his dreams is both real and the key to the mysteries of his past, to Liesa Abrams at Simon Pulse, in a good deal, for two books, in a pre-empt, for publication beginning in spring 2013, by Laura Rennert at Andrea Brown Literary Agency (NA). ljrennert@mac.com

And I know a lot of you are probably re-reading those and  thinking... wait--YA? 

Did it say YA???????????

Yes, yes it does--THAT IS NOT A MISTAKE!

Believe it or not, I, Shannon Messenger, am now officially a middle-grade AND a YA Author.

!!!!!!

I know--it's totally unexpected. Believe me, I was just as surprised as you. In fact, I'm probably the most accidental YA author EVER. But ... it's really happening. The book is already written and edited--and I promise I will tell you more about how that all played out in another post, when my head isn't spinning so much.

It's funny. I thought announcing the news would be less emotional this time, since I just did this a few months ago for my middle grade series. But that actually makes it MORE overwhelming.

I am so humbled and stunned that I get to share both of my series with the world--and that I get to work with my incredible editor on both of them. In fact, I get a little teary every time I really let myself think about how amazing that is--and believe me, no one is more grateful, or shocked, than me.

My sincerest thanks go to Laura Rennert for always believing in me and working tirelessly to help get me to this point. HUGE thanks also must go to Liesa Abrams--and Simon & Schuster--for trusting me enough to buy so many of my books. And of course I also have to thank all of you, for your unfailing support and enthusiasm. I'm so honored to have you all along with me for this crazy publishing ride. (Strap yourselves in--the next year is going to be CRAZY!)

And... I'm starting to sound like a lame award show acceptance speech (and I'm getting a bit choked up, typing this) so I'm going to stop here for today. But I'm SO glad the news is FINALLY out there. I've been stuck sitting on the secret since July. (yes, JULY!!!!)

So *phew*--I don't have to keep quiet anymore. Once again I made it through the endless waiting without leaking anything important. It was torture, you guys. TORTURE.

But I did it!

AND NOW NO ONE CAN CLAIM I CAN'T KEEP SECRETS EVER AGAIN!!!!!!!!

*collapses*