In the fall of 2011, things were a bit hectic. I had the deal for SANCTUM, and I was smack-dab in the middle of writing the sequel. In September, I interrupted that project to write the partial for SCAN that went on submission in October.
I write to cope. And when I'm on sub, I cope hard. Once SCAN was with editors, I needed to stay busy, even though I knew that if it was acquired, I'd need to write the rest of the book on a very tight deadline. But for some reason, I didn't feel like immediately jumping back into Sanctum2 once I'd taken a break with it.
Aaaaand then I got an idea. Sneakily, guiltily, I wrote a few chapters. I sent them to Brigid Kemmerer, because she is very honest and frank (on top of being a brilliant writer), and I knew she'd slap me upside the head if I was getting involved in a project that was a total waste. But she got back to me quickly and basically said "GO GO GO!"
So I went went went, and three weeks later, FACTORY GHOST was finished. It's sort of like Phantom of the Opera meets Upton Sinclair's The Jungle, set in a fictional Asian society. Writing it was intense to say the least. But I'm *really* proud of it. And yesterday evening, this came out in the Publishers Weekly Children's Bookshelf:
Thank you, Brigid, for encouraging me to write this book even though the timing was all wrong. Thank you, Kathleen, for not freaking out (out loud, at least) when I told you I was writing another book instead of the books that were already under contract (and for supplying the color coded schedules to make sure I don't miss any of my deadlines. And for, you know, selling my books). Thank you, Ruta, as well as the entire McElderry team, for being so enthusiastic about this story.Ruta Rimas at Margaret K. McElderry Books has acquired at auction Sarah Fine's Factory Ghost, a gothic YA novel about a 16-year-old girl who moves in with her father, the resident doctor for the town's slaughterhouse, and discovers that the myth of the factory ghost may not be a myth at all. Publication is set for winter 2014. Kathleen Ortiz of New Leaf Literary & Media did the two-book deal for North American rights.
And thank you, blog friends, for being part of this with me. I am so, so fortunate to be part of this community.
Congrats, Sarah! You're a writing machine. And I feel so honored to have had the opportunity to read both Sanctum and Factory Ghost. I can't wait to see what you come up with next.
ReplyDeleteI'm still doing a happy dance for you! :D
Whoa. I just got here and hadn't even heard about SCAN yet, and now there's another book?
ReplyDeleteWhat kind of coffee do you drink? And what color magic socks? And CONGRATULATIONS!
Excellent news, Sarah! Congratulations!
ReplyDeleteThat's awesome news, Sarah! Congrats to your many successes. I can't wait to see it on shelves.
ReplyDeleteCongrats Sarah! That's awesome news.
ReplyDeleteSarah! That is so awesome. You must be over the moon. I can't wait to read ALL your books.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations, Sarah! I can't believe how fast you write! (Don't you sleep?)
ReplyDeleteIf I buy more than 1 book by an author on my Kindle, I give them their own folder on my Home screen. You are SO going to have a folder on my Kindle. Think of that!
Wow, congrats, Sarah! Awesome news for you and for those of us waiting to read all of your new projects. Lots of happy dancing going on, huh?
ReplyDelete-Vicki
wow wow WOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Amazing! (I am going to avert my eyes from that three week statement) :D :D :D I will be reading lots of SARAH!!!!
ReplyDeleteCongratulations!!! Wonderful news!!
ReplyDeleteYay! Congratulations! Get ready to do a lot of writing! :)
ReplyDeleteWOO and HOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :D AWESOME news! You're a writing machine.
ReplyDeleteI remember talking about this. Also, Congrats!
ReplyDeleteBut, you do need a slap on the wrist for never telling me to follow Brigid's blog before. Don't worry, I've taken care of it.
What a great scenario! You are an inspiration. I truly can't imagine writing a book in three weeks, and am so impressed!
ReplyDeleteI'm SO excited by this. Congrats again, Sarah! :D *dances some more*
ReplyDeleteExcited flail-filled hands. Yes x infinity. Congratulations!
ReplyDeleteWhat an intriguing and original idea! Congratulations! Can't wait to read it!
ReplyDeleteHow will I ever keep up with you??? :D This is fantastic news--SUPER CONGRATS!!! Woo hoo! Can't wait to read them all~ :o) <3
ReplyDeleteYou are taking over the literary world, one book series at a time. I bow down to you. *salaam* *asks for book writing pixie dust*
ReplyDeleteWow, that's amazing!! Congratulations Sarah!
ReplyDeleteHoly peanut-butter fudge, that's so awesome! CONGRATS!
ReplyDeleteThis is one of the most amazing publication stories I've ever read. And it says so much about the importance of passion for the story and listening to yourself. Thank you for sharing it. Can't wait to read your books.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations! And can't wait to read it.
ReplyDeleteMAJOR CONGRATS!! You are on FIRE, my dear! Your passion and work ethic has most definitely inspired me. Can't wait to read ALL your books! :D
ReplyDeleteThat's so exciting!!! Congrats!! Stina sent me over :)
ReplyDeleteThat's an awesome story! I love it. And thank heavens for flexible people letting you go when your muse calls.
ReplyDeleteGoodness gracious, so many deals! This book sounds amazing - congrats! :DDD
ReplyDeleteSarah,
ReplyDeleteYour mom and I are so proud. Love,
Dad
As I already told you on twitter, CONGRATS!!! I'm totally intrigued by the premise of Factory Ghost and I'm kinda sad that I won't see it until like 2014! Also, I'm still not over the amount writing you've done in this period of time. I mean, THREE books! Way to put us all to shame. :)
ReplyDeletecongrats, Sarah!
ReplyDeleteCongrats!!! So happy for you!
ReplyDeleteOh wow awesome! Congratulations.
ReplyDeleteI'm writing a proposal for an editor at this very moment, and I SO craved a boost (I'm TIRED). This is just what I needed. Congratulations, and I'd love to know what you (the psychologist you!) think about teens and coming of age rituals, as in: http://parenting.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/07/18/a-boy-learns-to-milk-and-becomes-a-man/. Again, congratulations, and I'm so impressed and happy for you.
ReplyDeletewww.jessicalahey.com
I didn't know you wore magic socks.
ReplyDeleteI'm so happy to see this announcement for the story about the chickens!
Congratu-atu-atu-lations!
I hope that made sense. I'm slightly brain dead today but I can sing any song from Charlotte's Web, the musical, by heart. Which is WHY I'm brain dead.
Love that title, btw.
Wow. This sounds like an amazing time for you. Congratulations!
ReplyDeleteThis sounds amazing! Congratulations. :)
ReplyDeleteUber excited for you! That is so awesome! YAY!! :)
ReplyDeleteCongrats!!
ReplyDeleteCongrats! This is all very exciting...just signed up to be your 499th follower....one more! ;)
ReplyDeleteCongratulations! It seems like you are "coping" very well during submissions... I can't wait to read Sanctum. I just put it on my Goodreads TBR list. :)
ReplyDeleteholy macaroni!!!! you are a machine! good job!!!!!!!!
ReplyDeleteI am over the moon for you, Sarah! Congratulations!! :) I can't wait to read ALL of these!!!
ReplyDeleteHoly cow, you are on a roll! Congratulations!
ReplyDeletePopped over from Stina's blog. Congratulations *sets off fireworks* (of course not around any dry brush)
ReplyDeleteWOOOOOOHOOOOOOOO!!!!!! Gurl, can't wait to get my hands on your books!!!!!
ReplyDeleteSo... I know this is an older blogpost, but I've been scavenging for every little bit I can find about this book. ^.^ It sounds amazing and I'm so excited to read it!!!
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