Monday, March 12, 2012

And We Have A Series

by Kathleen Ernst

Lightkeepers cover reducedTwo good writerly things happened in the past couple of weeks. First, I got to see the final cover art for the third Chloe Ellefson mystery, The Light Keeper’s Legacy, which will be out in October. I love the cover, and suspect that readers will too.

Second, I got to announce a big project in the children’s arena. For the past three years I’ve been working on a six-book series for American Girl, but it’s all been under wraps. Although most of it is still under wraps, I was able to announce that it’s going to be published in the fall. That was fun.

Writers seize opportunities when they come. I’ve been blessed with a lot of opportunity lately. That’s wonderful, but it also meant that the past year in particular was…shall we say…intense.

Early on, my husband and I talked about keeping on a book-a-year schedule for Chloe, and we both felt that was important. The Light Keeper’s Legacy turned out to be the most complicated book yet. (I didn’t plan it that way, but that’s the way the story evolved.) It includes multiple timelines and required a lot of research. I ju-u-ust barely made my deadline. At more than one point I truly wondered if I could pull it off. I was so head-down on the thing that it all felt very abstract.

Then I got to see the cover. Suddenly, it started looking and feeling like a real book.

Even better, it’s the third Chloe Ellefson mystery. To me, that makes it official: I’m writing a series. The dictionary I checked defined a series as “a set of successive volumes published in like form with similarity of subject or purpose.” I’d like to think I’m building some momentum.

Midnight Ink recently released their list of titles for the fall 2012 list. It’s an impressive list. I’m proud to be part of it.

http://kathleenernst.com
http://sitesandstories.wordpress.com

9 comments:

Vicki Doudera said...

Hi Kathleen, Congratulations on both of your writing successes! The cover is great and the American Girl series is terrific news.

I know exactly what you mean about Number 3. I am in the same position with DEADLY OFFER, which I'll be blogging about on Thursday. This third one makes it official!

Robin Allen said...

Great cover! I have a hard enough time writing one book, I can't imagine writing two at the same time. Perhaps it's easier because it's for a different audience?

Beth Groundwater said...

I love the cover, too, Kathleen! And congratulations on both of your series. What will the release dates be on the American Girl books?

Unknown said...

Wonderful blog, Kathleen - congratulations on your THIRD in the SERIES! I'm looking forward to reading it. And the American Girl series sounds intriguing - I look forward to learning more about that. Keep writing!

Kathleen Ernst said...

Thanks, all. I'm not permitted to say anything more about the AG release. It will be a surprise!

It's not easy to juggle two projects, but I love both and wasn't willing to give either one up!

VWA Extinct said...
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G.M. Malliet said...

Everything about that cover says "Pick me up and read me now."

Congratulations on the cover, and the AG series, Kathleen.

Dru said...

Congratulations on the American Girl series.

Congrats on the third Chloe book, which I love the cover and can't wait to read it.

Lois Winston said...

Coming in a little late with congrats, Kathleen. I never got around to checking the blog yesterday. So huge congrats on the third book and the AG series. I hope you'll be able to tell us more about it soon.