Hello friends. It has been a MINUTE since I posted here. For as long and exhausting as 2021 was, how are we nearly halfway through 2022??
I just checked the calendar and This Appearing House comes out in THREE months??? What even is time?
So let’s recap! Some fun things happened this year so far. I went to my first con down in Virginia. It was AuthorCon, hosted by Scares that Care. I was super excited that my first event was one for charity. It felt like a nice introduction to the big scary world of conventions. I met some cool new people, some internet friends, and I sold some books!
What else? Well, now that we are just a mere three months out from publication of This Appearing House, reviews are rolling in. Which is fine. I’m not nervous at all. Totally fine. I mean, this book is ONLY about my feelings about life and death and trauma and based on my own experiences, what could possibly go wrong?
Ahem.
Moving along… so Kirkus came in. And while I’m sure the people who write for Kirkus are absolutely lovely people that magazine is known to be rough when it comes to reviews. Like, the Pitchfork of book reviews.
So I wrapped my heart in iron and waited to see what they would say. And then….this happened
A hauntingly truthful view of secrets and strength? That doesn’t sound so bad at all. And the rest of the review is actually quite lovely.
Delightfully nightmarish visions chase Jac, offering the feel of a thrilling game with twisted and terrifying imagery, as she navigates the house, seeking to understand her connection to this unusual place in this emotionally resonant story.”
Well if that doesn’t just make me smile. Delightfully nightmarish? Emotionally resonant? I’ll take it.
And then, we got another TAH surprise
Why yes that is a shiny little gold medal on my book, why do you ask? This Appearing House was selected as a Junior Library Guild Gold Standard Selection! Only 3% of books get picked for this honor and 95% go on to win more awards so to say I was impressed and flattered and blown away and weeping would be an understatement.
And finally, This Appearing House is on the ballot for the first ever middle grade Stoker Award. I’m so thrilled that the Horror Writers Association has recognized middle grade horror and has introduced this new category. Stokercon next year is going to be something very special for those of us who finally see the work we do appreciated by the wider horror community.
So that’s about it for me. On a personal note, I’m still navigating my grief, trying to write new books (yes plural), and dodging COVID while still seeing family. Oh and last week I went to a baseball game and that was nice.
Everything is pretty terrible and there seems to be no end in sight but we’ve got books. We’ve got writing. And we’ve got baseball.
So remember kids, above all else, choose kindness. Always.
Peace, love, and starbursts,
Ally
Ally Malinenko 