Book Deal FAQs!
Thanks so much to everyone who’s reached out over the past few weeks to congratulate me on my book deal with Simon and Schuster! I’m still in a state of shock and disbelief. Maybe this will finally feel real when I hold Soulmatch in my hands for the first time. I cannot wait for that day!
I’ve consolidated all your wonderful questions to answer here:
What’s Your book about?
A little about the world: Set in DC 200 years from now, you must report to the government on your 18th birthday to be matched to your past lives. In each one, you’re reborn into a different body and nation, but you inherit your previous lives’ talents, fortunes, and prison sentences. Those results are published for the world to see and judge.
A little about my main character: Sivon (pronounced sih-VAHN), a reluctant artist with a knack for winning strategic games, hopes to leave the institute with a career path, inheritance, maybe a soulmate. Instead, she leaves surrounded by armed security, doubting both the soul-matching system and herself.
Lotus flowers are a symbol of rebirth.
When/Where can I buy your book?
Soulmatch will be published in spring of 2025 and will be available from all online booksellers! I’m hoping you’ll be able to find it in stores as well, but that will largely depend on preorders and the hype it receives leading up to my launch date. At a minimum, I’ll reach out to my local Barnes and Noble store and indie booksellers like Birch Tree Bookstore and Middleburg Books to ask them to carry it. I’ll let you know when it’s available for preorder!
Will Soulmatch have an audiobook?
I can’t say for sure, but I believe so! I will definitely be pushing hard for one since dyslexia runs in my family, so I understand the importance of audiobooks for accessibility. I prefer audiobooks to other formats myself!
Will you narrate the audiobook?
Absolutely not. I may have done a little acting in high school and college, but that was a long time ago. I’d much prefer to have a professional narrator, and I already have a wish list of my favorite voice actors!
How/when did you get the Deal news?
My agent, Michelle Wolfson, pitched Soulmatch to Nicole at Simon & Schuster in late July. Sometime in mid-August, Michelle emailed me saying an editor was “enjoying” the book, but that could’ve meant anything so I didn’t get my hopes up. Four days later, Michelle called. I thought she was ringing to discuss revisions for my third manuscript, another topic of recent emails. We chatted about life and our kids for a FULL 20 MINUTES before she said, “so I just got an offer for your book!”
I’m pretty sure I shouted, “SHUT THE FRONT DOOR!” She gave me the details while I listened in disbelief, shaking so much I nearly dropped the phone. As soon as we hung up, I burst into tears (that still happens on occasion!)! The deal terms were finalized in late September, but we agreed to wait to announce until we had the new title.
This isn’t me, but this is how I felt!
why did you change the title?
Title changes are very common in publishing, so I was prepared for that and am totally fine with it. Soulmatch is actually the fourth title this story has had! But I love wordplay and titles with multiple meanings, so I’m thrilled with Soulmatch! “Match” can be interpreted as the pairing of souls to past lives, finding a love interest, a game, or something that lights a fire. All four of those interpretations hold true for this story! It’s perfect!
What are the next steps?
I’m currently waiting for the edit letter from my editor, which will detail the changes she’d like to see in the story. All traditionally published books go through revisions like this, and I’m excited to make this story as un-put-downable as possible. Those revisions will likely be due in January, then more will be due in the spring. Once that’s done, it’ll go off to copy edits where we’ll make sentence-level improvements.
Next, the sales and marketing teams take over! ARCs (advance reader copies) will go out to reviewers and influencers, podcasts will be scheduled, and book festivals and book clubs will be pitched. Y’all, this is exciting stuff!
Are you Giving up photography?
No way! My advance was wonderful, but doesn’t make up for the money I’ve lost since hiring a retoucher to free up writing time. Besides, I love my photography clients too much to walk away from the business I worked so hard to build! I’m hoping to strike a healthy balance between writing and photography for as long as possible!
This is not me. I would never shoot with an 18-55mm. LOL.
What can I do to help?
Ah! Thanks for asking! Whether you read YA or not, there’s so much you can do to help Soulmatch become successful!
Click “Want to Read” on the Goodreads Soulmatch page. Takes two seconds!
Follow me on social media! I’m most active on TikTok and Threads but am trying to post more on Instagram and Facebook. Takes two seconds!
Tell your friends and family about Soulmatch! This story will appeal to fans of the cast and adventure of Outer Banks mixed with the near-future technology of Black Mirror. Readers who enjoy Neal Shusterman (Scythe, Unwind), Scott Westerfeld (Uglies), Marie Lu (Legend, Warcross), Allie Condie (Matched), Adam Silvera (They Both Die at the End), and Emily Suvada (This Mortal Coil) will want to pick up a copy, as well as any fans of slow burn, forbidden romances with cinnamon roll love interests and savvy heroines who save themselves. While it can take a few minutes to share the details, it only takes two seconds to share a social media post, the Goodreads page, or this blog post!
Sign up for my mailing list below! Be the first to know when Soulmatch gets a cover, character art (I’m hiring an artist next week!), ARC copies, and goes up for preorder. Takes two seconds!
(The above book links are Amazon affiliate links.)
Thanks again, everyone! I’m so happyyyyyyy! Wheeeee!!