Hi.
So. Um. I’m not really sure how to do this. Because I’ve never done anything like this before.
Never ever.
Because I’ve never had a book deal before.
AND WE HAVE A BOOK DEAL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Us, all week.
Our book, FAR FROM US, is going to be published.
WHAAAAAT???
It’s true! About a week ago, super agent Jim McCarthy, Mindi, and I accepted a deal with Alexandra Arnold of Katherine Tegen Books (HarperCollins).
See!?
And in case you don’t feel like clicking, here’s what it says:
Michelle Andreani and Mindi Scott’s FAR FROM US, a dual narrative in which two grieving teens take a road trip across the Southwest after their friend is killed in an accident and along the way chart a journey of loss, hope, and love as they discover the ways that she lives on even after her death, to Alex Arnold at Katherine Tegen Books, by Jim McCarthy at Dystel & Goderich Literary Management (World).
Eep! Eeeeeeeeeeep!
Exactly!!
Are there words that even exist for this?! (I guess that’s not the most impressive thing, announcing a book deal and then being unable to string together some sentences, huh? Yeesh!) But still! It all feels so very surreal, something I haven’t quite wrapped my head around yet, even after years and years of dreaming up a moment just like it. (I was even in my pajamas when it happened – just like I always imagined!) Of course, those were the same years and years of telling myself to take it down a notch, Michelle, it might never happen.
But it did.
It happened. IT’S HAPPENING!!!!!!!
Night cheese, Snuggie happy!
Mindi and I are so, so happy to work with Alex, who has shown such enthusiasm for FFU, and we are so fortunate to have her behind our book! And we’re really excited to join Katherine Tegen Books, the home of so many fantastic stories — including Veronica Roth’s Divergent (MAYBE YOU’VE HEARD OF IT), and another of my favorites, Hilary T. Smith’s Wild Awake.
We are very lucky.
And I feel like the luckiest person ever to have had Mindi in my corner all this time. Without her endless support, crazyyyyy talent, and all-around general wonderfulness, I would not be writing this. And a bazillion thank-yous to Jim, who took a chance on me, was ever encouraging, and fought for FFU all the way.
(Is this where I thank other people? What happens next?? Did I talk about how surreal this is?! My brain is all jumbly!)
A dream come true. That’s all I can think to say about it.
Except that I am bursting with gratitude and excitement and happy-nausea!
This will be my first ever First Book. And I (and we) hope you like it. 🙂
OKAY AAAAAAAAAHHHHHHH BYEEEEEE!!!!!!!!!
Michelle Andreani and Mindi Scott 
Allow me to join you in an inability to word properly. AAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHH YYYAAAAAAAAAYYYYYYYY!!!!!!!!
Eeeeeeeeee! Thank you so much, Annika!
YAAAYYYYY GAAAHHHH! Thanks very much, Annika!!
YAYAYYAAYAYAYAYAYAYAAYY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I am so freaking thrilled for you guys to a. officially announce b. THAT I WILL GET TO READ A NEW BOOK c. IT SOLD. d. TO HARPER. e. I just don’t like the letter D. 🙂 *throws confetti everywhere* So many congratulations Mindi & Michelle!
Thank you, Rachel! *spins around in confetti with arms outstretched*
Thank you so, so much, Rachel!!! *lies down* *makes confetti angels*
This is wonderful news! Congratulations to you both!!!!
Thank you, Joli! ❤
Thank you so much, Joli!!! 🙂
YAYYYYYYYYYYYYYY!!!! I’m SO THRILLED for both of you!!!
Thank you so much, Denise! 🙂
Thanks very, very much, Denise!!! 🙂
OMG!!! I am so happy for you both!! I can’t wait to read FFU!!!! xoxo
And we can’t wait for you to read it, Kelli! ❤
Yay! Yay! Yay! Hope you like it, Kelly!!! ❤
Congratulations, you two!!!! I can’t wait to read YOUR BOOK!
Amy, me neither! Haha. Well, it will still be a bit since we have to actually finish writing it. But we are so pleased that it will be a REAL THING. Hooray!
Thank you so much, Amy!!! Hope you like it!! 🙂
SHUT UP AND TAKE MY MONEY!!!!!*
*Oh my god CONGRATULATIONS!
Awww, thanks so much, Caz! WE WILL TAKE ALL THE MONEY. ❤
Thanks so, so much!!! We also accept milkshakes. 😉
WOO HOO. YAYYYYY.
Thank you! 🙂
Yay! Thank you!! 🙂
Can I be your #1 fan please? I’m so cut out for it! Thrilled for you both.
Only if we can be your #1 fan right back, Gina! ❤
I told you once I’d wear a Team Gina t-shirt and I wasn’t kidding! ❤
Oh you guys …. so sweet even in the middle of Your Big Moment! I am seriously just over the moon for you both. Fangirling really really hard over here.
Congrats!
Thank you!!! 🙂
Thanks so much, Ashley!! 🙂
Congratulations!
This is the kind of book I love. Can’t wait to read it!
That’s wonderful to hear! Thank you so much. 🙂
Aww, thank you!! We hope you do love it. 🙂
Michelle I wanted to congratulate you!!! Wow!!!! Can’t wait to read it….would it be weird to paste a link about this on the DA facebook page or something? haha Such FANTASTIC news…Congratulations!!
Thank you so much, Michelle!! This is so nice of you!! I guess it wouldn’t be weird to link this on the DA page, haha! (Now that you bring it up, I’m not even sure I’m a fan of it, ha!) It’s so sweet of you to offer that. Thanks again! Hope you and your family are well! 🙂