A Very WICKED MARIGOLD Giveaway

and a quick news catch-up

Hello, Scuttlebutt readers,

I’ve missed you. I hope you’ve been doing all sorts of interesting things these past few months. Have you been getting enough sleep? Hydrating? Stretching those hamstrings? I know; I haven’t either, but I’m working on it.

Right now, though, I’m going to answer a few of your imaginary questions:

Is your new book out yet? I honestly cannot remember anything about it.

If you’re new to the Scuttlebutt, you’ll want to know that my next middle grade novel, Wicked Marigold, is coming out on July 16th. It’s a fairy-tale adventure with a twist, starring a possibly wicked princess, a definitely wicked wizard, an imp who enjoys embroidery, an eternally optimistic kitchen boy, a Thing, and an iguana with many costume changes. If you love funny fantasy stories, books that ask questions about good and evil, or any of my previous books, I hope you’ll like this one, too. You can read more about it here.

cover art by Jennifer M. Potter

Okay! That sounds fun. Can I order a copy yet?

Yes! Wicked Marigold is available to preorder from your favorite book-buying source, so if you are the sort of person who likes to preorder things, you can do that now. My recommendation is always to support your local independent bookshop if you’re lucky enough to have one in your area. You can also ask your local library to order Wicked Marigold for their collection.

You said something about a giveaway? That’s why I opened this email.

I’m so glad you asked. I have one single advance copy of Wicked Marigold sitting on my bookshelf, and it could be yours! Here are the rules of the giveaway:

1. To enter the giveaway, leave a comment on this post. (You can click the “Leave a comment” button right below this list of rules.) Your comment must include the magic word.

2. The magic word is IGUANA.

3. For an extra chance to win, tell one friend about Wicked Marigold, and let me know who you told in your comment! (Example: “I told my aunt to preorder your book because she loves iguanas.”)

4. At some point when I get around to it, no earlier than March 6, I will randomly choose a winner and get in touch to arrange delivery of your book.

Only Scuttlebutt subscribers are eligible to win the advance copy, so if you’re visiting this newsletter from another source, please subscribe before entering the giveaway!

What else have you been doing instead of writing this newsletter?

I have been making endless rounds of sandwiches for my children.

I have been revising a very exciting new novel that will either destroy me or be published by Candlewick in the near future; let’s hope it’s the latter.

I have learned how to do a push-up.

Most excitingly, I’ve taken on a new role as the children’s book columnist for Lit Hub. Every month, I’ll be sharing ten new children’s books I’m most excited to read, from board books and picture books all the way up through young adult novels and nonfiction. Check out my previous columns to see the wonderful books I’ve recommended so far, and stay tuned for the March column, which should be up in a couple weeks.

Happy reading, and good luck in the giveaway!

Caroline