Like any good bookworm, I've always loved the smell of books. The best part of getting a new book, or a used book, or a library book, was smashing my face into the pages and breathing.
As I type this, I realize that may not have been entirely sanitary. But that doesn't matter because it was magical.
Do you know what I'm talking about? The scent that always promised an adventure?
Anyway, I got to hold my finished book for the first time, a couple weeks ago, and the first thing I did was smell it. And it was strange because it was like rewriting those childhood moments—shifting from where will this book take me to where will my book take others.
It was a strange and special and emotional moment—
And then, of course, I wore the jacket flap like a cute party hat, tried to balance a stack on my head, and spread the books all over the floor so I could bathe in them like Scrooge McBook. You know, because I am a professional author.
But in all seriousness, I am so excited the book is finally out. This is a story about what it means to love someone who's hurting, and how to heal in the face of pain. It's also a story about the way friendships change, about finding unexpected mentors, about the way therapy can make you feel raw and exposed, but also seen. It's a story about growing up and learning to be okay.
It's a story that means so much to me, and I hope it will mean something to you, too.
And also: thank you. Thank you for being on this journey, for all the kind messages, for your excitement. I really appreciate you so much. 💙💙💙
If you already bought the book and you want to do EVEN MORE because you are the best and made of sunshine and happiness...Here are 7 ways you can help the book succeed:
Request if from your local library. Libraries often buy copies of requested books, so this helps both with book sales, and with getting books in the hands of readers who might not have access.
Gift a copy to a middle grade reader in your life. Because books are the best present. Obviously.
Rate and review it on Amazon. According to urban legend, Amazon starts adding books to the "recommended" section after a book gets 50 reviews. And who really knows if this is accurate because Amazon works in strange and mysterious ways—but! reviews are still great and help readers decide whether or not a book is right for them.
TAE KELLER grew up in Honolulu, where she wrote stories, ate spam musubis, and participated in her school’s egg drop competition. (She did not win.) After graduating from Bryn Mawr College, she moved to New York City to work in publishing, and she now has a very stubborn Yorkie and a multitude of books as roommates.
![[IMG: the world's ugliest dog, reading SOBT]](https://gallery.mailchimp.com/50b882aa525479b0c33d7531f/images/dc642b18-18f1-4090-a69a-1a18958d96e6.jpg)
