I feel like I've been sitting on this forever, but my wonderful agent, Kat Salazar of Larsen Pomada Literary Agents sold my book!!!
Here is the Publishers Marketplace listing:
Mary Gray's THE DOLLHOUSE ASYLUM, in which a group of teenagers are granted asylum from the apocalypse--and then assigned new identities as famous, tragic literary couples and forced to reenact their stories... or die, to Kate Kaynak at Spencer Hill Press, in a nice deal, for publication in October 2013, by Kat Salazar at Larsen/Pomada Literary Agents (World English).
And I have already been hard at work with my new better-than-words-can-express editor. She's seriously the real life version of what God must have seen that I needed/wanted. She has so much passion for my story and YA literature in general, plus she's a writer, too, so she *gets* everything I go through to create the right combination of storyline/words. And she's maybe even more communicative than me, which is saying something, and I absolutely love that about her. She's kicking my butt. I already told her she's my own Mr. Miyakgi/Walter from Fringe (pushing me, but hilariously brilliant, too.) Thank you, Danielle Ellison, for picking out my book. And thank you, Rich (my other editor who I look forward to getting to know) for wanting to work with my book, too! I am so excited to work with the Spencer Hill Press team since they specialize in young adult fiction. I've already read and was blown away by two of their books: Half-Blood by Jennifer L. Armentrout, and Minder by Kate Kaynak. Plus, I love this cover: Touch of Death by Kelly Hashway and this premise: (Perfection by J.L. Spelbring). I love how Spencer Hill Press is so passionate about their books!
So it's time to celebrate! Throw confetti! Roll your eyes, because now I won't stop talking about my book. I'm so excited to be working with a publishing company with so much talent and ambition up their sleeves.
Oh, and I almost forgot! This is me signing the contract. I am very serious, because this, folks, is a very serious landmark for me.
Please chime in and I'll visit your landing pad back! Tweet this and I'll be sure to follow you on twitter and would love to tweet any of your good news, too.

Yay, Mary, congrats on your super awesome news!
ReplyDeleteI just started following you on Twitter ;)
Can't wait for your book!
Thanks, Hafsah! Cool name, btw!
ReplyDeleteCongrats!
ReplyDeleteCongrats!!! Enjoy every second.Saw the news on twitter.
ReplyDeleteThis is the sweetest thing ever! I'm SUPER EXCITED!!!!
ReplyDeleteLove love LOVE this news! Congratulations, Mary! It's REAL!
ReplyDeleteThank you, ladies!!!
ReplyDeleteAHHHH CONGRATS, MARY! And I'm glad to finally see what your book is about (it sounds really interesting and cool! Like, seriously, I want to read it right now!). I am so, so happy for you! :)
ReplyDeleteAw! Thank you, Lyla! I'm totally stoked!!
ReplyDeleteWWWOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!! running around with my hands in the air. she's my sister! woo woo!
ReplyDeletehehehe Thanks, Scrambly!!!
ReplyDeleteHi Mary! Welcome to SHP! I'm one of the newer authors with them and can tell you I have had the most amazing experience. They are so welcoming and approachable! Are you going to BEA this June? I'll go follow you on twitter now...
ReplyDeleteHi! I was sent here by your awesome editor's blog! I'm so excited for you, and I'm so excited to read this. Huge congrats.
ReplyDeleteThanks, ladies! Kim, no BEA this year but maybe next!
ReplyDeleteCongrads, Mary!! You have worked hard for this.
ReplyDeleteYou are still missed here in VA.
Thanks, Delilas! And we still miss you!!
ReplyDeleteCongrats! What a dream come true. It gives us all a little hope :-)
ReplyDeleteJenna Grinstead
T: storiestobe
jennagrinstead.blogspot.com
Thanks, Jenna!
ReplyDeleteBig congrats!!! I love a success story. :)
ReplyDeleteCongratulations! So exciting!
ReplyDeleteThat's wonderful news! Congratulations. I'm so happy for you to be working with an editor like that.
ReplyDeleteSo happy for you Mary, and can't wait to read the book! You've worked hard for this and I'm so excited its happening!
ReplyDeleteSO thrilled about your big news! (and really proud to know you!) You rock, girl!
ReplyDeleteMary, I'm so very happy for you!! Congratulations!
ReplyDeleteGirl, that's so awesome!!! I'm so excited for you! That just rocks!!! Do you have an expected release date?
ReplyDeleteThank you so much, ladies!
ReplyDeleteTamara, October 2013. It'll make a great 31st b-day present. :)
Mary that's awesome!!! So excited for you!!!
ReplyDeleteWow, I just saw this via Twitter. SO HAPPY FOR YOU!! ::throws confetti::
ReplyDeleteCongrats! That's awesome!
ReplyDeleteYou had me at Doll House. Fantastically creepy! Cannot wait to see your cover. Heard nothign but good things about Spencer Hill.
ReplyDeleteOh, I almost forgot. *throws confetti*
Congratulations, Mary!!!
hehehe Glad you like the title, Bethany. And, yes, I'm really excited to be working with Spencer Hill--they seem to be living up to their name.
ReplyDeleteAnd thanks, Laura, Anna, and Nicole. *Rolls up sleeves* Now for the edits.
Oh dear Mary, I am SO happy for you! SO SO happy. The best thing you ever did was strike out on your own to find an agent. And your editor sounds fantastic. I'm very excited to read The Dollhouse Asylum. What an intriguing and spooky title.
ReplyDeleteI think I'll remember the date, October 2013. As I'm getting older -- I'll be 73 next year -- I'm finding I don't remember things as well as I used to. But you're on my personal blogroll, and I'll stop by occasionally to see how the edits are going. Hooray for you! You are a very creative and talented writer. I'm very happy I know you!
Ann Best, Memoir Author
Thank you, Ann. You're like my own private cheerleader. Thank you for all the encouragement. You're the best. :)
ReplyDeleteFinally getting back to my blog reader. I know I congratulated you on Twitter, but congrats again!
ReplyDeleteHave you heard that there is a Storymakers conference in Kansas City this September? It's on the 15th, and we're planning a carpool/caravan from Dallas. I hope you're able to come.
There IS??? I had no idea!!! Yeah, I want to go! *Googling details*
ReplyDeleteCongratulations!!!! That is fantastic!
ReplyDeleteI haven't been by for too long. What wonderful news! I am so happy for you, Mary! I can hardly wait for an update. Congratulations. ((hugs))
ReplyDeleteHey Mary,
ReplyDeleteSomehow this book is getting so many people excited, this means you're doing a great job! We've had a lot of fun last friday working on the front cover and we think it will look amazing. Just hold your anticipation a little longer, because I'm afraid we've accepted the challenge you've set for the back cover (and you thought it couldn't be done!). I guess we'll get round to that sometime this week.
Thanks for the experience and we're very excited to grab a hold on the book when it comes out.
Thank you, Stephanie and Michelle!
ReplyDeleteJanne and Esther! Aw, you stopped by my blog! :) I can't wait to see what you're doing!!!
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