Why is it no one ever says the Cat Days of Summer? But putting aside my preference toward cats, I was interested to learn that the phrase originally stemmed from Ancient Rome. The hottest days of summer coincided with the rise of Sirius, the Dog Star. It was believed the added “shine” made it hotter. It didn’t. Still, pretty cool.
Thank you to everyone who has been asking on the blog about the next book in the Willow Falls series. I’m starting to work on it now, and it should be out next spring. I’m sorry for the wait, but I was writing Beauty & the Beast and Pi in the Sky in between. All I can tell you about the plot is that a bunch of the characters from the other books will be in it, including Amanda and Leo (and yes, you’ll find out why they were using those blackboards to talk to each other). You’ll also find out a lot more about Angelina, and about her connection to Willow Falls. I’m excited to jump in.
Happy rest of summer! Hope everyone is enjoying the Olympics.
ps. Look for the cover of Pi in the Sky in a future post. The same illustrator of The Candymakers is doing that one, too!
Dear Ms. Mass,
It actually killed me to finish Finally, because I wanted the answers. I desperately searched the Internet for for something that would tell me there would be another book, and I found this and I felt relieved. I have no idea how I’ll be able to wait until next spring, but it will be worth it to have another book. Thank you so much for writing this series! I will definitely have to reread these books. 
Hello! My name is Piper and I’m almost thirteen. I came across 13 Gifts through a book review blog, and so I decided to put it on hold at the library. Once I received it, I couldn’t put it down. Craving more, I put 11 Birthdays and Finally on hold as well, and ate them up in a day.
-Piper
NOTE FROM WENDY: Piper you’re so funny! I’m sorry for the wait between books, i’m writing as fast as i can. Hang in there.
)
Dear WM,
I have read each one on my kindle fire like 2,000 times! I read them to my homeroom classmates and my teacher loves them so much!!!
I am young and a child and love your books! They are very……BRILLIANT!
I am 10 and love reading books (especially fiction) and you are my favorite author ever. I cry once I finish your books
NOTE FROM WENDY: Hi! You must be a great reader to have read all of them at 10! No crying allowed.
I’ll keep ‘em coming!! hugs!
Dear Wendy,
. I have read all of your books (except for the twice upon a time series) and I LOVE them! One of my mom’s friends is a teacher and I got her to read Every soul a star. She liked it so much that she ordered a class set and now everyone in her class loves you too! I am an aspiring author, and was wondering if you had any advice for me. Thank you so much for writing books!
I am a SUPER fanatic of everything you do! I am REALLY REALLY REALLY REALLY REALLY excited that you are writing another book in the Willow Fall series because they are amazing! My friend and I have started a Wendy Mass fan club, and it’s pretty fun
~Emma~
NOTE FROM WENDY: Hi Emma! You rock!! Thank you for passing on the books! As for writing advice, I have some tips on my website under Resources, but basically it’s about taking the time to know your character and then plotting a story ahead of time. That really helps me. Keep a notebook to write down ideas when they hit you, and a writer always has her/his eyes and ears open for what would make a good story.
I LOVE YOUR BOOKS LOVE LIKE LOVE LOVE YOUR BOOKS especially
13 GIFTS YOU ARE A AMAZING WRITER AND I WANT TO MEET YOU IF I EVER MEET YOU YOU WILL SIGN 13 GIFTS.YOU ARE AWESOME WRITE A BOOK ABOUT TARA THE AWESOME PERSON WHO LOVES WENDY MASS.AND MY NAME IS TARA YOUR BOOKS ARE TOO AWESOME TO LIVE!!!!!!!!!!
NOTE TO TARA: I feel like i’m writing to my character!
) I’ve always liked that name so it was fun to use it in 13 Gifts. She’ll have a small part in the next one, too. 
)
Hi Ms. Mass
I reread your books when I am feeling sad or down they always put me in a happy mood! 
Some of my favorites are FInally and The Candymakers, although I love them all!!!!
If your ever in town please write me back on here it would be amazing to meet you, because your my inspiration for writing! 
You are my favorite author! I love your writing I find it funny and relatable. I love how you put a fantasy twist on books that seem like realistic fiction (i. e. 11 Birthdays). Your so amazing and have inspired me to become an author one day. Thank you so much for your wonderful books and I cannot wait to read your new one!!!!
-M
P.s. I live in Livingston just like you did!
NOTE FROM WENDY: Hi fellow livingston-ite! I’ll for sure let you know if I’m going to be in town at the B&N…maybe when PI IN THE SKY comes out, but that’s not until June. Have a great school year!
)
Hi, LOVE LOVE LOVE your books and just read the first chapter of Pi in the sky (Epical btw)! But I was wondering, could you write a sequel to Every soul a star, which I absolutely positively love? And I CANNOT wait for the next book in the Willow Fall’s series. Will the word Ten be in the title? Just a hunch…
NOTE FROM WENDY: HI!! I’m trying to decide right now (literally!) about a sequel to Every Soul. I’ll announce it in the next month if it’s going to happen. So glad you liked it though! As for willow falls, there most likely won’t be a number 10 or 14 in the title. Still working on that!
)
I just love all of your books! I want sequels to all of them, but i know that is not going to happen soon. ANyway, you are one of my favorite writers and authors and i just wanted to say i really was hoping for another or more books about the Willow Falls. Maybe even Mango Shaped Space. PLEASE!!!! I JUST LOVE UR BOOKS! and ur pretty too! THANKDS!
Hi Wendy! I have read all your books and they’re all so amazing! The first book I read by you was A Mango-Shaped Space and that one definitely changed my life (as cheesy as that sounds) because it made me find out that I have Synesthesia just like Mia! That’s the book that got me hooked and I’ve loved your work ever since! I absolutely cannot wait for Pi in The Sky (which is also conveniently the name of my favorite restaurant in Vermont–a very petite little restaurant with a lot of charm)Your writing style is so unique! Keep writing, because you inspire me to! (I’d like to be an author when I’m older, but I highly doubt it because I’m terrible at it! Ugh!)
NOTE FROM WENDY: That’s so exciting that you have synesthesia! I hope i got the details right in the book and that you enjoyed it. That’s great that you like writing, don’t worry about judging it, just enjoy making up stories. I’m sure you’re great. I should send that restaurant a copy of the book! (although i think they’re Pie not Pi.
Dear Wendy,
I am like, crying right now! And don’t blame me, your books are just too amazing and I was too sad to finish the Willow Falls series! I know there is another book coming which makes me feel a little better until it said not for a little while! But I was really happy to find out about this book. I can’t wait to read ALL your books! PLEASE WRITE BACK!!! It would mean sooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo much to me. I just joined your Mailing List and can’t wait to get my first email! Please write more books! Books are my life, and since I’ve been reading different books, I’m a great writer too! I’m soo happy. But PLEASE response back! I can’t wait for more books! Keep Writing!
Ayana
Hi!!!!!!! I just wanna say that I cant wait untill your next your next Willow falls books come out I love them
(btw i read them all twice!)So please please please make a 14th birthday book!PLEASE THANKS
sincerely,
Crystal XD
Hey Wendy! I’m Annie and I’m twelve. I can’t wait to read the next book in the Willow Falls series! Is Bee Boy…I mean David…going to be in it?
NOTE FROM WENDY: Yes, he’ll be in it, but not really one of the main characters this time around. It will be Amanda, Leo, Connor (David’s best friend), and Grace, Connor’s 10 year old sister.
)
Dear Wendy M.
Does ‘next spring’ mean spring 2013 or spring 2014?
Also, you know how Tara mentioned once or twice that she though Amanda and Leo were a couple.
Is that true or is she just guessing?
One last thing…
At the end of 13 Gifts I finally understood why Amanda and Leo were talking on chalkboards and i was just like
“YES! I UNDERSTAND NOW!!!”
OMGOMG this is amazing! I commented on another post too from a long time ago…:D
I love your books and CANNOT WAIT for the fourth one!!!
Just wondering: Have you read the Peter and the Starcatchers series? It’s amazing. If you haven’t read it.
Other books I’d recommend are: Artemis Fowl, Ender’s Game, The Giver, and A Mango Shaped Space. Oh, whoops, you wrote A Mango Shaped Space! Whatever. It’s still amazing.
Last thing: BTW, I’m randomly looking at my bedside table right now and on it are 11 Birthdays, Finally, and 13 Gifts!
Hi,
I just wanted to let you know that I wasnt a big reader. But when I picked up “The Candymaker” I was wowed. I love it so far. p.s I im 15 years old but since im in special ed I read on a level that you write at and I like that.
p.s again I live not far from Livingston wait maby I dont know lol I live at the Jersy Shore not Seaside but Bayville.
I love 13 gifts it is my favorite is there a book after this if there is please tell me
Wendy-
I love your books so much! 11 Birthdays is my favorite book ever, but I would love it even more if you didn’t say the g word. It would mean alot to me if you didn’t.Thanks for you consideration!
Love, Grace
p.s. please write back
Dear Wendy,
I love all of your books and I have every single one. I can’t wait to read the next book in the Willow Falls series and I’d love it if you wrote another book for Every Soul A star. I love reading your blog and if you’re ever looking for someone to help you make a website, my dad is a web designer, (go to theinternetgenius.com) and as my favorite author, I’m sure he could work something out with you. =) Happy writing!
Love, Emily
Dear Wendy,
You have left me on such a great cliff hanger that i REALLY want to read!!!! i just want to know how Maggie will be when she’s older.
I have just finished the book Thirteen. I really loved it and i wish/hope you could write the next book Fourteen.
Hi Ms.Mass! I’m 11and I love you willow falls series and I’d love to know if a part 4 or 5 is out. And if your still writing it, here are some ideas:
- The story can be about a school drama. I don’t know about you but in my school, there is A BUNCH! But to me it’s all funny. They break up with this person, they cheat on each other, they hate each other it’s all just fun and games especially if it gets messed up or weird! Maybe just a little in the story will help. Remember to include Amanda, Leo, Rory, Annebell, Sari, Sawer and Everyone else! I think it’s going to turn out AWESOME.
Oh and if your not making a part 4 then think about a part 3.5.
I just finished 13 gifts and it was awesome! I purchased it while I was sick on my kindle and I read it in a day! It had been almost a year since I read 11 birthdays and finally 12 so I had sort of forgotten about rory and Amanda and Leo but then when they mentioned Angelina and her duck shaped birthmark it all hit me that all the characters from the other books were in this book! I cannot wait till the next book comes!!!