Enjoying the Dog Days of Summer
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!
I am so excited for the next Willow Falls book, I can’t wait! Also excited for Pi in the Sky 🙂 Love your writing Wendy!
Thank you! I hope you enjoy reading the new Candymakers book also!
Hi Wendy. Im your number 1 fan.
Thank you Jamison! I am honored!
OMG! Cool! Can’t wait for the 4th book in the Willow Falls Series to come out! Do you have any ideas for the title yet? Thanks, you’re the best author ever!
Thank you! Did you read Graceful?
Dear Wendy,
I can’t wait until the next Will Falls book comes out! 11 Birthdays was the first book by you I ever read and I loved it! I want to be an author when I grow up, but I don’t think I’ll ever write books as good as yours. I hope you’re having a good summer, Wendy, and I hope you’ll read my comment.
Love, Emily
Thank you! It was a lovely comment! I hope you had a great summer!
Hi Wendy!
I was just wondering when Pi in the Sky will be out?
Thanks!
Kendall
You can find it in stores and libraries now! The new Candymakers is out now too!
Dear Ms. Mass,
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. 😀 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. 🙂
-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. :o)
hey piper,
i am the same way about those books and then search the internet to and that’s how i found this source.
i wont push u Wendy to write faster because most people do there best work when the take their time. oh please consider the movie idea, and if u do please post auditions.
-Skylie-
ps: miss ur books right now i am reading ella minnow pea really funny but not as good as u.
BEST AUTOR EVER
Hello Wendy!
I am so excited you are writing another Willow Falls book, I love them! I’ve read a lot of your books and I love rereading! I especially can’t wait to see why Leo and Amanda are using blackboards to talk. I can’t wait until spring! Ive read all your books except The Candy makers and A mango shaped space. I don’t think I can choose which book by you is my favorite but if I really had to choose I’d pick…Every Soul a star or…I don’t know, I like them all, you’re my favorite author!
Keep writing! 🙂
~ Hope
Thank you and I read both of your letters. The new Candymakers just came out so now you have even more to read. I am honored to be your favorite author.
Dear Ms.Mass,
So about a year ago my best friend bought me Finally for my 11th birthday.I started reading it and imidiatly fell in love with it.I bought 11 birthdays and and 13 gifts and when I finished those I started reading the other books you’ve written.I can now proudly say ive read every book you’ve written and cant wait untill another one of of your amazing creations are on the Barnes and nobles shelf!!! 😀
Bella
Thank you for reading my books and checking the store for when a new one comes out! The new Voyagers and the new Candymakers came out this summer. I hope you enjoy them as well! Happy reading!
Hello Mrs Mass,
I have to say your books are super funny. I can’t stress enough. Your book Finally is so amazing authors like you give me courage to go through life knowing to take your time growing up and learning to be grateful for the things you have. I have just turn 12 about lets say, two months ago. When I found this book in my local library and seeing the numbers 12 and ‘Finally’ I said to my self wow its almost my birthday and what are the odds of finding a book that has the numbers of what I’m going to turn to. So I checked it out. From the beginning of the book and to the end of two chapters I was HOOKED.The part about the rabbit trying to kill her, CLASSIC. My mom and brothers(too)and I loved it and I was wondering where can I find your books. Anyway good job on the books you write and I can’t wait to read more of them:D.
Thanks so much for this, I’m so glad you go the humor, and that bunny, ha!! I still think about that scene, poor Rory! I know you’re no longer 12 (!!) and I’m so sorry for the delay (!) but I wanted to reply now that I’ve found all these letters and give you a big hug for reading the books and for writing to me!! All my best wishes to you and your mom and brothers!! xoxo, Wendy
Well I’m interested the willow falls bookes are the only bookes of your I’ve managed to ad so far but I’m going to pick up more in the library
Thank you Rose! Keep me posted!
Hi Ms.Mass
Go ahead take your time with the book! I know it will be worth it. I was wondering though, do you write a outline for your books before you write them or do you just go ahead and write? { i got this idea for this question when i was reading Look Again by Lisa Scottiline, btw great book} . I want to become a writer and look forward to the day where my book will be sold at bookstores…. haha i am only 12! After reading your repiles to my comments i have begin to peice together whats happening but then a series of questions comes up that i can’t answer!! your books question the reader long after the last page!thank you so much for writing!
Hi! Yes, I do outline first, and I bet if you set your sights on being a writer back when you first wrote this to me, then you’ve found a way to do it. Let me know, it you get this!
Best wishes!
Wendy
Hi Ms Mass,
I just had to tell you how much I enjoyed your book Jeremy Fink and the Meaning I Life. I picked it up at a yard sale my brother and I were having. The book was his daughter’s. I’m not a kid (though i do lie about my age) and I loved, loved, loved the book. I think it is the sweetest story I have ever read and full of pearls of wisdom for all ages. Thank you. My only regret is that I finished it. Now I see you written others I feel better. Great book.
Dianne Hendry
Thank you Dianne. Don’t you love when treasures find their way to you. Very cool you and your brother held a yard sale together!
I just finished reading A MANGO-SHAPED SPACE for the second time. I loved it the first time, but the second time I read it was right after my grandfather passed away. I just wanted to let you know that the book held a whole new meaning for me, and now I appreciate it in a different way.
I am also very passionate about writing, and my goal is to write a book that will touch readers in the same way that A MANGO-SHAPED SPACE touched me.
Thanks for putting books like that out there, and thanks for inspiring me. 🙂
-Sarrah
I am so sorry for the loss of your grandfather. Grandparents are so special they deserve many books written in honor of them. Thank you for the kind praise for Mango. I believe you will write that book.
Dear WM,
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 🙁 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!!!
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 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 :). 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!
~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! :o) 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. :o)
Hi Ms. Mass
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!!!! 🙂 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!!!!
-M
P.s. I live in Livingston just like you did! 🙂 If your ever in town please write me back on here it would be amazing to meet you, because your my inspiration for writing! 🙂
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! :o)
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! :o)
I love all of your books! I sent you an email but I thought I might have a better chance of a response on your blog. I have 7 of your books and I would REALLY LOVE IT if you could sign them without me having to buy them. What can I do because I live in Maryland?
So much time has passed so you may not see this and I hope we figured out a way to do it! If not, I apologize and I appreciate you, and I hope the ensuing years have been nothing but good!! xo, Wendy
Dear Wendy,
I LOVE YOUR BOOKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 😀 Ive read almost all of them and love them.my favorites though have to be the Willow Falls books.So can you give me a hint on what the next one will be about? 🙂 You are totally my al time favorite author ever!!
From,
Bella
If you ever see this, I just wanted to thank you for reading them, and I’m sure you’ve found all 5 by now. Hugs across the years to you!! – Wendy
Dear Wendy Mass,
I love the Willow Fall Kids books and the last one I read was 13 gifts and couldn’t find anymore of those series. PLEASE write more Willow Fall Kids books! They are amazing!!! I love them so much. It was hard for me when Annie Bryant, author of Beacon Street Girls stopped writing her books until I found Willow Fall! PLEASE write more books for Willow Fall Kids!
I understand. It is so hard when series come to a close but I love that there are more wonderful books to discover! Hope you enjoy the new Candymakers. Happy Reading!
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. 🙂
Hi Wendy,
My name is Anaya and I was wondering when are you going to make the next Willow Falls book? I loved all 3 of them, 11 Birthdays, Finally, and 13 Gifts! They were amazing and I was wondering if you were going to make any more.
Write back!
Anaya
The last book in the series was Graceful. I hope you like it and the new Candymakers book!
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. :o)
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,
I have just finished the book Thirteen. I really loved it and i wish/hope you could write the next book Fourteen. 🙂 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.
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.
Hi Wendy me and my twin sister Angel Cream adore ur books we really love this collection. I found out about them when my cuz Julie gave me 11 Birthday’s for me 11th birthday and so on so thanks for show the world ur very unique gift to write me and my sis can’t what for 14 somethings {i really dont now the name yet but i would love to find out} to come out and read for our 14th bday in august. to bad u have not made movies i wish u did and if u ever do please sent out a post for auditions.
can’t what for ur next book,
Suzette and Angel Cream
Dear Ms.Mass,
Hi!I’m 12,and I can now finally say I’ve read all your books.Actually,I don’t live far from Livingston, I go there all the time,mostly to the Livingston mall. 🙂 ANYWAY,I LOVE your books!(I LOVE capital letters if you haven’t noticed)
Well on August 2cd you have one more to read as the sequel to Candymakers will be in stores then!
Hi Wendy! My name is Amanda and I am 12 years old. I am currently working on writing a book. (Juvenile Fiction) I love writing and was wondering if you had any pointers on how to get my book published. I would love to hear back from you! 🙂 I cannot wait for the next book!
Much Love,
Amanda
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!!!
Hey it’s tally and I just finished the last present and was wondering if you were making another book in the willow falls series? K well that’s pretty much all I wanted to ask BYE!
-tally your #1 fan:)