Autumn news & calling all moms and daughters…

Calling all Mother-Daughter Book Clubs!! 11 Birthdays is a featured book in Scholastic’s Mother-Daughter book club this month. They have a lot of fun activities and a contest for a free skype for any clubs who would like to use the book.

Below is a Sneak Peek at the cover for Pi in the Sky. I really love it! The illustrator who did the cover for The Candymakers did this one, too. The book, about a very unusual boy who must rebuild the solar system from scratch, is due out in June ’13.

I hope everyone is having a lovely autumn! Thought I’d share a photo of this visitor in our backyard yesterday.

Meanwhile, I’m hard at work finishing up the last book in the Willow Falls birthday series. I’d tell you the title, but it’s still being finalized. I can tell you that the book will pick up right where 13 GIFTS left off. It won’t be a year later like the other books. Also, after much debate, I’ve decided that Amanda will be the narrator. This feels right to me. I like how it bookends the series since she was the main character in 11 BIRTHDAYS, too.

I hope everyone has a happy Halloween! My favorite holiday. No surprise there. ;o)

Yours in candy corn,

Wendy

61 Comments

  1. Emily on October 19, 2012 at 7:33 pm

    Wow! I can not wait to read Pi In The Sky, Wendy! It sounds great, just like all of your other books! My friends and I are excited about the next book in the Willow Falls series as well. The visitor in your yard is adorable! =) I hope you have a happy fall and happy writing!

    P.S. I’d love it if you visited my website!!

  2. Jamison on October 19, 2012 at 10:11 pm

    Hi Wendy, I’m your biggest fan. I’ve read every book you had cofindently written. I cant wait for Pi in the Sky. Autumn is my favorite season,because animals,nature. What’s your favorite season and why. well you have a great fall. Will there be a reading festival? Here’s my hug. Well bye.

    ps I llllllllllllllllllllllllllllllove you.

    NOTE FROM WENDY: I’d have to say Spring is my favorite, when everything is coming back to life. It seems like that season is getting shorter and shorter though, at least here in NJ!

  3. Rachael on October 21, 2012 at 1:06 pm

    It’s going to be so hard to wait until next JUNE for Pi in the sky! But, like always, I bet it will be amazing!! Also really, really excited for 4th Willow Falls book. I’m glad that it is narrated when Amanda is still 13, because that is my own age. When is that coming out?

    NOTE FROM WENDY: The 4th Willow Falls book won’t be out till next Fall. Hopefully you won’t have forgotten all about it by then! 😉

  4. Hope on October 21, 2012 at 7:18 pm

    Hi Wendy!
    I absolutely can’t wait for the next book in the Willow Falls series!
    Will this book end the entire Willow Falls series? I’m so excited that it will be narrated by Amanda, she is my favorite character.
    Also, will you be writing a second book to Every Soul a Star? Can’t wait for the next book!

    🙂 Hope

    NOTE FROM WENDY: Hi Hope! This book will end the Willow Falls series (although i’ve learned to never say never!). I’m glad you like the choice of Amanda. It just felt right. i’m still mulling over thoughts for an Every Soul a Star sequel. Will let you know though! 🙂

    • yoyoyo on January 20, 2013 at 5:29 pm

      to wendy
      will you maybe make a book and mthe main character be named Maya?

    • Aliza on March 20, 2013 at 8:08 pm

      Would you ever consider writing another book in the Willow Falls series because I love them?
      Go Wendy Mass from Aliza Gold

  5. Alice on October 21, 2012 at 8:52 pm

    OMG I need to read Pi in the Sky.
    I could tell the same person made the cover!
    I re-read 13 gifts and I was so eager to know more!
    I feel so awesome right now. It’s also my birthday next week!
    I’m glad it’s pov of Amanda because she’ll explain about the chalkboards!
    And how do you write AWESOME realistic fiction books? I’ve tried and failed. 🙁
    Cannot wait!

  6. Hannah on October 22, 2012 at 3:18 pm

    I CAN’T WAIT FOR YOUR NEW BOOKS! You should do a book kind of like the Willow falls series (Maybe a spin off, years later (in book terms, don’t actually write it years later):)with a point of view from a boy, something you haven’t done for the entirety of the series. You need more boy point of view books.
    I read your books for teens, Leap day and Heaven looks a lot like a mall, especially enjoyed Leap day!

  7. Lisa (Bertoline) Giliberto on October 22, 2012 at 8:10 pm

    I couldn’t believe it when we went to the book store to get my 11-year-old daughter’s first book choice to read for the summer, and I saw the author was “Wendy Mass?!” My first friend at Tufts, you lived at Lewis Hall, me at Metcalf, we had Freshman English together–looks like you got a lot more out of it than I did! Congratulations on your amazing success–my daughter absolutely loved the Candymakers and proceeded to read every one of your books after that–she is now reading your Twice Upon A Time series!

    • Wendy Mass on December 9, 2022 at 6:56 pm

      Lisa!!! I’m sure you won’t see this, and omg on it being 10 years ago and I’m just seeing this!! Lol at Freshman English comment!! Would love to catch up, let me know if you get this! All my best to you and your family!! xx
      Wendy

  8. Asia on October 24, 2012 at 2:10 pm

    Hi Wendy! I’m a huge fan, and I was wondering, will you have any young adult books soon?
    Love you and hope to hear from you 😀

    • Wendy Mass on August 25, 2016 at 10:45 pm

      Thank you and I had two new books this summer. Book 6 of the Voyagers series and the sequel to The Candymakers. Happy Reading!

  9. Pamela Klinger-Horn on October 26, 2012 at 4:01 pm

    Dear Ms. Mass;
    I have several children’s book clubs in the Twin Cities area. Will you be on book tour for your new works? The girls love a great author event for field trips.
    Best regards,
    Pamela Klinger-Horn
    Excelsior Bay Books, Excelsior MN

    • Wendy Mass on December 10, 2022 at 11:27 am

      So sorry I missed this, will certainly touch base if I’m ever nearby, thank you for doing what you do to grow readers! All my best!! Wendy

  10. Rachel on October 26, 2012 at 4:11 pm

    Hi Ms. Mass!

    I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE the Willow Falls series and I am so excited for this last one! 🙂 I, too, love Amanda…she and Rory are my favorite characters. When do you think it will come out? When it does come out, I’m going to call that indie book store near you to have you sign it (:
    🙂 <3 Rachel

    • Wendy Mass on August 25, 2016 at 10:43 pm

      Hi! I hope you found all my new books and had a great summer full of reading!

  11. Kyra on October 26, 2012 at 7:17 pm

    OMG I have been waiting for your next book to come out! Thank you so much for writing this, and I will definetly pick up this book when I get a chance!
    -Kyra-

  12. Ciara on October 27, 2012 at 12:12 am

    I LOVE your books with, like, a PASSION! I’ve read a Mango-Shaped Space, Heaven Looks a Lot Like the Mall, 11 Birthdays, and am in the middle of Finally. You are absatively, posalutely my favorite author. As a 12 year old I believe you are AMAZINGLY talented and hope you continue to write, because, frankly, I couldn’t live without your books.

  13. meera on October 27, 2012 at 4:50 pm

    Hi Wendy!
    I look forward to getting pi in the sky when it comes out!also the willows falls series is my favorite books so its going to be exicting waiting for the next one, does it have to stop? Will you consider the idea of writing a second book to mango- shaped space? Even though it bascilly is a finished story in its self, it would be cool to see the challenges later…

    P.s-thank you for choosing amanda to be the narroter. I remember you saying that connor might be it, i like amanda better because Connor is rarely in the story. Both caracters are good choices though.

    P.S.S i forgot to mention this, but when you wrote 13 gifts , did you mean to pronance Tara’s name like TAR-a, or TARE-a? I grow up in a multicuteral family and in Indian , Tara ( TAR-a) means “star”. I have 2 cousins named Tara ( TAR-a) also.

    • Wendy Mass on December 10, 2022 at 3:59 pm

      Hi! In my mind it was TAR-a, so cool that it means star!! If you see this, please say hi to your two cousins for me. I did put the Mango characters in the 2nd Candymakers book, but you’re right, their stories seemed wrapped up. I’m sure you found the rest of the willow falls books by now, and sooo sorry for the delay in seeing this. Hugs to you!! Wendy

  14. Leah on October 28, 2012 at 7:48 pm

    Hi Wendy!
    Im a 12 year old girl and I have never loved to sit down a read a book. In 6th grade I did a book project on the candy makers. It was one of the best books I have ever read. Since then i have kept reading your books and now I enjoy it more. Im so exited to fly through your books and be able to read Pie in the sky!!!
    Thank you for writing such enjoyable books!
    Thanks Again!
    Leah 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂

  15. Emma on October 29, 2012 at 11:16 pm

    Hi Wendy,
    i cant wait for your next book to come out!!!!!!
    and i really want a sequel to every soul a star. that book was really good. so was the candymakers. i have read every book that you wrote. i extremely loved it!! cant wait for your next book.
    from emma your awesomest fan.

    • Wendy Mass on August 25, 2016 at 10:42 pm

      Emma, you are awesomesauce! Thank you for this sweet note!

  16. Theresa hazard on November 2, 2012 at 2:05 pm

    H Wendy,
    My 10 year old daughter and I read 11 Birthdays as part of her Battle of the Books list. She enjoyed it so much that we just finished reading Finally. I think Finally should be turned into a movie. So many of things that she went through hit so close to home and were so comical. The shaving, the ear piercing, the phone…hilarious. My daughter loves your writing and I thank you for keeping it pure.

    • Wendy Mass on August 18, 2016 at 11:18 pm

      Thank you for supporting the love your daughter has for reading!

  17. Leanndra on November 3, 2012 at 7:21 pm

    I absolutely,positively,LOVE,LOVE,LOVE your books! But I have a question, well ok alot of questions. How did you come up with the stories in Willow Falls, and the characters too? Like Angelina D’Angelo. Did you ever know a strange woman growing up that always made kids think they had gone totally insane? Oh,and in the last book in Willow Falls, is it going to tell why Amanda and Leo are communicating on blackboards? Because either I don’t remember something from the other books or its gonna be in the next one. My favorite book of all time is now 13 Gifts. I love the messages your books have and so does my mom. In 11 Birthdays I learned you have to let go of the past,and in Finally I learned you shouldn’t want to grow up too fast. And in the most amazing book,(13 Gifts), ever I learned that the sidelines may be safer but life is played on a field. So true

    • Wendy Mass on December 10, 2022 at 6:29 pm

      Hi! You really got what I was trying to say with those books, thank you!! I know it’s forever ago, but wanted to reply and say hi, and I’m sure you figured out those other questions when the last book came out…hope you’ve been well and sending you a big hug and apologies on delay (!). xo, Wendy

  18. Emma on November 9, 2012 at 4:51 pm

    Wendy will you PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE write a book about writing? I love writing and I really want to be a published author someday. So. Please? P.S. I have almost reread every book of yours except Leap day, Heaven looks a lot like the mall, Jeremy Fink and Candy Makers.

    • Wendy Mass on August 18, 2016 at 11:17 pm

      That is a very good idea. I have written articles on writing which you can find here on my website but a book may be in the future!

  19. Maddie on November 9, 2012 at 10:26 pm

    I really love your books Wendy!!! I can’t wait for your next Willow Falls book!!! Are you having a switch off of narrators from Amanda to Leo? ;D

  20. Emma on November 10, 2012 at 12:47 am

    OMG Wendy I can’t wait for June! I’m sad that the Willow Falls series is ending but Amanda’s my favorite so I’m glad it’ll be narrated by her. And you really should write an Every Soul a Star sequel, it’d be amazing! 🙂

    • Wendy Mass on August 25, 2016 at 10:41 pm

      I hope you had a great summer and enjoyed the new Candymakers!

  21. Leila on November 10, 2012 at 11:47 am

    Hi Wendy!
    I can’t wait for Pi In The Sky to come out! You acually came to my school last year and I took a writing class with you in our library. You may not remember, but I read my story starter to you and you said I had a future in writing! I’m a really big fan and your books inspire my writing pieces! Thanks
    – Leila 🙂

    • Wendy Mass on August 27, 2016 at 9:45 pm

      I remember! Keep reading and writing!

  22. Taylor on November 10, 2012 at 9:53 pm

    Wendy Mass,

    You probably don’t remember me, but a few of my friends and I spoke to you at Y’ALL FEST today when you signed our books (and t-shirts and nook cases). I just wanted to thank you again for everything; I really learned a lot from you today. My friends and I got all googoo-eyed the second we heard you were coming to Charleston, and, as we are writers (Creative Writing majors at School of the Arts) it was really great for us to be able to have a conversation with someone as successful in the industry as you. In case you do have some amazing super power memory, I was the one that asked you at what moment did the dream of wanting to be a writer start to feel like the reality of actually being one. Thanks again for everything today.

    Your biggest fan,
    Taylor

    • Wendy Mass on August 18, 2016 at 11:16 pm

      I do remember you Taylor! Thank you for this thoughtful letter!

  23. Sophia on November 24, 2012 at 10:57 pm

    Hi, I love all your books and am a big fan I need to read the candy makers still but I will read it :).
    I know this is long but still if you read it, it would mean so much to me and even more if you would reply. I just want you to know your impact on my life as an author to me, the bookworm, thanks

    I love all of your books and will always love them. I truly do believe that they have changed my life in many ways and have opened my eyes. I love the morals of each story and have helped me in more ways then one could possibly ever imagine. I had just finished every soul a star and would re-read it if I could because I loved it. I’m making a list of the great things books have taught me and have included my favorite thing like “life is short but it’s wide” and “the universe doesn’t care about our motives only our actions.” I have read each Book 3 times ( the birthday ones) and when I finished 13 gifts for the 3 time I had a look on my face like I had when I had finished the 7th Harry potter that’s how amazing I thought it was. On my list it has lessons from various authors from John green to Lucy maud Montgomery.
    I loved them I read 13 gifts the first time a few days before my 13 birthday and finished it around midnight. I guess you could say It helped my soul become one. I have a saying now sanare mundum totorum it’s Latin for heal the world whole. Thank you so much I will love and cherish them forever and will have a special place in my heart. Every single day I try to see instead of look because looking is seeing with your eyes closed. I you were to read this ( and not be a Peter van houghten which I’m guessing you arent) and relply I would have a major fangirl attack and it would have made my day. So thank you I have read 11 birthdays, finally, 13 gifts, Jeremy fink and the meaning of life, every soul a star, and a mango shaped space. Thanks for helping me, when ever I feel anxious or sad or mad at someone I read 13 gifts and I feel better. I love reading and these are beautiful. thanks- from seers united

    • Wendy Mass on December 10, 2022 at 3:35 pm

      Wow, a huge heartfelt thank you for your amazing letter and for telling me what those ideas meant to you, I’m truly touched and so sorry I didn’t get to see this for wayyyyy too long. I hope if you see this, that you’ll check in and let me know how you are and what you’re reading these days as I’m sure you’ve picked up amazing things over the years as not everyone pulls out the theme of books that way. I really like that “looking is seeing with your eyes closed,” that is really lovely and so are you!! Huge long hug to you!! xoxo, Wendy

  24. Hannah on November 25, 2012 at 2:55 pm

    Hi Wendy!! I am soooooo excited that you are making a 4th book to the Willow Falls series!! I love your books and right now I am reading A Mango Shaped Space (which is sooo amazing)!! Good luck with all of the books that will be coming out soon, I am sure they will be great like the others!! Please reply.

    ~ Hannah 🙂

    • Wendy Mass on May 17, 2018 at 8:15 pm

      Hannah, thank you for writing this very sweet note. My apologies for how long it took to reply. Now that I have some time before my next book, I am catching up. I hope you enjoyed Mango! xo

  25. Diana on December 1, 2012 at 9:38 pm

    I don’t even know where to begin!!!!
    I LOVE THE WILLOW FALLS SERIES!! My favorite book is 11 birthdays, I’ve read it over 10 times. I can relate to this book in so many ways. Each time I read a book I get this awesome feeling. I can’t wait for the next book! I really hope that it will not be the last! = )

    • yoyoyo on January 21, 2013 at 10:17 am

      I love Finally and 11 birthdays and 13 gifts and a mango shaped space…
      I love all of them!!!11

  26. Janet on December 3, 2012 at 5:12 pm

    Just discovered your website & blog and love it. All 3 of my daughters have loved your books over the years. So excited that you are writing another “birthday” book and my 6th grader & youngest daughter is looking so forward to it! Keep up your great work.

  27. grace on December 4, 2012 at 7:29 pm

    i can’t WAIT, WAIT, WAIT, for the next Willow Falls book!!!! when is it coming out????? do you have a date???
    i am SOOOOOO excited!! i have read the whole Willow Falls series twice!!!
    can’t thank you enough for those books!
    🙂 grace*

    NOTE FROM WENDY: HI, Grace, you’re the star of the next book! Well, sort of! The book will be coming out sometime next fall so probably a year from now which I know sounds like a long time but in the publishing world really isn’t that long. Thank you for reading the books twice! See my next blog for more information about the book. :o)

  28. Suzette on January 10, 2013 at 4:58 pm

    Ms.Wendy,

    I lust <3 ur books [ I ] so much and I hope u do make a follow up series, do have a cover for it yet, how long does it take for a title to be , I hope it does not take to long. My favorite book of yours is the candy makers, i know movies are so hard to get bites on but i lust all of the willow falls series and the candy makers i would just be so excited if u could get an offer on making them into movies. I really wish u will make a sequel to the candy makers it made my happy,sad,shocked,surprised,laugh,and well want to read it again every time i read it. i know already recommend them to all me friends, and i think the movie would never get old i would want to watch it every time we get together. We always talk about ur books, i have read: every souls a star, the candy makers, 11 birthdays, 12 finally, 13 gifts, rapunzel,beauty and the beast, and sleeping beauty.
    Suzette

    NOTE FROM WENDY: Love your enthusiasm!! Fingers crossed for candymakers movie. I’ll let you know!hi to your friends!

  29. Nicole on January 10, 2013 at 10:53 pm

    Wendy,

    Your books are so close to my heart!!! I love your books, and I am doing an author report on you, and we have to answer multiple questions abput the author (you). Unfortunatly, I have been looking online for days and I can not find the answer to a couple of them. I would be soooooo happy if you could answer. My questions are “What was it like for you growing up” and “What was happening in the world when you were growing up/born.

    Please reply soon!!!!!!

    Thank you sooooooooo much!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    Nicole, CA

    • Wendy Mass on August 18, 2016 at 11:10 pm

      Thank you Nicole! I loved the years when I was growing up. They held great movies like ET and Star Wars plus lots of great books and computers started to appear in people’s homes. Good question!

  30. Elizabeth and Laura on January 30, 2013 at 1:09 pm

    WE LOVE YOUR BOOKS! I CANT WAIT UNTIL PI IN THE SKY COMES OUT. THANKYOU FOR BEING SO AMAZING! PS: I miss Mango 🙁

  31. Elizabeth and Laura on January 30, 2013 at 1:10 pm

    WE LOVE YOUR BOOKS! I CANT WAIT UNTIL PI IN THE SKY COMES OUT. THANKYOU FOR BEING SO AMAZING! PS: I miss Mango 🙁

    Thankyou!

  32. Ebineezer Scrooge on January 30, 2013 at 1:17 pm

    We like sunny D and showers and unicorns and butterfly’s and glitter and cupcakes and rainbows and cats, and fruit, and cake which is a delicious delicious lie. Fun dun dun. We are your stalkers. Ner her her her her
    Please comment back. You’re too amazing not to comment back.

  33. Faith on February 13, 2013 at 6:41 pm

    I love the willow falls series!!!! It’s awesome, please don’t make it end!!! Will you make a sequel to every soul a star? It’s like me and my friend’s all time favorite book ever!!!!

  34. Laila on March 12, 2013 at 7:48 am

    Dear Mrs. Mass,
    I cannot just wait to see you come on the 21st to my school. I have so many questions I do not know where to start. I hope to see you soon.

    P.S there is a contest at school that only 12 students will have the chance to meet you and have a workshop. I hope I am one of the lucky 12.

    Sincerely,
    Laila

  35. Laila on March 12, 2013 at 7:53 am

    Dear Mrs.Mass,
    Can you please write a book with Laila as one of the main characters. I will read this book immediately if it ever came out. You are my biggest role model. I hope to see you soon.

    Sincerely,
    Laila

  36. ibby (thats a nick name) on March 13, 2013 at 2:13 pm

    I WILL BE SLEEPING OUTSIDE BOOKSAMILLION ON JUNE 12 TO BE THE FIRST TO GET YOUR BOOK WENDY!!!!!!!
    ps. june 12 is my b-day!!!1

  37. abigail on March 13, 2013 at 2:42 pm

    hey, i know this is random but have you ever thought of using abigail or abby as a name for a charactor of a book…

  38. Hahnbit Lee on April 23, 2013 at 10:56 pm

    U are my favorite great author you have great talent. I love your books i have to read almost all of your books! Your great person.=D

  39. Hahnbit Lee on April 23, 2013 at 10:57 pm

    I want to read the Pi book where is it please tell me I want to read it so much!!!!!!=)

  40. Mackenzie on May 25, 2013 at 1:25 pm

    I cannot wait for the fourth Willow Falls book! I started reading then two years ago, and since then I hav re-read 11 Birthdays, 12 Finally, and 13 Gifts over and over! I will be one of the first to buy the fourth book. The suspense is killing me!!!! What happens to Grace? Amanda and Leo? Tara? Rory and Jake? David AKA Bee Boy AKA Hamburglar? I have been with them all through the series, and I can’t wait to be there in the fourth and final instalment. I think having Amanda narrarate is a good idea to. It would make it even more emotional for me, though, like a final farewell. I can’t wait!!!!

  41. Diane on July 31, 2013 at 1:08 pm

    Aggggggggggggggg How am I supposed to wait untill Next fall!!! Sigh. I guess will just have to let the genious work in order for the best book yet! What do you suggest doing when your waiting for a book to come out?

    P.s. ive read 13 gifts 3 times now!

  42. Mare on October 22, 2013 at 10:51 pm

    I LOVED THE WILLOW FALLS SERIES!! Is there ANY CHANCE of another book? I know the answer but its wishful thinking!! Please maybe think about it!! Or maybe make the Willow Falls into movies!! They would be AMAZINGGGG!!! ❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤

  43. Emily on June 1, 2014 at 7:23 pm

    so excited,wish i had found this site earlier, i love different author’s blogs, i mean cause i REALLY REALLY want to be an authoress when i grow up

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