Lo and Behold, it’s a new book! (and lots of other stuff)
Hello reader friends! So happy to be coming up for air and hoping you’re doing well! Been a busy (and of course, utterly bizarre and challenging), last few years for all of us. I have a whole lotta updates and some random stuff to share so thank you for visiting, and if you’ve left a comment on previous blogs, thank you for your patience. It’s too embarrassing to say how long some comments have languished as I realized they needed to be approved before posted, so I have 40 left to reply to. (Down from 4,906, so that’s progress!)
First and foremost,…LO AND BEHOLD… my first graphic novel! It was a big challenge to learn how to write a story in this format, but that’s what keeps ya on your toes. Below is an example of a page of text and then what the page looked like after the artist, colorist and Random House’s design team got their hands on it. I really couldn’t be happier with how it looks. Thank you over and over to artist Gabi Mendez and colorist Cai Tse for bringing the story to such vivid life!
LO AND BEHOLD is intended for readers 10 and up. It stars 12-year-old Addie, who is going through a difficult time and has closed herself off from the people and things she loves. When she discovers virtual reality, at first it allows her to escape from real life and to forget her problems, as she slays virtual dragons and visits exotic locations around the world. But slowly the connections she makes there and the wonder and joy she experiences makes her realize how much of that is waiting for her in the real world, if only she is able to allow herself to feel it again.
Besides VR, there’s also geocaching. And unexpected friendships. And a tortoise (which by the way, I spell wrong Every Single Time I type it). And moon trees (yes, that’s a thing.) And the importance of cultivating empathy and how it can lead to amazing things. Hopefully you’ll laugh and it would make me happy if you cried (that doesn’t sound right, but you know what I mean ;o). There’s a short memoir-y section at the end where I get turned into a comic book character and take you on my journey to becoming “gadget girl,” which led to my discovery of VR and shows why I’m so excited to get other people excited about it.
LO AND BEHOLD will be out May 2, 2023, pre-order is available now in hardcover and paperback wherever books are sold. If you’d like to try an augmented reality experience that goes with the book, follow the directions from my website to see a sample, and then come back. ;o)
The character of Addie is named after Adwayta, the world’s oldest tortoise who lived 250 years. In the novel the reader gets to see Addie creating a picture book called ONE DAY AND FOREVER based on Adwayta’s life story (with a few creative liberties including a talking dragonfly named Sam). A good friend of mine, Nicole Xifaras, is a super-talented painter and she is in the process of making Addie’s dream of seeing her book out in the world come true. Nicole gave me a sneak peek at the artist-at-work-in-her-studio and I am happy to share them with you here. I’ll post an update announcing when you’ll be able to read this story of a friendship that lasted both one day, and forever.
The first two reviews for LO AND BEHOLD are in!
From Kirkus Reviews: “This artfully rendered graphic charmer is carefully nuanced and adroitly paced.”
From Publisher’s Weekly: “Mendez’s streamlined and consistent artwork tonally complements Mass’s attentive consideration of the issues addressed. Edge-of-the-seat virtual reality adventure scenes are delicately balanced with accessible and thought-provoking plotting, juxtaposing video game–like escapism with emotionally complex conflict to deliver a solid read that encourages empathy and introspection.”
On another note…
I’m working on a project tentatively titled: “What a Character!” My plan is to find (and, if possible, meet) real people with the same names as my book characters. Over the years a few have reached out to me (including two by the name of good ol Jeremy Fink!) and I’m interested in learning about them and maybe spotting some similarities between their lives and the fictional characters who bear their names. First up is…Angelina D’Angelo from the Willow Falls series! The real Angelina looks a little different than her white-haired counterpart with the duck-shaped birthmark! But she also wasn’t likely to trap me back in time or make my day repeat over and over, so that’s good! Here we are on the campus of West Virginia University.
Also…I made a link tree! It was fun! I hope you’ll check it out. There are links (obvi) to lots of book/author stuff, and also referral codes with discounts on some of my favorite things like the Oculus Quest VR headset! And my favorite could-not-write-a-book-without tablet, The reMarkable!
And for anyone who wants to learn how to tell their own stories, I have the above book (now an e-book) to thank for me being able to write anything at all, I’m not even kidding. As my editors would attest, I certainly don’t write books in two weeks or less, but this guide’s content is truly inventive and transformative. I’m not the only one–for those of us of a certain age who took the Learning Annex class in the 90’s where we came away with a prized spiral-bound copy of the book, we get it. We REALLY get it. I reached out to one of the authors, Dr. Deever, and he said he’s working on getting the print book back out there, but meanwhile was kind enough to put the ebook version back online. Get it while the getting’s good.
Calling all fellow bookworms, Bookshop.org is an online shop that connects to the local bookstore of your choice—the online shop mails you the book, but the local store gets paid a generous percentage of the sale! SUCH a lovely idea!! I made a page on there with my favorite childhood books that still live on inside me today in case you want to have the same stories alive in you!
Last but not least…two new books are coming down the pike (one features a little free library, a ghost librarian, and a very fluffy cat that will be out in Fall 2023, and the other tells (or I should say shows b/c it’s another graphic novel) how a certain candy factory came into being, which is currently being illustrated, but I’ll talk about them in the next blog. So stay tuned. Stay cozy. Give yourself the same grace you would give others. And remember what the always insightful Dr. Seuss would say (even though he probably didn’t), “Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who matter don’t mind, and those who mind don’t matter.”
xx,
Wendy
Dear Wendy Mass,
June, 5th, 2023
Hello Wendy!! My name is Zaara and I’m 11 years old! I am from Albany, NY and I’m a HUGE fan of your “Every Soul a Star” book. Whenever I read the book Every Soul a Star it makes my heart so happy. The book itself is such a good book! My favorite character is most definitely Bree! I like that she’s brave and curious. Whenever I get to the end of the chapter I cannot PUT THE BOOk DOWN!! The book is just way too good!
You are definitely my favorite author because I like your style when you write! I have read 2 of your books so far and I love them so much! You also put so much effort into your writing, which I love.
Also just wanted to know something, when are you going to release a new book?! If you do end up releasing a new book please let me know!
Anyways, I really do like your books and I hope that you can email me back. It would really make my day if you could! 🙂
Yours truly,
Zaara.
Hi! So glad you liked Every Soul! Maybe you’ll try to catch the next eclipse in April 2024! The newest book is the one in this blog post, Lo and Behold. I hope you like it! (there’s an eclipse in there too ;o)! hugs! Wendy
Hi! When I tell you I just jumped around my house screaming, I am not exaggerating. The Candymakers books have got to be my favorite books of all time. I’ve grown a little since I read the first one, but I will still for sure read the new book. Can’t wait for more information! 🙂
That’s awesome on the jumping! It takes a long time to illustrate a graphic novel but I’ll let you know when it’s getting close. 🙂
MORE CANDYMAKERS FALL 2023??? I AM FANGIRLINH SO HARD RN OGM
hi, its bear! i just turened 6! Ilove space taxi! i hope you write more someday! i just had finished space taxi 6.! i hope you will make a 7,8,9,10 you write awesome books !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
***Hi, Ms. Mass-this is Bear’s mom, Laura! We discovered Space Taxi book 1 at our library shortly before Bear turned six, and we enjoyed reading them together so much that I gave the whole series to him for his birthday. If it’s any indication of how much he loves them, his birthday was the end of June, and we’ve read them all now. He has a little sister and I think relates to Archie a lot. Thank you for delighting my little space lover-we were both sorry to see the characters go, and will be first in line if you ever decide to add to the series! Wishing you all the best.
I love your books and am writing some of my own, I hope one day I can write like you but until then I’ll keep dreaming and reading. My favorite book of yours is either the last presents or Robin Hood the One Who Looked Good in Green. I’m twelve and live in Oklahoma, I love reading, writing, Watching Heartland, and horses. I hope you might write another book for the Willow Falls or Twice Upon a Time series one day! I can’t wait until the eclipse next April because of Evry Soul a Star.
Ceryna Smith
Hello … my daughter loves your books since she started reading them in 4th grade. “11 Birthdays” is definitely her favorite. She also began taking French in high school, and since she is turning 18 soon, I would love to get her your books in French translations, especially “11 Birthdays,” if they were ever translated. Google hasn’t been much help in figuring out if those even exist. I was hoping you could let me know if your books were ever translated into French, and where I could find them for my daughter. Thank you so much, and thank you for writing books my daughter really connected with 💜
Dear Ms. Mass: I love your time jumpers books – I am almost 7 years old and have read all 4 Time Jumper books. When I saw the feather inside the suitcase I thought you could write a book that when they touched the feather it would take them back to the time of Indians. Thank you a lot I really enjoy reading your books.
Felicity Mendoza
AHHHH!!! im so excited for the candymakers prequel!! ive been reading the other two books and they are SPECTACULAR!!!!! cant wait to hear about it some more, good luck with your next stories!!!
Hello Wendy Mass! I love your books! I read The Willlow Falls series and Twice Upon A Time! My favorite book is The Last Present. I am so happy to read Lo and Behold!
Hello Wendy Mass! I love your books! I read The Willlow Falls series and Twice Upon A Time! My favorite book is The Last Present. I am so happy to read Lo and Behold!
Hi Wendy,
Thank you for taking the time to sign the Candymakers and The Great Chocolate Chase at the Sparta bookshop for us this past December.
You are my 13 year old’s favorite author and your signed copies brought tears to her eyes. The star gift at Christmas for this young author.
Wishing you all the best for continued success.
Hiiiii wendy, super excited for the candymakers prequel this year! can we have some more info on it?
I started reading your books 2 days ago and became absolutely encaptured by them. The first one I read was A Mango Shaped Space ( Honestly because of the cat on the book ) but as soon as I started reading it I couldn’t put it down. I’ve since been looking out for your other books in my school and main library.
Dear Wendy,
The solar eclipse tomorrow brought back memories of reading “Every Soul a Star” years ago as a kid, and I just wanted to write and say how much joy your books brought me. I remember that at some point I lost my copy of “The Candymakers” — and I was not the type to lose books — and cried for hours. All this is just to say that your writing brought me a lot of joy, and I often identified deeply with your characters. This new book looks wonderful, and I’ll keep recommending you to everyone I know with young readers (and keeping up myself).