The storm before the calm before the storm.
Lots of info in this one... book events, an interview, and more!
Hi! We just got back from our extended summer vacation to Wisconsin and it was so lovely: lots of swimming, kayaking, bonfires and late night dominoes (the tile game, not the pizza). We spotted swans, herons and loons, frogs and toads and white-tailed deer. My husband flew a kite off the back of our pontoon boat rental while the sun set, it was magical. We squeezed in an extended family reunion, we toured Frank Lloyd Wright’s personal home, we side-quested Chicago, I turned 41 years old, and I read this book not once but twice in a row. Seriously, almost everything was perfect except for ONE AWFUL THING involving my foot and a rusty fishhook and a trip to the ER but I’ll spare you the grisly details. We’re back in Oregon now, catching up on Tears of the Kingdom and putting the final touches on a very full summer.
Now, September is just around the corner and you know what that means… My book Wildfire comes out in two weeks! TWO WEEKS! (There’s still time to preorder!) So. I’m going to get one big round of announcements out and then, I don’t know… hide for a little bit?
The first thing I want to share is my full list of September events!
Sunday, September 10, 2PM Release Party!
Green Bean Books, Portland, OR
with Aron Nels Steinke (Mr. Wolf’s Class, The Zoo Box)
Tuesday, September 12, 7PM
Vintage Books Live! (watch on youtube)
Saturday, September 16, 6PM
Destiny City Comics, Tacoma WA
Saturday, September 23, noon
Maggie Mae’s, Gresham, OR
with Seaerra Miller (Out There, Mason Mooney series)
Saturday, September 30, 3PM
Powell’s City of Books, Portland, OR
with Jonathan Hill (Tales of a Seventh Grade Lizard Boy, Odessa)
Saturday, October 7, 2PM
Tsunami Books, Eugene OR
So excited that some of my comics pals will be joining me at some of these. Hope to see you at one or more (even ALL?) of these events! If you aren’t in the Pacific Northwest, catch the September 12 show online!
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I recently had the privilege of being interviewed by Publishers Weekly Children’s Bookshelf about my creative process onWildfire. You can read it here!
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The early reviews for Wildfire have been positive (phew!) if you’d like to check those out!
Kirkus Reviews called it: “A compassionate, action-focused story about climate justice, relationships, trauma, and healing.” (Read full review)
And Publishers Weekly gave it a starred review (!!) and wrote: “Timely messaging surrounding conservation efforts and the catharsis that a supportive community can bring permeate this gripping graphic novel.” (Read full review)
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Oh, another fun thing, I made a Wildfire playlist! It’s only on Spotify right now, but I’ll post the track list if anyone wants to create it on Apple Music or what have ya.
Hannah Glavor - Start Over Again
Yeah Yeah Yeahs - Burning
Damien Jurado - Oh Weather
Childish Gambino - Feels Like Summer
Soccer Mommy - Fire in the Driveway
Bakar - Alive!
Mitski - A Burning Hill
Recreation Station (my BRO!) - The Simota Tree
The Beths - Not Running
TV On The Radio - Trouble
Monica Martin - Patient
First Aid Kit - Palomino
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Last thing, please check out the Books For Maui auction! Lots of amazing folks in the publishing world have donated items (both physical goods like autographed books, and time/expertise like portfolio and manuscript reviews, or virtual author visits!) 100% of proceeds go to Maui relief efforts following the wildfires. Please take a look and bid on any of these amazing items, or donate directly to any of the organizations listed there.
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Okay, this was a long one. Hope you’ve had an amazing summer! Next time you hear from me here, I’ll have a brand new book out in the world!!
Love,
Breena
So excited to get Wildfire soon! I hope the book tour is lots of fun!!!
I’m waiting for a haircut, so I made the playlist in Apple Music: https://music.apple.com/us/playlist/breenas-wildfire/pl.u-V9D7mgpU3mLJDxy