Malinda Lo
Blog
Aug 5, 2009
Welcome, ASH!
Today was a bit of a hectic day because tomorrow I’m heading out to SCBWI and am trying to do 1,000 things before it, of course. One of them was get my hair cut, which meant I had to leave my house this afternoon. Normally, I actually do like leaving the house (seriously! I’m not a total writer shut-in), but today I was a bit reluctant because I’d gotten word that I should be expecting a package today.
Of course, it arrived when I was gone.
After I got my hair cut and ran about 10 errands, I got home to find this:
Inside it was this package:
I had a pretty certain suspicion about what was inside.
By this point, I was both speechless and exhausted. Sounds a lot like labor, to me. Seven years of labor!!
But wait, there’s more! I took off the jacket to reveal the beautiful spine:
And last but not least, I spent several minutes staring at, yes, the copyright page. There it is: “Ash/by Malinda Lo.—1st ed.” Yes, my eyes were welling up at those words.
Then I read a little further and discovered that the Library of Congress cataloging description is a TOTAL SPOILER. (Beware, readers! Do not read it! Unless you like spoilers.) So I blacked it out in Photoshop:
You can see my dedication on the right-hand page. And that’s where it all began, folks. My grandmother started me telling stories before I could hold a pen. This book is definitely for her.
CONGRATULATIONS!!
I can’t even imagine how that moment must have felt.
I can’t wait to read your book!
Congratulations!!
I know that you don’t have a clue who I am…I had followed you on After Ellen and then began reading you blog…anyway…Congratulations on your book one day I hope to have the very same experience of opening a package and having the love of my labor looking up at me in the form of a real paper hardcover book!
How exiting! The book looks awesome!! I cant wait to read it and own it! Congrats..
SQUEEEEEEEE!!! congrats Melinda. I am soo very happy for you
Gorgeous hard cover and binding!
The book is beautiful! That’s so awesome!! Seeing your name in print on a published book. Say thanks to your grandmother from me because (it sounds like) if it wasn’t for her there would be no Ash and that would be terrible. So big thanks to her!
Congratulations Malinda, sounds like its been a long time coming.
The presentation of the book itself looks like a work of art.
Wonderful your work could be honoured in such a way.
Cheers
Inger
It just makes me smile seeing all these wonderful things for you. Congrats!!
That is beautiful. Your book is beautiful. I’m so very excited for you, and I’m sure it will be a hit!
Congrats congrats.
Congratulations! It’s a gorgeous cover, and the spine is striking too. I can’t wait to read it!
Omigosh! It’s beautiful!!! So happy for you! What a lovely way to spend a day, you know, staring at the copyright page. Congratulations, Malinda!
Wow! It’s so pretty!!! I Love that the book itself is pink, and the spine! It has such a cute design!!! I Love when the book itself without the covers are pretty too! It just makes the book seem that much more beautiful then it all ready is with the cover on!!! That’s so sweet that u dedicated it 2 your grandmom! Congratulations, I can’t imagine how happy you were!!! Can’t wait 2 read it!!!
And it SMELLS good too. Which is how you know a book is really well made. Heee!
Thanks, everyone! And yes, I must say, I love that new book smell.
Oh dear. The photoshopped-out spoiler line made me laugh. You’d think that people would not put spoilers in there, but they probably think no one ever reads the small print…? Anyway.. WOW! What a gorgeous outer package to contain a beautiful book. I must admit I’m surprised at the purple-pink spine and interior, but the more I look at it, the more I love it. Must go get a copy for myself soon!
Congratulations Malinda! She’s beautiful! I can’t wait to hold her in my arms. What an amazing cover and a gorgeous spine! What a cool surprise to have a beautiful spine! I’m so proud of you!
!!!!!!!
Malinda,
Your aunt Catherine has kept me posted about the progress of your book for years. Congratulations!! I knew your grandmother well enough to hear her voice and laughter in my heart. I’m sure she has been smiling for some time now.
The “back bone” of your book is elegant, as are you.
Better late than never,
Ayliffe Ris
Thank you so much for your comment! That’s a wonderful compliment.