My fifth novel, The Girl from Earth’s End (Candlewick Press) is out in the world today!

We often say “happy book birthday” on a book’s publication day, since the process of writing and editing it can feel like a gestation. But for this book . . . I don’t know. I’ve spent such a long, intense time with its characters (five years!) that it feels a little more like I’m dropping the whole crew off at college. Through stages both joyful and infuriating, I’ve done my best to shape their personalities. Now it’s time for them to make their own impressions on the world; to live their lives independent from their creator.

I’m excited for Henna and P and Lora and all the rest of them, but also a little weepy. They’re not just my babies anymore! They belong to the world now, and not everyone’s gonna like them. Heartbreaks and disappointments may be coming their way. But maybe, also, glory? Great bonds with readers who will love them just as much (well, almost as much) as I have? Oh, I hope so.

Anyway, buy a book or two if you have the means (college tuition’s expensive!). Leave reviews on Amazon or Goodreads if you can. Tell your friends about these cool kids from the Gardenia Isles if you think they might want to be friends with them, too. And maybe even spare a thought for their empty-nester author-parent’s complicated feelings today. 😁😬🎉😱😍😭🌿

Read & grow,

Tara