This Is the Week
We've reached the moment I've worked for all these years! WAKE THE WILD CREATURES is out this week. And p.s. I'm on book tour!
Wake the Wild Creatures enters the world this week! The big day is Tuesday, May 6, when you can find the book where books are sold in hardcover, ebook, or audiobook! There was a long while when I couldn't imagine seeing this day... but THIS IS THE WEEK and THE DAY HAS COME.
Since I'm heading out on book tour (?!?!?!?!) as we speak, I'm sending this newsletter on Monday morning to tell you, quietly, or loudly, or giddily... my book is finally out! (Technically it's out tomorrow, but people have found it in stores so it may as well be today!)
![[COVER of WAKE THE WILD CREATURES]](https://newsletter.novaren.com/content/images/2025/05/WaketheWild_Cover_300w.png)
• Thank you so much to all who came to see me in Philly at A Novel Idea yesterday with Emily X.R. Pan! That was beautiful!!
Here is where I'll be next...
• DC/MARYLAND: People's Book with Robin Talley — Mon., May 5th [RSVP]
• BOSTON AREA: Belmont Books with Malinda Lo — Tues., May 6th [RSVP]
• NEW YORK CITY: McNally Jackson SoHo with Libba Bray — Wed., May 7th [RSVP]
• AUSTIN: Book People with Kelis Rowe — Thurs., May 8th [RSVP]
• HOUSTON: Houston Champions B&N with Kate Pentecost — Fri., May 9th [RSVP]
For more details: novaren.com/appearances
This book that I worked on for years, this book that saw me through tremendous change and tumult, this book about a community hidden away in the mountains and a girl who never stops believing in it broke me and then mended me back together... this book is here. I hope you'll consider reading it or perhaps buying a copy for yourself!
I know everything is expensive right now, and I need to tell you that I'm someone who became a big reader—which is what led me to becoming a writer—because of libraries, so it would be incredibly meaningful to me if you requested the book from your local library. I hope there's a day that I visit my own local library and find my book on the shelf... every time that has happened has been a little miracle for me.
This book took its time, and over the years I gained support and wisdom from many people. I'm grateful to so many (as you'll see when you read the lengthy acknowledgements at the back of the book), and if you're one of those people, I hope you know how much your aid, inspiration, motivation, and all else meant to me. Thank you.
I'll be back in your inbox on the full moon this month with a reflection on release week, in gratitude to all the people who helped me get here, including you, for subscribing to this newsletter and being an important part of me having the opportunity to put another book out into the world.
Do you love audiobooks?
If you listen to audiobooks, Wake the Wild Creatures is available as an audiobook from HachetteAudio, narrated by Helen Laser!
Listen to an audio sample here.
The audiobook also comes out on May 6!
I do want to say more... attempt to be profound... be honest... get real... But I am currently trying to close my suitcase and make sure I don't forget anything essential. I am not bringing my laptop on book tour—I cannot carry one more thing, literally—but I will be bringing my Wake the Wild Creatures travel diary. I'll keep track of memories there and share some with you soon!
I hope to see some of you at bookstores this week! And thank you so much for considering reading my book!