Jennifer Donnelly's Blog

When my daughter was little, she had a hard time letting go of Christmas, so at bedtime, I used to sit with her and we’d ball up our hands into fists, hanging on tightly for just a few more minutes to the smell of balsam and the glow of candlelight, then we’d take a deep breath and open our hands, letting the day fly away like a dove on the wing, aching as it left us, but knowing that letting go was the only way to make room for spring with its snowdrops and robins, its dappled fawns and fox cubs.

Year after year, for Christmas and Easter and summers and birthdays, I’d help her let go.

Last week, my girl graduated from college and headed for a big city, where she’s about to start her first grown-up job. My husband and I moved her in, lugging bins and boxes and bags into her small, bright apartment, and then it was time to say goodbye.

I was happy and proud and sad and panicked. Had I taught her all she needed to know? Can she fill out a 1040? Had she read Yeats? Does she know how to shut off the smoke alarm? As I stood in the doorway desperately wishing for more time, trying hard not to cry, my daughter met me there. She closed her hands tight, and made me close mine, and then, smiling, she helped me let go.

The post Letting Go first appeared on Jennifer Donnelly.

Postcards from Sicily

I’ve been a little quiet on the posting front lately — that’s because I’ve been tucked away on a beautiful, sun-soaked island, chasing inspiration and eating my way through a few excellent pastry counters.

Sicily gave me everything I was hoping for: time to write, places to wander, and stories whispering from every ancient stone. And the pastries at La Martorana in Palermo? Tiny works of art.

A few favorite moments:

Got wonderfully lost looking for wine, and ended up at a stranger’s table with salami, focaccia, and eight new friends. Sicily’s like that.Roamed Palermo’s golden chapels and buzzing markets, collecting scenes for future stories.Finished a first draft (!) and toasted it with local vino and a big exhale.

Some of you followed along on Instagram and Facebook — thank you for all the comments and sweet messages! If you missed those posts, I’ve included a few favorites below (click on each for the full post).

What’s Ahead …

I just hit “send” on the very first draft of Twix — the story that started scurrying around in my head (and heart) years ago, and really came to life during these past few months. It’s now safely in the hands of my wonderful editor, Kristin Rens at HarperCollins.

While Kristin reads, I’m taking a tiny breather… clearing off my desk, catching up on emails, and sipping endless cups of Darjeeling. But soon, it’ll be time to roll up my sleeves and dive into the revision process. This first draft of Twix is just that — a first draft. It’s rough, it’s raw, and there’s a lot of work ahead to shape it into its final form.

That said, this story has been living inside me for a long time, and now it feels so very real to me (watch my video for the details). Twix is a sweet, funny, anxious, deeply loyal little rat who’s found himself on a perilous journey all over (and under) New York City to save his big brother — and I just adore him. I’m looking forward to getting his story polished to perfection, and then I hope you’ll come along for the ride!

In The Shop: More from The Tea Rose Saga

If you’re a Tea Rose Saga fan, and you haven’t yet read the Rose Petals, now’s a lovely time to curl up with one.

Both Molly’s Letter and Where Roses Fall — my novella-length stories that dive deeper into the world of The Tea Rose and The Winter Rose — are available in hardcover and paperback wherever you like to buy books. And if you order from my online shop, I’ll sign them for you!

These stories have been such a joy to return to. I’ve missed Fiona, Joe, Sid, India, Willa, Seamie, and so many others — and I’m just now starting work on the third Rose Petal, which takes us back into the world of The Wild Rose. I can’t wait to share more soon!

The post Back from Sicily, a Draft Delivered, and What’s Blooming Next 🌷 first appeared on Jennifer Donnelly.

I don’t know about you, but I’ve hit that part of winter where my fingers are permanently frozen and I need a bit of sunshine, some sea breezes, and the kind of inspiration that only the ghosts of an ancient city can whisper.

So…I’m off to Sicily for the rest of the winter!

Yes, I’m trading snow boots for sandals and heading to that gorgeous, history-soaked island to recharge my batteries (and also eat as much cannoli as I can hold). This trip is all about soaking up inspiration for future stories, wandering through ancient ruins, and communing with the ones who built them.

What This Means for My Shop

Since I’ll be away, my online shop will be closed from late January until early March. If you had your eye on a signed first edition hardcover, a Rose Petals novella, or an I’ll Never Be Convenient mug, now’s the time to grab it before I pack my bags! Don’t worry — I’ll reopen it once I’m back, hopefully with some fun new ideas inspired by my Sicilian adventure.

What’s New in My Bookish World

Exciting news for my Brazilian readers!

Beastly Beauty has just been released in Brazil, where it is called Beleza Feroz! I’m thrilled that this dark, twisty fairytale retelling is making its way to even more readers, and I can’t wait to hear what you think. If you’re in Brazil, you can grab a copy now and dive into this haunting story.

Introducing Twix the Rat!

If you’ve been following along, you may have already heard me talk about Twix, my next book project! But for those of you who haven’t — allow me to introduce you to a story that’s been scurrying around in my heart for a long time.

Twix is an anxious young rat living in the basement of a New York City brownstone. He’s small, cautious, and desperately trying to keep his family safe in a world full of big, scary dangers. This is a story about bravery, family, and finding the courage to step into the unknown — all themes that are near and dear to me.

Watch my video for all the details!

The Third Rose Petals story is underway!

I can’t share the details yet, but this one features a Tea Rose Saga character you know, and a new one you’ll meet! I’m loving getting to know her, and I hope you will, too! More soon!

Let’s Stay in Touch!

Even though I’ll be away, I’ll still be posting updates from Sicily — so if you want to see which bookstores I stumble into, what historical rabbit holes I fall down, or just how much gelato one author can consume in a single day, be sure to follow along on social media (my links are below)!

I’ll miss you all, but I promise to bring back sunshine, stories, and a suitcase full of cassata Siciliana!

Until then, buona lettura!

The post Off to Sicily! first appeared on Jennifer Donnelly.

I LOVE thrift stores, and now that Black Friday and Cyber Monday are in the rearview mirror, can we make Thrift Shop Thursday a thing?

The DCSPCA Thrift Shop is one of my faves. It’s located in the beautiful Hudson Valley at 600 Violet Ave., Hyde Park, NY. I did a lot of my holiday shopping there, as you’ll see– and all for a great cause!

Well worth the visit — Tues through Sat from 10-4. More info at dspca.org.

The post My Favorite Thrift Shop! first appeared on Jennifer Donnelly.

Happy Black Friday! Get a free copy of Molly’s Letter when you buy a signed first edition copy of The Tea Rose, The Winter Rose, or The Wild Rose – only in my website shop (www.jenniferdonnelly.com/shop)! Good through December 4. Details:

The post Black Friday Tea Rose Saga Special! first appeared on Jennifer Donnelly.

I rats! I love them so much, I’m writing a story about one, to be published by HarperCollins. His name is Twix, and he lives in a townhouse in NYC – okay, it’s an old wooden cabinet in a dingy basement in NYC – but it’s got a (steampipe) stove, a big-screen (old Iphone) TV, and a (soda bottle) hot tub!

Here’s the scoop:

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Reader Age Group

Middle Grade (Twix, The Waterfire Saga, Lost in a Book) Young Adult (Stepsister, These Shallow Graves, Revolution) Adult (The Tea Rose Saga)

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The post Introducing Twix the Rat! first appeared on Jennifer Donnelly.

I ❤️ rats! I love them so much, I’m writing a story about one, to be published by HarperCollins. His name is Twix, and he lives in a townhouse in NYC – okay, it’s an old wooden cabinet in a dingy basement in NYC – but it’s got a (steampipe) stove, a big-screen (old Iphone) TV, and a (soda bottle) hot tub!

Here’s the scoop:

The post Introducing Twix the Rat! first appeared on Jennifer Donnelly.

I am SO excited — I have a new project with Harper Collins Publishers! It’s for two books that follow the adventures of Twix, an anxious young rat living in New York City who must embark on a perilous journey to rescue his missing brother from the domain of a sinister rat king.

Twix is a story for middle-graders like my two nutty nephews (you may have noticed that I often write books for my family members’ age groups!), and it’s bringing me right back to my ten-year-old self. I am having SO much fun writing about this funny, adorable, apprehensive little rat who’s stolen my heart, and I can’t wait to share his story with you.

I’ll have much more to share soon, but you can read the announcement in Publisher’s Weekly for some quick details …

The post My New Two-Book Deal: Twix the Rat!! first appeared on Jennifer Donnelly.

ENTER TO WIN MY FULL SERIES OF FRACTURED FAIRY TALES, in signed, first-edition hardcover!

An ugly stepsister, a kind princess in an unkind world, a beauty who’s been told she’s a beast – each of these fairy tale girls refuses to accept the fate that others have written for her. They’re all in the pages of my fractured fairy tale trilogy.

Enter to win one signed copy each of STEPSISTER, POISONED, and BEASTLY BEAUTY, my retellings of three classic fairy tales!

To enter, go to my Instagram page and follow the instructions there: https://www.instagram.com/p/C_tuetmvMfq/?img_index=1

Open to US residents only. Good luck!!

The post Fractured Fairytale Giveaway! first appeared on Jennifer Donnelly.

Where Roses Fall, my new story set within the world of The Winter Rose, is on sale at last! Thank you, dear readers, for giving me an excuse to return to the Tea Rose Saga — I’m loving spending time again with these characters who hold such a big piece of my heart!

The post Happy Birthday, Where Roses Fall!! first appeared on Jennifer Donnelly.