Ho . . . ho . . . ho!

EVERY PICTURE DOES TELL A STORY

FACT: Covers can make or break a book.
PROOF: I could tell you a ton of stories about authors getting stuck with unsuitable, nay, cringe-worthy, covers, me being one of those authors.

Because it's rare for writers to be allowed to give anything more than what publishers call, "Meaningful input," during the cover selection process, which actually means,"We picked this cover and now we expect you to meaningfully tell us you like it," imagine how thrilled I was to have the opportunity this time out to give my editor at Lake Union, Kelli Martin, my two cents worth from the get-go.

Because the story is sent during a patch of Indian summer weather in the 1950s, and our narrator is an eleven-year-old girl, I desperately wanted the cover to capture the feel of the story in an autumnal, nostalgic, and innocently charming way and, thank goodness, my saintly editor agreed with me.

After throwing around a few ideas and searching the internet--most cover images are found on the www.-- Kelli and I realized that the only way we were going to make our dream cover a reality was to find an artist who could create an original piece, so the very talented Rachel Adam was brought into the picture.

So after much back-and-forth-ing between the three of us and other creative forces at Lake Union . . .  ta da! We're nuts about it, and here's hoping that you, dear reader, love it, too.

Hugs. Lesley

 

THE MUTUAL ADMIRATION SOCIETY

From the New York Times bestselling author of Whistling in the Dark comes an unforgettable novel that illuminates the sweet and brittle bonds of family, the tenderness of growing up, the heartbreak of longing for what we’ve lost, and the poignancy of finding love.

FACT: Unbeknownst to eleven-year-old Theresa “Tessie” Finley, she’s in over her head.

PROOF: After hearing a scream and catching a glimpse of a mysterious man carrying a body beneath the flickering streetlights in the cemetery behind her house, Tessie adds solving a murder case to her already quite full to-do list.

Tessie has elected herself president of the crime-stopping Mutual Admiration Society—as if dealing with her “sad madness” over the tragic drowning of her beloved father; showering tender loving care on her “sweet but weird” younger sister, Birdie; and staying on the good side of their hard-edged mother weren’t enough. With partner in crime Charlie “Cue Ball” Garfield, Tessie and Birdie will need to dodge the gossips in their 1950s blue-collar neighborhood—particularly their evil next-door neighbor, Gert Klement, who’d like nothing better than to send the sisters to “homes.” And, of course, there’s the problem of steering clear of the kidnapping murderer if they have any hope of solving the mystery of all mysteries: the mystery of life.

A rich and charming tour de force, The Mutual Admiration Society showcases Lesley Kagen’s marvelous storytelling talents. Laced with heartwarming humor and heartbreaking grief, this novel is nothing short of magical.

THE MUTUAL ADMIRATION SOCIETY IS UP AND RUNNING

What a fantastic time I've been having bringing this story to you. I've been privileged to work with Lake Union Publishing, and the most wonderful editor, Kelli Martin, whose wisdom and sheer grace has made the editing process an absolute delight. It was only yesterday that I turned my edits into her, so imagine my surprise when I was tooling around Amazon as I am apt to do, and found this:  http://tinyurl.com/hx8bv6q 

The release date isn't until January 3, 2017, so the publisher is still working on the cover, but it's so exciting to see the story of the Finley sisters up and running. Hope you'll order it now!

COMING YOUR WAY JANUARY 2017!

Here's a little something about the story:

Blackmailer, poison-pen writer extraordinaire, liar, and thief, eleven-year-old Theresa "Tessie" Finley might've bitten off more than she can chew. Besides dealing with the recent tragic drowning death of her father, caring for her "sweet, weird" sister, Birdie, and staying on the good side of their mother, Louise, after hearing a scream and seeing a mysterious man beneath the flickering streetlights in the cemetery behind her house late one night, Tessie, the newly-elected president of The Mutual Admiration Society, adds solving a bloody murder to her already quite full TO-DO list. 

Navigating their world is difficult enough under ordinary circumstances, but the cards seem stacked against the Finley sisters and their partner in crime, Charlie "Cueball Garfield," as they undertake their investigation. Can they overcome the numerous obstacles they face, or will their snooping alert their nosy, interfering neighbor...or worse, draw the attention of a murderer?

Set in 1959 in a blue collar Milwaukee neighborhood, The Mutual Admiration Society is award-winning and New York Times bestselling author, Lesley Kagen, at her absolute best. She's crafted another uniquely compelling tale with mystery, family drama, humor, and an irresistible cast of characters. New readers and fans alike, be prepared to be swept along on the adventures of the Finley sisters.

THE BEST GIFTS COME IN SMALL PACKAGES

This morning, on the third birthday of my g-baby, Hadley Ann Orion, a child of such enormous love and magic and compassion who was clearly sent to save not only me and my family, but the entire human race, I am giving thanks. Forever and always, my baby.

 

THE MUTUAL ADMIRATION SOCIETY

Whew.

I've just wrapped up my eighth novel, which is impossibly hard to believe. 8 books?! That I wrote all by myself? How'd I do that?! My ability to write remains as mysterious to me as it's always been. Magical, too. Writing is hard and grueling and can make me pull my hair out of my head, but it's also wonder-filled and one of the true loves of my life. The other loves are my children and grandchildren, reading, and horses, they will always make me swoon.

Not sure when The Mutual Admiration Society will be published, but here's the back cover copy that I hope you'll find intriguing enough that you'll check it out when it's available. (If you're a fan of The Undertaking of Tess and Whistling in the Dark, this story should be right up your alley.)

Gumshoe, blackmailer, poison-pen writer extraordinaire, liar, and thief, eleven-year-old Theresa "Tessie" Finley has lots on her plate. Besides dealing with the sudden loss of her beloved father, keeping an eye on her sweet, but "weird" sister, Birdie, and staying out of Dutch with the powers that be---the Almighty, her mother, Louise, and next door nemesis, Gert Klement---after hearing a commotion and seeing a mysterious man beneath the flickering streetlights in the cemetery behind her house late one night, the president of The Mutual Admiration Society, adds solving a bloody murder case to her already quite full TO-DO list. 

Navigating their raucous, blue collar Milwaukee neighborhood is no picnic under the best of circumstances, but the snooping sisters and their partner in crime, Charlie "Cueball Garfield," appear to be in way over their heads as their investigation proceeds. Will their sleuthing alert their nosy neighbor who is determined to rid the neighborhood of the "Finley ghouls," or worse, draw the attention of a murderer?

Wishing you the brightest New Year, xo Lesley)