What's new with Holly Cupala

Hello, dear readergirlz, and Happy Anniversary! It's pretty exciting to see the fruition of all of the ideas and hard work of the co-founders--Justina Chen, Dia Calhoun, Janet Lee Carey, and Lorie Ann Grover--and all of the helpers along the way! I'm honored to have been a part of it.

What's new with me? After readergirlz featured TELL ME A SECRET, my second YA novel, DON'T BREATHE A WORD, came out in January 2012 from HarperCollins. Since then, I've been working hard on a third YA (in the home stretch, hopefully!) with secrets...still so many secret stories to tell!

There have been big changes for me personally, too--family up by one, a crazy move to the country, wild forages for ideas and edibles, lots of DIY projects, and...three? four?...novels brewing.

I'm inspired by all of you, readergirlz! Keep up the wonderful work.

 

Cover Stories: Don't Breathe a Word by Holly Cupala

Diva Holly Cupala was here to talk about the cover of her debut novel, Tell Me a Secret. Now, her second novel, Don't Breathe a Word, is out this month, and it has a cover that manages to convey both darkness and sparkle! Here's Holly with the Cover Story:

"After the gorgeous cover HarperTeen put together for Tell Me a Secret, I knew to expect something fantastic for my second, Don't Breathe a Word… though it came about in a completely different (and for me, much more nail-biting) way…

"The original working title was Street Creed, which is what the design team initially had to work with. The first cover concept was… steamy (below). It featured two gorgeous creatures, probably Italian models, who met as if by chance after a swirling, beaded-dress-bedecked night for an almost-kiss. Sigh.

"But it didn’t feel like my book.

"Don’t Breathe a Word is the story of Joy, who runs away from home to escape an abusive relationship to the streets of Seattle. She finds allies who have secrets of their own, including Creed—a homeless boy who dreams of making it in the music industry.

"There is a steamy relationship (and Creed is swoonworthy!), but there are no beaded dresses. In fact, the only scene where that dress could have appeared was at a fundraiser party where Joy meets her boyfriend Asher—the dark reason she has to leave. Also, I was worried with the final title, it would look like 'Don’t Breathe a Word about that naughty thing we did after the prom.' No. Oh no..."

Read the rest of Holly's Cover Story at melissacwalker.com, and read about her amazing launch contest too!

Diva Delight: Don't Breathe a Word

We had so much fun partying it up with Holly as Don't Breathe a Word was released in style at Mockingbird Books in Seattle. So many friendly, familiar faces came together to congratulate Holly, who looked gorgeous in her third trimester! 

If you haven't yet, grab a copy and read Joy's story. You'll race alongside of her as she runs through the streets of Seattle, trying to survive. Homelessness is portrayed with pointed honesty. You will be moved by Joy's desperate plight. Holly is a master at weaving the past and present through the work, creating beautiful tension and poignant reveals. Here's to a wonderful work which will touch and empower readers. 

Brava, Holly!

Happy Book Birthday, Holly Cupala!

So happy to celebrate the release of Don't Breathe a Word with our beloved Holly Cupala! Watch this excellent video before you head over to the party. She's so comfortable in front of the camera, right?

We love you, Holly!