Random facts about the book

1. The first hard copy of the book that I sold and autographed was at Sunny's in Red Hook, on Sunday, March 5, for a guy who goes by the name Tommy Nutsack. He is known as Tommy Nutsack, not just by me, but by most members of the Art Star community, because he used to appear on stage at open mics and performances naked, and his giant, swollen, exposed nutsack was, literally, the size of a grapefuit, completely obscuring his thumb-sized penis. A few months ago, he had nutsack surgery, and I understand from witnesses that the results were very positive for everybody. He'd also lost about fifty or sixty pounds since the last time I'd seen him, when I signed his book, the very first book I sold and signed, on March 5, 2006. To Tommy Nutsack. Keep on doing what you do!

2. There are two excerpts from the book online: almost all of Chapter One (except, oddly, the last two paragraphs), at Amazon.com, and Chapter Three, at Small Spiral Notebook. There is a podcast of me reading Chapter One here, but I don't really like it, because I cleared my throat about 800 times thinking it could be edited out, and it couldn't.

3. The Australian version of the book is now available. The book has gone into its second printing, and we're starting to prep the paperback edition. I hope to do some out-of-town readings for the paperback edition, which should be out next Spring.

4. I'm listening to Beyonce, Wishing on a Star, from the Roll Bounce soundtrack. Not so much a fact about the book, but random.

5. Sometimes I forget how awesome this all has been, and then I pass Barnes & Noble Union Square, and the book's in the front window, and then I remember. I remember working at Kirkus Reviews, where half my job was unpacking other people's galleys from Jiffy-Paks, thinking, One day, it's going to be my galley; how I sat alone in the cafeteria at lunch every day writing in my notebook, I feel okay about Chapter Three, but I don't know what comes next -- Chapter Four, I guess. How excited I was to finally finish a manuscript, how horrible it felt when it was rejected. How I almost gave up, thought about going back to school and becoming a shrink, couldn't figure out what to do with my life since major agents and publishers told me I wasn't going to be a writer. Then meeting Eric Nelson, who helped me figure out how to start over from scratch, how to write a proposal -- March 2004 was all about the proposal -- and how elated I was when it was finished, and I could once again picture my galley landing on my old desk at Kirkus, the hardcover in the window of Barnes & Noble Union Square.

6. I'm leaving on Friday for a working week on Fire Island. I'm staying at the house I was renting when I first spoke to Arielle Zibrak, the editor who asked, "Would you maybe be interested in a two-book deal?" Where I got the phone call from my agent, Alice Martell -- "We did it, kid. Random House." I was standing on the front porch, enveloped by the brilliant sun, and I felt such extreme, complete happiness that I couldn't imagine anyone ever dying, or hurting another person, or anything being less than perfect anywhere in the world.

Sometimes I forget.

Comments

[ku nkiko]

Oh, such happiness!

[snafooey]

Great post - as cornball as it sounds, you truly are inspirational.

My ordered copy just came in the other day (I'm in Toronto - they gotta push it more here, yo) and I have hidden it until I get more work done because I know when I open it, that's all I'm going to do for the rest of day.

[Anna]

well done on the benefit, and enjoy those buzzy feelings, sounds like you've earned a bit of a happy glow!

[luckydave]

I remember hearing about that call - the call from the agent while on your way out, the frantic pacing reciting the new proposal for BOOK TWO?! when you hardly believed you'd come as far as selling book one. How appropriately exciting. Enjoy the island of fire. May your week be as productive as you let it.

[satia]

I am ordering the Australia edition for a friend of mine and another for myself because I want all the variations of cover and printing I can get.

Hmm . . . at this rate I'll have to buy another bookcase.

[Bill Scurry]

Another random fact: The book can be used to filter urine to make it potable.

It's true.

[Jennifer Glick]

Yep, inspirational. Especially the part where you got your ass kicked and didn't understand what was going to happen until you got there.

I'm feelin' you girl.

[GeeNetZie]

>>>because I cleared my throat about 800 times thinking it could be edited out, and it couldn't.

The podcast was my introduction to you book and I can sincerely say that I did not even remember you did that. You have such a nice speaking voice that the listener does not get distracted.

[maux]

Bitch. I just poured a a tablespoon of tears on top of my keyboard.

I'm ruminating on my review. I hope you'll like it..

xxx/m

[billy idol jr]

I like that this is the 2nd thing that came up on google, when I searched Tommy Nutsack.

I hadn't a clue he was the first buyer. Interesting side note.

[Katie Bennett]

I'm so excited I found this book! I had picked up three or four books recently that I couldn't get interested in and was in kind of a rut with books. I couldn't put this book down and finished it in a couple days. I love the writing style, truly brilliant. Keep writing!

[cuddleme]

I first saw girlbomb when we were opening a new box of books at the school library. when i saw girlbomb i thoug it looked interesting, so i borrowed it and i could not put it down. it was amazing!

[Shannon Stewart]

This book is so inspirational and addicting, my husband is now hooked and I've started a new discussion topic for our friends. I CAN'T WAIT for another book Janice!!
xoxo

[Amylee]

This was one of the most inspirational books ive ever read. I was in a similar situation when i was that age and i felt so connected to every page. Im now only 18, so it wasnt that long ago.

Youre the reason im now on my way to becoming a journalist =)
Thank you. You saved my life.

[marianne UK]

i bought 'have you found her' after finding it accidentally whilst supposedly looking for text books, meanwhile my daughter located hers and efficiently ordered what was not available, and I read the first two chapters in a nice leather armchair and then ordered my text books online when I got home
I read it in 2-3days, I was able to relate to a lot of what happened with Sam to my own experiences of working with young girls with varying mental illnesses in a secure unit, 'Dionne' was my mission, she induced one too many diabetic coma's (the general hospital being much easier to abscond from) and ended up having both legs amputated, but I was out of the picture by then and felt guilt at having predicted it, in my frustration and desperation to 'fix her'
I'm doing a youth and community degree now, I wonder how many 'Dionnne's' and 'Sam's' and 'Katy's' and 'Laura's' I'll meet in the future, I wonder if meeting them at an earlier age will make a difference, if 'getting in' before habits have become too ingrained, before irreversible damage is done, I wonder if 'professional training' will mean I am more able to deal with the heartache of it all
I hope so
I really enjoyed the book, and hope I learn something from it, thank you

[Adrianna A]

I was asked to find a book about a girl coming of age for a human development class. So, I ran across your book at Barnes & Noble, read the first chapter, and loved every page of it. I bombed a Psych quiz one day because I couldn't stop reading your book. Thank you for sharing your story and making us all better people because of it. I reallly want to hear how you read the first chapter but I can't find the podcast on your link. Is it still available?? I would love to hear it no matter how many times you clear your throat!

[meggggg.]

Your book (Girlbmomb) is AMAZING. I literally can't put it down. I do a lot of reading, but this book has been, by far, my favorite!

[dofus kamas]

find the podcast on your link. Is it still available?? I would love to hear it no matter how many times you clear your throat!