Yesterday

You know those life events when there is a “before” followed by a distinct “after?” Yesterday, one of those life events happened to me. It started with an unexpected phone call and ended in a new, unbelievable shift in my life and career.

The phone call was from my editor and most of my publishing team at Aladdin Books. The first words I remember hearing from my editor, Kara Sargent, were “River of Spirits debuted at number four on the New York Times Bestseller List! Congratulations!” I believe the first word out of my mouth was, “WHAT?”

What followed was a flood of emotions and an outpouring of thanks to everyone on my publishing team for taking a chance on me. I’m not sure if I was coherent—my brain checked out and went cartwheeling down the sidewalk as I tried to find the words to convey my gratitude and joy.

Friends, this was not a call I expected to get. Hitting the New York Times Bestseller List is far beyond anything I expected, especially for a debut novel. It is both incredibly rare and an incredible honor. I’m deeply humbled that my book is getting this attention, and beyond grateful that readers are finding it on shelves and bringing their own copies home. A great deal of this book’s success is due to the amazing people who’ve been working hard to get River of Spirits out in the world.

There are many people on my publishing team who have championed this book from the start, particularly my agent, Andrea Morrison, my editor, Kara Sargent, publisher Valerie Garfield, and associate publisher, Anna Jarzab. A special shout-out to Danlin Zhang who illustrated the cover and Karin Paprocki, book designer extraordinaire, for creating a physical book that is a work of art in itself. Not to mention my support network of friends and CPs who read multiple revisions and encouraged me along the way! (Read my acknowledgements for the full list—I love you all!) And this success is also because of all of you, dear friends, family, and fellow writers and readers, who have stuck by me on this long journey and took a chance to support a debut author.

This new reality hasn’t settled in for me yet—I’m still getting used to my book being officially on shelves! One thing is for sure, I will be celebrating this moment for a very, very long time 🖤

This last week has been beyond my wildest dreams. I’m deeply grateful for all of the kind messages you’ve sent, the keyboard smashes in my DMs, and all of the excitement and support you’ve all shown. My heart is so full!

🖤 Shana

Signed Copies are still available from Powell’s Books (call for availability), Barnes & Noble at Clackamas Town Center, Annie Bloom’s Books in Portland, Oregon, and Vintage Books in Vancouver, Washington.

If you want a signed and personalized copy, they are available to order from Annie Bloom's Books in Portland, Oregon.