Dear readers, I’m beyond excited that I can finally shout it from the rooftops: I'M WRITING A SEQUEL TO THE LONELY HEARTS CLUBS!!! It was announced today in Publishers Weekly Children’s Bookshelf:
David Levithan at Scholastic has purchased North American rights to Elizabeth Eulberg's We Can Work It Out, a sequel to The Lonely Hearts Club. In addition, Eulberg will write three short stories about Penny Lane Bloom to be released online prior to the sequel, in which Penny Lane must balance her role as leader of The Lonely Hearts Club with having a boyfriend – with the added complications of her Beatles-obsessed parents trying to take over her sister's wedding and a run-in with the ex that broke her heart. Publication is planned for spring 2015; Rosemary Stimola at Stimola Literary Studio brokered the deal.
For months I’ve had to bite my tongue and say things like, “Well hopefully someday I’ll write the sequel…” when in fact I’ve been working on it! Now I don’t have to hide this awesome news anymore. YAY!
But I also know this announcement might raise some questions, so I’m going to do my best to answer them.
Why do we have to wait until Spring 2015? That’s so far off!
Yes, it is. But I’m still writing the book. I’ve been waiting years to be able to tell the continuing story of Penny Lane Bloom and her Lonely Hearts Club so I want to take my time writing the book that my wonderful readers deserve. Plus, you don’t have to wait that long for another book by me: Better Off Friends is coming February 25th!
Three short stories? What does that mean? What will they be about?
I’m writing three original short stories that will be published electronically FOR FREE prior to the release of We Can Work it Out. I can’t say much about the stories yet (since I haven’t written them!), but will announce more details when I can.
I live outside the US, when will I get to read We Can Work it Out and the short stories?
Here’s the short answer: I don’t know.
Here’s the long answer: I’m still writing the book. This is basically how foreign releases work: The author writes the book and works with her editor, then the book is shared with foreign publishers who decide if they want to publish the book and when it will be published. I’m really hoping the foreign publishers of The Lonely Hearts Club will want We Can Work it Out (and the short stories), but it isn’t up to me. As soon as I have information on foreign release dates, I’ll share it, but it won’t be for awhile as I’m still writing the book (do you see a theme here?).
BUT I WANT IT NOW.
I know. But don’t forget about BETTER OFF FRIENDS! Which has an awesome new-ish cover! (Foreign release dates for Better Off Friends to be announced when I get them, but it will be out in Spanish and German languages with others hopefully to follow.)
That’s all I can really say on THE LONELY HEARTS CLUB SEQUEL at this point. There’ll be much more information closer to the release date.
I do want to thank all of you who have asked me about a sequel over the years. It’s been a dream of mine to write it, and I wouldn’t be able to do it without the support you’ve given me and Penny Lane these past few years. Thank you for wanting me to write more – I’ve got the best job in the world and it’s because of readers like you.
Now back to writing We Can Work it Out! Believe me when I say Penny needs my help…
XOXO, Elizabeth