IT’S TRUE! THE LONELY HEARTS CLUB SEQUEL IS COMING! HOORAY!
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
18 Comments
Rachel
November 12, 2013I have been waiting for a sequel and thrilled to hear there is a sequel to the _Lonely Hearts Club_! I cannot wait to see what mess Penny gets herself into in _We Can Work It Out_!! Spring 2015 cannot come fast enough!! I know Elizabeth Eulberg will not disappoint! 🙂
Elizabeth Eulberg
November 12, 2013Thanks Rachel! I guarantee Penny will be getting into lots of messes. 😉
Lisa Filipe
November 12, 2013I AM SO EXCITED!!!!!!!!!!!!!! This is friggin awesome and I can’t wait to read more about Penny and the gals!! I might just have to do a Re-read ASAP!!!!!
Elizabeth Eulberg
November 13, 2013Thanks Lisa! I had to reread LHC before writing the sequel–it had been awhile for me too! 🙂
Ella Zegarra
November 13, 2013I’m so, so SO happy!! spanish readers love THE LONELY HEARTS CLUB!
Elizabeth Eulberg
November 13, 2013And I LOVE my Spanish readers!
Kristhal
November 19, 2013OMG! I’ve been waiting for this since I first read the Lonely Heart Club. I bought it when I was 11 and I loved it and now I’m 14 and I still love it. I have to say you’re my favorite writter and I hope I could have all your books. I love everything about this book and I’m super excited for We Can Work it Out! (I’m a Beatles’s fan) I send you all my love and support! Love you<3
Elizabeth Eulberg
November 19, 2013Thanks so much, Kristhal! I’m so glad you’re still interesting in Penny Lane’s story after all these years! 🙂
Jenna Zick
November 26, 2013The whole 6th grade Bartels Middle school has been waiting for a new Lonely hearts club. The first one was great!!!
Elizabeth Eulberg
November 26, 2013Well, I’m happy they’re happy! 🙂
trixie
December 29, 2013i love this book :)))
Jasmine
January 12, 2014Wow!! I remember reading The Lonely Hearts Club (in one day, basically 5 hours straight) and i absolutely loved the book. the fact that I wasn’t waiting for or expecting a sequel makes me even more excited for “We Can Work It Out”!!!
Gale
January 15, 2014OMG OMG OMG OMG OMG OMG OMG SEQUEL YAY. HAHA. To be honest, I just started reading the Lonely Hearts Club a few days ago, and I finished it a few hours later. Having a huge Beatles influence on the book made me love it more, haha. I basically love everything about it – leading me onto knowing more about the author (I love you so much) and then I just saw that it would be having a sequel. Hahaha. I was practically thinking of what else to do with my life since I thought Penny’s story ends at the last chapter of LHC, and I almost cried when I saw the thing about We Can Work It Out (the song, omg). I’m so sorry for sort of ranting here, but i just love you hahahaha weee
Elizabeth Eulberg
January 15, 2014Thanks Gale! So glad to hear that you liked LHC and are excited for the sequel! Now I’m off to go back to working on it. 😉
Luz
January 21, 2014I can’t wait i have read LHC like 6 or 7 times no kidding! And it’s my favorite book! I’m so exciteeeed!!
Rasina
March 19, 2014YAYY! I legit stayed up till 5 in the morning finishing it. It’s a book you can’t put down! Spring 2015… just … so far away.. Eh it’ll be worth it 🙂 Haha I love Ryan and Tracy!! Thanks for writing a great book =)
Stefany
March 30, 2014OMG!! I’m really excited, I hope it was published in Spanish and soon coming to my country. I love this book and I am so happy for the continuation. Greetings from Peru.
Selah
May 8, 2014Yes!! the first one was so great that i read it 7 times so the second one is driving be crazy I wabt to read it so bad! love the book sooo much and want to read another!:) CAN’T WAIT!!
#2015COME_FASTER PLEASE!!! 😀