* Some somber news for the book industry at large this week, as Borders filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection. Some 200 stores across the country are now slated to close. It’s a mixed back for book lovers like us … on the one hand, it could mean a boost for some regional indie booksellers. But it’s also bad news for the publishing industry, and specifically it means publisher’s (and therefore, authors) may lose out on some revenue as Borders goes through the bankruptcy problem.
* We were also saddened to hear that renowned children’s editor and publisher Margaret K. McElderry passed away at the age of 98 this week. Publisher’s Weekly has a brief look at her landmark career. The McElderry imprint is still going strong today at Simon & Schuster.
Now on to some happier news …
* We are THRILLED to officially learn that Kimberly Derting is writing not one, but TWO more books in The Body Finder series (at least!), to be published by Harper Teen. Kim also announced this week that she has ANOTHER book coming out this November 15th, called The Pledge. (To be published under the McElderry imprint at S&S, actually). We are HUGE fans of Kim’s work and we can’t wait to see what her next books will bring us.
* Due to popular demand, the release of Silence by Becca Fitzpatrick (third book in the Hush, Hush series) has been moved up to Oct. 4th!!
* Our lovely author-type friend Suzanne Young has teamed up with fellow YA author Hannah Moskowitz to host the aptly named Awesome Contest of Awesomeness. The prizes include ARCs of each author’s book, marked up with notes by the other author. (In other words, Hannah marked up Suzanne’s ARC and Suzanne marked up Hannah’s ARC. It’s cool!) The contest ends Feb. 28th, and features this epic awesome trailer:
*I absolutely adored Beth Fantaskey’s Jessica’s Rules for Dating on the Dark Side — honestly, it’s probably one of my #1 guilty pleasure reads of all time. It’s so adorable, and simply makes me feel all Warm & Gooey inside when I read it. Which is why I’m SO excited she’s releasing a sequel, Jessica Rules the Dark Side, set for release this fall. Beth released the official synopsis & cover this week:
When Jessica Packwood found out she was a Romanian vampire princess, she had the shock of her teenage life. Turns out that was the easy part. Now, married to Prince Lucius Vladescu, she has to claim her throne and convince a vampire nation she’s fit to be their queen. But Jess can’t even order a decent meal from her castle’s Romanian staff, let alone deal with devious undead subjects who would love to see her fail.
And when Lucius is accused of murdering a vampire Elder and imprisoned without the blood he needs, Jessica finds herself alone, fighting for both their survivals.
Desperate to clear her husband’s name and win his release, Jess enlists the help of her best friend Mindy Stankowicz and Lucius’s mysterious Italian cousin, Raniero Lovatu. But both of them are keeping some dark secrets. Can Jess figure out who to trust – and how to rise to power – before she loses everything, including the vampire she loves?
Full of romance, mystery, and danger, the highly anticipated sequel to Jessica’s Guide to Dating on the Dark Side shows that sometimes a princess has to earn her “happily ever after” – with a sharpened stake in hand.
And if you haven’t already done so, be sure to read the “bonus” story on Beth’s website that takes place after Jessica’s Rules for Dating on the Dark Side.
* Did you love Paranormalcy by Kiersten White? Well, she’s just revealed the cover to book 2, Supernaturally and it’s gorgeous:
*Speaking of covers and synopses, we’re also totally intrigued by this upcoming April release, The Goddess Test by Aimee Carter:
It’s always been just Kate and her mom–and now her mother is dying. Her last wish? To move back to her childhood home. So Kate’s going to start at a new school with no friends, no other family and the fear her mother won’t live past the fall.
Then she meets Henry. Dark. Tortured. And mesmerizing. He claims to be Hades, god of the Underworld–and if she accepts his bargain, he’ll keep her mother alive while Kate tries to pass seven tests.
Kate is sure he’s crazy–until she sees him bring a girl back from the dead. Now saving her mother seems crazily possible. If she succeeds, she’ll become Henry’s future bride, and a goddess.
* And for all you fans of the Wolves of Mercy Falls series, get ready. This week, Maggie Stiefvater read from Forever, the final book in the series (set for release this summer):
Novel Novice 
Supernaturally looks so very awesome and I cannot wait for the third book in the Hush, Hush series. Love new books to look forward to!
OMG! You told me something I didn’t know! I am so glad to have seen this about the sequel, Jessica rules the dark side. I read their wedding on Beth’s website and really wanted know more about their relationship and it seems i got my wish. thanks so much! *skips all the way to goodreads*
I’m beyond excited to read more about Jessica’s Guide to Dating on the Dark Side! I thought it was more stand-alone, so I’m pleasantly surprised that there’s going to be a second. On top of that, I wasn’t aware of the wedding side-story. Wonderful! Thank you!