I have just received some of the strangest news of my writing career.

My beloved editor on the Spy School series is leaving publishing… to go to spy school.

Well, officially, she’s going to the FBI academy.  (I don’t think I’m blowing her cover by posting this.  I mean, she didn’t swear me to secrecy or anything.)

I have to say that I’m very impressed by this.  I looked into what it takes to get into the FBI and CIA while I was researching Spy School.  It’s not easy.  So big kudos to her for getting in… although I’ll really miss her.  She was a great editor.

(For the record, Spy School is nothing like the FBI Academy.  I made all that stuff up.)

I will admit it right now: There are a few words that some people might find offensive in Belly Up.  I will also say that this was a mistake on my part.  Frankly, I had no idea how much some people are offended by certain words.

Some of the words, I knew were a bit edgy.  At the time, I was trying to write in the actual voice of a 12-year-old — or the voices of certain characters — rather than tone things down.  Other words have caught me completely by surprise.  Call me naive, but I had no idea that people still found the word ‘ass’ (or as they write it, ‘a–’) offensive.  I mean, there was a movie called ‘Kick-Ass’ not too long ago.  Once something is that mainstream, it seems to me to be fair game for a book.

But it turns out, there are people who really don’t like those words.  And I think I’ve paid a price for it.

I have a could book reviews on Amazon that are lower than they ought to be because of the language in the books.  The writers of those reviews fully admit this.  They say things like ‘I gave this book four stars.  It would have had five, but I docked it a star for language.’  Personally, I find this all a little shocking.  Could a few words really change your whole view of how good something is?  Do these people go to the movies and say, ‘Wow, that movie was really incredible, but someone said ‘ass’ so I now think it’s only good?’

I was willing to let all this slide until yesterday, when something came up that made me realize just how arbitrary everyone’s view of what’s acceptable and not acceptable can be.

‘Belly Up’ got it’s first one star review on Amazon, and it was entirely dictated by language.  Here is the review, in it’s entirety:

“This book seemed interesting. But, my daughter said there were some questionable words in it…..pissed,, bastard…etc. Not something i want my 10 year old to be reading. Concept of story was good, but the words used were not really necessary.”

So, just out of interest, I went to see this guy’s other reviews.  And two down from his one star review of ‘Belly Up’, he had given five stars to this:

And here is his review:  ”My daughter had this on her Christmas list…..not sure why…lol. Item received super fast! Perfect! Will shop with them again!”

So… this guy’s ten year old daughter doesn’t like a word and that’s enough for him to ding my book as unworthy.  One star.  But the same daughter thinks it’s hilarious to wipe her bottom with fake hundred dollar bills — and his response is: ‘LOL.’  Five stars!

Maybe I’m splitting hairs here, but this guys seems to be perfectly fine with toilet humor.  And yet he has a problem with the word ‘pissed’ (which, in the book, is not used to mean ‘urinated,’ but ‘angry’).

Yes, I’m venting a bit.  The fact is, this is all very interesting to me.  I really don’t want to offend anyone and I’m sorry if I have.

On the other hand, I really think that, just maybe, there are people out there who are being unfairly punitive for the use of certain words.

I just wish people would review my books for their quality, and not because of a bad word choice now and then.

What’s the best thing about being a middle grade author?  The feedback.

It never occurred to me when I started writing these books that my readers might reach out to me.  And when they do, it’s wonderful.  I don’t have the capability to upload every single letter or piece of art I’ve received, but I wanted to share a few.

First, here’s one of the first letters I ever received.  Not an email.  An honest-to-God letter.  It’s from a kid named Seth.  I had to redact it a bit, Spy School style, to keep his personal info and a few spoilers secret, but you’ll get the gist anyhow.  I found the whole thing very touching.

Now, here’s an actual song, written by Julia from Vermont.  (Plus, there’s a very nice review of the book at the end.)

And here’s a crime board, done by students at Julia’s school.  This probably doesn’t really do it justice.  It’s straight out of CSI.

This same class also did beautiful brochures and lots of other great stuff.

Kids, I appreciate all these things more than I can possibly express.  I already love writing books for you, but when you do things like this in response, it makes my job that much more wonderful.

I have just received word that Belly Up has now been nominated for the 2012-2013 South Carolina Children’s Book Award.  Really.  Click here if you don’t believe me.

For those of you keeping score at home (and I’m sure you are), Belly Up has also been nominated for book awards in the great states of Vermont, Texas, Pennsylvania and Missouri.

Actually, those are just the states I know of.  Frankly, I have no idea whether every state gives an award or not.  I never knew states gave awards until my book started getting nominated for them.  And the methods of notification vary greatly.  Vermont, Texas and Missouri all sent me an email.  I found out about Pennsylvania through a post on the Belly Up Facebook page.  And I only learned about South Carolina from a review on Goodreads.  So who knows?  Maybe Belly Up has actually been nominated in many other states, but I simply haven’t found out yet.

Just wanted everyone in the greater Los Angeles area to know that I’ll be at the fantastic LA Times Festival of Books on Saturday, April 21st.  (It’s at USC.)  From 12:00-12:30, I’ll be hanging out at the Simon & Schuster, Once Upon aA Time booth signing books and engaging folks in scintillating conversation.  But there’s a whole lot to do there other than just seeing me!  There’s a kid’s stage and music and cooking demonstrations and author panels and all kinds of great stuff.  So come on down!

Actually, it’s more like 34 days of awesome… and counting.

That’s how long it’s been since Spy School showed up in stores.  It’s been a very good month.  Spy School has been selling briskly, which is very rewarding, and I had an awesome signing party for it at Small World Books in Venice, California.   But all three of my books that are out (so far) have been garnering lots of nice reviews over the past month.

For starters, Spy School has racked up these nice reviews on Epinions and Story Snoops.

My books are now making it into classrooms around the country and I’ve been getting lots of nice emails from teachers and librarians.  Plus, I just got a batch of photos of artwork done by a classroom in Cedar Rapids, Iowa — and a incredible collection of Belly Up-themed art from the creative kids at Green Street School in Brattleboro, Vermont.  (For more on them, check out my post of ‘Belly Up and the Multiple Intelligences’ from a few weeks back.)

Even my books that aren’t out yet are getting some good reviews.  The Last Musketeer 2: Traitor’s Chase, has been selected as a notable book by the Junior Library Guild (as was The Last Musketeer itself).

But perhaps nothing can compare to getting a letter from a happy parent like this one:

Greetings! I had to write to let you know how much my 4th grade son enjoyed Belly Up, and is now enjoying Spy School. We were on vacation last week, and because of your books, I finally had that much-anticipated pleasure of seeing the three of us in the family, all sitting together, buried in our own books with great delight. Among Quincy’s other praise for your book, he thought it was genuinely funny, and that you managed to write good “chase scenes,” which he finds a challenge, and he loved the characters. Quincy’s been a diligent reader, but he’s not taken enthusiastically to a book before your writing (other than “Diary of a Wimpy Kid,” which we all love). In addition to having the thrill of a true family reading time, I was shocked and overjoyed when my son later put down his various electronic gadgets so that he could “get back to my book”–yours.  So many many thanks. Keep writing…we’re eagerly awaiting the next book.

Thanks for all the great feedback, folks.  It means the world to me.

This has been a very good release week for Spy School.  It’s been selling briskly and the response has been overwhelmingly positive.  For example, this might be the most glowing book review I’ve ever had.

A big reason for the sales, however, is that my awesome publisher Simon & Schuster has taken the unusual step of creating a super-snazzy stand-alone floor display for the book for Barnes & Noble.  Unfortunately, none of my local B&Ns seem to be using the display, so I’ve had to rely upon my elaborate network of spies around the country to get photo documentation.

Here’s one from Denver:

And here’s one from San Antonio (along with my friend’s son, and no, I don’t know why he’s wearing his pajamas in the bookstore):

Getting your own display is quite rare in publishing, so I’m absolutely thrilled by this.

If only I could actually see one myself.

IMPORTANT UPDATE!  I was wrong about our local B&Ns.  The fabulous Burbank Barnes & Noble not only had the display, but they promised to give it to me when they were finished with it.  (Because, honestly, it would have just ended up in the garbage otherwise.)  Anyway, here’s proof.  Because I’m sure that, if there’s one thing you want, it’s more photos of this display.

The first official dramatic reading and book signing for Spy School will take place at Small World Books, located right on the world-famous Boardwalk in Venice, California.  (1407 Ocean Front Walk.  Venice, CA.)

We are trying to make this as family-friendly as possible, and you don’t get much more family-friendly than Venice.  Come for the books and stay for the beach.  There’s plenty of restaurants, shops, playgrounds and handball courts nearby, not to mention the relatively-new Venice skate park.

So bring the kids and make a day out of it.  Or, if you don’t have kids, see if you can find some to bring.  (Kids you know, of course.  Don’t bring random children you picked up off the street.  That’s kidnapping.)

See you there!

And in the meantime, check out this book review/video of Spy School.

Today is the official release date for Spy School.  Although it seems to have been available in stores in a few select places last week.  Note this completely-unflattering graph showing my sales represented geographically over a week before the book was released:

To whoever bought my book in the greater Charlotte area, thank you!  You were the first purchaser of Spy School!

Now, however, the release is official.  Due to a twist of fate, however, I spent the day in the hospital with my wife, who needed hip surgery.  (Don’t worry.  It wasn’t an emergency.  Although it was necessary to correct some tremendous pain she was having and she’s doing very well now.)  During the down times, I tracked all sorts of exciting sales stuff on line.  Lots of good news there.  Like:

Spy School has come out of the gate strong and is selling briskly, though this might only be because all of my friends are buying it.

Belly Up has just been selected for a Pennsylvania Young Reader’s Choice Award!

There is supposedly a very nice display of Spy School and Belly Up at some Barnes & Nobles, though I haven’t seen it.  (For some reason, B&Ns in the LA area don’t seem to do these displays.)  But a friend did forward me this picture from the Santa Monica Barnes & Noble of my books claiming a large amount of shelf space:

Thanks to everyone who sent in supportive messages — and who bought the book — today!

Spy School’s quest for world domination has begun.

I get a lot of emails and letters from my readers.  And I’ve visited a good amount of schools.  And through it all, there is one question that everyone asks:

Is there going to be a sequel to Belly Up?

The answer, I’m pleased to announce, is…

YES!

Teddy Fitzroy will be back with another crime to solve at FunJungle.  My fabulous publisher, Simon & Schuster, has contracted me to write the book, which will be out in 2014.  (Yes, I know, that sounds like a long way off.  But it takes time to get a quality book done.)

Stay tuned for further details!