I’ve been writing ever since I was a kid.

When I was young – maybe just six or seven – I’d go into bookstores, find the alphabetical slot between ‘Gia’ and ‘Gic’ where my name would go and imagine a book written by me there.

I lost sight of that dream for a while.  I’ve still been writing – but for movies and TV.

And then, one day, about two years ago, this awesome agent named Jennifer Joel from the book department of my agency reached out to me and asked if I’d ever considered writing young adult fiction.

I jumped at the chance.

And now, I have in my hands the first copy of ‘Belly Up.’  It’s awesome.

I have to give props to my editor Courtney Bongiolatti and designer Lucy Cummins at Simon & Schuster.  They did an amazing job on this book.  It looks better than I’d ever imagined.

Of course, if you’d like the experience of holding your own copy of ‘Belly Up’ in your own hands, fear not… You can get it next Tuesday, May 18.

Assuming there isn’t a massive run on the bookstores and they all sell out.  If I were you, I’d get there early just to ensure I get a copy.

Or ten.