Yearntown is coming
The You Between the Lines preorder campaign begins, and the TOUR!
Hello, it’s me, Katie, author of the pining/longing/yearning poet novel YOU BETWEEN THE LINES, dropping from Forever on February 18.
My subscriber list recently got an influx of new subscribers from a giveaway I did with some author friends a few months ago - so if this is the first you’re hearing from me, hi and welcome! Even if you didn’t win the giveaway, I do hope you’ll stay!1
I’m here specifically with news, which is: my preorder campaign begins now! Thank you SO much to everyone who’s already preordered (or read or posted or anything) YBTL - I’m beyond grateful for every single order, both to my friends and families who prob feel obligated lol but also to every stranger who felt like taking a chance.
Can’t I just buy the book on/after February 18, Katie??
Yes! And I’d be so happy for a purchase at literally any time. But if you want to go *all-in* on your patron-of-the-arts status, preorders make a massive difference to debut authors, as they tell publishers which books and authors to invest in, and as someone who wants to publish more books, every sale has an impact.
The other thing is, I’m giving special incentives to preorder - meaning you’ll get exclusive, fun bonus things you won’t otherwise get!
Okay okay lol I’ll preorder
YAY! Thank you, seriously. There’s two options to preorder:
You can order from my local Ohio indie Black Cat Books & Oddities (I mean, what a name!) for signed/personalized books plus exclusive art of a gorgeous Leigh-and-Will scene by artist Jiwon Jang. It’s a gorgeous watercolor painting she made that we’ve printed onto a postcard. I think it’s so dreamy and chic (scroll down to see).
You can order any format (print, ebook, audio) from any retailer (B&N, your favorite indie, Black Cat, Amazon, etc) and get a bonus scene from YBTL sent directly to your email inbox the week of February 24. Y’all, it’s Will’s POV2. It was SO fun revisiting these characters, and I hope you really like this. It’s pretty steamy lol. I always write these things and then I’m like “omg people I know IRL will read this” but by that point I’ve already sent it to my editor. Like Leigh, I’m always playing myself.
Once you preorder (or if you already have), you can submit a screenshot of your receipt via this form to get on the list for the bonus scene. Offer ends February 22 and is for US/Canada readers.3
Are you going to have any events where we can meet and talk about Will Langford?
The You Between the Lines WORLD TOUR (since the Eras Tour is over, I took the baton from my good friend Taylor. The production value will be essentially the same) is happening! I’m making 4 stops, and would love to meet as many of you as possible! Some of you know that I live in Sweden so I don’t get to come home as often as I’d like—but this is my chance! And I’m so thrilled to be at these amazing bookstores in conversation with some incredible authors!
Tuesday, February 18 / Medina, OH: I’ll be at the delightful Black Cat Books & Oddities (best romance selection in NE Ohio!!) for the official YBTL launch, in conversation with Jen Devon, author of BEND TOWARD THE SUN (one of the greatest books of our time.)
P.S. If you can’t make the 18th, but are still local, Black Cat is having a local author romance festival in honor of Valentine’s Day on February 15, 6-8 pm. I will be there signing and selling books alongside some local indie authors! (Meaning you can get your YBTL *three days early*!) There will also be a 15% off discount on romance titles (excluding local authors), mocktails, and more. Fun!
Saturday, February 22 / Greensboro, NC: Come see me where it all began - Greensboro, where I did my MFA and found all the inspo I needed for this book! I’ll be at the cozy Scuppernong Books in conversation with Sarah Grunder Ruiz, author of the very swoony LAST CALL AT THE LOCAL.
Monday, February 24 / New York, NY: I’ll be at the illustrious McNally Jackson Seaport in conversation with Hannah Orenstein, editor at Bustle and author of many books, including my much-anticipated MAINE CHARACTERS. This event is ticketed, so please RSVP and invite your bookish friends!
Thursday, March 6 / Stockholm, Sweden: I’ll be at The English Bookshop on Södermalm for my Swedish launch event! There will be books available to purchase (only place in Sweden - otherwise you’ll have to order online, so support local!) and I’ll be in discussion with shop manager Veronica Granlund. Event is at 6pm.
See you there? I’ll be the one having a panic attack in the corner :)
What else is up??
I’m spending these final weeks leading up to publication day reading and relaxing. I’m a little creatively blocked. It’s hard to focus on writing when all of *waves hands around* this is happening. My goal was to enter 2025 with way less internal pressure. Who cares if I don’t write every day?! I can’t rush the art. I’m very anti hustle culture, and I’m actively trying to become less impressed with productivity and more impressed with rest.
What I’m reading: I recently finished an early copy of Melanie Sweeney’s excellent WHERE YOU’RE PLANTED, which comes out July 14. I absolutely loved her debut TAKE ME HOME, and WYP has everything I loved about TMH and then some. A gruff plant daddy and a single mom children’s librarian…gorgeous, lush Texas setting…spice….I read it in 24 hours. Highly recommend - preorder it! I’m also in the middle of Celia Laskey’s COVER STORY (out 3/25) - it’s steamy, sapphic, set in LA and filled with early 2000s nostalgia. If you love the writing style of Yulin Kuang and Ava Wilder (like me!), this is definitely for you.
What I’m watching: My husband and I are in the midst of our Schitt’s Creek rewatch. It’s funnier the second time, truly.
What I’m eating: I believe I’m solely responsible for December’s chocolate-covered mango shortage in Stockholm. I also just had a nice frothy matcha latte, thank you for asking.
Thanks for reading this long email! Comments & questions always appreciated, and thank you so much for your support of YBTL! I’ve been blown away and so incredibly grateful by the enthusiasm and I will definitely cry every day from now until February 18, and probably for some time after.
Like my book’s protagonist Leigh, I’m a people pleaser, so I’d rather die than make you mad at me by clogging your inbox.
It’s his POV during the Halloween scene, if you’ve already read. OOooooooOOoooo
I hope to set something up for international orders (especially my Swedes) soon - so stay tuned and thank you for your patience :)
still obsessed with the art! and omggg schitts creek is hilarious, I may be due for my third rewatch tbh
I’m so excited you’re coming to the US to do signed preorders :) i aaa holding out on preordering to see if you would! I LOVE this book and I cannot wait to hold it in my hands! I also cannot wait for everyone to read this book!