hello from the matson line!
inaugural newsletter! (...this is basically just a blog, right? is it 2007 again?)
Welcome to my very first newsletter!
My goal is to try and send these out monthly, potentially more frequently around book releases. It’ll hopefully be a place to talk about upcoming releases, writing thoughts, book and TV recommendations – and, of course, pictures of Murphy.
And if there’s anything you’d like me to go into - writing process, things I’m currently obsessed with, my fairly reliable Wordle starting word - just let me know!
The title of this newsletter has a pun in it - always my favorite thing. The Matson shipping line is a huge corporation - maybe you’ve seen the Matson trucks on the highway? Anyway, I’m not related to those people at all. But I HAVE bought a ton of vintage Matson line paraphernalia off eBay. I have an unusual last name! I like seeing it on stuff! Like this!
Can we also talk about how much I’m enjoying that the current potential antagonist on Succession is named Mattson? Spelled wrong of course, but I’ll take it.
But! I liked the double meaning - of shipping line, but also line in a book or line of dialogue. So! The Matson Line it is.
I somehow can’t quite believe that I have a book coming out in ONE MONTH. The Firefly Summer, my debut Middle Grade, is out May 2nd. I KNOW!!
Here’s the quick summary:
Ryanna Stuart had her summer all figured out. It was organized. Scheduled. Planned. Then the letter arrived— from grandparents she can’t remember. After all, she was just a kid when her mother died, and her dad never talks about that side of the family. But now there’s this letter – with an invitation to spend the summer with them.
It’s a chance to get to know her grandparents. A chance to find out more about her mom. Ryanna takes a deep breath and decides to go.
What she finds is Camp Van Camp. A sprawling, defunct sleepaway camp where her grandparents live. There, she discovers a whole family waiting for her. A big family. A loud family. A chaotic family of aunts and uncles and cousins! People who have memories of her mom from when she was Ryanna’s age. Clues to her past, just like a treasure map.
But also – there’s a real-life treasure map! Like actually.
Over the course of one unforgettable summer – filled with s’mores and swimming, adventure and fun, and even a decades-old mystery to solve – Ryanna will discover a whole new side of herself. And that sometimes, the last place you expected to be is the place where you really belong.
I came up with this idea back in 2018 or so. I’ve always loved reading Middle Grade. Especially when I’m writing a YA, I have trouble reading YA. So when I’m drafting, I tend to turn to adult fiction, nonfiction or MG. For years, I thought I’d write a Middle Grade book, but I never found the idea that felt right. Until just like that, one day - there it was. And so I spent a while just noodling on the idea, but with no real drive - and then the pandemic hit. Suddenly I realized I was going to have a lot more time for writing and a lot less time for things like traveling, or seeing friends, or leaving my home.
I knew myself, and I knew I needed a distraction, and a place to channel my energy. And I feel like you can tell in reading The Firefly Summer that I was writing what I wanted at that moment - a lovely summer, a big family all together, everyone hanging out and swimming and going on adventures and having s’mores and ice cream.
I’m incredibly proud of the book. And I was beyond gratified when it received TWO starred reviews! From from Kirkus and PW! YAY!!
And if you would like, you can PRE-ORDER it now!
The last time I had a book out was Take Me Home Tonight, all the way back in 2021, and all those events were virtual-only. I’m thrilled that this won’t be the case for The Firefly Summer! Tour dates are getting put together as we speak and I can’t wait to share news about where I’ll be going as soon as it is all final.
But I CAN tell you that I’m going to be at YallWest! I’ll be doing the MG Keynote with the incomparable Angie Thomas. Tickets are available here! I hope to see you there.
Touring and meeting readers and booksellers is truly one of my favorite parts of the job. I haven’t been on tour since 2018 (for Save the Date) and I miss it something fierce. I’m so excited to get back on the road!
And since I have two YA releases coming out in 2024, I won’t have this long a release gap again, thank goodness. Promchanted, the YA I wrote for Disney, is coming out winter 2024. I loved writing this book and am so excited to share more with you as soon as I’m allowed!
Right now, I’m working away on the 3rd draft of my new Simon & Schuster YA, which is due out in summer 2024. Title and info coming soon. I’m heading out on a little research trip for this book this month, driving to one of my very favorite places. I love this book and these characters and can’t wait until I can tell you more about all of them.
And I’m also starting to draft my new Middle Grade, which will be coming out in 2025. Which SEEMS incredibly far away, but I have a feeling will be here before I know it. It’s very interesting to be revising and drafting at the same time – it’s something I haven’t done before. It’s especially interesting to be doing it for two different age groups. I’m excited about this MG idea, but it’s still VERY new. More on it when the outlines are less wobbly and the characters are less changeable.
In terms of things I’m loving right now…
I went down a real Rian Johnson rabbit hole this winter. I’ve always been such a fan of his work, but the Knives Out franchise pushed me over the edge into superfandom. Top 8, my first ever (now out of print) book (written under my pen name) was an Agatha Christie-style whodunit. So I’m really in the tank for these movies! Glass Onion was an absolute delight. So of course I also LOVED Poker Face on Peacock. Can’t recommend enough.
I’ve also become a fan of Ghosts – both the US and UK versions (Paramount+/ CBS, and HBO Max, respectively). It’s very funny and also full of heart, which is truly my favorite combo when it comes to comedy.
On the opposite end of the spectrum, I’m also obsessed with the Slow Horses series. Fun fact – when I was seriously under deadline pressure this summer, I thought, I know what I’ll do! Start reading an incredibly addictive spy series! I read, I am not exaggerating, 9 books in 10 days. WHILE I REALLY NEEDED TO BE WRITING. All of which to say – the Mick Herron books are amazing. The TV show (on Apple) is fantastic. I love it all.
Also, Succession is back! And Ted Lasso! And Party Down! It’s truly an embarrassment of riches at the moment.
Murphy continues to be the most un-doglike dog around, the world’s best taciturn terrier. Here he is in all his glory.
Thanks so much for subscribing! Talk to you next month! 😊
Xoxo
MM
As a long term fan I'm excited to hear about everything you're working on - and what I can look forward to put onto my tbr-stack.
As a (YA) writer myself I'm always intrigued to hear how other authors work and where they get their inspiration from.
Sooo hoping for an NC stop on the book tour! Also, I suspect that MM7 is a Second Chance Summer adjacent beachy read, but I will buy no matter what!
I’d love more insight into the writing process and where you get your inspiration!