Ballantine Books Acquires THE SKIN AND ITS GIRL

Literally when I think of all the times I almost gave up on this novel, it takes my breath away. Whatever you really want to do, don't ever give up on it.

When I say, "The blue baby novel," probably 100 people across 15 years of my life, at least four or five writing communities, plus family and some non-writer friends immediately know what project I'm talking about. But even few years ago, if I'd said that I'd rewrite the whole thing from scratch as my MFA thesis, and it would find an agent in a pandemic, go to auction, and be acquired by outstanding editor Chelcee Johns at Ballantine, I'd say it's a long shot. (But so is everything worth caring about.)

Until the book comes out in Spring 2023, here's proof that the book is really happening. It's called The Skin and Its Girl. Thanks, all of you who believed I'd eventually get here, even when I didn't, especially Erin Lopez. Thanks everyone who read it and shared your thoughts. And thanks to Chelcee and to my agent, Adam Schear, who put their faith in readers wanting a more-than-a-little experimental, queer, Palestinian-American novel about storytelling. If that sounds like your thing too, stay tuned here or sign up for my Substack newsletter at www.sarahcypher.com/blog for updates as the blue baby moves along toward her digital and paper birthday.

Here’s the deal announcement from Publishers Marketplace.