(This is a cross-post from my Substack.)

Hey friends! I can’t believe we’ve already reached mid-October. It feels like just yesterday that THIN AIR’s release was still 6 weeks out. And yet here we are, with only a weekend to go! Since it’s not quite time for my quarterly newsletter to go out, I thought I’d send a quick update. I’d normally send a release day announcement too, but as fortune (or God’s perfect timing!) would have it, October 17 happens to be in the middle of my kids’ fall break, so I will be traveling next week when it releases. Hopefully I’ll get some great pictures to share!

Last call for preorders!

You can still collect on all the cool preorder swag I have available, but only through the end of October 16. If you want a SIGNED and PERSONALIZED copy with all the things, be sure to order from Schuler Books before then: Thin Air (Hardcover) | Schuler Books.

If you scored a great deal elsewhere, fill out my online form to receive some cool stuff via mail and email: THIN AIR pre-order campaign form.

As you’ve probably heard before, preorders help bookstores and sellers know that readers are interested in a book, which helps get our books onto store shelves!

THIN AIR is an Amazon Best YA Book of the Month Pick

For those of you who don’t follow me on social media or missed the announcement, I learned last week that the Amazon editors picked THIN AIR as one of their top ten YA picks for October Book of the Month. I love seeing the little gray banner by my cover!

THIN AIR will be featured in the next Blue Willow Books YA subscription box

In more exciting news, the teen advisory board for Blue Willow Books, a popular independent bookstore in Houston, TX, has chosen THIN AIR for their next YA subscription box. This box, called Another Shade of Blue, ships out quarterly with a hand-selected YA new release and cool swag like bookplates signed by the author. (Me, in this case!) I’ll also be doing a Zoom chat with subscribers and advisory board members next month.

If you love YA books and want to subscribe, you can do so right here: Another Shade of Blue YA Subscription | Blue Willow Bookshop | West Houston’s Neighborhood Book Shop

Literary Rambles interview and giveaway

Recently I did an interview with Natalie Aguirre for her Literary Rambles blog. You can check out our Q&A here: Literary Rambles: Debut Author Interview: Kellie M. Parker Interview and Thin Air Giveaway and IWSG Post

AND we’re doing a giveaway of one hardcover copy of THIN AIR — you can find the instructions on how to enter on the post. But you only have until October 14, so don’t wait if you want to enter!

More giveaways!

Speaking of giveaways, my publisher has another one going over on Goodreads! Just head to my book’s page and click the “enter giveaway” button for your chance to win: Thin Air by Kellie M. Parker | Goodreads

AND you can win an entire stack of books from Penguin Teen through their Halloween giveaway! No tricks, just treats in the form of new books. Learn more here: Wicked Reads Sweepstakes – Penguin Random House (prh.com)

THIN AIR audiobook

Did you know THIN AIR will have an audiobook version releasing on October 17 alongside the hardcover? The narrator is Bailey Carr, a very talented voice actor who has done several other YA thrillers. You can listen to a sample here: Thin Air by Kellie M. Parker | Penguin Random House Audio

Launch event

I’ll be doing an in-person launch event with Erin A. Craig at Schuler Books in Grand Rapids, MI on October 24. It’s a week after release day because of my travel plans. 🙂 If you live in the area, I’d love to see you there!

And just for fun…

If you’ve hung with me all the way through this post, you deserve a reward! Just for fun, here are a couple of aesthetics I made for THIN AIR. The first one captures the dark academia feel of the characters’ boarding school background.

And this one reflects some of the vibes of the book — some angst, some puzzles to solve (literally and figuratively), and a killer to avoid. If they want to reach Paris alive, of course.

I think that about covers it! If you don’t already follow me on social media, you can find me on Instagram (@kelliemparker), Twitter/ X (@kelliemparker), and Facebook (@kelliemichelleparker). I’ll be jumping on next week to share pictures and updates for release week! Over on Substack, I’ll be sending the next edition of my regular newsletter sometime in the next month or so. Until then, enjoy this beautiful season of fall!