It’s SO HARD. 💔💔💔

I’m not a vague poster, but I want to document today…

…my agent just told me news that I’ve been waiting to happen since 2012. TWO THOUSAND AND TWELVE.

And it just happened. Never ever ever ever ever ever EVER give up on a book!!

Seriously, NEVER give up on a book.

🙏🏻📚💔😭

🥹🥹💔💔

I’m not ever here! And trying! 😆💔

Ahhhhh!! I’ve missed you!! Thank you!! 🥹🙏🏻

Thank you so much!! 🥹🙏🏻 And it was a different book! (Several different books as she’s my 4th agent—it’s been a journey! 💔🤯)

The Stricken Amazon.com: The Stricken: 9780744307887: Shamy, Morgan: Books

…also:

—over 12 sold out signings
—In 219+ libraries
—earned out advance
—THE Katherine Heigl bought a signed copy!

…& more I can’t say. But I say this bc it was SO HARD. Years of trying hard. But I’ve learned to NEVER settle & NEVER stop! 💔

I hope you get a copy! 🥹🙌🔥🙏🏻

a.co/d/0obk8Uv

…it’s been:

—Nominated for Reading the West Book Award
—On cover of PW
—Top 40 overall store at B&N 4 times!
—Top 7 YA DF for OVER 3 months
—Most Anticipated list at B&N
—Seeing it on shelves all over world!
—Own end cap at B&N
—2nd print run
—#1 on Amazon in hardback
And…

PAPERBACK RELEASES TODAY!!! 💀📚🎉

The Stricken’s journey:

—14 years ago: It was the 1st book I ever queried. It got 28 full requests, but ALL ended in rejection.
—6 yrs ago: Big rewrite. Query again. Tons of requests. R&Rs. Failed again.
—Current agent: finds home & NOW…

Me for 13 yrs: Rejection. Silence. Tears. Now:

—On cover of PW
—Top 40 overall store at B&N & Top 7 YA for over 3 months
—Most Anticipated list at B&N
—Seeing it on shelves & own end cap at B&N
—2nd print run & #1 on Amazon
—over a dozen sold out signings
—In 219 libraries

Don’t stop!

Such a fantastic honor!! The Stricken was longlisted for the “Reading the West Book Award” in the YA category!!

This is an award that BOOKSELLERS nominate to honor books they love & think deserve recognition.

So very grateful for the love! 🥹🙏🏻💔

readingthewest.com/35th-annual-...

Over 6,800 entries for the Goodreads Giveaway of The Stricken! My publisher is giving away 10 physical copies!

Only ONE day left!! 💀🖤📚🔥

www.goodreads.com/giveaway/sho...

So fun! 🙌🙌🔥🔥

Thank you for sharing!!!

Yeah!! 🙌🙌🙌🙌

To celebrate the release of The Stricken in paperback on March 4th (!) my publisher is giving away 10 physical copies!!! After only a day, there are already 4,000 entries! 🤯📚Enter here if you want in! www.goodreads.com/giveaway/sho...

Josh! You’re amazing! Praying 2025 is better!! 🥹🥹🙏🏻🙏🏻

Such a fun year!!

I’ve had 12 Barnes & Noble signings this year & completely sold out at 9 of them. Each individual signing ranged from 35 to 80 books ordered. Just a dream!!

So grateful for the endless support even after 9 months of The Stricken being out in the world!! 💀🖤💀🖤💀🖤💀🖤

Yeahhhhh!! Thank you, Josh!!

Yesssss!! We are kindred ballet friends!! 🙌🙌🩰🩰

Ahhhhh… thank you!! 🤞🏼🤞🏼🤞🏼

😭😭😭🤞🏼🤞🏼🤞🏼🙌🙌🙌

So kind!!! 🙏🏻🙏🏻💔💔

So kind of you! 🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻 Excited!

Was such an incredible Grand Opening at Barnes & Noble Park City last night! Huge success!!

My favorite part: A lady came up to me, saw my book & said: “Oh my gosh! I’m in a reader group & everyone is telling me to read this book!”

I’m dead. So grateful!! 🥹💔🙏🏻💀🖤📚

🥹🥹🙏🏻🙏🏻🙌🙌

Yes! Glad to be connected here!

So far I’m aware of 218 libraries that The Stricken is in! (And 114 with my other books!)

Took 13 years, but so so so so worth every moment of trying again and trying AGAIN. 😭🙏🏻📚💀🖤🔥

Ahhhhhhhh YAAAAAASSSSSS 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥 Thank you!!