Galleys on the Go Give Readers an Early Look at Debut Novel
Author Lauren Oliver sends her ARCs on tour
By Sally Lodge
Feb 25, 2010

First a little back story. Before I Fall centers on Samantha, a high-school queen bee who attempts to redeem herself, as she relives the day of her death seven times after she's killed in a car crash. The inspiration for the story had several sources. "When I was younger, I'd often try to imagine a perfect day in detail," Oliver says. "I'm also interested in the mean-girl phenomenon and what underlies high school kids' cruelty toward one another. And I'm drawn to stories of redemption. I wanted to unify all these elements that were bouncing around my head, so I came up with the idea of this novel."

Working at the time at Penguin Books for Young Readers ("I was the world's worst editorial assistant, so I did what I call a 'failing-up' and was promoted to assistant editor," she quips), Lauren placed the book with Brenda Bowen, who then had her own imprint at HarperCollins Children's Books. After Bowen left the company, executive editor Rosemary Brosnan became Oliver's editor.


As excitement about Before I Fall grew in-house-Oliver's initial two-book contract was extended to four books and the novel's announced first printing was set at 100,000 copies-the author pitched in to build the buzz in the outside world. She discussed Before I Fall on her blog, on Twitter, and on her Facebook and MySpace pages, receiving much positive feedback and many requests to read the novel.


After compiling a list of interested readers, Oliver mailed off two galleys last fall-one made its way across the U.S. and the other traversed England and Spain-which recipients read and sent on to the next name on the list. "I wrote a note in the ARCs saying that I hoped my book will be a good houseguest while it stayed with them, and encouraged readers to write me notes if they were so moved," she says.

Many were. The European-touring ARC recently made its way back to the author, filled with comments. "What I received back was stunning," Oliver remarks. "Some of the notes were incredibly moving and one girl in Spain had gone through and illustrated scenes in the novel."

Though Oliver is now awaiting the return of the second galley, those who read it have been in touch with her and have said they've also penned notes in the ARC. Some have sent her photos of the galley in native poses: "One reader in Wisconsin sent me a picture of the book next to a local t-shirt and a piece of cheese," she says. "It's been awesome. The theme of my novel is how interconnected everyone is, and this experience reaffirms that. I can't say enough about how gratifying it's been."


"This was the first time I'd ever interacted with a group of readers," Oliver says, "and it was very exciting to find that they were very engaged with the issues in my book and that they asked such fascinating, smart questions-some about things I hadn't thought about before. It was a huge affirmation."

Oliver's schedule won't ease up any time soon. Next week she embarks on a five-city tour to promote Before I Fall, which was selected as a Barnes & Noble First Look pick for February, a Borders Original Voices pick for March, and the #1 Indie Next Spring 2010 Children's Pick. And her fan base is bound to expand: foreign rights for the novel have sold in 14 territories to date.

Oliver will throw another ball into the air this spring, when she launches Paper Lantern Lit, a book development company, with Lexa Hillyer, a former colleague at Penguin. "What we are interested in are stories with spark: building great books from the ground up and supporting new authors," she explains.

But fans of Before I Feel need not worry. Her second novel, Delirium, will be published by HarperTeen in winter 2011. And Oliver hints at more books to come, noting, "I know for certain that writing will remain a focus for me."

Before I Fall by Lauren Oliver. HarperTeen, $17.99 Mar. (480p) ISBN 978-0-06-172680-4