jude saves the world: RELEASE DAY
I can’t believe it.
JUDE SAVES THE WORLD is officially released.
I’ve spent the last week as a bundle of nerves, anxiety, excitement, pride, and worry in a trench coat. I went to two Indigos (Yonge & Eglinton and Yorkdale in Toronto) and actually signed copies of my books that were on shelves early! It was surreal. I put the signed by author stickers on for the first time, and could only wish to capture that feeling in a little bottle to relive over and over.
Jude Winters, the main character of my book, is a queer, bisexual, nonbinary kid who uses they/them pronouns. Jude is everything I wish I could’ve been at twelve years old. They move through life with kindness, empathy, and compassion. I only hope to do the same.
There’s so much I want to say, so much I wish I could put into words, but I don’t really know where to begin. Saying thank you doesn’t feel like enough. I never thought this day would come true. Frankly, I always thought I’d be too lazy or scared to pursue my dreams of being a published author. I never really looked into it, and then when I finally mustered the courage to research the process, I was terrified.
I queried a book before this, which frankly, wasn’t my story to write. It taught me a lot though, and I realized that if I was brave enough… maybe I could rewrite my own story. I could write about a twelve-year-old that I wish I had been. I could write about them doing the things I wish I could have done. I could finally, finally apologize to my twelve-year-old self.
This book has been part of a long journey to forgive my past self for doing the best they could with the resources they had. I didn’t always lead life with kindness, but I hope that one day, I can step back and see the progress I’ve made and forgive my younger self. Fully. Whole heartedly. And move forward.
Until that day, you can expect to see lots of books from me about characters who truly embody being kind to one another, even when it’s hard. Even when they mess up.
There have been so many people who have helped me get to this wonderful, wonderful day. Who have helped shape me into the person I am today. Who have offered their support, their unconditional love, their kindness.
I really, truly, could not have done this without them. I’ll try to keep this as short as possible, but it’s going to be tough.
Mom: for your unconditional love.
Jules: for your incredible, unwavering belief in me.
Christa: for always being a text away.
Abbey: for healing my soul, one hang out at a time.
Rachael: for grounding me when I get lost in my own head.
Erica: for the endless validation and understanding.
Kelly: for that movie moment meet cute and every moment since.
Makela: for never giving up on me.
Jo & Jeff: for being such big cheerleaders.
Elijah: for growing with me.
Grace: for your gentleness.
Raiven: for believing in me half a world away.
Lottie: for never failing to make me laugh.
Aoife: for always inspiring me.
Annie: for your warm nature.
Ariel: for being such a wise friend to lean on.
Asher: for being my favourite nerd.
Carter & Cass: for that magical New Year’s during a dark time in my life.
Carrie: for lifting me up.
Des Rae: for trying with me.
Emily Elizabeth: for always hyping me up.
Ezster: for allowing me to discover myself.
Nicole: for your strength.
Reese: for caring about me so fiercely.
Scout: for Tilly’s elephant and your friendship.
Terrance: for your passion.
Yellow Gardens: for everything we’ve been through together.
And for the publishing friends…
Eric Smith: for being the sweetest man I know.
Rebecca Podos: for being an incredible and uplifting person.
Ashley Herring Blake: for being so inspiring.
Jess Errera: for your support through the querying process.
Megan Manzano: for #LGBTNPit of course!
Esme Symes-Smith: for being such a good force of nature.
A.J. Sass: for supporting me through this wild publishing journey.
Ash Van Otterloo: for checking in on me and showing me strength.
Jules Machias: for reading my book before we even knew each other.
Gabi Burton: for being such a kind and fierce talent.
Emily Forney: for all the laughs.
And for the publishing team:
Andrea Walker: for taking a chance on me.
Jen Azantian: for being such a hard worker! holy cow!
Erin Hagget: for being a shining star.
Emily Seife: for having my back.
Amanda Sun: for jumping in.
Gui Fillipione: for bonding with me during my first signing & the support.
Stella Partheniou Grasso, Diane Kerner, and Maral Maclagan: for caring about where my dead name would appear.
Denise Anderson, Nikole Kritikos, and the entire Scholastic Canada team; Janell Harris, Maeve Norton, Rachel Feld, and the entire Scholastic US team: for giving me a chance to make my dream come true.
Ricardo Bessa: for the amazing cover and bringing my characters to life.
And finally, but not least, the other debut authors who are getting me through this process. Thank you to Jen St. Jude, Kate Fussner, Caroline Huntoon, and Justine Pucella Winans. I’m forever indebted to you.
None of this would’ve been possible without each and every one of you. I could’ve written paragraphs and paragraphs beside each name as to how you’ve helped me along the way. But the list is already long enough! I missed a few people from the acknowledgements and my life, but trust me: you are just as important to me, to this book, to this journey.
Thank you.
With all the love in my heart,
Ronnie
