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Week 2 of National Poetry Month and the birds are singing! Save for a few cold, rainy days, the weather’s been gorgeous. Every day for the last week we’ve woken up to the birds singing and we can’t wait to see what secrets winter’s kept. Philly Poetry Day is fast approaching (April 18th!) and you guy​s ​continue to baffle us with your brilliant, prolific, and eclectic writing. Check out this week’s featured lit events:

We’re really excited to be publishing Sam Maggs’s first book, The Fangirl’s Guide to the Galaxy.  And not just because she appreciates the film Pacific Rim and understands when we say we have a “drift compatible” author / publisher relationship.

Although that is certainly part of it.

There’s a lot planned for this book’s debut. We made an AWESOME book trailer. We released an epic poster at New York Comic Con (that subsequently took on a life of its own on Tumblr); we revealed the cover on The Nerdist; we’re putting together a blog tour; and Sam is busy lining up epic appearances at conventions throughout Canada and here in the States.

But what about YOU? Well, we’ve put together a pre-order campaign, just for you Sam Maggs fans out there. Read on to find out how you can get signed bookplates, limited signed posters, and other awesome Fangirl swag.

NOTE FOR ALL PRE-ORDER-ERS: To enter, email a photo or a screenshot of your receipt to [email protected] with the subject line "Fangirl Pre-order." Make sure you send us your shipping address with your entry!

This campaign is open to US and Canada only. 

FIRST TIER: THE SIGNED BOOKPLATE

Fangirl Level: Squee!, Status: OPEN, UNLIMITED (Until Pub Date)

EVERYONE WHO ENTERS WINS THIS!

Want to get a signed bookplate to place in your brand new, shiny copy of The Fangirl’s Guide to the Galaxy? Pre-order a copy, email [email protected] with a screenshot of your receipt and the subject line "Fangirl Pre-order" and you'll receive a free, signed bookplate from Sam Maggs to sticker inside of your book!

On Twitter? Tell your friends you pre-ordered by using the hashtag #FangirlGuide! The more pre-orders that roll in, the more perks get unlocked!  

SECOND TIER: LIMITED FANGIRL BUTTON PACK

Fangirl Level: I Ship It, Status: UNLOCKED, 50 Packs Available!

UNLOCKED AT 25 PRE-ORDERS

A button pack of fangirl terminology, custom curated by Sam Maggs! These buttons read "I'm The Doctor, Not A Companion!" Each pack comes with five buttons.

Once open, the first 50 pre-order-ers will get a button pack, as well as a signed bookplate. Email [email protected] with a screenshot of your receipt and the subject line "Fangirl Pre-order," and keep tweeting with the hashtag #FangirlGuide! There are more perks to unlock!

THIRD TIER: LIMITED SIGNED POSTER

Fangirl Level: ZOMG!, Status: UNLOCKED, 200 Available!

UNLOCKED AT 50 PRE-ORDERS

Want a copy of The Fangirl’s Guide to the Galaxy poster, which features Sam Maggs’s Fangirl Manifesto on it? This poster took off on Tumblr, went quickly at New York Comic Con, and we’ve got a few left just for you!

The first 200 pre-orders to email a photo or a screenshot of their receipt to [email protected] with the subject line "Fangirl Pre-order" will receive a free, limited signed poster from Sam Maggs. And again, keep tweeting with that hashtag, you guys, Let’s unlock these bigger perks.

FOURTH & FINAL TIER: THE WONDER WOMAN

Fangirl Level: EPIC, Status: LOCKED, 1 Available

UNLOCKS AT 200 PRE-ORDERS

THE FINAL LEVEL! One lucky pre-order-er will score a special Fangirl’s Convention Survival Kit, curated by Sam Maggs. Inside, you’ll find everything pictured below. You’ll also get a pin pack, bookplate, and a signed poster.

Contents of the Fangirl’s Convention Survival Kit include: Strong Female Character Tote Bag, water bottle, poster tube, Cards Against Humanity, colorful Sharpies, sewing kit, hand sanitizer, hand moisturizer, and lip balm!

So come on, start sending us your entries! Email a photo or a screenshot of your receipt to [email protected] with your shipping address, and the subject line "Fangirl Pre-order." And don't forget to tweet with the hashtag #FangirlGuide.

Today, with much whispering and plotting and scheming, the Quirk office threw a surprise baby shower for our very own Production Queen, Mandy! So what, you might ask, do a bunch of book-nerdy people bring to a baby shower?

Um…books? Yeah, books.

So what children's books do Quirkers love? Here's a roundup of what we brought to this adorable baby shower:

The Adventures of Beekle by Dan Santat

Paul Stevens: "Adorable art, and a fantasy story. I figured I couldn't choose a book that didn't have some science fiction or fantasy in it. It's also a Caldecott Award winner."

George and Martha by James Marshall

David Borgenicht: "Wonderful books, cleverly and succinctly written, with funny stories and great life lessons to boot!"

Mr. Wuffles by David Wiesner

The Last Stop on Market Street by Matt de la Pena

Nicole De Jackmo: "The book is based in the city where Mandy will raise Baby Sampson, and it offers bright illustrations and a sweet story about the diversity of Philadelphia."

Goodnight, Goodnight, Construction Site by Sherri Duskey Rinker and Tom Lichtenheld

Tumble Bumble by Felicia Bond

Five Little Monkeys Jumping on the Bed by Eileen Christelow

The Cat Who Walked across France by Kate Banks and Georg Hallensleben

Round Trip by Ann Jonas

Dinosaur vs. Mommy by Bob Shea

Anatole by Eve Titus

Suzanne Wallace: "It's a story about a French mouse who becomes a cheese-taster. Need I say more? It's delightful!"

The Man Who Lost His Head by Claire Huchet Bishop and Robert McCloskey

Blueberries for Sal by Robert McCloskey

Miss Rumphius by Barbara Cooney

Kate McGuire: "Barbara Cooney was the first author I ever met when I was a wee little thing! I love her illustration style, it's set in my home state, and, cornball that I am, I love that the book teaches kids that everyone has a special way to make little contributions to making the world a better place."

The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle

The Day the Crayons Quit by Drew Daywalt, illustrated by Oliver Jeffers

Brett Cohen: "I picked the book because it’s a fun read. My kids absolutely love it—especially when I give each crayon its own voice. (Hint: Pink is a british woman.)"

What Do People Do All Day? by Richard Scarry

What would you bring to a book-themed baby shower? Let us know!

image via Janet Cho

As fans of television and books there are things we’ve become accustomed to: the common book-to-TV/film adaptation and, sadly, the common “ratings game” that puts any and all of our favorite television shows on the cancellation plank. So what happens when we reverse the first model and attach it to the second? Our beloved characters come back to life nestled safely between a book’s covers! 

Here are 6 television shows that lived on as novels or comics, listed in order of cancelation date.

Let's talk about book clubs. If you're like me, an introverted former English student, you may have an aversion to book clubs because they still feel too much like class, except they have wine. And what if you'd just rather be at home in your pajamas?

Never fear! In comes the Letter Writers Alliance, a worldwide organization of letter writers that hosts broadcasted 'online socials' so people all over can write letters together. Kathy Zadrozny and Donovan Beeson started this club in 2007, but this year, they're finally diving into running a mail-themed virtual book club. Their first pick is 84, Charing Cross Road by Helene Hanff. I wanted to find out more about the way a virtual book club can run – what does it have that a physical book club doesn't? How do you discuss the book? And most importantly, what do you eat? So here are some questions answered by Kathy & Donovan.