I’ve been so excited, sitting on this news and this image. That’s Matt Ryan Tobin’s cover for Clown in a Cornfield 2: Frendo Lives. You can see a bigger version and read the exclusive synopsis over on Bloody Disgusting. Huge thanks to John Squires for premiering these exclusives.
You can pre-order the hardcover on Amazon and Barnes & Noble right now! And if you haven’t read where it all began you can order the paperback of the first book , which includes a special preview chapter for the sequel.
Why should you pre-order Clown in a Cornfield 2? A book that doesn’t release until August 23rd, 2022? Good question! Firstly, because it helps me out: pre-orders tell a publisher (and retailers) there is demand for a book. Which in turn leads to more analytic visibility, bigger orders, and more eyes on the book at every level (in brick-and-mortar stores and online). Secondly, because you’ll probably save money: amazon (and most other retailers, I think), charge you the lowest price offered between when you pre-order and when the book ships. I virtually guarantee between now and release day, the big-A will drop the price a few bucks and you’ll pay less than MSRP. Thirdly: the supply chain issue is a very real thing. And probably still will be in the month’s leading up to Clown 2’s release. So indicating to HarperTeen that you want a copy lets them know to print enough.
Clown in a Cornfield debuted in August 2020, when basically no bookstores in the US were open to foot traffic, when there were stay-at-home orders in place, etc. It shouldn’t have done well. But it was a hit because you beautiful people made it a hit. You asked local stores to order it in and ship a copy to you, you placed pre-orders, you told your friends, you left reviews on retailer sites. It was overwhelming. Over a year later, having received the 2020 Bram Stoker Award for Superior Achievement in Young Adult Novel, I’m still astounded by everyone’s support.
When I finished writing the first book, I knew I wanted to do a sequel. I even knew the sketchiest of outlines to how I’d approach it. But I never thought in a million years it’d actually happen. It sounds like promo hokum, but I’m 100% serious when I say Frendo Lives is the most creatively satisfied I’ve ever been with a book. To say why would constitute spoilers, but I will say that it deepens and confounds the themes and characters from the first book in a way I’m very proud of, a way that some are probably going to be very surprised by. But if that sounds too self-indulgent for you, don’t worry: I also wanted it to serve as a thank you to everyone who enjoyed Clown in a Cornfield. Heads roll. New characters are introduced. And we go beyond the city limits of Kettle Springs in a big way.
Thank you to everyone who checks it out, helps spread the word, and I hope the next few months move fast because I can’t wait.
AdamCesare.com 