Silence, the first book in the Queen of the Dead trilogy, will be published in hardcover in May, 2012. In any practical sense, this means the book will be available in North America sometime at the end of April, 2012.
People have asked me what it’s about; some have assumed because of the cover, that it’s a paranormal romance. It is paranormal, but for reasons that are entirely in character, it’s not a romance – and I am really hoping that this does not disappoint people =/.
The cover flap is a bit of a spoiler, IMHO. So if you hate spoilers, and you want to read this book, you’re probably better off not reading it.
Emma Hall is a high school student whose first (and only) boyfriend died in the summer in a car accident — before the book starts. Nathan was almost her entire world, and she’s now left with the bits and pieces of life that weren’t Nathan–her friends, school, her mother. She spends far too much time in the cemetery at Nathan’s grave, because it’s quiet there and she doesn’t have to make excuses for how she feels, or how she doesn’t feel.
She doesn’t expect to meet people in the cemetery, but one night she does, and as a result of that disturbing meeting, she begins to see things she’s never seen, and to hear things that no one else hears.
Michelle West & Michelle Sagara 
Feb 19, 2012 @ 22:49:56
Thank you, Dear Author!!!
Looking forward to it! And I am happy with more paranormal and less romance. You know I’d be pleased with very dark and even horror (I think your “Elegy” – a favorite of mine — is horror), but you do what you do. :)
Thanks again!
Feb 19, 2012 @ 22:52:27
Sounds interesting. [Smile]
Feb 20, 2012 @ 01:44:27
I’m a huge fan of your cast series :) This sounds great I can’t wait to read this also :) thanks for sharing! Beautiful cover ;)
Feb 20, 2012 @ 02:39:03
It looks lovely. And I blame the lace over-skirt for the romance assumptions ;)
Feb 20, 2012 @ 02:57:16
Have it added to my TBR pile. Love your Cast novels and this story sounds like something I definitely have to try. :)
Feb 20, 2012 @ 05:07:26
Claudia Wilcox
Love all of your books. Look forward to this series.
Feb 20, 2012 @ 06:10:34
And… PRE-ORDERED! I am so excited to read this! Ever since that sample you read while sitting on the floor in the basement of Confluence in 2008 and told us that you *didn’t know when or if it would be published*.
Congratulations!
Feb 20, 2012 @ 12:28:24
Yes! Some post-school reading to look forward to!
Feb 20, 2012 @ 17:16:26
That is truly a beautiful cover. I LOVE her dress. And although not typically a fan of YA, I’m excited to pick this one up and recommend it to my friends who do like YA.
Jane
Feb 20, 2012 @ 19:48:01
Love the cover and I can’t wait to read the story.
Feb 20, 2012 @ 20:49:01
I admit it, I next to never pay attention to cover art. I’m more interested in what’s “in” the book than “on” it. That said, I’m putting this gem directly on to my wishlist!
Feb 22, 2012 @ 19:08:42
I’m ambivalent about it, but for sure will preorder as soon as it becomes available in Amazon. You turn out such wonderful books which I love to read and re-read, that I can’t pass it. I have yet to read any of those vampires/werewolf books loved by millions, and I’m not much for ghosts stories. The lovely dress, and specially that beautiful Labrador (?) next to her, plus apparently she develops extraordinary sensory skills, will bring me to the first page. This may turn out to be like detective/mystery stories (don’t tell us) where she can use extra-sensory perception to solve problems. I would love those. Looking forward to them.
Feb 23, 2012 @ 12:14:07
I have already pre ordered from B&N. I am not put off by the YA label. In fact, I found Megan Whalen Turner’s Attolia series very enjoyable. The premise of this story sounds intriguing. If its anything like your short story Ghostwood ( my personal favorite), it will be a success.
Feb 23, 2012 @ 23:05:35
Jim Hines shouldn’t have any difficulty posing his body into that position.
Feb 23, 2012 @ 23:40:27
If he does I want to see him do it in that dress :D :D :D
Feb 27, 2012 @ 01:19:45
The doggie looks like a mastiff to me. Big like a Dane but not rangy enough. I guess I’ve seen a couple of Lab mixes almost that blocky. Still I’ll go for mastiff.
Mar 06, 2012 @ 17:41:07
11+ years ago my son bought a very black and big puppy from a mix Black Labrador and black Great Dane. The puppy grew up to become a lamb in a huge and tall dog body, a really tall dog. Even at his age still plays like a puppy and defends his family like a lion. Looks just like the picture.
Mar 21, 2012 @ 13:17:02
I have to say this is a major case of a cover selling a book to me without even reading the blurb – the dress! The dog! (which reminded me of a Rottie/Lab cross I met recently… glad I wasn’t the only one wondering, lol!)
Mar 24, 2012 @ 19:43:41
Jen, I really had to laugh, you are so right. Michelle has probably sold thousands of this book already and the only thing she has given us is a tiny description mostly saying what it’s not about, and a beautiful cover. Cheers for the dog… and the dress.
Apr 02, 2012 @ 13:40:55
dear michelle,
hi! the cover looks fantastic and quite different from the cast books, was that intentional? i had a question – what do YOU think makes a book “young adult” vs. any other age? Once I got past the “see spot run” phase, i don’t think i have EVER read age-appropriate books – my father gave me Children of Dune on my 11th birthday and I still enjoy Enid Blyton at the ripe old age of 38. So is Silence a ‘YA’ book? If so, why the focus on a particular age group, when so far it doesn’t seem to be the case (to me) that someone has to be a particular age to be able enjoy your books? Also, have to confess that the phrase ‘YA” really gets up my nose for some weird reason, whilst ‘children’s books’ doesn’t. Just a generation/culture thing, I suppose.