Hello! Welcome to my annual post sharing the details of what I worked on in the past year, and my plans for the coming year. I do this for anyone interested in a deep dive, and as a way for me to keep track of everything that happens in my writing career. I really love to look back at things yearly because on a day to day basis I feel like I never get much done and am just kind of floundering. (I think it’s because most of the time I’m in the middle of projects, and there’s only a few days a year when I actually finish something.)
Work Published in 2023
Super Pancake, with Abhi Alwar, Knopf
Super Pancake came out in February, and now the world has the epic superhero origin story it didn’t know it so desperately needed. And I got to meet Abhi in New York, we got to sign books at a bunch of incredible bookstores, and I learned how to make cute Super Pancake pancakes! I love writing in the world of Breakfast Town, and can’t wait for book two to come out in June (keeping reading for more about that…)!
Squished, with Michelle Mee Nutter, Graphix
Allergic readers rejoice, because Michelle and I published another warmhearted and relatable realistic fiction graphic novel this year–Squished! And we got to go on our very first book tour in March. Allergic had a fully online book release, so being able to share this experience with Michelle and connect with readers in person about Allergic and Squished was such a privilege. The schools and bookstores we visited and the booksellers and kids and educators we interacted with were incredible.
Michelle and I had a great conversation with Joe Shaw about Squished on Episode 246 of DTALKS Podcast:
The Creative Writing Playbook, with Madeline Garcia, Andrews McMeel
My first activity book came out from Andrews McMeel, edited by Erinn Pascal and illustrated by Madeline Garcia. With writing, drawing, doodling, and comics activities, this playbook is perfect for creative kids! I actually have already made some videos (with coordinating free printables) that go along with the book (perfect for the classroom), but I haven’t posted them yet. (One of my goals for 2024!)
2023 International and Foreign Language Editions
Nova: Aufbruch in die Wildnis, Germany, Karibu
illustrated by Kaja Kajfež and translated by Bettina Obrecht
Karibu in Germany published this lovely edition of HAVEN, renamed NOVA, and with a beautiful new cover and spot illustrations by Kaja Kajfež.
Allergisch, Germany, Graphix Loewe
translated by Cornelia Röser
Allergica, Italy, Editrice Il Castoro
translated Laura Bortoluzzi
Coincée, North American French edition, Scholastic Canada
What I Worked on in 2023 (That Has Sold for Publication)
Big projects:
The Empty House, with Erin Kubo, Holiday House
I finished revising my YA graphic novel The Empty House, with help from editor Margaret Ferguson, and passed it along to the illustrator, Erin Kubo. I’ll be involved with some future edits as the art develops, but right now it is in Erin’s capable hands! I’m really excited to see the art. While you’re waiting, you can sign up for her super fun monthly Paper Surprise Sticker Club here. (My family loves the sticker club so much that we fight over the stickers.)
Ouch, with Michelle Mee Nutter, Graphix
Ouch is my and Michelle’s fourth graphic novel together! (After Allergic, Squished, and–out in 2025–Luna). This year I wrote the outline for Ouch, and to prepare for that, I took a research trip to the PNW, where Ouch is set. (It won’t come out until 2027, though, so be patient!)
Unannounced Projects
I think these will be announced fairly soon, and I can’t wait to share more. There will be a mix of picture books and graphic novel news!
Art notes and smaller remaining edits for:
Super Pancake and the Mini Muffin Mayhem (out in June 2024)
Luna (out in 2025)
The ABCs of Catching Zs (out in 2024)
What I Worked on in 2023 (That Hasn’t Sold Yet)
-a Christmas picture book
-a kids’ comics short story collection
-a kids’ novel about a doll
-a very rough outline for an autumnal YA novel
Surprise Good News in 2023
So grateful for all of these–thank you! I am particularly proud of the state awards, as they are typically kids’ choice.
SQUISHED
B&N most anticipated title
Instant National Indie Bestseller
National Indie Bestseller for 26 weeks
Three starred reviews
Good Housekeeping 2023 Kids’ Book Award
SUPER PANCAKE
Target Book Club pick
Book Riot’s February 2023 “Best New Children’s Books”
Evanston Public Library 101 Great Books for Kids
ALLERGIC
Hawai‘i Nēnē Award Winner
Rhode Island Book Award Winner
New Hampshire Great Stone Face Book Award Winner
Maryland Black-Eyed Susan Book Award Winner
2024 Bluestem Award master list
Oregon Battle of the Books selection
West Australian Young Readers’ Book Award
HAVEN: A SMALL CAT’S BIG ADVENTURE
Kansas NEA Reading Circle Recommended Titles List
My Writing Plans for 2024
My biggest priorities this year will be to write and revise Ouch and do any work that the unannounced projects need.
If any of my finished but unsold projects sell, I will have revisions to do on those as well. (Fingers crossed!)
For a personal project (not sold) this year, I’m hoping to make headway on a kids’ Christmas graphic novel script that I’ve been brainstorming for quite some time. I don’t think I’ll get to the autumnal YA novel this year, but we’ll see if inspiration strikes. Maybe I’ll finally do NaNoWriMo?
My 2024 Book Releases
Super Pancake and the Mini Muffin Mayhem, with Abhi Alwar, Knopf
This June 4th….
get ready….
for some mini…
muffin….
MAYHEM!!!
I can’t wait for book two of the Super Pancake series, available for pre-order now!
It’s a bird! It’s a plane! It’s a . . . pancake? The syrupy superhero of Breakfast Town, Peggy Pancake, is now up against her toughest, scariest obstacle yet: babysitting.
I’m not totally sure on the release date yet, but I think this picture book is coming out fall 2024. I can reveal some for sure great news about it, however–the illustrator will be Jade Orlando! I’ve seen the sketches and am so excited about them.
Connecting with me in 2024
- I’m still on Instagram.
- Sign up for my email newsletter (I send it two to four times a year).
- And fans of my Graphix/Scholastic books can write to me at:
Megan Wagner Lloyd
c/o Scholastic Inc.
557 Broadway
New York, NY 10012 - After a very busy first half of the year, I stopped doing most events and school visits for the second half of 2023. I’m still figuring out my approach to the new year, and will keep the events section of my website updated.
- I love stopping by bookstores! If you are a store near DC/Northern Virginia and would like me to stop by to sign stock, please get in touch.
Wrapping up the Recap
If you’ve read this far, you’re pretty much approaching Super Pancake levels of heroism. Thank you for reading my books and sharing them with young readers!
Wishing you all the best,
Megan
MEGAN WAGNER LLOYD 