A Long Long Sleep

A Long Long Sleep

My first book: A Long Long Sleep has been released!

Blurb:

Rosalinda Fitzroy has been asleep for sixty-two years when she is woken by a kiss.

Locked away in the chemically induced slumber of a stasis tube in a forgotten sub-basement, sixteen-year-old Rose slept straight through the Dark Times that killed millions and utterly changed the world she knew. Now her parents and her first love are long dead, and Rose — hailed upon her awakening as the long-lost heir to an interplanetary empire — is thrust alone into a future in which she is viewed as either a freak or a threat.

Desperate to put the past behind her and adapt to her new world, Rose finds herself drawn to the boy who kissed her awake, hoping that he can help her to start fresh. But when a deadly danger jeopardizes her fragile new existance, Rose must face the ghosts of her past with open eyes — or be left without any future at all.

50 thoughts on “A Long Long Sleep

  1. liljennilyn

    Loved the book! It’s a thought provoking quick read (I finished mine in less than a day). I saw when I googled your name that there were 2 more books purchased by the British publisher. Does this mean we get to find out more about Rose? If so I can’t wait to read the next one!

    Reply
  2. Petra

    I’ve seen this book around, but only took a good look at it today. It sounds great and I’m looking forward to reading it. Congratulations on releasing your debut novel!

    Reply
  3. Michelle Rorke

    Loved the book! The dynamics between Rose and her parents were both sad and shocking. Can’t wait for your next title.

    Reply
  4. vic caswell

    this book blew me away!
    congrats on your debut, and just wow!
    i hope there will be more for your lovely characters at Uni!
    is there anyway to keep track of announcements… such as a sequel? 🙂

    Reply
    1. Anna Sheehan

      A sequel is planned and even written. It is undergoing the editing process at the moment — and that’s not even the “official” edits. When it’s coming out hasn’t even begun to be discussed yet. But I guarentee, you will eventually be seeing more of Rose, Otto, Xavier and everyone soon-ish-ish.

      I hope that makes everyone happy! It certainly does me.

      Reply
      1. april

        I came searching to see if there would be a sequel as well! I just finished the book in one sitting. I couldn’t put it down! I’m so happy to hear that there will be a sequel!!! I’ve become so invested in the characters I need to know what happens next!

        Reply
  5. Sherrie

    Anna,
    I just found out about your book through NaNoWriMo so I haven’t read it yet. I was wondering if you might answer a few questions about getting a contract and how much control you had over the International sales and the translation.
    The final draft I am working on is now called “Secrets & Lies In El Salvador” and I believe it too will have International appeal. I want a Salvadoran to translate it into Spanish. Is it possible to make a demand like that? What rights did you retain after signing the contract for the English version? Did the other countries come to you or did your agent go to them?
    Have you been approached about a movie deal?
    I probably will have more questions later, but I guess this will be it for now.
    Thank you & all the best to you,
    Sherrie Miranda

    Reply
    1. Anna Sheehan

      Hi, Sherrie,

      There are people who know a great deal more about this sort of thing than I do. I found myself an agent from an agency large enough to handle foreign rights, and I allowed them to handle how they sell my book from there. There was a film agent who worked through my agency, and he thought the book strong enough to merit representation. There are no producers as of yet who feel the desire to option the novel, but it’s early in the sales yet, so we were jumping the gun to begin with. As for the rights and demands, it has more to do with the publishers you work with. If something matters to you, then discuss it with your agent when you get one. That’s the agent’s job. I have a friend in Israel who would like to translate my book, but she’s aware that she would have to work through whichever Israeli publisher I eventually got. The buisness angle of the publishing buisness is very different from the writing angle, and really I’m not the person to ask about that. I suggest making sure that whatever agent you get either has foreign contacts, or has a foreign rights agent on standby through her agency. Good luck!
      Anna

      Reply
  6. Jese M.

    Just finished A long long sleep. I’m already biting at the bit to read the next one and it isn’t even out yet. I would like to say, in the kindest voice possible, hurry up and put it on Amazon so I can pre-order it!

    Reply
    1. Anna

      Oh, tell that to my editor at Candlewick! Or actually, the main publishing and marketing gurus, who have more control than darling Andrea. We’re having contract issues. I really wish I could hurry the process up, but knowing the publishing industry, I’m sorry to say it’ll be a year or more. I’m really glad you liked the book, though! Recommend it so it has big sales, and hopefully that will translate to the publishers as saying, “Oh, yeah, we want the sequel YESTERDAY!”

      Reply
  7. Louisa

    Just wanted to say that A Long, Long Sleep was absolutely amazing, and I want to read more!!! And that I would love a sequel just around right now 🙂 That’d be terrific 🙂 I want to know how the hopeful things at the end might be carried into book 2!!!!! Soooooo good!!!!!! Yep 🙂

    Reply
  8. Michelle

    Hello, I was amazed by your book. I finished it in a couple of hours, and it just set me crying. I just wanted to thank you for writing such a wonderful book. I loved how Sleeping Beauty saved herself from the proverbial dragon, instead of waiting for the prince to come waving a sword. I had to grab a tissue …. And the book cover was really pretty (the blue one with half of the girl’s face).

    I’m sorry if you’re weirded out by this comment, but I really enjoyed your book and I wish (like the countless people before me) that the sequel would come out soon. Really soon.

    Also, I’m attempting to write a book, and I would really like to know what you did to make your book so touching. I have read hundreds of books before this, and rarely have books touched me like this. Thank you, and I hope you’re not too freaked out by this. 🙂

    Reply
    1. Anna

      Good luck on your writing! As for how I made the book so touching… ah, dear, there’s no way I can convey that in a quick comment on the internet. A few hints — if you’re touched by what you’re writing, the readers will probably be, too. Read aloud and make sure everything sounds good. And keep writing.

      Reply
  9. Rose Green

    Just wanted to stop by and say how much I loved your book! Just really different–and lovely! It’s already going on my recommended list. )

    Reply
  10. Olivia

    I already sent you an email about this book, because I didn’t notice we could leave comments on this post. Anyway, I just wanted to say (again) that I loved your book. I literally jumped up and down like a giddy school girl when I found out the sequel is in the editing process. I will be watching very closely so I can buy it as soon as it comes out!

    I am going to recommend this book to my friends and hope they won’t be cheap butts and actually go out and buy it. It was a really lovely, great, excellent book, and I’m really glad I ordered it special from Barnes and Noble. Thank you for making me really feel for these characters- honestly, a lot of YA books haven’t made me feel like that in a long time.

    Reply
    1. Anna

      Aww! Thank you so much! I try really hard to make sure my characters mean something to someone. Thanks for letting me know I’m getting there!

      Reply
  11. Jim Webster

    Hey Anna,

    I just finished A Long Long Sleep and feel totally refreshed : >. Best novel I’ve read in a while, and I’m not even your target demographic! If you like you can check out my review on my blog http://jswebstermindvoyages.wordpress.com/ (I’m also putting it on Amazon and Goodreads). I look forward to reading what you come up with next, and to quote Dylan, may you be forever young…

    Jim
    P.S. thanks for the ride from Big Sur…

    Reply
  12. Charlotte

    heyyyyyyy,
    is there any way that we can have a sneek peak on your next book.
    Oh and… GO TEAM BREN!!!!!!!!!!!
    I like tennis

    Reply
  13. Marissa Pass

    Finished A Long Long sleep last night at three in the morning and I had college in the morning!! It was a wonderful read! At midnight I said to myself I’ll finish it in the morning …. I couldn’t sleep though. I just laid there thinking about what was happening and what was going to happen. I cried during the book especially when she’s drawing Xavier and says so what was your excuse …. although cried may not be an adequate term … I bawled … the pages are crumply in a few spots now 🙂 I loved the characters. I felt Rose’s losses and the shocking realization of how her parents stole so much time from her. I can’t wait for the sequel(s)!! I’ll always be a fan. Thank you for writing something so extraordinary.

    Reply
    1. Anna

      Thank you so much for such a thoughtful comment! And I hope I didn’t make you too tired to study — I approve of studying. There are books I’ve done that with myself. I think the first time I read Interview with the Vampire I stayed up until five AM. You know, I had so many friends whose parents took so much from them, that it wasn’t difficult to have Rose feel the same betrayal. Thank you for letting me know what the book meant to you!

      Reply
  14. c

    I found your book thanks to Amazon’s “100 books” special. Loved it, and can’t wait for the sequel!

    Reply
  15. Pat Lynch

    I loved your book the Long Long Sleep. I’m 61 but ventured into the teen fiction section at the library and picked it up to listen in the car on the way to work. I was so entranced I brought it into the house after work and listened to it this weekend. Can’t wait to read the next one. You have a real way with words.

    Thank you.

    Reply
  16. erica

    By far one of the best books I’ve ever read…..I always wondered how people could read a book and now I know, I finished this in less then 24 hours (and thats with having to goto work) This book was SO GOOD I couldn’t put it down!!!!!!!

    Reply
  17. Danni

    Hello,

    I actually read your book a good few months back, but I just wanted to say Thank you for giving the world a fantastic read. I work in a book store and try to recommend any chance I get. I’m so glad there’s a sequel in the works, I really enjoy your work.

    Reply
  18. Bryan Sheehan

    Annie is a truly remarkable author when she wrote, “Locked away in the chemically-induced slumber of a stasis tube in a forgotten sub-basement […].” Can you imagine all of the possibilities stasis could provide for patients who would otherwise die waiting on a liver transplant or it could provide therapy for an insomniac? The possibilities are there!

    Reply
  19. Tyrean

    A friend of mine gave me a copy of A Long, Long Sleep and I loved it! Your characters are so interesting and wonderful. Rose’s desire to be with Bren totally makes sense, and yet her sweet build of a relationship with Otto is wonderful. I cried when I found out how truly horrible her parents were, and when I read of the fall out betweeen her and Xavier. I suspected about her parents, but didn’t quite realize just how bad they were until that moment – truly chilling in a cold, all-too-real way.

    Reply
    1. Anna

      Well, I’m glad you liked it. The book actually made me cry too, a few times. The entire intention of the book was a build up and reveal of Rose’s psyche, which is a bit… bruised. Thanks for letting me know!

      Reply
  20. joe

    may i ask how much longer we have to wait for the sequel? a few months or more like a year?
    a little crumb of information would be cool!!

    Reply
    1. Anna

      Most assuredly over a year, knowing the glacial pace of the publishing industry. I will say, this is not entirely my fault. I wrote the sequel quick enough, but apparently it needs heavy editing, and that takes a long, long time. After the edit is approved, that needs to go through the rest of the publishing house, which could take anywhere from six weeks to six months. Then they might decide to sit on it, depending on their schedual. They sat on A Long, Long Sleep for eighteen months after sale and before publication, which effectively put my book six months behind Across the Universe, and as full of merit as that book is on its own, it made mine look like a copy-cat, despite having written my book in 2008. For a perfect example, see A Long, Long Sleep. Written in the autumn of 2008. Published in the late summer of 2011. I do have other books, not in Rose’s universe, but to make matters even slower, my agent won’t try to sell anything else of mine until the edit on the sequel is finished. So when another book of mine will come out is anyone’s guess. When I have a number, I’ll let my fans know, I promise.

      Reply
  21. Bryan Sheehan

    I was a never apprehensive about the book “A Long, Long Sleep” despite the mixed reviews. The embellished book cover sealed the deal for me! After reading this book, I found it extremely entertaining after Rose’s ordeal of—waking up 62 years later—in a new world full of strangers. Things were challenging for Rose and she developed feelings for the individual who woke her up; ultimately, she was rejected. On a positive note, she had Otto to talk to. I really enjoyed the dialogue chats between the both of them. Gradually, Rose discovered why her parents put her in the stasis tube, which was very disturbing to me. If you plan to read this book, watch out for Bren’s grandfather! He definitely caught me off guard! This book is an emotional twist for the Sleeping Beauty fairytale, which is a genuine compliment.

    Reply

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