Marc J Gregson

NYT bestselling author. English teacher

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The incredible art from the Above the Black series illustrated by the incredible Amir Zand for SKY’S END and AMONG SERPENTS, and the illustration for the French version titled Outrenoir by the super talented Artem Chebokha.

I dreamed so long of Conrad’s story being published, and these illustrations have such special meaning to me because they’re my characters and my world brought to life. Seriously, look at how awesome Conrad is in these images, and how threatening and larger-than-life the gorgantaun looks. Look at Keeton and Roderick, joining Conrad in the mysterious illustration for AMONG SERPENTS, and zoom in on the limitless details of Holmstead Island in Outrenoir.

2024 has been a special year for me, and I’m so thankful to have so many of you join my crew.

2025 is almost here, and with it, comes AMONG SERPENTS. Gear up.

Together, we rise.

[mjgauthor]

I'll be at FanX in September! Hope to see you!

[mjgauthor]

I started digging through some old notes today and found a message in June 2022 from my editor when he sent me the first round of developmental edits for Sky's End.

Back then, the note made me smile with optimistic possibilities. Now, I'm thinking about how right Jonah was. 

[mjgauthor]

My book is now in development as a major motion picture!

[mjgauthor]

Some of the comp titles and inspiration for Sky's End!

[mjgauthor]

I'm still celebrating because this is one of the coolest and most amazing things to ever happen to me.

That burst of excitement, the squeeze in my gut, when I realized we made it to the NYT list...

Pure magic.

[mjgauthor]

I'm so pleased to announce that Sky's End got ANOTHER starred review. This time coming from the amazing BookPage.

This review genuinely brought a smile to my face and I'm completely thrilled and excited.

I'm also feeling grateful and just embarassed by all the amazing reviews Sky's End has been getting. It has a starred review from heavyweights like Kirkus, Booklist, and now BookPage. Furthermore, it has been selected by booksellers as an Indie Next Pick for Jan/Feb 2024. And if you go to B&N, you can read a bookseller's praiseworthy blurb for Sky's End.

I am living a dream.

We're in the final stretch, guys. Sky's End is launching on January 2nd, 2024 from Peachtree Teen.

Get those pre-orders in, and get ready.

Rise like your ancestors. Rise.

-MJG

[mjgauthor]

Sky's End's journey to publication:

2015: First idea for Sky's End. Wrote a sample chapter but was working on a different book.

2017: Wrote and sent the first version of Sky's End to agents. Got super close to landing an agent, but sadly, they all passed.

2018: Started teaching, but periodically worked on revisions for Sky's End, and tried sending it again. Same as before. Close, but no thanks.

2020: Multiple agents became VERY interested after I sent out Sky's End again. I signed with my agent in April 2020. Received edits back for the book, but we thought another book was closer for publishers to look at. Started edits for Sky's End in December 2020.

2021: Revised and rewrote first 100 pages and last 80 pages. Changed the entire book to present tense. Rewrote entire scenes and generally improved the book. Sent to agent in May. Got edits in July. Then, my agent sent Sky's End out to publishers in August 2021.

2022: The year that changed my life. On January 18th, my agent told me Peachtree reached out to see if Sky's End was still available. We got the offer for a one-book deal a week later! I started writing the sequel, Among Serpents, in Feburary. Sent it to my agent in December.

2023: My agent sent Among Serpents and the outline for the third to Peachtree in Feburary. We got the offer for the sequels only weeks later. On May 26th, I saw Sky's End's cover for the first time with my students. The video went viral on my wife's Instagram in July 2023. Sky's End was picked up as an audiobook and in Ukraine, Spain, and Brazil.

2024: Sky's End launches into bookstores on January 2nd, 2024, officially starting my author career.

What else will happen? Who knows. I'm just thrilled to be in this position. So fortunate!

[mjgauthor]

Sky's End was rejected by SO many literary agents.

Now look at it:

📖 Trilogy book deal

⭐️ Kirkus starred review

⭐️ Booklist starred review

📘 Kids' Indie Next pick

🇺🇦 Ukraine deal

🇪🇸 Spain three book deal

🇧🇷 Brazil three book deal

🎧 Audiobook

It launches January 2nd, 2024.

[mjgauthor]

SKY'S END PRE-ORDER CAMPAIGN!

Together we will rise, or together we will fall.

Act now! The first 150 people to share their proof of preorder to [email protected] and to complete the Google Form on the top of my Linktree will get a bookplate signed by me, a specially designed letter written by me, and a holographic sticker from one of the Twelve Trades of the Skylands. I cannot wait to see which Trade Selects you! If you're Selected, please share your sticker on social media and tag me and @peachtreeteen on Instagram so we can boost your post!

If you pre-ordered with the King's English Bookshop directly, you get a signed copy of the actual book instead of a bookplate. Just make sure to share your receipt with the marketing email above.

*Open only to residents of the 50 United States, Washington, D.C., and Canada who are 18 years of age or older as of date of entry. Pre-order materials available while supplies last.

[mjgauthor]

GOODREADS BOOK GIVEAWAY!

Enter for a chance to win a physical copy of the book that Kirkus Reviews calls, "A thrilling and brilliantly realized series opener."

Sky's End is book one of a YA fantasy trilogy coming January 2nd, 2024, from Peachtree Teen. It's an action-packed thrill ride featuring a deadly competition involving skyships and gigantic, metal monsters.

https://bit.ly/40BI0Qg

[mjgauthor]

I just wanted to thank all of you for the wonderful support you've shown me, my writing journey, and my book.

It really means everything.

I've received so many heartfelt messages of support from complete strangers from across the globe, and it really has shown me how amazing people can be.

I'm often asked for advice on perseverance and sticking with it after so many rejections and years of trying and having to start over with new books. I wish there was an easy answer. For myself, it was always about fighting for my art until I exhausted all the legitimate options available, then I'd start over with a new book. I took what I learned and tried again. And again. And again.

One time, my wife asked myself if I'd still write even if I never got published. My answer was a resounding, "Yes."

I write because it makes me happy. It is an outlet for my emotions and my creativity. And, it also let's me explore awesome worlds, strange lifeforms, and build up unique societies.

It is immensely rewarding.

[mjgauthor]

I just wanted to thank all of you for the wonderful support you've shown me, my writing journey, and my book.

It really means everything.

I've received so many heartfelt messages of support from complete strangers from across the globe, and it really has shown me how amazing people can be.

I'm often asked for advice on perseverance and sticking with it after so many rejections and years of trying and having to start over with new books. I wish there was an easy answer. For myself, it was always about fighting for my art until I exhausted all the legitimate options available, then I'd start over with a new book. I took what I learned and tried again. And again. And again.

One time, my wife asked myself if I'd still write even if I never got published. My answer was a resounding, "Yes."

I write because it makes me happy. It is an outlet for my emotions and my creativity. And, it also let's me explore awesome worlds, strange lifeforms, and build up unique societies.

It is immensely rewarding.

[mjgauthor]

ICYMI, Sky's End is now available for request on NetGalley.

This is your chance to potentially get to read Sky's End months in advance.

I'm so thrilled that my book is finding its way into the hands of readers. This is why I write. I crave reader reactions and I hope people connect with these characters, this world, and this story the same way that I have.

Good luck!

NetGalley helps publishers and authors promote digital review copies to book advocates and industry professionals. Publishers make digital r

[mjgauthor]

Reviews are trickling in for Sky's End, so I thought I'd share some of my favorite review quotes so far.

If you haven't already, please consider pre-ordering Sky's End, and adding it to your Goodreads TBR. I have links on my profile.

[mjgauthor]

Earlier this week, I got an email titled, “Are you sitting down?”

When I glanced at the subject, my heart leaped into my throat. What could it be? I was in the middle of teaching, so I had to wait until class ended to read the message. And I’m glad I lowered to sit down because Sky’s End received its first major trade review. And with that review came a celebrated KIRKUS STAR!

For those outside of publishing, you may not understand the significance. But for me, I sat in my chair and cackled for several seconds.

Getting the Kirkus star is very rare and only given to “books of exceptional merit.” Only about 10% of all Kirkus-reviewed books get a starred review. So, you can imagine how, as I read their review, I was positively giddy. My editor and my agent both celebrated with me over email!

From Kirkus’ review of Sky’s End:

“Gregson’s YA debut provides a skillful blend of action, suspense, and comic relief. After each airship battle, readers can barely draw breath before political intrigues turn the story on its head, but this is also a touching story of found family and personal growth.” Sky’s End is a story set “in a racially diverse world.” And is “a thrilling and brilliantly realized series opener; readers will clamor for the next installment.”

My author career launches January 2nd, 2024, when Sky’s End rockets into bookstores. This book is the culmination of a journey that started with me, as a teenager, lying on the grass in my backyard as I watched the clouds pass above, and I imagined all the stories that have yet to be told.

I can’t wait to share my story with you. On toward January!

[mjgauthor]

Sky's End fan art!

Woke up to an email from a student. She sent me this art depicting Conrad facing down a gorgantaun in my novel, Sky's End! Isn't it incredible? I love it so much. Definitely going up on the wall of Sky's End fan art in my classroom!

Sky's End is coming January 2nd, 2024 from Peachtree Teen.