We’re delighted to welcome Stacey Lee to Sixteen to Read’s Visiting Author Series. Stacey published her debut novel, the critically acclaimed Under a Painted Sky, with Putnam in 2015. In May 2016, she followed it up with Outrun the Moon, which Kirkus has called “powerful, evocative, and thought-provoking.” Stacey’s third novel, The Secret of a Heart Note, is due out from Katherine Tegen Books on December 27.
Sixteen to Read’s Sonya Mukherjee recently chatted with Stacey about writing, publishing, and what she’s learned so far.
Stacey, thanks so much for taking the time to drop by. To begin, we’d love to hear about the earliest stages of your career. What was the querying process like for you with your first book, Under a Painted Sky?
I began querying when I was fifteen, and that was a very long time ago, before there were computers. All told, I queried about seven different projects at various stages of my life, from picture books to YA. Each project received more nibbles than the prior one, and so I knew I was moving in the right direction at least. Plus, with the advent of the Internet, it became easier to figure out what I was doing right or wrong through sites like Query Shark.
For more detailed information about perfecting a query letter, my agent Kristin Nelson of Nelson Literary Agency and I chatted about my original query for UAPS at Literary Rambles.
What aspect of the publishing experience was most surprising for you that first time around? And what was the most fun?
I was surprised by how many people it takes to make a book. There are so many people involved with getting a book on the shelf, marketing people, salespeople, publicists—I’m still not sure I met everyone who worked on UAPS! The most fun was meeting some great author friends along the way. I couldn’t have done it without their support!
Your first two novels were both historical, while The Secret of a Heart Note, which comes out next, is contemporary. What drew you to writing historical characters and settings? And after starting with historical, what appealed to you about contemporary?
As a fourth generation Californian, I always wondered about those Chinese ancestors of mine who first touched down on American soil. So that’s what led me to write UAPS, as well as my second historical, Outrun the Moon. But I also love writing in other genres, like contemporary with a little magic, which is how I describe The Secret of a Heart Note. That one arose from my odd synesthetic ability to ‘hear’ different scents and my interest in natural perfumery. It’s different animal than my historicals, but everyone who has read it says they can tell it’s me who wrote it.
What’s your writing process like? Has it changed over time?
I brainstorm on paper. I take lots of walks to develop those ideas, then plot out some emotional beats I’d like to hit. Then I start writing soon after I get a general outline going. It’s definitely an organic process for me, and often what and who I intend to write about changes along the way.
You’ve been quite prolific. Your first book just came out last year, and you have two out in 2016. How do you balance your writing time with all the other tasks related to publishing and promoting your work? Do you have set schedules or plans that help you divide your time?
I don’t watch TV! I just have to clip bits of time here and there and hope and pray it all gets done! With two kids, it’s definitely a challenge because I don’t start writing until around 9 or 10 pm. I stop around 1 or 2 am.
Can you share anything about what you’re working on next?
Another historical that might or might not involve stagecoaches. J
Lightning round:
Favorite writing beverage: iced coffee with almond milk
Favorite place to write: in my home office
Music to write by: I need quiet. I get too distracted by song lyrics.
Last book you read: I’m reading The Reader by Traci Chee.
Author from the past you’d most want to meet: LA Meyer, author of the Bloody Jack series, who passed away in 2015.
First thing you’d do if you could time travel to one of your novels’ settings: What a great question. I’d learn how to ride a horse.
Best thing about living in the 21st century when not time traveling: Anesthesia.
Here’s a teaser: Junior year is supposed to be tough. Exams, term papers, homework, college tours, and participation in extra-curricular activities can all add up to non-stop stress. But Melinda Banner has goals to achieve and dreams to make real. This year, she’ll be unstoppable. 
Some secrets are better left at the bottom of the ocean.
Congrats to Sixteen to Read’s Jennie K. Brown. Jennie’s debut POPPY MAYBERRY, THE MONDAY just received GOLD in the Moonbeam Children’s Book Awards in the pre-teen fantasy category!
Today over on 
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POPPY MAYBERRY, THE MONDAY is officially in the US today, and it’s already sold to China (Grand China) and Czech Republic (Albatros)! To celebrate, Jennie will be on her local ABC News Station for a lunchtime chat so today isn’t just her book debut, but it’s her television debut as well!
The stars have aligned! Today we’re celebrating the release of the German edition of SUMMER OF SUPERNOVAS, titled Zwischen dir und mir die Sterne (Between You and Me and the Stars!).
We SWOON for fan art! Isn’t this gorgeous???!!!!! Louisa Rahm created this montage of all the places Wil travels throughout the book! So adorable!!
Sixteen To Read 