Alice Blog

The Best Gift Ever!

Dear Phyllis:
 
The last time I wrote to you was over 10 years ago (!!!). I wanted to share the attached photo with you.

My super rad boyfriend Jordan and I celebrated an anniversary this past week. When I came home from work, a colourful trail of paper cranes on our hardwood floor led me to a very large…stack of books: the hitherto complete Alice collection, carefully selected in matching editions for my obsessive self.

I know. He’s great!

Phyllis, I’ve spoken to him and others of the series so often and with so much affection, about how it shaped me, taught me I was normal, was a friend to me. I was raised by the library and the Alice books were a beacon. I read them through grade school, high school and (when I’d since out-aged Lester, become a musician instead of a YA writer, and remembered new books were still being released) after work. I’d previously mentioned to Jordan how much I’d like to own the series for any future children or young people in my life.

I can’t wait to share his/your incredible gift, but in the meantime, I’m enjoying re-reading them so much myself. I’ve read the first two books since yesterday and already been laughing/crying out loud like a nut. I’m amazed at how current Alice’s voice remains, and how accurately (sometimes painfully!) you remind me of being whatever age she is. Thought you might like to know that a 31-year-old man in Toronto has just started reading the series, too.

I’m (we’re!) planning to get through all of them in anticipation of Now I’ll Tell You Everything. I remember when you first mentioned many years ago that the final book would be released in 2013 — at the time, an unfathomable date to me, but here we are! It will be very sad to see the series end, but such a huge joy for me to always have Alice to visit nearby on the shelf.

It must be thrilling to have made a lasting impression on so many, and on new generations as I can see from your website. I really like the way I turned out as a woman and for that, owe you thanks.

Thank you, Phyllis. I’ll be sure to write again after I’ve read and added the final book to our collection.

Phyllis replied:
 
What a joy your letter was!  Yes, here it is 2013–always seemed a long way off to me too.  I know I’m going to get a zillion emails from readers saying, “WHERE did her boyfriend find the complete collection?” but they should know we’re talking about the later books–those that you didn’t already have, especially the big bind-ups each containing three books each. It really makes it all worthwhile to know that the books have meant so much to you, and my editor is going to enjoy your email also.

What’s the Pub Date?

Question:
 
Hello!  I am an adult Alice fan who started reading them way back in 1985 when we were both the same age.  Now I am anxiously awaiting the final Alice book, to complete my collection (and share with my daughters) but Amazon has pushed back the shipping date twice.  What’s going on?  Is it an Amazon issue or a publishing issue?  I’ll happily buy the book somewhere else if I can get it sooner.
 
 
Phyllis replied:
 
I know, I know.  Usually each  Alice book came out in the spring, but this one was so long and covers so much of Alice’s life that I needed extra time, so it became September 15.  Then the publisher decided to change both the title and the book jacket, and now, positively, the pub date is October 15.  I will be going on a book tour then, and perhaps I will be able to meet many of you.  Thanks for writing.

Good Books for Twenty-somethings

Question:

Hi Phyllis,

I’ve never written you before and never met anyone with your name before!

I hope its okay to write you.  I’ve never written an author before.  I’ve read some of Incredibly Alice and liked it.  Some parts I wish there were more details, but maybe it is not written for people in their 20s?

I have read one of the very first Alice books a long time ago, back when I was in grade 5.  I did not know that you had continued on with the series, but I am glad you did 🙂

I have trouble finding books, good books to read.  I like to read books where I can relate to the characters.  The books for teens are too young for me, although i enjoy a few of them.  Sometimes, adults books are too old for me b/c the people are in their 40s and I’m not there yet.  Would you have any suggestions for me?  For books I mean.  

I like how you talk about a whole bunch of different things that girls go through .. well it seemed that way in the characters lives from Incredibly Alice… I’ll have to read it again as i had only read it briefly.  

I’d like to write more, but i dont know you…just from what is on the website.

Some people write you a lot of personal stuff on your website.  Do you mind?  I like that people are able to write to you though.

Phyllis replied:
 
I’m here to listen to whatever anyone wants to write me about.  As I’ve explained many times, I’m not a doctor or a psychiatrist–just an enlightened grandmother, so whatever you want to discuss is fine with me.  I have a lot of emails to answer tonight and it’s hard to think of a book that might fit your age range, because I never think much about that when I read a book–I’m drawn to good characters of any age.  So forgive me for sticking only to my own titles, but you would probably like “Intensely Alice,” “Blizzard’s Wake,” “Ice,” “Jade Green,” and “Send No Blessings.”  If your library doesn’t have them, ask them to get them for you on inter-library loan.

Glad that Alice is Average

Question:
 
I started reading the Alice books in Middle school, and I loved the awkward, realistic way she was written. It made her incredibly relatable, and when I had problems, or felt alone, reading about Alice, and how she felt a lot of what I felt, made me feel better, and less alone.

I just graduated from High school, and now Alice has as well, and I’ll be in college when I read the last Alice book. These books were a great source of joy for me, and I loved that Alice was smart, and spunky, and pretty, but not unrealistically so. Her character is extraordinary in its averageness, and I’m so glad you wrote her this way, because she feels like someone I actually know.

I don’t really have any questions, I just wanted you to know that these books made my life a little bit happier, and a little bit easier. Thank you so much for writing them, because they were incredibly fun to read.

Phyllis replied:

Thanks so much for writing to me.  Alice isn’t “every girl,” but I did want her to be average, and I’m so glad that she seems to be someone you actually know.

Finding a Life-Long Companion

Question:

My question is in regards to a response that you gave to the writer who asked “Did I Pick the Right College?”  You responded that the book that really helped you out during your college years was called “Good Reading”.  I would love a copy of that book and was wondering if you remember who wrote it so I can try to look for it online?  I tried researching it online but the tittle is a little generic so I couldn’t pinpoint to the correct one.

Also,  I noticed on your biography that you have been long married to your husband, Rex.  I was wondering if you could share some tips on finding a life-long companion to your young readers.  Please don’t say it’s just luck :)!
 
 
Phyllis replied:
 
The full title of the book I  referred to is Good Reading, the 20th Edition of the Noted Guide to the World of Books, prepared by the Committee on College Reading, J. Sherwood Weber, Editor.
 
I think that a life-long companion should be someone with whom you feel really comfortable being yourself, and who brings out the best in you–who wants the best for you, not in terms of material things, but in who you are striving to be, what you are striving to do.  And I would list the three components of love as passion, tenderness, and joy.  Think about it: you may feel tenderness and joy toward someone, but no sexual attraction, or you may feel tenderness and passion toward someone, but not really joy–delighting in that person’s presence.  When you have all three, that’s something to hang onto.

Like the Friend I Never Met

Question:

Hi, Phyllis! I am a really, reeaaaly huge fan of your books, the ‘Alice’ series. Somehow I feel connected to Alice, like she is a friend I have never met. It’s actually really hard for me to comprehend that she isn’t real. She’s so real to me! I have read most of your books; I am thirteen. It makes me sad to think that Alice is growing up, and that the series is over. I will always read the Alice Series, and someday maybe I will write books about a teenage girl when I’m older too, so other people can enjoy it and take comfort in it. You are a true inspiration! I have always wondered this question though; who are the models for the covers of the Alice book?  Anyways, I just wanted to tell you how much I appreciate your books!! Have a great day! ❤

Phyllis replied:

I’m so glad you’ve enjoyed the Alice books. Some of the models have been on several different book covers, but only the agency knows the names and addresses of the models they send out.

Do They Marry?

Question:

I just reread “Alice in Lace”, where they had the Critical Choices assignment where Alice and Patrick had to plan their marriage. I thought it was really interesting that Brian did end up totaling a car and getting his license suspended and that Pamela actually did get pregnant. So will Alice and Patrick’s assignment come true too? Haha you don’t have to answer, but I’m just really excited for Always Alice!

Phyllis replied:

Ha, ha, you thought you could trick me into telling, didn’t you? Sorry.  You’ll have to read the final book.  But be prepared for surprises.

The Final Book

Question:

I grew up reading the Alice books and continue to follow Alice now as an adult since her story is quickly approaching its final book.  Your books fostered a love of reading in me that remains a favorite pasttime over twenty years later!  I was wondering if the Alice books will ever be released in any sort of complete set.  I have copies of all of the Alice books that have been released to date, several of most books, but haven’t been able to find the complete series available in a consistent edition.  I would love to gift the entire Alice series to my young niece in a consistent edition if possible.

Also, could you please clarify the name of the final Alice book and total number of books, including prequels, planned for the series?  Last year, I read on your website that Always Alice would be the name of the final book, which would follow Alice on Board, but just recently saw that your website announces the release of Now I’ll Tell you Everything in October of this year.  Has the name of the final (28th) book been changed to Now I’ll Tell You Everything, or has this title been added to the lineup to preface Always Alice (as the 29th book)?

Thank you so much for such a dynamic, enduring coming-of-age series- it’s meant so much to so many!

Phyllis replied:

There are a total of 28 books in the series, counting the three prequels, and the title of the final book, the 28th, has been changed from “Always Alice” to “Now I’ll Tell You Everything.”  I know it’s confusing, because the title and cover were originally released to Amazon and other places, and now both have been changed, but we feel that it deserved a better cover and title. I do wish that all 28 books were offered in a complete series, but so far they are not.  They’ve come out in hardcover, in paperback with different covers for different editions, and in groups of books with distinct covers for that group. I’d love for all the books to be available as a series with a new set of covers, but right now, that’s not about to happen.

What is the Correct Title?

Question:

I love your Alice books! But I have a question about the last one in the series.I hope you can answer it. I  found on your website that it would be named Always Alice and Now I’ll Tell You Everything. Which one is the right title? Thank you. PS: I want to be a writer when I grow up!

Phyllis replied:

It’s confusing, I know.  I had planned for it to be called “Always Alice,” but the publisher felt it should have a title with more oomph, so we’ve changed it to “Now I’ll Tell You Everything,” because I promised to answer all your questions in the final book.

The Final Alice McKinley Book

Now I’ll You Everything

The Final Alice McKinley Book

Available October 15, 2013

Learn more >>