Many thanks to the Wisconsin Writers Association for featuring me on their Chapter Break podcast. Hosts Luella Schmidt and Ken Humphrey asked great questions and had me read an excerpt of MAIL-ORDER MONSTERS: CRASH COURSE. If you’d like to hear me read in falsetto (yikes haha), click here or on the image below. Now, break!
Sweeeet. My book was featured in Publishers Weekly‘s BookLife Report under “What’s On Our Radar” Nice. 🙂
My husband and I had a lot of fun this morning The Morning Blend, the TV talk show on Milwaukee’s NBC station. My hubby, Jeff, is a professional illustrator and did the art for the entire book, including 13 black-and-white drawings within. Some of that art was highlighted on the big screens behind us during our talk.
Hosts Molly Fay and Tiffany Ogle are a hoot and great to talk to, as always. Enjoy the talk by clicking here or on the thumbnail image below. Cheers!
I’ve been posting a whole lot lately about my new book, but posting is how we get word out about our stuff, right? So now I want to say THANK YOU to all of you who’ve reached out with congratulations and to support the book. You’ve given so much love, in fact, that Mail-Order Monsters hit a huge milestone its first day: an Amazon orange banner as the #1 new release for children’s robot stories. WHOOP, WHOOP! Sound the alarm! That is sooo much bigger than you may think, and I seriously thank y’all so much.
Being a genre bestseller is big because, when you search on Amazon for, say, “vampire stories,” the results you see are books with that content. And you better believe those results are ranked. Being #1, however briefly, is nothing short of amazing, even more when many of the other books in the category have the word Robot right in their title or they’ve ranked high for a very long time.
Mail-Order Monsters also hit #5 in new releases for children’s books on bullying and #14 in new releases for children’s Hispanic and Latino stories. I mean, amazing. I’m floored and so very grateful.
Anyway, release day was an orange banner day, and today I saw friends and had an orange-ish latte (my first pumpkin spice of the season). I’m going to hold y’all and these past few days very close to my heart. ?
Hey friends! Today is RELEASE DAY for my latest book, MAIL-ORDER MONSTERS: CRASH COURSE! It’s the story of a ten-year-old boy who’s so desperate for a new best friend that he orders monsters from an ad in the back of a comic book. Hijinks ensue. It’s a tale of friendship breakups and makeups, of monsters and robots, and of racing and chasing. Kirkus Reviews’s verdict is to get it! Perfect for ages 7-12. There’s even a little Spanish sprinkled in.
If you’re thinking about buying, please consider doing so TODAY because good first-day sales boost a book’s entire trajectory.
Thanks friends, and I hope the kiddos in your life love it!
Friends and neighbors,
I am thrilled to share that I’ve received a positively epic review for MAIL-ORDER MONSTERS: CRASH COURSE, my new middle grade fantasy. Kirkus Reviews, which is the industry gold standard and premier reviewer for stores and libraries, gave my book a verdict of GET IT.
They called my story “an entertaining fantasy romp that mixes uproarious japes with wise insights into friendship and forgiveness.” PLUS, they loved my writing style (!), saying, “Acevedo’s prose is colorful and evocative, with lots of rambunctious energy. Tweens will get a kick out of the spiky characters and vigorous storytelling.”
Wow, I LOVE this. Kirkus’s “Recommended Reviews” are treasured by creators, for good reason, as they assure readers that MAIL-ORDER MONSTERS is a good bet. Click here or on the preview below for the whole review. And please do consider buying the book for a young person in your life! 🙂
I am so excited for this cover reveal of my latest book, MAIL-ORDER MONSTERS: CRASH COURSE. This book has been a long time in the making, and I’m thrilled that it’s gotten its first pre-release editorial review–and it was FIVE STARS! OMG, the relief, let me tell you.
But first, here’s the cover, in all its glory:
Mail-Order Monsters: Crash Course by Silvia Acevedo. Cover art by Jeff Miracola
Isn’t that just super? What third-, fourth-, fifth-, sixth-grader wouldn’t be enticed to pick that up? haha The artist is my husband, pro illustrator Jeff Miracola, who of course did a fabulous job. My early and beta readers will see some symbolism in the cover’s elements.
Now, what’s the story about? Here’s what’ll go on the back cover:
What does a 10-year-old boy desperate for new friends do when he sees an ad for mail-order monsters in the back of a comic book? He orders them, of course.
Ten-year-old Marco Torres needs a new bestie. Or a few. He’s on the outs with his EX-best friend and needs someone to talk to, confide in. So he takes a chance on an ad in the back of an old comic book promising something big: MAIL-ORDER MONSTERS. Marco hopes they’ll make amazing new besties and scare off his bully, who in a mean twist of fate happens to be the twin of his crush. When the monsters arrive, Marco unleashes their magic and draws the reaction he’d hoped for from his classmates until the monsters’ hilarious, uncontrolled escape through the school’s ceilings makes it nearly impossible to hide them from adults. And when Marco’s ex- bestie challenges him to a grudge match to finally settle their score, it’s Marco’s monsters against an enemy robot in a race on remote control trucks through the neighborhood junk yard. But through it all, Marco begins to wonder who should really be fighting his battles? And what exactly is he fighting for?
And that amazing FIVE STAR review? Here it is:
Mail-Order Monsters: Crash Course by Silvia Acevedo is a whimsical story about 10-year-old Marco Torres, who, feeling lonely after a fight with his best friend Tinker, impulsively orders monsters from an advertisement in an old comic book. To his surprise, the monsters arrive and come to life, turning out to be friendly and eager for adventure. As Marco explores his new friendships, faces school challenges, and tries to keep his monsters hidden from adults, he learns important lessons about trust, friendship, and being true to oneself. The story leads to a daring schoolyard race between Marco’s monsters and Tinker’s robot, testing their skills and friendship, revealing that genuine connection matters more than competition.
Silvia Acevedo’s storytelling is energetic and engaging, and I enjoyed how the blend of humor, emotion, and vivid imagery brings Marco’s world to life. The characters are relatable, especially Marco, whose feelings of loneliness, jealousy, and hope mirror those of many children. The monsters are imaginative and expressive, providing the escape that Marco needs from his dull existence. The narrative shifts between Marco’s internal thoughts, captivating dialogue, and descriptive scenes, and kept me utterly hooked. The use of colorful language, sensory details— like the smell of bubbles and the feel of soil-and humor makes the story entertaining. Mail-Order Monsters features well-developed themes of friendship, bravery, and honesty, and invites children to think about these realities. This is a well-plotted story that will entice young readers with its lovable characters and exciting adventures.
–Readers’ Favorite FIVE STAR review
Earlier I mentioned what a relief that review was. This book was nearly published 16 years ago, but the deal fell through. I didn’t give up on it, though because I knew there was something there. Instead, I reworked it. And reworked it. Haha, this book has seen sooooo many iterations. But it’s better now for it. I love this story so much, and clearly others do too. I’ll share more reviews as they come in.
For now, though, if this post has interested you into pre-ordering the book, THANK YOU! And you can do so HERE. Right now that link only shows eBook, but a softcover option is on its way.
I hope the monster-lovers in your life have a blast reading it. Rawr!!!
Today I am celebrating! On this day ten years ago, I launched the GOD AWFUL book series into the world and, people, let me tell you, it has changed my life.
When I started writing fiction in the mid-aughts, I knew it was a good change from what I’d been doing. Journalism is noble and worthy, and I’m grateful for my 25+ years in it. But I did want to spread my wings and just have FUN. I’d almost forgotten what a BLAST writing could be until I sat down to write a little story that will finally see the light of day later this year. More on that in a minute.
As I say, I wrote that story and then another and another, etc, until I got around to writing a funny, cinematic, and redemptive mythological tale called GOD AWFUL LOSER. It’s the story of a egotistical Cupid who is challenged for his celestial throne, loses spectacularly, is exiled with other fallen celestials who hate him for various offenses, and must convince them to join him in his fight back into Olympus. On the way, he fights his way into our hearts.
I knew the story has legs. I knew it could do well. You can’t write your whole life and not recognize a good story when you see it. By then, I’d let go of my literary agent for REASONS and decided to take control of my creative destiny. Self-publishing this story was a fantastic move that got it into bookstores across the country and launched my literary career. Soon came the book’s sequels: GOD AWFUL THIEF, in which Cupid is tasked to steal a powerful relic from an angry god; and GOD AWFUL REBEL, in which three snake-haired sisters lay siege to Olympus and Cupid must decide whether to do what’s right or what’s demanded. I’m especially happy with REBEL, as it features Medusa, who’ve I’ve always felt was terribly maligned and earned her rage, and because the book won the Spark Award for excellence, given by the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators. That’s a big deal in the kidlit world, and I’m ecstatic that this series got such recognition.
Next came a traditionally published book, THE HAUNTED STATES OF AMERICA. Many writers have it as a life goal to be traditionally published, so this work affirmed my career shift and feels as like a feather boa around my shoulders. So glamorous. haha
As today is the ten year anniversary of LOSER, I’ll be offering ten GOD AWFUL trilogies for just $10. That’s ALL THREE hardcover books in my series for $10, as opposed to the regular retail price of $18.99 per book, plus shipping. Find the deal here. If you miss it and are not one of the first ten, you can still get a good deal by ordering the set versus individual books. I hope you love them.
In further celebration of this big anniversary, later this year I’ll publish the GOD AWFUL series as a box set in paperback for the first time. The hardcovers are beautiful, with spot varnish, embossing, interior art, etc. The paperbacks will offer lighter, more bendable reads.
Now, back to that initial story I wrote. It was just a signature away from being traditionally published. Alas, it was not to be. BUT! The good news is that the years have enriched the story. I’m now so happy to share that MAIL-ORDER MONSTERS: CRASH COURSE has a planned release date of August 26, 2025. I’ll share more of the journey in further posts and as we get closer to its release.
So, as we start a new month with new memories to make, I hope you’ll join me in celebrating this big day. Ten years of GODAWFULness is a very big thing indeed! 🙂
Haha OMG I had such a good time at Boswell Books this weekend as I saw old friends, read aloud from THE HAUNTED STATES OF AMERICA, and answered smart questions from the audience during my author visit. It was such a fun, lively, and costumed(!) event as part of larger festivities along Downer Ave on Milwaukee’s east side. The Downer Ave Haunted Halloween festival brings out families fully dressed for a safe trick-or-treat experience, and it was just a blast. Enjoy the pictures below, and I hope to see you at my next horrifying haunting–er, book signing.
Me, as La Llorona (the Wailing Woman), the ghastly ghost said to haunt The Seven Bridges in South Milwaukee. She is the terror of my tale in the THE HAUNTED STATES OF AMERICA, so of course I had to *become* her. Bwoooo…
Me with my old friend and uber talented Milwaukee illustrator Aaron Boyd
Happy Trick-or-Treat to all the princesses and transformers out there!
Me with my old friend and huge supporter of the arts Beth R.
Reading my spoooooky tale. That podium should have been made of bones, bwahaha…
What a fun and friendly crowd.
Love the tiger ears. Rawr.
Have some candy! It’s good for you.
The tale of La Llorona gets everyone talking.
Chatting and chatting and even more chatting, how lovely 🙂
I love this swampy costume!
Signing books. Aarh! Avast, ye pirate scum!
Genuinely impressed with kids’ costumery.
The Grim Reaper is out tonight, their eyes set on you. And if they don’t get you, woe betide you, La Llorona will…
Questions for the author.
How dare you interrupt me, mortal? I’ll take your ill-fitting head.
What’s On Tap host Sandy Maxx chats with author Silvia Acevedo