Happy Birthday Gallagher Academy
It's hard to believe, but exactly one year ago today--Wednesday, March 23, 2005--I got an email from my agent (Kristin) asking if I'd been kicking around any ideas for the YA genre.
Well, no, I hadn't been kicking around any ideas, but I totally wasn't going to tell my agent that, so I jotted down every wild idea that popped into my head for the next three or four hours.
Then Kristin wrote back with the message that would change my life..."Those aren't good enough."
So I went home, popped some popcorn and started thinking of more ideas. While I worked, I had the TV on in the background, with the sound on mute. Alias was on, and I glanced up to see a whole bunch of girls running through a series of dark hallways, and I thought to myself, hey, did she go to spy school?
Well, I turned the volume up to learn that, no, she didn't go to spy school, but then I thought SPY SCHOOL!!!!
Kristin loved the idea, and I started to work. In about a month, the three sample chapters and outline had landed me a two-book deal with Hyperion Books for Children. A few weeks after that, Disney came calling with their offer to option the movie rights.
It's been a year now, and I probably feel today like a lot of new mothers. I can't believe it's been so long. I can't believe it's real. And, most importantly, I can't believe that my little book has grown up so fast. She's going to be going off on her own, out into the big, bad world in a little more than a month.
No. This can't be possible.
I forbid it.
It's a good thing I have a little sister (aka sequel) still at home to keep me busy.
--Ally
next post: I know I promised a sneak peek at my Pikes Peak Writers Conference session, but this birthday blindsided me--next time, I promise!
posted by Ally Carter at Thursday, March 23, 2006
26 Comments:
Awesome Ally.
I think it will be a hoot to see your stuff out there.
Keep cranking them out - and keep popping popcorn, if that's your mojo! LOL!
Lady M
thanks! And you don't have to worry about me going off popcorn anytime soon!
Ally
I just finished reading your book, it was great(ITYILYBTIHTKY). It really kept me entertained the whole way way through. I can't wait to read the next book. And the movie is like the icing on the cake. Im telling all my friends about ur books and cant wait to read to read more.
P.S. Congradulations on the whole Disney part of the movie.
I suspect George de Mestral wouldn't appreciate your misrepresentation in your book.
Saw the book at the home of a friend, read it, over all enjoyed it, but couldn't get away from thoughts like "ignore that, it's for kids!" Is this excess of fiction what it takes to hold a kid's attention? They probably aren't thinking about things like "if a genius is going to learn 14 languages (of the 6,912 available) is she going to waste her time on Swahili, when one such as Dutch (much more common and useful to a spy) barely makes it into the top 50 (#48)?"
Or "are genius children (and potential spys) most likely the offspring of incredibly wealthy parents who would want their children to become spys, even if it weren't for the staggering cost of the education, considering what the tuition would have to be for the academy?"
And would the geniuses running the academy have lapses in their security which allowed their virtual prisoners to come and go at will?
I can see why Disney liked it.
I notice that when the guys come to the security laced academy to get their proof the genius thinks she needs to do something more than just sit in her room and let security do its job, as if the (clearly non genius) guys had any idea what they faced if they got past the walls.
And the heritage of the spy academy dates back to a time well before this country even started a spy network? OK,I get it,this isn't the Di Vinci Code, it isn't base on facts.
George got his idea in 1948, and patented it in 1955. Why play so wild and free with such facts, stealing his thunder? It's just as if I claimed to have writen this book, which clearly I couldn't.
And yet, I enjoyed it.
Wait a minute, I thought Harry Potter invented velcro...
I love to write and I'm pretty good myself, do you think any one would publish my book?
(P.S. I'm 11, though my work doesnt seem like it)
wow. I'm in the middle of reading your book. what's the name of the sequel? so I can look 4 it.and wat movie? so confused! :( anyway, if its a movie, wen r tryouts 4 x-tras cuz i KNOW i'd nevr make the lead... yet another:(
somethings rong with the site. i posted that comment at 9:40 and this at 10:10
okay...so i read the book and loved it!!! but in the front it said sombodys name and then 'a true gallagher girl' . so does that mean there really was a gallagher academy ... because if so i would like more info its sounds like it would make a great report!!! and fun to just read about. oooo... by the way... whats the sequall's name...im looking for it.
Is there a movie coming out? when? i'd love to be in it! You know my school isnt a spy school but the gallagher academey sure has a lot of simularities to mine, which is also an all girls school. Super Cool!
I love this book! I was shopping at borders about a week ago, and I saw the cover and it really interested me. I know that's a bad habit to have, shopping by cover. But I bought it and the sequel. I read this one in about two days and the Cross My Heart and Hope to Spy in a day! IT WAS SO GOOD! I hope there's a movie I want to be in it SOOO bad!
hello!
Ally,
this was sucha good book!
i cant wait to read the other one!
are you making a movie?? i can't wait to see it if you do !
thanks!
I just got done reading Id tell you i love but then id have to kill you book! I loved so much i want to read more!!
is the Gallagher Academy a real school? if so is it actually for "spies in training"?
r u really going 2 have this book made into a movie? that would be so cool!
Ally I am in the middle of your book it is my favorite book ever. I am in 6th grade and a ton of people are reading it. I am also a black belt in karate and a dancer. I have always wanted to become a spy and when I read the book I quickly went and looked up the Gallagher Academy and it is a school for the arts. Because I will be in 7th grade and thats where the grade levels start. Josh sounds so cute. But anyway can you please write me back.
Thanks~
Anomous
ally, im doing a book report on you. but i cant find any information on you. all i can find is information on your books. do you know where i can find the stuff i need?????
hey i loved the gallagher girl bookd you've made how many are you planning on writing
hey i read your book very interesting just wondering if Gallagher academy was real if so where is it located cuz it seems like a cool school =D
i really loved your book it is the best i wish there really was a spy school for girls!!
Agent HK
i think they should really make a movie about these 2 books!!!! it will become so popular, everyone will want to watch them!
im the biggest fan tho!
if the movie came out i will be one of the 1st ppl to watch it! it will probably be a #1 movie for teens!
plz!!!!!!!!!
ps: i <3 the 2 books! ur my favorite author! (make movie!plz)
u could also make shirts or wat ever tht represent the stories-ide tell you i love you but then ide have to kill you, cross my heart hope to spy.!!!! i made a sign up and over 300 aproved tht they wanted the movie!!!!! u will be so popular!( sorry but im not sure if there is a movie plz tell me)!!!!!!!!
Hey Ally ,
this is the best book ever i can't help but keep reading . i just bought the sequel it is amazing. i hope ther e is a movie. thanks for write this book !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!:-)
km
dear Ally,im a middle school girl right now (6th grade),i saw the book in my libray,i saw the cover and thought wow this looks realy interesting and so now im reading it and well its awesome,i realy love it,all my friends want to read it after me and even my boy friend!i cant wait to read Cross my heart and hope to spy!oh and whats the movie for the book im reading?(i'd tell you i love you but then i'd have to kill you)thanks!
searria
Ally,
Do you know when the movie is coming out? And what book is it based on? Love your books!!!
SPY IN TRAINING
I have read both books and I absolutely love them they are my favorite series and I can't wait till June 2009 for the 3rd bookFrom Madi
omg i heart ur books. cant wait for next one and im sure it will be awesome too. i am a published author too and my name is ally too!!
Is gallagher academy real?
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