Cover Reveal: The Land Of Yesterday by K. A. Reynolds

Hi everyone! Today is a very special day here on Pop! Goes The Reader. I’ve been working behind the scenes for a couple of weeks now with author Kristin Reynolds on the cover reveal for her 2018 middle grade debut, The Land of Yesterday, and I think I can speak for both of us when I say we’re extremely excited to finally be able to share it exclusively with you here today! Coming to a bookstore and library near you July 31st 2018 from HarperCollins, The Land of Yesterday tells the story of Cecelia Dahl, whose entire family is devastated in the wake of her brother’s death, and who must venture into the Land of Yesterday in order confront the ghosts of their collective past in an attempt to help her family better navigate their grief. The cover of The Land of Yesterday was designed by Helen Musslewhite. Please read on to learn more about this heartfelt and touching middle grade debut, including the exclusive cover reveal, complete synopsis, a special note from the author about the novel’s origins and inspiration and a chance to win a signed, advance reader copy of The Land of Yesterday from the author!


About K. A. Reynolds

K. A. Reynolds is a poet and writer from Winnipeg Canada currently residing in the wilds of Maine. Her superpowers include: Monty Python references, risqué madlibs, and saving spiders from certain peril. When not madly typing, daydreaming, or caring for the elderly, she enjoys laughing, smiling, apologizing (and other favorite Canadian pastimes), swapping bad jokes with her numerous offspring, herding various furry beasts, and reading strange and colorful tales expertly crafted by other imagination astronauts in love with words.

Author Links: WebsiteTwitterInstagramGoodreads

The first thing I remember writing was my new name at six years old. My mother had recently married my step-father. We’d just moved. I was lying on my stomach in the basement of our new house, one province away from family, friends, and home. I have such a clear memory of putting pencil to paper, of trying his last name on for size and really wanting to get it right. He wasn’t a good man, my step-father. And I didn’t want his name. But my mother was right there beside me, helping me spell my new title and navigate my new life. So, even though things were scary, everything was still okay. Because I still had her.

The next thing I remember writing was when I was seven. It was a letter I wrote to my mother on the floor of that same basement after she died. Her death was sudden. Tragic. My step-father’s fault. I wrote her to ask why she left me and if she would please come back from heaven. I made an envelope for my letter and threw it to the ceiling of the basement hoping she’d catch it. I completely believed she’d catch it. But she didn’t of course, and that letter went answered.

I remember crying so hard with my face in the hideous red carpet — sobbing and shaking for so long, wishing my tears would wash me away. I wanted to be where my mother was, not left alone inside a real-life nightmare with the man who became my monster. And though I don’t remember what happened to that letter, I’d like to think it found its way into my heart for safe-keeping. For the day I was finally ready to sit down and write this book.

Those first pieces of writing were the truest things I’d ever written until I wrote The Land of Yesterday. Not only does this story hold my heart, but the dark and magical desert of ghosts I’d been searching for since writing my mother that note all those years ago. I am forever indebted to The Land of Yesterday‘s heroine, Cecelia Andromeda Dahl, for finding me at just the right time: on my knees, ready to give up writing forever. When I handed her my mother’s letter, she knew just what to do with it.

I’d also like to thank everyone reading this small story of myself now. Thank you, thank you, thank you.

Now, without further ado, I’m thrilled to present the cover for The Land of Yesterday! It was created by the brilliant and otherworldly, Helen Musslewhite, paper artist extraordinaire. I’d been dreaming of this book cover for so long, in my mind, I knew just how it should look. And I swear to you, I couldn’t have imagined anything more perfect than this. Thank you, Helen, for bringing Cecelia and a bit of her world to life. I couldn’t be happier with all you’ve done!

Ahhh, I’m so excited! Okay, here it is…



Title The Land of Yesterday
Author K. A. Reynolds
Pages N/A
Intended Target Audience Middle Grade
To Be Published July 31st 2018 by HarperCollins
Find It On Goodreads

After Cecelia Dahl’s little brother, Celadon, dies tragically, his soul goes where all souls go: The Land of Yesterday. And Cecelia is left behind in a fractured world without him. Her beloved house’s spirit is crumbling beyond repair, her father is imprisoned by sorrow, and worst of all, her grief-stricken mother abandons the land of the living to follow Celadon into Yesterday.

It’s up to Cecelia to put her family back together, even if that means venturing into the dark and forbidden Land of Yesterday on her own. But as Cecilia braves a hot air balloon commanded by two gnomes, a sea of daisies, and the Planet of Nightmares, it’s clear that even if she finds her family, she might not be able to save them. And if she’s not careful, she might just become a lost soul herself, trapped forever in Yesterday.

As an extra, exciting bonus, Kristin has been kind enough to offer one lucky reader the opportunity to win an advance reader copy of The Land of Yesterday! The prize will be distributed once ARCs become available. Please fill out the Rafflecopter form below to enter!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

10 Responses

  1. I enjoyed this emotional post very much. I know now that this book will feel authentic and I am thrilled to add it to my must read list.

  2. I cannot wait to read your first published book K. Book one of many more to come I’m sure about that. I really like the cover.
    You’ve always been such an amazingly strong and resilient woman and mother and I’m proud to call you my friend. I wish you nothing but success and future happiness and I’m hoping that through this journey we will be able to finally meet in person when you visit Australia for your book signing. I’m beyond thrilled that your dream is coming true. X

  3. You are on your way! Congrats on the unveiling of your book cover! Looking forward to reading the first of many books to come! Your memories of your first writing experiences were so emotional. Love ya!

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Hi! I’m Jen! I’m a thirty-something introvert who loves nothing more than the cozy comfort of home and snuggling my two rescue cats, Pepper and Pancakes. I also enjoy running, jigsaw puzzles, baking and everything Disney. Few things bring me more joy than helping a reader find the right book for them!

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