(Click to embiggen)

Bitterblue will be released on May 1, 2012 in the USA, Canada, UK, Australia, and New Zealand. It will be released on the same day in a few other countries/languages as well; I’ll supply that information when I have it.

A few reasons I love the (USA/Canada) cover above: It feels like Bitterblue (the character) to me. The colors have special significance. The keys are a highly appropriate icon (like Katsa’s dagger on the Graceling cover). And, the keys look like weapons. :o)

Here’s a link to today’s press release in Publisher’s Weekly, which includes a little bit of teaser information about the book. Thanks to Sue Corbett for the interview.

Here’s where you can preorder on bn.com. Here’s where you can preorder on Amazon. Ask your local indie bookseller about preordering, too, if preordering is what you want to do.

A lot of people have asked me why it took so long for me to finish this book. The answer is simple. It’s not because I was distracted; it’s not because I wasn’t working my ass off; it’s simply because Bitterblue is longer and more complicated than the other books I’ve written, and some books require more time than others. The book decides.

There’s so much more to say, but for now, I’m just going to breathe a sigh of relief that I’m finally able to share the news and the cover. Enjoy, everyone!