The Cupcake Queen

A city girl is whisked away to a small town to help her mom run a cupcake bakery in this delightful young adult novel.

“An endearing and poignant story about standing up to adversity and finding peace in what is, rather than holding out for what could be . . . makes for layered teen reading.”—Publishers Weekly

“Penny’s sardonic first-person narration is sophisticated . . . Readers will root for Penny, a talented artist, as she develops her gifts and adapts to small-town life.”—Kirkus Reviews

Can one cupcake sweeten a whole relationship?

When Penny arrives at Hog’s Hollow with her mom, her life changes drastically. Penny’s mother now runs a bakery that sells only cupcakes, and Penny is stuck helping out. But that isn’t the worst of it. Not only did she leave her friends back in NYC, but her dad stayed behind too. And then there’s Charity, resident mean girl who’s out to get Penny for no reason at all. But there are also her new friends: Tally and Blake . . . and Marcus—the cute, quiet boy who runs on the beach every night. Just when Penny begins to accept her new life, she’s forced to make a choice that will change everything . . .

Standard and Primary covers are widely available through general retailers. They often have higher print runs and can be cheaper, especially during sales.

In contrast, Direct Market (DM) and variant covers are primarily sold in comic shops. DM editions tend to have more limited availability and may be more valuable to collectors.

The main differences lie in artwork style, availability, price, and collector appeal. Ultimately, the choice between standard and variant covers depends on personal preference, budget, and individual collecting goals.

Comic book enthusiasts have various formats to choose from when collecting their favorite stories.
Here's a brief overview of the main types:

Omnibus

• Large, hardcover collections
• Usually contain complete runs or extensive story arcs
• Typically 800-1000+ pages
• Higher price point, often €100-€150

Oversized Hardcover (OHC)

• Similar dimensions to omnibus, but thinner
• Collect shorter runs or story arcs
• Usually 300-600 pages
• Priced between €30-€50

Hardcover (HC)

• Standard-sized hardcover books
• Collect 6-12 issues typically
• Similar dimensions to single issues, but with a hard cover
• Priced around €25-€35

Trade Paperback (TP)

• Softcover collections
• Standard comic book size
• Usually collect 4-6 issues
• Most affordable option, typically €15-€25

Other Formats

• Absolute Editions: Oversized, deluxe hardcovers (mainly DC Comics)
• Compendiums: Massive paperback collections
• Graphic Novels (OGN/GN): Original stories not previously released as single issues

The choice between these formats often depends on personal preference, budget, and collecting goals. Omnibus and OHC editions offer larger artwork and more content but at a higher price, while TPs provide a more affordable way to collect complete story arcs