#10 - is this thing on?

let's play some catch up

So… hey!

It’s been a while and I really left this newsletter to rot. Truthfully, it’s because there’s simultaneously been a lot and not a lot going on at the same time, and also some not so wonderful mental health stuff and publishing woes.

2024 was a huge year in which I released my debut novel, Love and Other Conspiracies back in August. Writing and publishing a book had been a dream of mine since I was a kid, and most of the time, I still cannot believe I’m here. The book debuted on the USA Today Bestseller list, ended up in the hands of so many readers who I’ve gotten to meet over the past several months, earned out like 80% of its advance within 4 months, and just recently went into a second printing. I could have NEVER predicted how well this book would do and I am so grateful to everyone who has helped it get there.

However, publishing a book is also very weird! It not only changed me as a person (people now follow me and listen to what I say, I am a semi-public figure, it’s odd), but my relationship to writing. I became a slower drafter, questioned myself more, stressed about my words more, and now had thousands of people who would pick these stories up and read them, when before it was just me and like three friends.

Back in October 2024, I sold a third book. I am so very lucky to get to work with my splended editor Mary Baker on Entities to Lovers, my next paranormal rom-com.

Here is the less fun part: this has been the hardest time I’ve ever had writing a book. Literally ever. There was a lot of stuff going on behind the scenes that I’ll likely never be able to share, but it made creating this book extremely difficult. In fact, it actually really shook my faith in myself and my ability to keep creating. I didn’t exactly feel safe telling stories for a while, which is particularly rough when lol they have paid you to make a thing! Readers are excited to read it! Oh nooooo.

We are still in the process of getting this bad boy into the right shape, but distance while I wait for edits has given me a lot of clarity, allowed me to goof around on another WIP in the meantime that really re-invigorated my love of telling stories. And frankly, my prominent Scorpio placement will not allow me to quit so I will write a kick ass book even if only out of spite.

The graphic and announcement says Summer 2026, but honestly, we’ll see. There will be a third book. I just don’t know much else right now.

What I do know is that my SECOND BOOK Love at First Sighting comes out in just a little over TWO MONTHS!

I absolutely can’t wait for everyone to meet El and Carter so soon and I hope to see y’all at some of the events I’ve got planned later this year. I am thrilled to once again partner with The Ripped Bodice for the Love at First Sighting Preorder Campaign!

Zane M. Fannin did THE COOLEST pulp style art for LAFS and I can confirm the prints look so wonderful. Stickers were designed by me and they sparkle. If you’re excited about these goodies, please do support TRB (and me!). You can also purchase signed copies of Love and Other Conspiracies through that link above, too. Preorders are super duper important to newer authors like moi, so every sale means so much to me!

I am hoping to be more active here moving forward as we get deeper into promo for Love at First Sighting, but hey a girly pop has ADHD, I make no promises.

Events I Can Talk About So Far:

• Romance Con - 9/4-9/6, Milwaukee, WI

• Fall Into Books Festival - 9/20, Anaheim, CA

• Love & Tech Book Festival - 11/21-11/22, Santa Clara, CA

• LoveLitCon - 2/13-2/15/26 - San Diego, CA

Other Fun Things:

I am working on an extra fun new WIP that I hope you will all get to read one day. It’s not contracted, so we’re just in draftingland here. It feels really special and made me fall back in love with writing again. It’s weird, unhinged (shocking, I know!) and very me. Wanna see my silly little moodboard? yay.

Food for Cryptids (aka thoughts on things going on in the weird world):

GUYS WHERE THE HELL IS ANNABELLE? IS SHE REALLY MISSING AND RUNNING AROUND? OR IS THIS ALL A JOKE? I feel like this doll nightmare is in a different location every time I hear about her and that Cannot Be Good.

ok byeee