Hi there!
Welcome to my newsletter! You might notice that this one is coming to you slightly earlier than expected, and that’s because, after some encouragement, I’m now trying to make this newsletter monthly instead of quarterly. The first time I tried a monthly newsletter (circa 2021), I was a brand new author and very much trying to find my footing on constantly-shifting ground. I’m hopeful that, this time around, I’ll have a better go of it, and I’m excited to share more of what’s going on in my tiny corner of the world, personally and professionally, outside of short-form social media!
April has been a paradox. The joy I’ve found from blooming flowers and singing birds has been juxtaposed by the grief and sadness I’ve felt in the wake of tornadoes and decimating severe weather. This happens every year, and it truly is a way of life in this part of the U.S., but that makes it no easier to face. I’m hopeful that the worst has passed.
If you’re interested in offering tangible support, you can donate to the Arkansas Disaster Relief Program.
On a more professional note, this time of year has been marked by what feels like the close of one chapter, and the start of a new one. Advanced, unedited copies of my adult novel I, MEDUSA have been released on NetGalley (I have no control over how many go out or how they’re distributed), and early reviews have begun to pop up. It’s a curious thing; just as readers begin to connect and attach themselves to my work, I find myself doing the opposite, intentionally detaching. It sounds odd maybe, but the truth is, I do it for my own self-preservation. Mentally, emotionally, and creatively, it’s just not ideal for me to be deeply attached to something that’s up for public consumption and critique. It doesn’t mean I don’t care about the book anymore—Meddy will always hold space in my heart, just as Koffi and Ekon do—but it does mean I’m creating healthy distance. I liken it to sending a child off to school with the trust that you’ve done the best you can to raise them; now, it’s time to let them chart their own course, for better or for worse. (But hopefully, for better!!!)
In some other exciting I, Medusa-related news, I’m pleased to share that there is a limited, special edition of the book now up for grabs! It will include gorgeous sprayed edges, a premium dust jacket with foil, and a custom-stamped case. Again this print is limited, so be sure to grab yours before they sell out! See photo below for visuals!
Now that I, MEDUSA is officially turned in and off to the printer, I’m setting my sights on the remaining projects I’ve got lined up for 2025. I talked a little about those projects in my last newsletter, but the book I’m finishing up now is actually Book #5, set to publish some time next year. This book has been a challenge; every time I think I know what it is, it throws a new curve ball at me that forces me to scrap scenes and rewrite, but those curve balls are also making the story richer. I’d be lying if I told you the current American news cycle hasn’t also affected the way I’m seeing certain elements of this book, and I hope I can talk about that someday day. (Alas, life reflects art reflects life…”)
The plan is for me to turn Draft 1 of Book #5 in soon, enjoy a small break, then start thinking about Book #6 (!!!). (By work on, I mean I will probably be outlining it, so far all I’ve got is a skeleton outline and a bomb title I’m not even sure I’ll get to keep).
I’m also working on a short story! Most of the outline for it is finished, I just have to figure out… when to write it. Fortunately, this is the one project I have some flexibility on!
If you’ve lost track that’s: 2 more books to write; 1 short story to write; 1 book to publish this Fall.
(I’m nothing, if not perilously ambitious.)
This year has been, in many ways, challenging. It’s easy to be mired down by the constant doom of the news cycle, by the utter lack of humanity I see all the time online, and by general existential musings (there is so much microplastic everywhere!!), so in 2025 I’ve made a concerted pledge to actively seek joy. Here are a few (non-work related) things that have brought me joy lately.
Formula One: As many already know, I’m an avid Formula One fan. In fact, I wrote a whole newsletter last summer about why I love it so much. The season kicked off in March (another reason to love Spring!) and I’ve had so much fun getting pulled right back into the action-packed, high-octane thrill of it all, on and off the track.
Wildlife Photography: I’m not shy about my lifelong love for wildlife (thanks, Steve Irwin) and specifically elephants. I’d been following Matthew Williams-Ellis on Instagram for a while, and was finally able to buy an authenticated print of one of his gorgeous photographs (Trilogy) recently. Also, as a full-time artist myself, it felt good to support someone else out in the world living their dream job.
A Visit to the Dog Park: A few weeks back, I went to the dog park. It was a chaotic day and I wasn’t sure I’d have time, but I went. It was only an hour-long visit, but that hour of fresh air and watching Dolly and Louie frolic around did wonders. It was a beautiful reminder that, sometimes, you’ve just got to make time to slow down and breathe deep.
And now for some more specific joys related to books/television/music:
Books:
Blood Over Bright Haven by M. L. Wang (Adult Dark Academia/Fantasy) - I have no words other than to say that this is now one of my favorite fantasy novels of the decade. Pitch: A highly ambitious woman becomes the first female highmage at a magical research center and discovers things aren’t what they seem. No notes, it was brilliant and I will now read anything Wang writes. Period. Full Stop.
Empty Planet by Darrell Bricker and John Ibbitson (Adult Nonfiction) - I’ve shared before that one of my overall goals is to read more nonfiction/books where I get to learn about Stuff™. This book is about population decline. As a woman of child-bearing age who constantly gets asked “when are you having kids???” this was an intriguing read.
The Viscount Who Loved Me by Julia Quinn (Adult Historical Romance) - The second book in the well-loved Bridgerton series that’s been adapted by Netflix (each season follows one book). I felt like the tv adaptation of this book strayed more from the source material (or maybe I’m not remembering S2!), but I still loved it. I’m also just a big fan of Julia Quinn as both a person and an author.
Movies/TV:
Adolescence (2025) - This was a limited series on Netflix about a 13 year-old boy accused of murder. An interesting thing about this series is that each episode is filmed in one continuous shot, which makes for a really unique viewer experience. I won’t spoil the end, but it was not what I was expecting and I’m still sitting with it.
Stargate (1994): Another rewatch, this time with my spouse. Not only is this one of his favorites, but it’s also the first movie we ever watched together on our first date. This time around I was struck by how similar the plot is to Disney’s Atlantis?!
Bad Influence (2025) - Netflix docuseries about the (sinister) world of kid influencers. Obviously, as a millennial I’m very aware that the current teen experience is pretty foreign to me, but this was the first time I think I truly realized how much as changed since I was a teenager. This one was harrowing, approach with caution.
Songs:
Often times, I remember segments of life by the songs I had on repeat at the time. In no special order, the songs I’ve been listening to a lot lately:
Don’t HMU by Anella
American Love Song by MOMO & Infinity Song
Indecision by Sampha
That’s all for now, see you in May!
xo,
