The countdown is on!
+ Book Tour Events Details!
Hanging out at my parents’ house as an adult is wild. Like, first, when did the half and half get swapped out for oatmilk creamer? Not complaining, just… wondering. And, seriously, did I actually grow up in this teeny tiny bedroom (sullenly hunkered—the emo years were strong) without high-speed internet or a cell phone? Then, I wonder: When did the neighbors get chickens; why are the coffee mugs in a different cabinet; how the hell am I supposed to plug my laptop in when there are no outlets anywhere near the comfortable chair? Wait, this isn’t the comfortable chair—where’s my favorite chair?
Growing up, I had some control of the space I was in. I got to decorate my room (which is now an office!?) how I wanted, the kitchen cabinets “magically” contained my favorite snacks, and I knew when the walls would change color (again, and often) because I’d be cutting in at the edges with my mom while my dad managed the roller.
I moved out years (and years, and years) ago, and though I moved back home a couple of times between then and now, I gave up my childhood bedroom for my parents to revamp as they wished. Apparently, my vision for a B*Witched and S Club 7-themed space didn’t match their vision for an office. Since it’s no longer my room, I’ve come to terms with the “OFFICIAL FAN CLUB” merch being relegated to a shoebox in my closet.
There’s probably some lesson here about the art of letting go? Which means I’m probably about to turn this post into something book-related?
bingo
Recently, I dug through piles of my old writing. Stories, novels, poems, songs, fanfic (so much fanfic). Things I wrote while tucked away in that bedroom-now-office. Things I wrote for me, and for me alone. I saved all of it, and I’m the only person who ever read it. I held it close, unwilling to let it go beyond my heart and my head.
Then, Text Appeal happened. At first, this one was just for me, too. Then, I shared it with my critique partners, who helped me wrestle it into beta-reader status, and my beta readers helped me wrangle it until it was query-able. My agent’s and editor’s magical literary powers helped me mold this book into its final form.
By the end of the process, it wasn’t for me anymore. It had been mine. It became exactly the book I had in my head—with lots of hands along the way—but soon, it’ll belong to the world. It won’t matter what I think Toby’s singing voice sounds like, Lark’s favorite ice cream is, or how Dandy’s is decorated (I have very stong opinions on all of these). I don’t get to dress it up to my tastes anymore, because I’m handing it off to the readers who will have their own feelings about everything.
Kind of like letting go of those carefully chosen glow-in-the-dark stars and J-14-covered walls when I moved out.
I’ve heard other authors describe this feeling, and as we hit the 2-week ‘til launch milestone, I think I get it.
To celebrate my upcoming debut and all of the writing that came before it, I fumbled my way through making this TikTok video, which tested my videography skills and resulted in at least three utterances of made-up profanities.
Tiktok failed to load.Enable 3rd party cookies or use another browser
Book Launch Events
August 8, 2023 at 8PM (ET): Sarah Adler, author of Mrs. Nash’s Ashes, is joining me virtually for an Instagram Live Pub Day Chat. We’ll talk about all things Text Appeal, I’ll give away some “door prizes,” and we’ll discuss the wider romance genre as well.
August 11, 2023 at 6PM: Northshire Bookstore in Manchester, Vermont is graciously hosting a Text Appeal launch event, where I’ll be in conversation with fellow author, Audrey Ruoff. If you’re in the area, we’d be thrilled to have you pop in. I’ll be there to discuss all things romance, chat about Text Appeal, and sign books. We’ll have snacks!
Bits and Pieces!
What I’m Reading: I just finished Planes, Trains, and All the Feels by Livy Hart and people. Just, ahhhh. So funny. So heartfelt. So all the things.
I’m almost finished reading an unpublished manuscript and the way I cannot wait for the world to get their hands on this book someday, you don’t even know. I’d swear it was written specifically for me.
What I’m Writing: Texting weird notes-to-self at 3am that make no sense by morning.
What I’m Listening To: I joke that my brain has elevator music. Music happens in my head to fill quiet, or when I need to block out loud. The specific music depends on my mood. Lately, my brain has been defaulting to Crab Dance by Noisestorm—which is way too catchy. Get it stuck in your head here.
The Obligatory Self-Promotion
My debut novel, TEXT APPEAL, releases in two weeks (!!!) on August 8, 2023 from Alcove Press, August 10, 2023 in the UK, and as an Audiobook from Recorded Books. It’ll be coming to Poland in Spring 2024, details to come.
Publishers Weekly called it “An enormously satisfying friends-to-lovers tale with a You’ve Got Mail twist,” and if that’s not cool I don’t know what is.
Choose Your Own Adventure
Add to Goodreads | Pre-order from your preferred retailer | Request at your library | Get Pre-Order Swag | Surprise Destination (not book related!)
So excited for this book launch!!!