Housekeeping

December 13, 2023Leave a comment

It’s been a while since I’ve posted here and I’m excited to share a few things:

I have a new book coming out on January 30, 2024! It’s about faith and abuse and community and finding your voice.
It’s gotten some very nice reviews so far.
It’s also been named an Indie Next Pick for January/February–yay indie bookstores!
For Boston-area folks: I’m going to be having a launch party at Brookline Booksmith. Come for the book talk, stay for the hugs.

I’ll be sharing updates/thoughts/fun stuff periodically here. If you just want the occasional update, you can also sign up for my newsletter.

The internet landscape is so different from when I first started blogging. (Okay, the whole world is so different from when I first started blogging.) But being here gives me very You’ve Got Mail vibes in the best bouquet of sharpened pencils kind of way, and I hope you feel that, too.

YA Passport at Trident Booksellers with Lauren McLaughlin and Annie Cardi

February 28, 2017Leave a comment

capture Hey there, Boston-area YA fans! This Thursday, I’m going to be at Trident Booksellers & Cafe with fellow YA writer Lauren McLaughlin for a conversation about books, writing, and probably how great the sweet potato fries are at Trident. Lauren’s launching her new book, The Free, and I’m so excited to be part of the festivities.

The details:

YA Passport with Lauren McLaughlin and Annie Cardi
March 2, 2017, 7:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Trident Booksellers & Cafe
338 Newbury Street, Boston, MA 02115

Come say hi, get some tasty food/a refreshing beverage, snag a book, and take part in a fantastic YA conversation!

Friday Fifteen

June 10, 2016Leave a comment

Happy Friday, guys! Tomorrow I’ll be taking part in B-Fest, Barnes & Noble’s national teen book festival, in Charlottesville, VA, aka one of my favorite places ever. If you’re in the Central Virginia area, swing by and say hi. In the meantime, let’s get the weekend started with a look at what I’ve been reading and writing in fifteen words or fewer:

Reading: Bleed Like Me by Christa Desir
Christa has such a way of writing about teens in pain struggling to find peace.

Writing: “Well I didn’t throw a plate in anyone’s face so [my day is going] fabulously.”
It’s the little victories.

Join Me at Teen B-Fest at Barnes & Noble in Charlottesville!

June 1, 2016Leave a comment

Good news: going to Charlottesville, VA, (aka my favorite place) for a visit in a couple weeks.

Even better news: my visit also coincides with Barnes & Noble’s national teen book festival, B-Fest.

Best news: I get to join B-fest for a reading and signing at Barnes & Noble Charlottesville!

The details:

Saturday, June 11, 2pm
Barnes & Noble – Charlottesville, VA
1035 Emmet St Suite A, Charlottesville, Virginia 22903

Come hear me talk about writing, the awesomeness of YA lit, and why I dream of Bodo’s. Check out the Facebook event page for more info, and come say hi on Saturday, June 11!

Friday Fifteen

May 27, 2016Leave a comment

Happy Friday, guys! I had a pretty good writing week, got to hang out with lovely bookish people last night (more below), and we’re heading into a long, relaxing weekend, so I’m feeling good. Let’s kick things off with a look at what I’ve been reading and writing in fifteen words or fewer.

Reading: The Dream Thieves by Maggie Stiefvater
I got to see Maggie at a reading yesterday and she’s a literary awesome wizard.

Writing: “Can we sit with you?” “Is that an actual question or is it like rhetorical?”
New main character is not a joiner.

Links Galore

February 9, 2016Leave a comment

Lots of links I’ve been saving:

Thoughtful and encouraging advice for young writers.
Books are in the mail for Baltimore’s youngest readers.
The wonderful Lindsay Smith on how outlining help her double her word count last year.
A feminist book list is my favorite.
Marley and her #1000blackgirlbooks campaign warms my heart.
How to support your favorite books and writers.
Excellent roundup of books dealing with dating violence.
Tales as old as time.
The cultural significance of award-winning books featuring diversity.
And speaking of diversity, the publishing landscape is pretty bleak.
A new Beatrix Potter story + Quentin Blake art = British children’s list awesomeness.
Great interview with the wonderful Anna-Marie McLemore.
Love this look at the ampersand.
The seven deadly signs of readings–seriously, don’t be a glutton.
Books featuring trans characters by trans authors.
Fascinating look at Anne Shirley and abortion activism on Prince Edward Island.
Awesome map of the A Wrinkle in Time universe.
A world of wizarding schools for us to attend.
Moby Dick and the War Rig. Guys, I love Mad Max: Fury Road so much.
In case you need help with your new year’s resolution to get more organized.
This YA publishing road map is made of awesome.

Friday Fifteen

January 8, 2016Leave a comment

Happy Friday, everyone! I’m extra excited for this Friday, because it’s the start of ALA weekend here in Boston, which means I get to meet some of my favorite librarians and bloggers and writers in person. Book lovers unite!

In case you’re in town for the conference or a YA-loving local, don’t forget to come to tonight’s Real Teen Lives YA panel at Brookline Booksmith (7pm EST)! In the meantime, let’s kick off the weekend with a look at what I’ve been reading and writing in fifteen words or fewer.

Reading: Bitch Planet, Vol 1: Extraordinary Machine (Bitch Planet #1-5) by Kelly Sue DeConnick, Valentine De Landro, Taki Soma, Robert Wilson
Started off the year with some feminist sci-fi graphic novel goodness.

Writing: “I wonder if Ms. Simpson is somewhere now, walking with the living and reciting poetry.”
My latest short story (about poetry and the zombie apocalypse) is up at the Hanging Garden.

Real Teen Lives YA Panel – January 8!

December 17, 2015Leave a comment

After last winter and 100+ inches of snow in the Boston area, there are only two things that could have me looking forward to January: ALA Midwinter and a panel with delightful fellow YA authors at the wonderful Brookline Booksmith! Details for the event:

Real Teen Lives Young Adult Panel
Friday, January 8th, 7pm at Brookline Booksmith
YA authors who are keeping it real. Come see Marieke Nijkamp, Laurie Elizabeth Flynn, Emily Martin, Jen Malone, and me, as we talk about crafting real stories for teen readers.

Librarians in town for ALA, please join us and share some high fives for contemp goodness!

Friday Fifteen

July 17, 2015Leave a comment

Happy Friday, everyone! Tonight, I’ll be at Porter Square Books with a bunch of awesome YA authors, so come say hi, get some books signed, and chat with us about all things writing/reading.

And even if you’re not in the general Boston area, we can get the weekend rolling with a look at what I’ve been reading and writing in fifteen words or under:

Reading: Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell
Brought back lots of good first year of college feelings. Also dig a fandom story.

Writing: “Fortunately, we’re accepting volunteers for the secret project.”
Hijinks in the WIP!

Book Cupcakes, Long Showers, and Writing Through Rejection: a YA Panel at Blue Bunny Books

March 17, 2015Leave a comment

The whole group--Cara, Kim, me, Gina, and AC!

The whole group, from L to R–Cara, Kim, me, Gina, and AC!

There are few things that can get me out of the house on a rainy Saturday. One of them: an awesome event at a local bookstore with a few other fantastic YA authors. Blue Bunny Books & Toys hosted us and, if you haven’t been before, it is the cutest store. Seriously, even if you’re not in Dedham, make the trip.

Our panel consisted of Kim Harrington, Cara Bertrand, AC Gaughen, Gina Damico, and me. We ended up having a great mix of genres represented, from paranormal romance to historical adventure to mystery to dark comedy to contemporary. It was cool to learn about how everyone approaches the writing process (we all understand the importance of showers as a place for creative thought) and creatingcharacters that feel real. We talked about powering through rejection, because every writer faces rejection in all stages of their careers; and as hard as rejection is, I always appreciate when I hear about how hard other writers have worked to get an agent/get published/sell their ninth book/etc. We answered questions from the audience and signed books and chatted with fellow book lovers about the importance of colorful nail polish.

Our very own book cupcakes!

Thanks so much to the Blue Bunny team, my fellow panelists, and everyone who came out to see us. What an awesome way to spend a rainy Saturday afternoon!