Thank you Illinois libraries for making BREATHE a finalist for this year's award. It means the world to me. 🫶 Are you an indie/hybrid author too living in Illinois? The next award cycle is about to begin. #writerscommunity #authorlife #indiebooks #historicalfiction #library

Thanks for inviting me back for your Lit Fest, Tinley Park High School. I enjoyed working with your talented teens today. Kudos to Ms. Yunker and the TPHS team who put this event together. Your community is lucky to have you. #writingcommunity #schoolvisit #authorlife #yabooks #creativewriter

Hey, authorpreneur! Are you attending this year's Women's in Publishing Summit? Want to know how I was able to rebuild my author career (and surpass it!) after moving across the country 3 years ago? The simple answer: Friends and colleagues. Our panel will be sharing actionable tips and

Hey, Chicago Book Dragons, have you been out to B&N Old Orchard's new location yet? It was hopping today. So many teen and younger readers about! It makes my ❤️ happy. It was fun to sign with YA fantasy author Markelle Grabo (and her adorable fox). #books #yabooks #reading #authorlife #skokie

See you tomorrow, Skokie Book Dragons! stores.barnesandnoble.com/event/978006... #booksignings #authorpreneur #readers #books

Happy Anniversary Lil Book! You launched 2 weeks before the US went into lockdown in 2020 (1 out of 10, highly DON'T recommend), but you've gone on to do some amazing things. I can't wait to see where we go next. Netflix...cough cough...Hulu? I'm open for another on-the-ice romance adaptation.

It's Hinamatsuri! 3/3 is Girls' Day or Dolls Day in #Japan. A time to celebrate the health, happiness & prosperity for girls. Because we are both foodies & I work PT in a Jpn sweet shop, I bought this special goodie bag for my daughter. #ひな祭り#hinamatsuri #girlsday #mixedasianfam #japanesefood

🌸🌸🌸🌸🌸 Let's start Spring Break early! I'll be signing this Sat. 3/7 from 12-3 pm at the new B&N Old Orchard store in Skokie, IL. 🌸🌸🌸🌸🌸 #springbreak2026 #reading #yabooks #authorlife #booksigning

I am so bummed to miss tomorrow's (2/28) Books & Brews event at Brother Chimp Brewery in St. Charles. I have caught some kind of bug. And though I love to share with readers, you don't want this. 🤒 #readers #authors #occupationalhazards

Don't let my cat's apathy fool you. I took 6 pages of notes during today's @chicagonorthrw.bsky.social workshop on #screenwriting with @audreywilsonauthor.bsky.social. My brain right now...🤯. I've been studying screenwriting off & on for a while now. This was a great kick in the pants. #writer

I was walking along Lake Michigan yesterday with Hubby when we stumbled across...Sparkle Shark! 🦈 #lakemichigan #northwesternuniversity #sparkleshark #shark #authorlife

I've been going to #Japan for 30 yrs & always sleep on futon while I'm there. I was today years old when I learned that the layers actually have different names under the broader term. Time to fix that in my current WIP. #writer #writing Here's the answer: jlifeinternational.com/blogs/news/a...

I went to the @dandelionbookshop.bsky.social in Oak Park last night for an @scbwi.bsky.social IL event. I didn't know they had my books on their shelves. 🥹 Thank you, Jamie and Team Dandelion, for championing Chicagoland authors. We appreciate you.🫶 #indiebookshop #oakpark #books #sweetromance

Are you as obsessed with the #figureskating & #icedancing at the #WinterOlympics as I am? Many of the costumes are gorgeous works of art. Madison Chock's designs for her pair, along w other skaters, are particularly amazing. Did you know that I had to change Olivia's skating costume in ERWS at

The 2026 #WinterOlympics start tonight! What's your favorite winter sport to watch? To nobody's surprise, #figureskating is my fav sport, but I will also be glued to the TV for short track #speedskating & #icedancing. We are a house divided. I cheer for Team USA, while Hubs cheers for Team Japan.

It's World Read Aloud Day! Did you know that we're not just reading to little kids today? I read to multiple classrooms of 9th/10th grade students at Foster High School in Richmond, TX. Since the #Olympics start on Friday, I read from EVERY REASON WE SHOULDN’T. @litworld.bsky.social #WRAD #literacy

A big thanks to the Oak Lawn Park District for having me do my bento-making workshop with their special recreation participants. We had a lot of fun together making bento for their loved ones. Kudos to Jacqueline for making it all happen. She's the best! Food is love. 🍱🫶 #bentobox #autism #foodies

Hey, @npr.org, thank you for giving EVERY REASON WE SHOULDN'T (@torbooks.bsky.social) a shout-out. It made my day. This one goes out to all the 1-in-a-million teens dreaming of competing at the #WinterOlympics --like Olivia (figure skater) & Jonah (speed skater). #books www.npr.org/2026/01/24/n...

I'm hoping to make this event. It looks like so much fun! #Writers #kidlit #yabooks

A big thank you to super librarian Kat and the Glenview Public Library (IL) writing community for having me speak tonight. I look forward to seeing you at IL bookish events with *your* book (trad or indie!) in the future. #writingcommunituly #library #authorpreneur #tradauthor #indieauthor

Let's play with our food! A big thanks to Susan and the Forest Park Public Library team for having me out tonight to teach my bento-making workshop. I loved working with your community members. Though we all had the same box, tools, & food, no two turned out the same. Itadakimasu! #foodies #library

Hey, school/public libraries getting ready to build special collections for their teen readers in honor of the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milano Cortina. Here are some titles for your consideration. Thank you! @torbooks.bsky.social www.slj.com/story/five-t... #winterolympics #library #YAbooks

Thank you to all the readers who braved the intense cold 🥶 today in Chicagoland to come see us at Macushla Brewing Company. We appreciate you! 🫶 A big thanks to Megan, Jacob, and the whole MBC crew for hosting us today. #readers #books #author #brewery

Getting ready for my final author signing event of 2025 at Macushla Brewing Company in Glenview, IL. Enjoy a festive drink, delicious nosh, and an afternoon with some awesome local author friends. I'll be there repping Team YA. #readers #humanmade #authorlife #yabooks #breweryevents

It would blow 2003 Sara's mind to know that this article for PAHO (part of WHO) about the Spanish Flu would still be relevant today. Two Chicagoland HS students found me through this article, and we just did an interview for their #History Fair documentary. 🤯 www.paho.org/en/who-we-ar...

Big thanks to Ms. Miller from Batavia HS & Ms. Blum from Hononegah HS for inviting me to Zoom w your wonderful students today for @scbwi.bsky.social IL's Read ALOUD Illinois Day. I enjoyed talking about EVERY REASON WE SHOULDN’T w them. They asked great questions. #reading #scbwi #literacy #library

Hey, Illinois teachers and school librarians! Did you know that a bunch of @scbwi-illinois.bsky.social of all levels are volunteering their time to do 20-minute Zoom readings on Friday, 12/5/25? I have 2 slots left for MS/HS classes. #readaloudillinois #teachers #schoollibrary #author #literacy

Pikachu and I had a fun, artsy, profitable day at the Hoffman Estates Craft Fair. Thank you to everyone who came out and purchased human-made gifts from local, small businesses. We appreciate you! 🫶 Psst...now go create YOUR art! #smallbusinesslove #writer #books #authorlife #art

It's tiiiiiiiime! Grab your Santa hat, Pikachu. We have a Holiday Craft Fair in Hoffman Estates (IL) this weekend. 🎄❄️🎄❄️🎄❄️🎄❄️🎄❄️🎄❄️ Sat. 11/22/25 10am-2pm The Club at Prairie Stone Hoffman Estates, IL #craftshow #author #pikachu #books #humanmade

Our Spring Fling Writers Conference headlining author Brenda Jackson is a NYT and USA Today Bestselling author with 50 million books in print! Join us in April 2026 in #Chicago or online. A full slate of workshops and networking! #WriterSky #AuthorSky www.chicagonorthromancewriters.com/spring-fling

Any 80s teens turned HS English teachers in my feed? Are you teaching OTHELLO? Do you remember this song from FAME (TV show)? This was my fav song off the entire LP. It's still my fav. #englishteacher #othello #80steen #mondaymusic youtu.be/W4c2eD1hcMg?...

Hey, Chicagoland storytellers of all kinds! I am excited to return to the Warren-Newport Public Library in Gurnee, Illinois on Monday, November 17, 2025, at 7:00 p.m. to teach "There Are Only Seven Stories in the World." calendar.wnpl.info/event/13970845 #writingcommunity #writer #storytelling

No Sunday Sads! Let's go leaf peepin' instead. Enjoy some shinrin yoku from Schaumburg, IL. I love how there are pockets of beauty and wildlife all over Chicagoland. #leafpeeping #outdooradventures #fallleaves🍁🍂 #shinrinyoku #sundaysads #schaumburg #illinoislife #chicagoland

With the recent brazen robbery of the Louvre, I can't help but think of @tphillipswriter.bsky.social's THE CURIOUS LEAGUE OF DETECTIVES AND THIEVES: EGYPT'S FIRE. Did Tom write this into being? Is there something we don't know? Should we call Toadius and John? holidayhouse.com/site/pixel-i...

After a hiatus, I'm back to making bento. This time for myself on the days I'm working in the Japanese sweet shop. I made a tamago sando from a Japanese recipe. I put waaaaay too much wasabi paste on the bread (instead of mustard) and now my sinuses are cleaned out. Also, Jpn bread is worth 💲

I agree, Totoro. Chicagoland readers should head over to Kinokuniya-Chicago to pick up @zombicatures.bsky.social (Stan Yan's) new MG graphic novel, THE MANY MISFORTUNES OF EUGENIA WANG. #readers #graphicnovel #middlegradebooks #middlegradefiction #kinokuniya #totoro

See you tomorrow, Aurora (IL) Book Dragons! I'll be there repping Team YA, but we'll have a little bit of everything. Come enjoy a brew and some new books. Make a Boo Bag for your favorite teen reader (or yourself!). 📚+🍻=🥰 #books #brewerylife #authorlife #reading

For many creatives, the race to the end of 2025 has officially begun. Before you charge forward, though, take a few minutes to review Q3. What worked? What didn't? Are you on track to complete your 2025 goals, or do you need a course correction? #Writer #author #goalsetting #authorpreneur

My WIP takes place in AZ where there is a lot of faux grass. While looking up the spelling of AstroTurf, I found another meaning. Astroturfing: the deceptive practice of presenting an orchestrated marketing or public relations campaign in the guise of unsolicited comments from members of the public.

🎊Happy Book Birthday, Stan!🎊

2024 Sara had no idea that Boozy #Book Fairs were going to be my whole author personality in 2025, but I'm here for it. Today, I was at the family-friendly Bubblehouse Brewing Company in Lisle, IL. Thanks for a fun (and profitable!) day. I love talking books with other Book Dragons. 🍻 Cheers! #read

Hey, Book Dragons! Are you coming to Milwaukee this weekend? There are several bookish events going on all weekend long, some of them put on by The Well Red Damsel and Milwaukee Books & Beers. Looking for sweet, YA romance books? I can help you! #frommilwaukeewithlove #milwaukee #romancereaders

Foodies with a sweet tooth unite! Japan's vending machines have got you covered. You can pick more traditional flavors and types of confections. Or you can try twists on European treats. Which would you choose? Or would you just go to the Konbini instead like we did? #foodie #dessert #japan #travel

I went to Japan to do more research in Enoshima for Book 6 and visit my in-laws in Gifu Prefecture. But while I was coming through Nagoya, I decided to revisit some of the things you'll find in Book 1, TANABATA WISH. #summerreading #yabooks #japan #travel

Latinx writers: Publishers are looking for you. We rounded up some imprints and editors who are actively seeking Latinx voices—and included tips for how to approach them with confidence. buff.ly/fB86pOZ #PB #Latinx #WritingCommunity

Why I don't drive in Japan...Bc this is a 2-way road. You can't tell from the pic, but there are steep drop-offs on either side. 😱 Also, everything is the opposite of the US which adds to the difficulty level. I'm happy to be a Passenger Princess with my can of coffee & a melon pan. 😎 #travel #Japan

Let's go to the mall in Nagoya, Japan. I am a thrifty traveler, especially in Japan. Here are 3 of my top tips for stretching your travel budget without having to live off of protein bars and Cup Noodles. #traveltips #budgettravel #japan

Artists of all kinds flock to Kyoto for inspiration. But I like Gifu Prefecture better. Fewer crowds. These pictures ground me as I work on my newest YA book project. #TravelJapan #traveltuesday #japan #japaneseculture #inspiration #inspo #yabooks #authorlife #Writingcommunity

What do you bring to #Japan as a gift for your host family or your colleague? If you are going in the spring, how about an Easter basket? Most Japanese people don't celebrate Easter, but they won't be offended by some secular goodies, especially if they have small children. #traveltips #homestay

Tokyo is nice too, but let's visit Ojiichan and Obaachan out in the countryside. The view from my room is worth the trip. #Japansummer #Japan #traintravel #authorlife #mixedasianfam