What better way to celebrate the 4th of July than by getting a bunch of my novels, with a big chunk of your purchase price going to World Central Kitchen, my selected charity for this bundle. Pay what you like (the more you pay, the more you get), and help feed people in need all over the world.

Meal-prep tip for those who don’t always have the energy to make things from scratch: these chicken strips from Trader Joe’s are great if you divvy them up in single portions and then freeze them for later.

Another day in the wildflower garden, more beauty to behold . . .

I am sorry to report that I have unfortunately joined the ranks of agents being impersonated by scammers. The author did the right thing and emailed me directly to ask if I sent the message. The Authors Guild has a good guide on how to spot these types of scams here: authorsguild.org/resource/avo...

Happy #kidlitartpostcard day. It's already July and I still haven't made it to the beach. But I have been at my desk with some more animal-based #nonfiction. May your summers be long and productive. #kidlit #nonfiction #picturebook

I have to raise $500 more in a week so I can pay rent and I’d rather work for it than post a GFM (though no judgment to those who need to do so). If anyone needs a query or synopsis review, help polishing their writing sample, wants a video call/facetime with an industry pro, etc, please DM me.

Hey writers! I just wanted to pause for a minute and tell you what a great job you’re doing. You’re putting in the work to pursue your dream, even when it gets tough. So take a moment to breathe, refill your caffeine, and continue what you were doing, hopefully with a lighter heart. YOU’VE GOT THIS.

Ah, yes. The joys of scaring yourself silly.

Prime Day who? Sorry, I'm too busy supporting my independent bookshop 😍⁠ Through the 26th, take 35% off all sale audiobooks (yep) with code BIGIMPACT at checkout. Every purchase benefits your indie bookshop of choice. Thanks for supporting them today and every day 💗

I love it when I get so locked in on editing a client manuscript and absorbed into the story that I don’t realize it’s already 2 AM . . . until the regret hits the next morning as I struggle to get out of bed.

Anti-Prime Day starts…NOW! 🥳 Today through 6/26, enjoy free standard shipping site-wide, all while supporting local, independent bookstores.

Wise advice on writer (any creative/artist, really) finances.

If you’re in need of a good palate-cleansing show, I highly recommend MEET YOURSELF, which was just added to Netflix. It stars Crystal Liu (from the live-action Mulan) and is such a sweet, quirky show that will heal your heart in ways you don’t realize you needed. It’s a total comfort watch for me.

The wildflower garden is finally in full bloom, with several new varieties of flowers to discover.

Hello, moon

My favorite red poppies are finally starting to bloom, and right now there is both a California and Icelandic poppy bedecked in red to behold.

Every spring I take several packets of wildflower seeds, mix them together, and then toss them into the wildflower garden. Each year it’s a surprise to discover what will bloom.

Someone is surveying the wildflower garden, making sure the blooms are growing well under his watchful eye.

The past few weeks I’ve scheduled a lot of touching-base, catching-up-on-all-the-things, what’s-the-plan Zooms with clients and I love it so much. I work with such incredible people and it’s so fun to discuss books and life one general.

Most importantly, though, on my actual TBR list this summer is a bunch of client books that I need to review and edit. I've essentially got the entire summer planned out with those titles. BE VERY JEALOUS. There's some incredible stuff in there . . . that I can't tell you about. #kidlitchat

I like to listen to audiobooks when I drive or do things around the house to catch up on my TBR list. I just finished The Clackity by Lora Senf. It was fun, though I suspect it'll appeal more to the target age group and be spookier than for an adult. Might be a bit scary for young kids. #kidlitchat

My only regret after living in Montreal years ago was never making it to a Cabane à Sucre party. Someday I swear I will take a weekend trip to a sugar shack extravaganza and overdose on all that mapley goodness.

I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings by the incomparable Maya Angelou is on sale on @libro.fm right now, and I feel like I especially need to buy this to thumb my nose at the contemptible book banners in Utah who are too afraid of truth to allow it to stay in schools. Join me? libro.fm/audiobooks/9...

Your evening ASMR. Sound definitely needs to be up.

I need to do Butt In Chair tonight. Anyone have a good playlist or album they recommend for concentration?

People have been asking me if I know of a resource like StandWithMinnesota for New Jersey, and I haven't found something comprehensive. So, for the moment, I have put together all the links to NJ orgs, crowdfunding links, events, and stuck them on a page of SWM. standwithminnesota.org/jersey

Not me trying not to sob as I walk into the doctor's office because The Book Thief audiobook I was listening to reached the middle of penultimate chapter (iykyk) just as I pulled into the parking lot.

Phrases that I hate that I now find myself using: "To avoid the appearance of AI..." And yes, that is an allusion to AI being evil, if I wasn't obvious enough.

Somehow I always forget just how good a baked potato loaded with all my favorite toppings can be. What is this magic?

This is a seven alarm fire for the freedom to read.

The day I learned that about 80%–90% of serotonin in the human body is created in the gut and digestive health absolutely plays a role in emotional and mental health, it was a revelation.

The flowers are starting to bloom in the wildflower garden as well as the herb garden. The third photo, however, shows why almost every flower photo shoot takes much longer than necessary. I’ll give you three guesses for why.

I’m so excited to be working with @elizabetheverett.bsky.social! When I say I work with the best authors, I’m not exaggerating.

Agathe is absolutely one to watch. She knows so much about science and mathematics and women, I come away learning something fascinating and obscure every time we talk.

Okay, I just added this note to my website about AI use: Special Note about AI I do not use AI, and I promise that I will never enter a query or submitted materials through an AI for any reason, whether to check for supposed AI use (they aren't accurate, anyway) or to summarize a manuscript. 1/2

I'm closed to queries and don't plan to reopen until probably the fall as I catch up on a bunch of things, but I'm realizing I probably will need to add a disclaimer to my website and Query Manager assuring writers that I will never, and I mean NEVER, run their writing through an AI for any reason.

There is a monster under my desk. Does this work the same as monsters under the bed? Granted, he does like to hide under the bed too, so maybe . . .

I’m feeling better than I have in 6 weeks, mostly because I finally realized that the thrush a new asthma med gave me was not going to resolve with home remedies (even though it often does for other people) because my body hates me. So yay for not feeling horrible and exhausted all the time!

I swear he can sense me coming. It’s almost impossible to sneak up on him.

Omgosh guys! The first wildflower has already bloomed in the wildflower garden! It’s a yellow creeping buttercup and it looks so cute amongst all the scraggly green growth around it.

Happy (belated) #kidlitartpostcard day. I'm tardy to the party because it's also my Mom's birthday, but good habits must be maintained. #picturebook #nonfiction #kidlit #illustration

Teamwork Makes the Dream Work 🏆 A day late for #KidLitArtPostcard Day but always ready to do the work! I’m a Queer author illustrator teamed up with Jean Sagendorph at Mansion Street Literary and ready to take the children’s book world by storm 🤗 ✏️🌈💗 #KidLit #KidLitArt

before wading into any discussion about publishing, ask yourself: How Would Ursula K. Le Guin Shred This?

Folks who are truly rich do not hoard wealth, but the knowledge and experience that comes from reading books and disappearing into mysterious forests for a day or a lifetime.

The niblings are over today, so we’re roasting a pork loin and fingerling potatoes for dinner. Even before it cooks it’s already looking fantastic.

Look at this beauty I found at the grocery store. Sadly I just realized it’s not culinary lavender, but still gorgeous.

I’ve been on an unintentional social media cleanse the past month, and honestly I think the break has been good for me. I’ll eventually be back, but I’ve had some health things to manage and a crapton of work stuff to catch up on, so I’m taking it slow for now.

Someone has come to join me in my quest to clean out my inbox. (He’s offering moral support from his bed under my desk.)

Tonight's goal: get below inbox 50. I hate having too many messages sitting in my inbox staring at me, so I'm going to get through as many as I can tonight so tomorrow will feel like a fresh start.