Rightio, holiday baking is done. Phew! Did more of the decoration go into 4’s mouth than onto the cookies? Yes. Did dough end up on the ceiling? Also yes. But we are done and I'm cheering.

Every week, 4 and I go to the library. Every week, we borrow 20-50 books. That we read over and over together. Where does she want to go when she's excited? The library. When she's sad? Library. Bored? LIBRARY! Libraries are safe havens. And librarians deserve unending love 💜

This time of year can be wonderful, but it can also be really difficult. Sending love to everyone who struggles, everyone who spends the holidays alone and wishes things were different, and especially everyone who doesn't have a home. 💜

The funny thing about publishing is that the more you learn about it the more confusing it is

I keep thinking about my 4yo saying she writes books just for herself and how wise that is. The story I'm writing right now is probably never going to see anyone else’s eyes, and that's so freeing. I can just write what I want, what gives me joy. No pressure, no stress. Just… fun?? Whoa.

Since I'm somehow back here, I might as well tell you guys that life leaves me no time to write, so I'm definitely, absolutely NOT writing a spinoff to a story that I haven't even sold yet. Because that would be insane.

Coming out of my social media grave to share that my 4yo just wrote her first book. She informed me with a very serious face that she has no time to eat or play because she *has to make books* If that ain't a writer’s life…

Natalie’s guide to surviving boarding school: 🔪don’t let your murderous side show 🔪seriously, do NOT kill anyone even if you want to 🔪practice the Good Girl smile for Yale 🔪DON’T fall for the new girl 🔪Fail and go to jail? Hell, no. #roundtablementor #YA #T #UN

Being a good girl? Overrated. Hurting people—intriguing. But that’d risk Natalie’s rep at her elite boarding school and her desired spot at Yale. She’s got it all under control, until pretty new girl Aylin sees right through her mask. Now, to kiss or to kill her? #roundtablementor #YA #T #UN

Natalie pretends to be a good girl at the country’s most elite boarding school but secretly craves to hurt(kill?) people. Wouldn't that be more fun? When new girl Aylin sees through Nat’s mask a game of cat&mouse begins where desire and danger blur. Until someone dies #roundtablementor #YA #T #UN

I've been mostly quiet here as life got busy. But I recently finished my RTM revisions and want to shout out to my mentor Birdie who’s made this process such a joy for me. 💚 thank you for believing in me, you absolute legend! 💚 #roundtablementor #writingcommunity

Huge shoutout to my bestie, my writer soulmate, my love @paulagleeson.bsky.social CONGRATULATIONS to your second baby 💚💚 I love you and Boney Creek to bits and couldn’t be prouder of you!!! 🥹 Also, READERS!!! Check out this twisty, mind-blowing new thriller OUT TODAY!!! #booksky #writersky

YA KILLING EVE An elite boarding school: Natalie pretends to be a good girl but secretly craves to hurt (kill?) people. When new girl Aylin sees through Nat’s mask, a game of cat & mouse begins where desire and danger blur, putting both their lives on the line. #questpit #YA #T #Q

YA KILLING EVE Being a good girl? Overrated. Hurting people—intriguing. But that’d risk 17yo Natalie’s rep and her desired spot at Yale. She’s got it all under control, until the pretty new girl sees right through Nat’s mask. Now, to kiss or to kill her? #questpit #YA #T #Q

YA KILLING EVE Natalie’s guide to surviving boarding school: 🔪don’t let your murderous side show 🔪seriously, do NOT kill anyone even if you want to 🔪practice the Good Girl smile for Yale 🔪DON’T fall for the new girl 🔪Fail and go to jail? Heck, no. #questpit #YA #T #Q

YA KILLING EVE An elite boarding school: Natalie pretends to be a good girl but secretly craves to hurt (kill?) people. When new girl Aylin sees through Nat’s mask, a game of cat & mouse begins where desire and danger blur, putting both their lives on the line. #questpit #YA #T #Q

Oh the giddy, raw excitement of exploring a new story idea. I can't wait to see where this one will go. As a pantser, I won’t find out for a while though. 😅 #writingcommunity #writersky

My dear friend Melissa Poett’s debut is out today! 🎉🥹 THR ENEMY’S DAUGHTER is a YA reimagining of Tristan & Isolde. It’s romantic, magical, heart-breaking and feminist. If you're looking for a fresh voice in YA, check it out! You’ll find Melissa over on IG

Last weekend was sooo hard. My cat soulmate got very unwell and came within inches of dying. I really thought that was it. Woke up every day dreading to find him not breathing. But he’s a tough cookie and slowly, slowly clawed his way back to life. He's still unwell, but not in immediate danger 🥺

Feeling very blessed and loved as I snuggle my two fur babies. My cat is very sick, so every cuddle is precious. Grateful for every day I get to have with him 💚

Okay, so. I'm currently reading a book that many agents and editors reference on their wish lists, and while the prose is stellar, there’s one thing that truly, deeply baffles me. There aren't any stakes in this story! Like, what?! I wonder what industry pros like about it. 🤔 #booksky #writersky

I am destroyed! This book destroyed me. I finished it last night and can’t stop thinking about it. The prose is gorgeous, the setting beautiful and harsh and stunning, and the characters will live in my head forever. Major book hangover!

I'm reading Wild Dark Shore by Charlotte Mc Conaghy right now and it is blowing my mind! The prose is absolutely stunning. It's one of those books where the setting feels alive, like a character in itself. So beautiful. 5 stars #booksky

I'm revising my Killing Eve inspired boarding school thriller so obv I need do a rewatch, right? I’ll just... um… stop the very last episode two minutes before it ends. 🙃

Took the doggie for a nice long beach walk this morning. Threw her stick into the ocean about a hundred times. Now it’s time to revise! #writingcommunity #writersky #roundtablementor

A coffee, a manuscript, and the sea on a rainy day. Perfect conditions for revising my moody boarding school thriller. What’s everyone else working on?? #writersky #writingcommunity

Cracks knuckles… rightio, here we go again. Summoning my inner Villanelle to dive deep into my little Killing Eve inspired thriller. Revisions are going! #writingcommunity #writersky #rounttablementor

It’s been a minute since I posted, but I’m finally starting revisions on my RTM ms and THIS is most definitely the most gorgeous writing spot I’ve ever had. #writingcommunity #writersky #roundtablementor

I'm preparing for major revisions of a manuscript I wrote 4 years ago. It’s so interesting to reread this baby. Makes me realize how much I've learnt and grown as a writer. Very grateful for all the support I got from CPs, betas & friends 💚 #writersky #writingcommunity

Australian/Victorian/Ballarat book lovers where are you? Check out this new author event!! We'll be talking all things writing, debuting together while having very different experiences & what we are working on next. Tag anyone who might be interested!! Link to register for free tix in comments.

My 3yo wants to go to the library every other day. The piles of books we bring home are staggering. There's no way I could afford to satisfy her need for fresh stories without our library! I also really love browsing the shelves with her. Such great bonding time 🥰

!!!!!! It’s almost here!!!

#writingcommunity where are you? My feed is full of politics, and while that's important I do miss my book people. Say hi if you're around, #writer friends!

Am I the only one who likes “slow-paced” thrillers instead of fast-paced action? I mean the kind of stories where the tension builds and builds until it's spiraling. A slow spiral that picks up speed as it goes, inevitable and steadily growing instead of one action beat after the next?

How can something be simultaneously the best and the worst feeling ever??? #bookhangover

This sounds fantastic! Anyone looking for a critique partner or beta reader? #amquerying #writingcommunity

Preparing to deep dive into a manuscript I wrote 4 years ago with fresh energy and a mentor who believes in it. This story is a Killing Eve inspired YA boarding school thriller for which I'll have to channel my inner… ahem... Villenelle. 🫣😅

Omg??? My name is on that list??? Aaahhhhhh!!!! Thank you, Birdie, for believing in my stabby little Killing Eve-inspired villain origin story 💚💚 Huge congratulations to all the new mentees and to everyone who was brave enough to put their work out there!

RevPit Starter Pack! go.bsky.app/UTgK49a

Yayyyyyyyyy!!!!!!!!! 🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉

#writer friends, I need some book recs. I'm looking for YA contemporary fantasy published the last 3-5 years. Any ideas? #booksky #writingcommunity

Brigham Editorial Query Month, Day 28: Can I re-query an agent who rejected my manuscript if I've made major revisions? You're finally ready to query, so naturally your dream agents are among the first you submit to. It's exciting! And then it's donkey-kick in the stomach when they reject you.

#writer friends, I need some book recs. I'm looking for YA contemporary fantasy published the last 3-5 years. Any ideas? #booksky #writingcommunity

I never thought I’d say this, but I'm giving self-publishing some real consideration. I was sure I wanted to go trad for so long, but what I’ve seen happening to authors over the last 2-3 years is heartbreaking and infuriating.

Oh wow, this sounds amazing and sooo helpful for #amquerying authors!

If anyone wants to add my second thriller BONEY CREEEK to their Goodreads so it looks like I am doing some marketing, that'd be great. 😘 www.goodreads.com/book/show/21...

I love seeing pitch events take off on here!! Good luck everyone pitching today 💚 may the query odds ever be in your favor

I *think* I want to write another adult book. I love YA, but I've really enjoyed exploring the adult space lately. Question is... who will those characters be that’ll consume my mind for the next year?? And WHEN will they show up???

I was really excited for #bluepit but then decided not to pitch. Feeling a bit lost to be honest. I can't figure out what to focus on next. But I wish everyone pitching the best of luck and lots of agent/editor likes 💚💚💚

I wish I knew which genre or age category my next story idea will be, but let’s face it—it could be anything. Holding my breath while my brain goes….