Have you parted ways with your literary agent and have to head back to the query trenches? I’m leading an @scbwi.bsky.social webinar on how to successfully navigate your way back to new representation. Registration is still open for the webinar on April 4! www.scbwi.org/events/scbwi...

Publishing is complicated and it’s hard to know where to start. To help new writers, I’m beginning a new series in my newsletter on tips and tricks to help you navigate the path to publishing. Today I’m tackling how to properly format your manuscript. open.substack.com/pub/amytrueb...

I’ve been feeling sort of bleak about writing lately, but last night I did a book club event and they absolutely showered me with love! If you are a reader, please don’t hesitate to let authors know you like their work. It means the world to us!!!

Hello Friends! Welcome to #MSWL Day 2026! 🎉 This is our second ever #MSWL Day on Bluesky. We’re happy you’re here! You can, as of TODAY, search Bluesky and ManuscriptWishList.com posts at once: manuscriptwishlist.com/smart-search. All posts are verified by a human who works in publishing. ☕

Let's support our friends in Minnesota. ❤️ I have donated a signed copy of OLLIE OXLEY AND THE GHOST (@jollyfishpress.bsky.social) with an mg critique. There are so many wonderful items I have my eye on. Please take a moment to check it out, bid, support, and spread the word! #publishingforminnesota

The world is actively terrible so I’m putting together many, many rationalizations as to why and how I can get to NYC to see Harry Styles in concert. 😂

Please be aware that we are fighting this battle on many fronts, including an assault on the free press with the recent news about the WaPo. If you can, please start supporting those who have fled the networks and newsrooms and are doing independent reporting on their own!

Joy is resistance. Keep writing your stories of love and hope. We need them!

This is a time where journalists must meet the moment. Read and research and share only the FACTS. If they do not do this, they don’t belong in the profession.

Would you recognize a scam if it showed up in your email, masquerading as a legit company? In my most recent newsletter, I tackled the current influx of scams in the writing community and how to vet out the truth about bad actors in publishing. amytrueblood.substack.com/p/on-stories...

Not everyone can write romance. It takes intelligence, skill, and emotion. I cannot way for this VC project to fail miserably because they do not understand the power of the romance community.

So, yeah, if you want to report that vile woman who thinks 15 yo girls aren’t children, you could call the platform that carries her podcast and let them know what you think about them airing content that says it’s okay to harm children.

Book News! I'm excited to share that starting in 2026 you'll be getting the first book in a new series from me! Pitched as Practical Magic meets Charmed set to the soundtrack of Taylor Swift's "The Prophecy," the Sisters of Harvest Moon series will begin with CLEARLY CHARMED out in September 2026.

Since I open to queries next week, I'll answer questions until Wednesday at 5 pm EST. You can ask about my wishlist or publishing in general.

Joy is in such short supply these days that you can bet I will be handing out candy on Halloween to every child who comes to my door no matter their age.

The Walton family (who own Walmart) are worth over $400 billion, yet many of their employees are on SNAP. Bezos is worth over $400 billion, many Amazon employees require SNAP. The people who need help are not the problem. It’s corporate greed. It’s an unwillingness to pay a living wage.

🎃 Horror writers! Our FREE panel is TOMORROW (Oct 28, 2pm ET) ✨ 3 top agents share horror #MSWL 📚 Mini classes on character/fear + tension/dread 🔍 Live query critique Featuring Literary Agents Linda Camacho, Erica Bauman & Tamara Kawer Get your free ticket: manuscriptacademy.com/mswl-live-ag...

Today I finished writing a book I sold on proposal, and I’m feeling like I just summited Everest because this manuscript really tested me and my craft.

Puts on librarian hat… A lot of children’s books published recently are more focused on winning awards than remembering their intended audience. Let’s go back to shorter word count. More accessible language, and sweeter stories filled with joy and laughter.

You Can Do Hard Things! In my author newsletter today, l chat about pushing my craft and how challenging myself to write in a new category and genre back led to a three-book series. amytrueblood.substack.com/p/you-can-do...

Fan of small-town romance? I’m partnering with my local indie, Literally, A Bookshop for a preorder campaign. Get a signed book, illustrated sticker (designed by Nina), bookmark, and series sticker (designed by Erin Bowman). Available while supplies last! www.literallybookshop.com/item/-3LJc4k...

No matter how hard it can be, you must respectfully & professionally advocate for your work when things go sideways. People will try to take advantage, even gaslight you into thinking this is “just how publishing works.” Don’t accept that. Use your voice when people aren’t coming through for you.

Commissioning art for my books is one of the real joys of this job! Soon I will be revealing the custom-made sticker from illustrator Nina (@croquith on IG) that readers will receive when they preorder WELCOME HOME TO IVY FALLS from at Literally, A Bookshop.

That Wicked Trailer!!!😱🖤💚

I need someone to come up with an angsty term for when a writer has to go through their galleys twice. Once for the UK version and then for the U.S. version.😬🤪🙃

Found out there’s a pitch contest currently happening on here called Questpit. Good luck to everyone participating. I’ve seen a few and WOW!!! Things have come a long way from the early days of pitch contests on the 🐥 app!

Why the hell would you even talk about this???James was a stunning novel, and IMO wholeheartedly deserved the Pulitzer.

As someone who deeply believes in how important the third-act breakup is in romance, I am very excited for this episode!

We're gonna get people excited with this one (it's us. we're the ones who are getting excited). We're digging deep into the third-act breakup, what it really means, why it's misunderstood, and why it really is essential to romance.

Seen two recent posts about measured joy when releasing a book. I get this 100%, but it’s time to reclaim the stellar achievements accomplished in writing. Finished a WIP? Have a dance party. Got a new deal? Shout about it from the rooftops. Let’s start celebrating ALL the achievements in writing!!!

The 2025 Met Gala was an absolutely beautiful balm for so many of us who have very weary souls right now.

Seeing new agents & small publishers popping up with little to no track record or experience. Waiting can be hard. Rejection can be harder. But waiting for right agent and/or deal is worth it. Ask ?s before signing anything. If you’re unsure, ask ?s here. Many veteran authors are happy to help.

When even your main characters have to reference Star Wars in romantic scenes… (from FINDING LOVE IN IVY FALLS) #maythe4thbewithyou

Just a reminder…Please double check your bag when you are deplaning. This from someone who is currently consoling a family member who is minus one suitcase.😩

Please make a plan to check out a few bookstores this Saturday (April 26) during Indie Bookstore Day!!! If you’re in AZ, I recommend… Literally A Bookshop-Gilbert The Bookish Shop-Gilbert Changing Hands-Tempe & Phx Poisoned Pen-Scottsdale MostlyBooks-Tucson Bright Side Bookstore-Flagstaff

@penguinrandomhouse.bsky.social and Online Ceramics have teamed up on a bold new Reading is a Right collection — and 100% of PRH’s net proceeds will be donated to ALA to further our work to defend libraries and fight censorship. 🧡 online-ceramics.com/collections/...

I’ve been in publishing a long time & the one lesson I’ve learned is that you’re going to get knocked down…A LOT. It’s your choice what you do next. Do you get up, brush yourself off, & get back to the page, or do you give up? For me, it’s not a choice. There are stories I must tell, so I press on!💙

Just needed a little joy today…😁

If you do nothing but spew hate and anger, you no longer deserve a place, or recognition, in the world of children’s literature.

Hey Blueksy, if you're looking for magic books and magic school books that *aren't* horribly exclusionary, let me share some fantastic examples with you. #BookSky 💙📚

Marginalized creators! Polish up those manuscripts, #DVPit returns October 2025 on bluesky with over 40 participating agents and editors! #booksky #writersky

It’s super frustrating when people who know exactly zero about publishing want to tell you that the dying off of a certain sub-genre is not troubling. 🙄

My resistance atm… Filling my library with as many diverse and banned books as possible. Every reader deserves to see themself as the hero of the story.

Saying goodbye to characters after writing a three book series is HARD!😢😩

Romance readers are THE BEST!!! In my newsletter today, I’m chatting about attending my first romance reader event and all the lessons I learned! substack.com/home/post/p-...

One of the wildest things about SM is people asking other writers to do the heavy lifting for them in terms of sharing info about the writing process, querying, etc. The most fact-based way to learn about the process is to do research online. Become a student of publishing so you know the facts.

Seriously, creative folks: Don't be afraid to let people know your stuff is out there for them, or worry that "now is not the time for that." People are stressed and freaked out and looking for the things that will give them a moment of rest and joy. It is EXACTLY the time for what we do. Tell them.

Haha. Sweet Magnolias has a publishing thread this season. Some parts are okay and other parts are sort of a roast. 😂

I’m tired of saying “WTAF” every single day.😣

This makes me so happy!!! Thanks Apple Books for picking Meet Me in Ivy Falls!!