If you were thinking of maybe trying out the book box at my store but weren't sure what you'd get in a box, I've started assigning themes for months! I'll update the page below as I fill in the months. Right now I've got Jan and Feb chosen for both boxes. curiouscatbookshop.com/all-about-ou...

I don't understand why so many people go HUNTING for my personal email to tell me about their books that have nothing to do with my personal bills, when the form to submit their book to my bookstore IS RIGHT THERE on the store website. You're not getting past a gatekeeper. You're just annoying me.

I am so upset. I re-filmed a podcast episode because I felt like it needed better organization. And now this version HAS NO SOUND. I must not have plugged in the mic correctly. I had a backup mic but the sound on that is terrible. And I put on makeup for this. TWICE!

This afternoon! If you've ever wondered about how the business side of book publishing works, I'm doing a workshop explaining it this afternoon! Sign up at www.eventbrite.com/e/1926481781...

Quickbooks Online changed its entire layout, and has not updated the Help. So when it says to go to "Bookkeeping" and then click on "Fixed Assets," how do I do that when that tab doesn't even exist anymore?

VICTORYYYYYYY!!!! After 4 days of wrestling with data to import from Square to Zoho (I'm starting a CRM so I can get visibility on sales data and plan better for the budget every month, etc.), I finally went from the import skipping 14,000+ entries to 2000+ entries to 5 entries to ZERO at LAST.

After 2 solid days of wrestling with this data, I suppose going from 14,000+ skipped lines to 2k-ish is progress?

I saw a little clip of Keeper of the Flame (1942/Spencer Tracy and Katherine Hepburn), on TikTok or someplace like that, so I bought a copy and am halfway through, and I'm pretty sure this "Mr. Forrest" is basically Charles Lindbergh. The only difference is that Lindbergh wasn't a SECRET Nazi.

I see that CBS chose not to air this part. It probably explains much of what they did decide to air.

IMO this still demonstrates: 1. These products peddle bullshit and disinformation by design. (Outdated info is still disinfo when pushed this way.) 2. The billionaires who push this product are FINE with this kind of disinfo. Which seems like a right wing impulse to me!

I've been convincingly advised (thanks, @castirony.bsky.social) that this particular bit of "A.i." disinfo is likely due to the model not being updated to reflect current events rather than purposeful deception from the billionaires who control it. Fair! But...

"A.i." is controlled by right wing billionaires who are channeling bullshit into your brains. Do not use it.

Saw the news that Meta stock is tanking after it disclosed yet more heavy capital investments in AI and immediately thought of this

I worked with Stacy once and she gave me fab suggestions/feedback on my YA fantasy. Also love some authors she’s worked with like Guadalupe Garcia McCall.

I'm booking edits and book coaching for November, December, and into 2026. Here's a window into what it's like to work with me developmentally! More information on my website (link in next post). youtube.com/shorts/GLrbk...

I have a cousin who is married to a guy who thinks downstate IL should secede, so I looked into it (and she blocked me because I told her what I found). This movement in my home state was begun by a white supremacist who can't stand that Chicago is in the same state.

It's always so fun to talk with my authors and to work with them on their books, but now in my new era I'm doing it in a new way--on my bookstore's podcast. Here, @amdassu.bsky.social and I talked about her wonderful books. Link to full ep in next post. youtube.com/shorts/1uf5T...

Chicago area folks: @icirr.bsky.social is holding Know Your Rights trainings all the time. I'm signed up for the virtual Nov 3 session (look for the Google doc in the middle of this page). Lots more resources & info on their site. app.smartsheet.com/b/form/a05b4...

media should be doing this, showing what Trump destroyed of ours with no effort to reclaim or preserve anything

Just in case you needed a reminder that suggestions from Word and other grammar assistants are usually useless...

Poor Cafe Diem. It's constantly being destroyed by the science hijinks in Eureka.

New podcast episode up! Congratulations to @whatsupbuckley.bsky.social for the new Apple TV show based on his bestselling Sisters Grimm series. We really enjoyed this conversation about how he found his voice, the influences on his latest book, The Weirdies, and more. youtu.be/rHo-NFzV-dk

What a week it's been. My last day at L&L, a farewell lunch with coworkers, catching up with friends, all 3 bookstore employees sick so I've been working nonstop without being able to take days off I've desperately needed, etc. youtube.com/shorts/Jfom-...

Proud to say that our work was also recognized by @peoplemag.bsky.social two years ago, and we are still fighting! people.com/books/meet-t...

Working with @stacylwhitman.bsky.social changed the way I approached editing and the way I started thinking about my characters when I start a book. Loved talking to her about my books on her podcast 👇❤️

If you're an author who's worked with me on a book and liked our writing process together, would you mind emailing me a testimonial for my website? It's time for me to get on top of that.

It's kind of bittersweet to start closing out all the tabs I kept open in Chrome to keep track of everything Tu Books. One week left, and I don't need those tabs anymore. They're not my responsibility anymore. I can let go.

It's kind of hilarious to me how sometimes my Google Home answers me in Korean. Usually I'm asking it to either turn on or turn off the lights, and it goes on for a WHILE in Korean that's too fast for me to understand. And doesn't turn the lights on (or off). Like, what did it think I asked it?

The Department of Agriculture said it will end a longstanding annual food insecurity survey. Experts say the move will obscure the effects of recent changes that will lead to people losing food aid.

I have taken the Tylenol that was in the medicine cabinet and which they think probably is the reason you like trains forgive me but that’s bullshit you got autism from your dad

I loved editing @amdassu.bsky.social's books because they are so full of empathy, so full of kids caring for each other, even when the adults in their lives don't. Hear us chat about that process in our latest podcast episode! youtu.be/ZBTDONI6_J4

New podcast up! I interviewed my author, A.M. Dassu, about her wonderful books about kids who stand up for themselves and each other, kids who go through really awful experiences and come out the other end resilient and possibly even hopeful--these are just some beautiful books.

Finally getting our next podcast episode exported/uploaded. I slept all day after getting a triple shot (covid, flu, and shingles--I am of an age...) and still don't feel great, and I've been wrangling tech issues for days. Look for it tomorrow!

Thanks to all the writers who came to our first writing workshop on Saturday! It was smaller than I planned for, but I think the size ended up being just perfect for the depth of work we were able to do. I'll be announcing more in the future with that in mind.

What is writer's block? We discussed this and much more on our latest episode of @curiouscatbookshop.bsky.social's podcast. Follow the link over to YouTube for the full episode. youtube.com/shorts/RO8br...

One more day until our writing workshop tomorrow! We'll spend the day diving into all the components of worldbuilding, how to choose what YOU need for your worldbuilding, examples of how worldbuilding flows together by expert writers, & more.  https://www.stacylwhitman.com/workshops/

Today we hit 500 subscribers on YouTube! Yay! We've nearly unlocked the first tier of monetization, with only 1500 or so watch hours left for that. Interested in how to start a bookstore or the writing and publishing process? Watch here:

Today we hit 500 subscribers on YouTube! Yay! We've nearly unlocked the first tier of monetization, with only 1500 or so watch hours left for that. Interested in how to start a bookstore or the writing and publishing process? Watch here:

I first met Stacy almost 20 years ago when I took a similar workshop from her as a brand-new writer just learning about worldbuilding. That info has been invaluable in the years since.

Stacy's edit on one of my projects was really insightful and helped me make the project so much better.

Work with a pro editor for a day! Less than a week until my writing workshop in which we'll dive deep into worldbuilding--whether you're writing science fiction and fantasy or any kind of long-form narrative fiction or nonfiction.  https://www.stacylwhitman.com/workshops/

If I start this K-drama about a time-traveling chef, I am DEFINITELY going to be very hungry.

Thank you for sharing!

Thread. This is just as alarming as all the other alarming things on the tariff side of all the issues.

We've still got several seats left in my worldbuilding workshop! If you'd like to dive deep into how to build a world that hooks your reader, including writing time and critique with me and fellow class members, more info and ticket information here:

You know who DIDN'T have trouble registering voters or raising money this summer? @zohrankmamdani.bsky.social. Whom the clowns in this photo haven't yet endorsed. The answer is RIGHT THERE but party leaders are pretending they can't see it.

One ... Two ... Three ... BUT HER EMAILS

It took me FAR too long to figure out how to do a custom HTML block on my website, but I finally figured it out today! Now my ancient website (originally designed in like 2007? 2008?) looks modern and sleek and even embeds a little preview of @curiouscatbookshop.bsky.social's podcast!

This looks awesome! Anyone else going?

Tell me why, if I have a doctor appointment for 12:45 and have even arrived early, the office isn't open and they "will be with me at 1"? I could have stayed home and worked on this project another 15 minutes, and instead they're going to make me late for my next meeting.