How do you measure success when it comes to your creative pursuits? kathrynholmes.substack.com/p/celebratin...

When you read, do you pay attention to what’s working for you, and why? kathrynholmes.substack.com/p/reading-li...

It's been a bit, but here's my latest roundup of things I've loved lately—featuring books by @laurenmagaziner.bsky.social, @jandynelson.bsky.social, and more! kathrynholmes.substack.com/p/the-roundu...

New on my Substack: the books, movies, and treats I loved most in July: kathrynholmes.substack.com/p/the-roundu...

It's time for my monthly Substack roundup of things I've loved recently! What are your favorites from June? kathrynholmes.substack.com/p/the-roundu...

It’s time for my monthly roundup of Stuff I’ve Loved Lately! Featuring some amazing books—and some amazing writing views. kathrynholmes.substack.com/p/the-roundu...

My work life is about to get pretty busy, so I'll be a little less present on Substack this summer. (Rest assured, I'm still hard at work on my fiction projects!) kathrynholmes.substack.com/p/summer-swi...

In my decades as a dance journalist, I've conducted a *lot* of interviews—and I've found certain interview tactics to be helpful to me as a fiction-writer, as well. More here: kathrynholmes.substack.com/p/the-art-of...

I've been a magazine writer for 20 years, and I've gained a lot of skills that help me in fiction-writing, as well! This month on my Substack, I'm going to talk about some of those tools: kathrynholmes.substack.com/p/make-every...

It’s time for my roundup of things I’ve enjoyed in April! kathrynholmes.substack.com/p/the-roundu...

On break-weeks and turning points: kathrynholmes.substack.com/p/spring-break

I took on a new challenge this week. When's the last time you pushed yourself to try something you've never done before? kathrynholmes.substack.com/p/in-praise-...

Feeling overwhelmed and stressed out by *gestures* everything these days? Here's a tactic I've been working on since having eye surgery last summer. Maybe it will help you, too. kathrynholmes.substack.com/p/focus-on-s...

It's time for my monthly Roundup of things I've enjoyed recently! What are the books/shows/songs/treats you loved in March? kathrynholmes.substack.com/p/the-roundu...

I finished a first draft of something totally new this week! And then I made myself take a few days off. Do you let yourself (or force yourself to) take a break after a big creative push? kathrynholmes.substack.com/p/take-a-break

Closing in on a completed first-draft over here... kathrynholmes.substack.com/p/finish-it-...

I did a workshop for some tween readers this week, and they got me thinking about how the creative process will look different for different people. (They also got me thinking about how zombies and mermaids might coexist in the same story…) kathrynholmes.substack.com/p/no-wrong-a...

It's an all-book edition of The Roundup over on my Substack today, featuring some excellent middle-grade stories, a fun audiobook romance novel, and my kiddo's current favorite graphic novel series: kathrynholmes.substack.com/p/the-roundu...

In a decade of publishing books, I've learned that I work best when I keep my eyes facing forward. Work on what's next! Do you feel the same way? kathrynholmes.substack.com/p/work-on-wh...

In honor of my ten-year author-versary, and because it’s Valentine’s Day, here’s a celebration of the value of writer friendships! kathrynholmes.substack.com/p/find-your-...

It's my ten-year author-versary! What a decade it's been. Highs, lows, and plenty of in-betweens... kathrynholmes.substack.com/p/happy-deca...

We made it through January by the skin of our teeth! Here are a few things I enjoyed this month (featuring books by @janaemarksbooks.bsky.social and @katrynwrites.bsky.social, some NYC attractions, and an outstanding key lime cheesecake): kathrynholmes.substack.com/p/the-roundu...

Here are some strategies I use when I'm drafting, to help me make forward progress. What are your favorite tips and tactics to get those words on the page? kathrynholmes.substack.com/p/lets-get-s...

Have you hit a wall in your draft? Maybe it's time to go back to page one. Today on my Substack, I'm talking about how rereading from the beginning helps me move forward. Maybe it will work for you, too? #writingtips #amwriting kathrynholmes.substack.com/p/going-back...

There’s a stomach bug in my house. I’m the last person standing. Picture me armed with a mask and endless Clorox wipes… 😵‍💫

Kiddo is home sick from school today (we made it to January 10th! lolsob), so workday hasn't been what I'd planned. BUT. I'm about to start rereading a manuscript draft from page one, and that sure does feel like a Monday morning task, so maybe this is ultimately a win? #seekingbrightsides

What do you look for in a bookish newsletter? Help me make my Substack even better in 2025 by telling me what kinds of posts you love to read! kathrynholmes.substack.com/p/what-do-yo...

I’ve picked a Word of the Year for 2025! Read about it over on my Substack. Do you choose a guiding word each year? What’s yours for 2025? kathrynholmes.substack.com/p/my-word-of...

I still have some availability for World Read Aloud Day on 2/5! I’d love to virtually visit your classroom or school library for a reading + Q&A. Email me for details and to book a visit! www.kathrynholmes.com/contact #KidLit #WRAD #WorldReadAloudDay

Happy new year, everyone!

What were your favorite reads of 2024? Here's my top ten (plus some reading stats!): kathrynholmes.substack.com/p/its-time-f...

I’m two chapters from finishing a revision pass, and tomorrow is my kiddo’s last day of school before winter break. It’s go time!!

Do you choose a Word of the Year? How did yours play out in 2024? Mine...did not work out as I'd intended. kathrynholmes.substack.com/p/did-my-wor...

Join the book recommendation conversation on my Substack this week! Need a holiday gift for someone special? Want to share a favorite book for someone else to find and gift? Let's all help each other get the right books into the right hands! kathrynholmes.substack.com/p/lets-have-... #books #bookrec

Post-author school visit exhaustion is a special kind of exhaustion, for those of us who normally spend our days working at home by ourselves in our comfy pants. Teachers: I salute you! #kidlit #schoolvisit #authorlife

Author version of “F Around and Find Out” is where you make what you think is a small change and discover the butterfly effect ramifications several chapters later... 😵‍💫

Teachers & librarians! Want to Zoom with an author for World Read Aloud Day? Here's all the information about how WRAD Zoom visits work, plus a list of over 300 author & illustrator volunteers! katemessner.com/zoom-with-an...

It’s time for my monthly roundup of things I’ve enjoyed! (It’s also Black Friday—are you buying BOOKS??) kathrynholmes.substack.com/p/the-roundu...

I made the yummiest cinnamon pull-apart bread for my kiddo’s class Thanksgiving brunch this morning, and I think you all need to see the gooey deliciousness!

New post today: do you ever wish you could just retreat into a cozy hobbit hole for a while? I sure do. kathrynholmes.substack.com/p/entering-m...

I'm in the "staring out the window into the rain" phase of this book revision...

I've just started a final (for now...?) revision on a MG manuscript I've been working on, on and off, for—I kid you not—a decade, so here's your reminder that creativity comes at its own pace. Some books are fast. Some are slow. Some take 3 drafts to solve. Some take 14. Trust the process.

Things have been rough lately, so I’ve been taking note of small joys. Here are a few things that have given me joy lately: kathrynholmes.substack.com/p/searching-...

Since everyone's coming back here, I thought it was time I did too! Hi again, Bluesky. Long time, no see. :)

📖 Ever wonder how a collaboration between authors unfolds seamlessly, bringing a brilliant book to life? In this episode, MarcyKate Connolly & Kathryn Holmes spill the tea ☕on co-authoring ✨THE THIRTEENTH CIRCLE✨(MG mystery) There's also a BOOK GIVEAWAY! link in bio @kathrynholmes.bsky.social

📖 Ever wonder what your favorite authors are reading? 🤔 Here's what Kathryn Holmes has on her bookshelf! What's the latest book to capture your imagination? 🌟 Let's spread the love for reading ❤️📖 🎥 Full interview on YT - Link in bio @kathrynholmes.bsky.social @coreyannhaydu.bsky.social #amreading

Reminiscing today about how THE THIRTEENTH CIRCLE came to be—and about how the right writing project can get you through tough and discouraging times! I'm so very thankful for this book—and for my coauthor, MarcyKate! kathrynholmes.substack.com/p/coming-ful...

The new year is here...and it's my book release month! Do any other authors always feel vaguely apologetic when they shout out their upcoming books? It's like, "Terribly sorry to bother you, but I wrote this thing that I absolutely love and am so proud of, and would you maybe consider reading it?"

I was supposed to do some video stuff today, and it wasn't able to happen, so now I'm just sitting here with my hair done, wearing makeup and jewelry, like I'm an actual professional person and not a work-from-home writer-gremlin...

Do you have writing obsessions—topics or themes you explore over and over? I'm thinking about some of mine this week, and reflecting on how I wrote two very different books starting from a very similar point of inspiration: kathrynholmes.substack.com/p/the-obsess... #writing #kidlit #authors