Happy #bivisibiltyday from your friendly neighborhood bisexual and my new “mom of a college kid l” mug

T-minus 2 weeks to taking our only child to college, and I’ve become *that* mom. “Do you need more socks? Underwear? Does your jacket fit? How about snacks? Should we get more snacks?!?” She’s literally going to a university in the middle of the city with family nearby, but WHAT IF SHE NEEDS KLEENEX

How many more families must go through this before we finally say enough is enough?

Starting a new book is like playing Baldur’s Gate 3- I spent a lot of time developing my characters and plan, but now I’m 10,000 words in and I’m just following them around, trying to figure out where they’ll go.

Working on a new project and my FMC rides an Indian Scout motorcycle. Went to the local dealership today so I could sit on a a few. They let me turn them on and sit with the rumbles. I felt like a badass and was like, “well now I want a motorcycle.” Terrible idea. But it was fun to think about

The way I had a visceral reaction yesterday when I heard of the passing of Dobson. That religious and physical abuse trauma is real, y’all.

When all you want is a burger, but it comes with a side of existential dread. Sir, I thought this was a Wendy’s.

Summer quarter is over, grades are posted, and I finally have time to work on a new project. Y’all, to be writing with fervor again feels SO GOOD. And I really really like these new girls. They’re the mouthiest and boldest yet 🤣

The horrors persist, but I was just approved for @a.m.bellefleur ‘s latest, so joy remains. (And yes, I recognize my privilege that I can even enjoy an ARC right now while others are fighting for their lives. I hate this timeline. But I love sapphic love. I contain multitudes)

Cavalcade of Authors is hosting an info booth at Renfaire in September. Should I be grading papers? Yes. Am I instead sword shopping so I can dress up as the badass lady Captain of the guard from my book? Obviously. Every girl needs a sword

More solid feedback from beta readers. I’m not even sorry

Working on my new project and writing about keelhauling with my favorite pirates on in the background. Already this book is off the rails from the outline, but then again, that was bound to happen. As per usual, I’ve lost all control.

Hello from me and my bedhead. Trying to get some grading knocked out so I can write for the first time in a bit

Pride is the height of loveliness. #bookssavelives

Spent a lovely day in our historic downtown arts quarter, promoting Cavalcade of Authors, our annual teen writing conference. And then I got home and saw the horrific news. I can’t stop a war, but we’ll have our COA booth at Pride tomorrow, because books don’t stop bombs, but they do save lives.

My kid is graduating on Friday and I am both so very proud and also so very sad. Mostly proud. But still…gathering photos for the grad party is killing me just a little bit. I’m pretty sure I took this picture about 5 minutes ago.

Exciting day when not one, but TWO of your preorders drop at the same time. Made even better when your mobile bookshop literally delivers because they’re in the neighborhood

Sometimes, teaching college kids is pushing them beyond their comfort zone and showing them that they can face challenges. And other times, you must tell the overwhelmed Type-A kiddo (taking 5 classes) that their plate is too full, and their mental health is far more important.

Shopped local for Independent Bookstore Day!

We’ve officially hit the season where we are wishing our child goodnight at 7:24pm. Not because it’s their bedtime, but because it’s ours.

That moment when you think you see your ms in the #revpit #10queries teasers and go back and check your actual submission and realize you somehow cut the metadata from the first line when you copy-pasted into the form. And now you feel like a dumb dumb 🤦‍♀️🤦‍♀️🤦‍♀️

Bilbo ducking down and declaring “I’m not at home” anytime someone knocks on his door is a total mood.

Happy #weneeddiversebooksday ! Just spent the morning grading, and now for some drafting of my queer romantasy.

“I would not be an author today, writing about books where children can see themselves- where books can serve as windows, mirrors, and sliding doors- if not for the books that I read.” Thanks for a great discussion @boonewrites.bsky.social & @suma-subramaniam.bsky.social

Stopped by one of my favorite indies, Island Books, and found my friend @boonewrites.bsky.social ‘s new baby and picked up a copy. Everyone needs a copy, tbh.

“They shouldn’t be playing horror movie trailers during the basketball game. Children and I are watching and it’s scary.” -me, a fully-grown adult

Another set of finals in the books. And now to grad a gajillion essays..

I need Chappell Roan to make an entire country album. That’s it.

Another day of the woke agenda, aka, trying to teach the youths how to write the essays. Also trying to decide if this black shirt/gray plaid tie combo makes me look like a singing waiter. Because the world is a dumpster fire and this is obviously an important concern.

“…teachers do not hold bombs or knives, they are still dangerous enemies. They fill us with insidious revisionist ideas….” -Ji-li Jiang, RED SCARF GIRL. A book I can’t stop thinking about for no particular reason.

Another piece of quality feedback on my manuscript. Sorrynotsorry

Thinking about Kipling’s “If” today as I watch a statesman keep his cool in the face of willfully ignorant bullies

"People say I’m to blame—my face in particular. So beautiful, it launched an armada. But it’s all bullshit. Men blame women for their sins, and I’m no different. So, no, I didn’t start this war. But I’m sure as hell going to finish it." Warrior Daughter is sapphic Helen of Troy x Throne of Glass.

The highest of compliments

The amount of time spent staring blankly during the drafting process is, well, it’s a lot of time. See also sighing heavily, muttering “okayyy,” and the making of facial expressions usually reserved for anger or frustration.

Me in class today: “I’d normally encourage you to focus on critical social and/or political issues, and you can! But if you’re feeling overwhelmed and hopeless right now, pick something you’re interested in that’s not going to send you into a spiral.” The way they literally sighed in relief

Updating my class homepage Bitmjoji to reflect current events

Listen, as an English professor in the Pacific Northwest, I know I’m supposed to be indoctrinating my students in “wokeness,” but I’ve spent all week reminding them that having Chat GPT write their paper for them because they were “too busy” is still not okay. So…maybe next week.

Me, fully masked, checking in: “I’m (coughs like a barking seal) here for (coughs) a chest (coughs) X-Ray.” Admissions person, also coughing, but not masked: “Oh man. I feel you. I’m getting an Xray later. They think I have pneumonia.”

When you walk your students through their first assignment and have them annotate their work. Nailed it

“I was really mad at myself for making that mistake, but then I remembered my pre-frontal cortex is still developing.” -Student today 😂

Our boy Rollo (right) is having a tough time. He’s only 2.5, but when I got home from work Monday, he couldn’t walk without falling down. Many hours at the dog ER later, they DX’d him w/ITP-he has no platelets; we don’t know why. So he’s on high dose meds. BUT, he did ask for cheese today!

Me heart is breaking for those affected by these terrible fires in LA. I lived down there for 7 years and have many friends who still do. May the wind die down and the rains fall soon

No parking near my building because of construction. Drove across the hinterlands for a spot and got to my room at 7:55 for my 8am class, half of whom were waiting. Projector didn’t work so I had to punt (without my PowerPoint) and go old school. An absolute banner way to start winter quarter. 😂🤦‍♀️

My niece, all of fifteen, beta-read my romantasy for me and just finished it. I’m now being bombarded with all-caps texts yelling at me. I’d call that a success.

Senior year is hard. Sometimes you just gotta take your kid a Blizzard

Have I listened to the "Arcane" soundtrack on a loop for the past week? Yes I have. Have I been able to listen to the whole thing without bursting into tears? No I have not. Those who’ve lost people will get it. That ball in the box keeps slamming into the grief button, and yet, I keep listening.

New Arcane background wallpaper + Christmas light USB charger puts me in a good mood for the grading of the finals

I’m just an author, standing in front of the internet reminding everyone that: 1. Authors are small businesses 2. Books make amazing holiday gifts that keep giving 3. You can support authors, illustrators, *and* indie bookstores by shopping small this season! Win, win, WIN! #KidLitMegaFeed

I’ve got a house full of teens holding their own “Friendsgiving” and these youths aren’t messing around. Everyone brought a fancy dish and they’re wearing nice clothes and having a full sit-down meal. The kids are alright, y’all.