NEW: Remember that weird Mars rock with spots and seeds? They are the best evidence yet for alien life—and scientists are going to cook up those spots and seeds in high-tech labs back home to see if aliens might have been responsible. Me @sciam.bsky.social www.scientificamerican.com/article/scie...

I'm back to freelancing until I sell my next book, and I'm on the lookout for science and environment stories. Message me if you have any leads!

Okay, I'm here. I'm alive. I'll try to be interesting.

Book sale alert! 🚨 Take advantage of this short Amazon promotion for GATOR COUNTRY. Apply the coupon for $5.20 off the hardcover's already discounted price. GC has gotten rave reviews from NPR, the New York Times, Washington Post, People & more! Link in next post.

I found a cat crying in my apartment building hallway. I am both hoping and not hoping I can find its owner. Basically, I'm in the middle of Schrödinger's cat distribution system.

Every day, it seems like a new animal is taking over the Sunshine State. This time, it's actually good news. My latest for @NatGeo: "American crocodiles are spreading north in Florida. That’s a good thing." www.nationalgeographic.com/premium/arti...

For the @washingtonpost.com, I reviewed the rip-roaringly good “Gator Country,” the first book from @rebeccarenner.bsky.social. She knows from the swampy terrain and you should chomp down on it this holiday season. H/T @johnwilliams.bsky.social www.washingtonpost.com/books/2023/1...

I'm back home from my book tour for now. Here are some pics from my event at Tombolo Books, where Gator Country was this week's bestseller! The photo on the right includes Gator Country's main character, Jeff Babauta.

Gator Country is one of November’s Best Reviewed Nonfiction books, according to Literary Hub and Bookmarks! And they haven't even aggregated all its great reviews yet! If you haven't read it, you're missing out. lithub.com/novembers-be...

Gator Country is People Magazine's Book of the Week! This month, my book has been recommended by People, the New York Times, and Scientific American. Don't know of any other books with that weird trifecta. I love it!

Gator Country is out today! "Every species, and every person who fights for its continued existence, deserves a book like this." — The New York Times Read an excerpt in Crime Reads: crimereads.com/gator-countr...

Gator Country got the most glowing review in the New York Times Book Review, written by Lydia Millet! Even the review itself is a work of art. My jaw is on the floor. I feel so honored. www.nytimes.com/2023/11/11/b...

I did a video version of my Nat Geo Tegu story. What do you think? www.tiktok.com/t/ZPRvLqQrh/

A dog-size lizard is threatening the U.S. South. Can it be stopped? Argentine black-and-white tegus are breeding in multiple states, posing a threat to native species. But recent efforts to trap them may be paying off. Read my latest story in Nat Geo: www.nationalgeographic.com/premium/arti...

Thanks to Jaime Herndon for the mention in this Book Riot list, "9 New November 2023 Nonfiction Releases To Curl Up With"! Gator Country is in wonderful company. The book I'm most looking forward to on this list is The Night Parade by @jaminlin.bsky.social bookriot.com/new-november...

More great news! Amazon editors picked Gator Country as one of the best books of November! (Link in next post)

My book, Gator Country, is a best seller in environmentalist & naturalist biographies, and the number one new release in that category. It was also in the Goodreads newsletter today. AND there's more good news to come. Pinch me. I must be dreaming!

I'm so sad to hear Louise Gluck has died. Her work was as unapologetic as she was. I was lucky to study with her at Bread Loaf when I was 21, because she had hand-picked one of my poems. She sang that poem's praises in workshop, but she ripped another one of my poems to shreds 1/4

Read how I first learned about the story that would become my book, Gator Country: "The truth is often stranger than fiction." open.substack.com/pub/renner/p...

I'm LibraryThing's featured author of the month! Read the interview I did with them here: blog.librarything.com/2023/10/an-i...

My publisher has teamed up with @gatorsdaily.bsky.social to do a giveaway of my book, Gator Country! It's a gator true crime adventure. Enter here: read.macmillan.com/fib/gatorcou...

The road to my first book's publication has been really emotional so far. One day, I'm on top of the world. The next day, I'm stressed and panicked. Writers, do you have any advice on how to stay sane(ish) through all this?

I'm considering wading back into book reviewing again, but I'm also terrified of my fellow authors. A few years ago, someone convinced me I would become a pariah if I even dared to rate someone else's book fewer than five stars. Were they right?

Reality snuck up on me again: I'm doing a performance next week where all the writers read new work that responds to the news, preferably something funny. I have nothing. I need to write something brilliant and hilarious in less than five days. No pressure like the impending dread of an audience

Big news! My debut book just got TWO starred reviews. Publishers Weekly calls GATOR COUNTRY "a triumph" with "a grace and rigor reminiscent of Susan Orlean’s The Orchid Thief." Kirkus says Gator Country is "Enlightening and full of suspense." "difficult to put down." I'm elated!!

A magnetar’s magnetic field is so strong that it can crack open the star’s surface to release bursts of energy visible across billions of light-years & astronomers have found a star that might be about to go magnetar 🧪

It's like he's made a list of every feature that made Twitter usable or enjoyable and is ticking them off one by one.

I loved getting to write about how species that people consider a nuisance or nonnative could play an important role in the ecosystem if we just gave them a chance. https://www.theatlantic.com/science/archive/2023/08/invasive-species-wild-horses-fires/675043/

When I was younger and dreaming of being a writer, I imagined I'd start my days with a leisurely cup of coffee and a book. Now, that's what I do. Even though it isn't perfect, I'm living the life I wanted: gratitude to meditate on this morning before I get back to writing.

When they say “write the book you want to read” they mean literally because you will read that shit so many goddamn times, you’d better like it

About 24 hours until this Goodreads giveaway for my debut book GATOR COUNTRY ends. Please enter if you haven't already! Please share to help me get the word out! https://www.goodreads.com/giveaway/show/371167-gator-country-deception-danger-and-alligators-in-the-everglades

So thrilled to give you this preview of our Sunshine State Biodiversity Group nonprofit's poster for the programming we've sponsored and curated for the Tallahassee Film Festival. More soon!

Must-read post by @janefriedman.bsky.social about a disturbing new publishing trend. Essentially Amazon is allowing scammers to upload books under the names of well known and trusted authors, as has happened to Friedman. https://janefriedman.com/i-would-rather-see-my-books-pirated/

He was a boy She was a multinodal hive mind anchored in non-euclidean interdimensional space Can I make it any more obvious?

Me to myself, revising this short story

I have discovered the most potent source of inspiration. I have written an essay and a short story this weekend, and I planned out two separate nonfiction books— All because I told myself I would clean my apartment. Muse, I have found thy name: Procrastination.

I will never understand why there are so many publishing grifts, considering no one seems to be making money in publishing. So many hands jammed into one empty piggy bank.

I wrote about one of the classic blunders! https://defector.com/never-go-in-against-a-caecilian-when-death-is-on-the-line

My publisher and I are putting together my book tour itinerary right now. Any suggestions for where I should stop? Which bookstores are your favorite venues for readings?

I'm reviving my newsletter—just monthly publishing updates, nothing too crazy. I would really appreciate it if you'd subscribe and share. This month, I talked about my my stubborn journey from nobody to selling my first book, GATOR COUNTRY. There's also a giveaway: tinyurl.com/gatorgiveaway

My third grade teacher is excited for my book! Imagine having a rambunctious weirdo who can't spell in your class, and she grows up to be an author.

"Plantationocene" — I'm interested. I love coming across new words to explain concepts I've seen yet lacked a name for.

I'm writing a short story for the first time since the pandemic began. Every time I write a potentially insightful line, I think, Is this brilliant or is this full of shit? Now I have a theory. Behold:

Jellyfish were here half a billion years before us, and they'll be here half a billion years after us 🧪 fun story from @restingdinoface.bsky.social on a new Burgess Shale report

I'm reviving my newsletter—just monthly publishing updates, nothing too crazy. I would really appreciate it if you'd subscribe and share. This month, I talked about my my stubborn journey from nobody to selling my first book, GATOR COUNTRY. There's also a giveaway: tinyurl.com/gatorgiveaway

the hard-hitting journalism we all need right now

I have accomplished a single thing today. I made a hair appointment. Now for my next feat: looking moderately presentable!

I could very much use some work right now so if you are an assigning editor with something you need written, please get in touch! Tdanovich (at) gmail. Some of my clips here: https://www.tovedanovich.com/writing/

I got six good essay ideas in the shower just now. I wish all my showers were that inspiring!

Coming back to social media has me in unending book fomo. I have added 33 books to my TBR list in the past week alone. If only I could read that fast!