No warrant = kidnapping. Taking notes on how these heroes peacefully intervened.

Early bird tickets for AWP in Baltimore are on sale into November.😁 Writer friends: Will I see any of you there? Happy Sunday, all!

Violent thugs are terrorizing Americans and they were sent by the White House.

Uhhhh…did my preschooler just draw a Mothman?

Has anyone ever in the history of the battle against laundry felt like they’ve actually . . . won???

A relative confirms multiple people were taken by ICE at the Walmart on North Ave in Chicago. I’m home. My family, extended family is fine. Two family members had interactions with ICE. Please read this. I’m tired. Will book promo somehow in this dystopia. substack.com/@alisavaldes...

My husband was detained by ICE today Juan Muñoz, an American citizen, father of 2, and local government official, was peacefully protesting w. other elected officials. He was assaulted and taken away I have had zero contact or updates since #SOS @duckworth.senate.gov @durbin.senate.gov

Hey writer friends… QUIT DOOM SCROLLING. Go write somethin’. Fin.

The best news! ❤️

If you use Word and don’t want Microsoft snooping in your stuff, this is your reminder to go to File - Options - General - Privacy Settings and uncheck all “optimization” settings. 🙄

Sorry we had to cancel your cancer treatment, but the Secretary of Defense had to fly all the generals in so he could call them fat.

Poeh 💔

Monthly reminder: Many people have a book in them, but it takes a special kind of freak to leave the Land of Laziness, cross the Plains of Procrastination and Insecurity Mountain, find the Blade of No One Made You Do This, and use it to cut your chest open and yank that book out.

Dear writers: Write that story. Edit mercilessly. Send that email. Ignore the haters. Stay humble, but be confident. Get paid. Read a lot. Write despite your insecurities. Support others. Accept helpful criticism. Celebrate everything. Don't panic. Never quit. You got this.

My pre-order has arrived!! @taylorlgrothe.bsky.social is one of the first people I interacted with in the #writingcommunity when Twitter was still Twitter, and I’m so excited to see this book out in the world! Congratulations, Taylor!

Thou shalt worry less about Tylenol causing autism and more about Donold causing fascism.

I’m grateful for the rain. Always. But I was not built to withstand sustained humidity. 😅

I’m sure I’m not the first person to think this, but don’t orchids kinda look like Predator? It’s all about the jawline!

Ten+ years of absolute grinding, and things are starting to happen! This year... - witchy MG series sold - chapter book series + 2 romcoms published - next romcoms under contract - fun IP project - film option with major studio (!!) Keep going, friends! Word by word, you'll get there.

It’s official. My kids are addicted to HGTV. Current faves: Help! I Wrecked My House Scariest House in America And, yes. We have had a TON of rain here lately. 😆

If I was a fairy, I’d be The Butter Fairy and bring butter to everyone who needed to make their day (or just their food) a little better.😊🧈🥞🥐🍿

Another great episode. I especially enjoyed the conversation about idea generation when writing. 🖤

Are you aware that LinkedIn will begin using your data, including your resume, on November 3 to train its generative AI and you must opt out to prevent it? Settings —> Data Privacy —> … AI

The Pentagon Papers case gives us important insight into why having a free press matters so much. This week has taught us that we have a role to play in protecting the 1st Amendment, & (to quote a woman who would have made a great president), when we fight, we win. open.substack.com/pub/joycevan...

If you’re a librarian or you support libraries, let’s be pals. 😊📚

Life hack: Have a pesky home project you can’t motivate yourself to finish? Plan a party at your place. If you have a highly motivated and productive spouse/partner like mine, EVERY project will be wrapped up before the guests arrive. 😆.

Double, double toil and trouble . . . 🎃🖤

Nothing makes me feel more middle aged than being ma’am-ed into oblivion by the very sweet, very YOUNG cashier at the store.😆 In my mind, I’m still 28-ish!

‘SALEM’S LOT 50th Anniversary episode is in the bag! We celebrated, we waxed lyrical, we wished the rat scene had been in the finished book!! It’s a solid 2 hours of necessary cheer. Coming in October.

That deafening silence is the collective roar of every free speech absolutist staying quiet while the government tells us what to say, what art is appropriate, who deserves to be on TV, and what books your kids can read.

There is. . . a smell. In my vehicle. That I cannot identify or locate. 😆 I suspect my children have something to do with this but only time—or a detailing—will tell.

Ah, the Libby Gods are at it again: FOUR library books I’ve been waiting for, all available to borrow at the same time. 😆

We have an evil pumpkin face scary guy Halloween decoration in the front yard (yes, he’s already up, and yes, we are those people) but now every time I look out the front windows, I flinch because I think I see someone creeping around out there. 😆😜🎃

My lovely wife got me a tattoo to celebrate the first anniversary of Anti-Hero Blues. Looking forward to what the next year has in store for the book and for my writing journey as a whole. #authorlife

I got a ride with a Lyft driver last week and we had a great conversation about our country and what’s happening right now. I told him about Heather Cox Richardson’s Letters from an American and how they help me make sense of it all. He said he needed that too and would look for it. I hope he does!

Cheese Louise. It’s only the third week of school, and I already need an Excel spreadsheet to keep track of all the special clothes and activities days my kids’ teachers have planned.🤦🏻‍♀️

One of the biggest compliments I’ve ever received is that one of my team members thanked me for asking about and talking about books so much that she got back into reading and she’s completely thrilled about it. 😊 Siiiiighhhhhh. I love books.

I got to see Save Ferris live this evening, and it’s true, friends: Ska. Is. Not. Dead Such a great show!

It's incredible intellectual gymnastics to accuse the anti-gun Left of causing gun violence. The self-delusion is staggering.

I've heard rumour that pre-orders of GOOD BOY are going out early. If you get one, I hope you enjoy it. I'm very excited and quite nervous. It's a slice of my heart.

I feel betrayed by the universe. It seems I cannot eat more than one or two Sour Patch Kids any longer without my teeth hurting.😭 Gah!!!!!!

Poll: Which Stephen King book should I listen to (yes, listen to…audiobooks are the only way housework gets done around here!) this week as we slither in to Spooky Season?🖤

If you’ve never watched the film or heard the soundtrack, check out Assassination of a High School President (2008). Great music and Bruce Willis is in it. He’s not the main character but kinda steals the show.😊💜

Today I’m grateful for rec league sports where families go mainly for exercise and community. No need to be a star or pressure to strenuously compete. Just playing for the joy of playing. 💜

Changing the name of the Department of Defense will cost billions.We could build units for all unhoused veterans. Or give service members a pay raise so 35K active duty members wouldn’t have to rely on food stamps. Or… or… or…

Sesame Street will be putting a huge collection of episodes on YouTube starting in January 2026 This is a fantastic way to educate children It’s a form of resistance. Shows like Sesame Street teach love, tolerance, acceptance & more. These lessons are crucial for the long fight ahead.

If you see this, repost with a vampire that is not Dracula.

This boy is definitely my child. Have just overheard my 4yo singing Bullet with Butterly Wings in the dining room while playing with Legos—and he stopped mid lyric to say “Aw, man! You gotta be kidding me!” when his creation broke apart. 😆