My latest book, nicknamed Sass Cat, has a completed first draft!!! It’s messy, but it EXISTS!!! My goal was to finish by end of December, but yanno, 3rd of January ain’t bad either. I’m f anyone needs me, I’ll be playing DA: Veilguard for a while now.

December wrap-up post is up on Patreon! Enjoy! www.patreon.com/posts/decemb...

The lyrics in Florence + The Machine’s song “One of the Greats” are such a brilliant slam: It must be nice to be a man and make boring music just because you can Now don't get me wrong, I'm a fan You're my second favorite frontman Absolute perfection.

For book research, I just searched the phrase, “How do you play javelin?” which is a pretty good summary of my level of sportsiness.

These positively caked up lil frogs would like to wish you and yours the happiest of holidays, no matter what you choose to celebrate or not celebrate. Last night, we had a Xmas Eve chilli and white elephant night with some friends, and I have the joy of having received this glorious handmade mug.

Just in time for Christmas, “Raven’s Cry,” a steampunk fantasy retelling of Swan Lake, is now out in audio EVERYWHERE!!! As always, buying directly from me via BookFunnel gets you the best deal, but it’s available everywhere you buy audiobooks. bookshop.wordsbydana.com/bgrc

$7 thrifted sweater + Dollar Tree decorations = my bespoke ugly sweater. Behold the ugly glory!!!

Me immediately after I use one of the lil pink Bic razors that I thought would, “be totally fine for travel.”

While Amazon is investing billions of dollars to expand AI, independent bookstores are hosting community events, personally recommending books to readers, and providing a space that is safe and welcoming during a time when we need them most. Never underestimate the power of a local bookstore.

This. Always this. All the this. Ask your authors directly what you wanna know!

“…in an increasingly digital world, when physical reality seems ever more incidental, making things by hand still matters.” This book is an 8-hour David Attenborough-esque documentary on endangered Victorian (and before) crafts and trades, and I am entranced! 🧵

If you’re concerned about the new Audible changes, I have two pieces of advice for you. 🧵

Head banging is an interesting activity in that it can only happen in conjunction with music. As soon as the music stops, it sort of just looks like you’re having a fit.

Without a doubt, my books would not be as good as they are without the incredible diligence of my editor, @racheloestreich.bsky.social . She’s someone who will, with expert deftness and grace, not only tell you where a book is lacking, but bolster you and work with you to figure out how to fix it.

When your husband makes you a cocktail that is POSSESSED. Pastis Pearl. Ingredients: gin, pastis (or Pernod), lemon juice, simple syrup, aquafaba, angostura bitters, and a restless soul.

Come join in this morning at Patreon.com/WordsByDana at 10am Central time for a create-along. Two hours in a chill space to get something made. I will be writing, but feel free to work on whatever you’d like. Hope to see you there!

Hey, friends! I’m hosting a livestream create-along tomorrow, Sat. Nov. 15 at 10am central time on my Patreon. This is free for anyone who wants to join in. I’ll go for about 2 hours and, folks are free to come and go as they please. Come join in at Patreon.com/WordsByDana . Hope to see you there!

Congratulations to Rook’s Gambit for earning a Kirkus Star!!! Only about 10% of books they review receive a starred review. I’m so very, very proud. 🥹 You can find buy links for Rook’s Gambit at bookshop.wordsbydana.com/bgrg .

It literally does not get better this. The audiobook of ROOK’S GAMBIT is FREE on Chirp right now. On top of that, both OUT OF THE SHADOWS and FALCON’S FAVOR are only $2.99. Head over to Chirp now and get your copies. ROOK’S GAMBIT = www.chirpbooks.com/audiobooks/r... #audiobooks #freeaudiobook

If you think you smell burning toast, you might be having a stroke, but what are you having if you think you smell French toast?

“Charlotte’s Web” was one of my favorite books as a child. I read it many times. One thing I never realized until adulthood, however, is that while Charlotte has babies, we never meet the father. BECAUSE SHE PROBABLY ATE HIM.

If you’re in the Nashville area this weekend, come out to the Gallatin Main Street festival! It is free, and come meet a bunch of us friendly local authors at booth 195, right off of West Main Street in the Sumner County Chancery Court parking lot. Hope to see y’all there!

Because I vend under both my name and what I do—“Steampunk Fantasy Author”—that last part often gets truncated on signage. Then people trying to orient themselves somehow will ask me, “Are you steampunk?” as if I am the physical embodiment of steampunk itself. YES! FEAR MY VAPOR-BASED PROPULSION!!!

When you’re killing it at the #mississippibookfestival and also actively hiding from the sun. #msbookfestival

10000000000% what a fae would drink, and I’m loving it. I also just read Ink and Sigil by @kevinhearne.bsky.social and LOVED it. Pretty sure this drink would be served at the gin bar in that book.

Last spring, I planted one of my old fruiting blocks outside in my mushroom bed. Yesterday I found that this beautiful bunch of snow oyster mushrooms had come up.

I got this in my email from Publishers Weekly. I don’t know anything about this Eleven Reader company. Maybe they’re really good (tho the way they’re promoting AI narration, I think less of them immediately). Anyway, I just want to tell folks you can do better than 60%. 🧵 1/2

There are two wolves living inside of me. One of them is Moon Moon. I put new insoles in my boots and couldn’t understand why they felt so bad. Only later did I realize I put them in upside down.

I had such a lovely time chatting with Peter and Cyndi of P. English Literature. Check out the video to hear us chat about writing processes, world building, what you need to know before you start a book, and grabbing sunshine. youtu.be/4H1cNTtFSTs?...

A good article from Writer Beware on a type of scam email I’ve seen in my inbox so much these last few months. “Unasked-for solicitations or proposals should never be taken at face value. Always investigate; always research.” writerbeware.blog/2025/08/01/r...

A federal court ruled that ANTHROPIC illegally copied MILLIONS of books to train its AI. All authors and publishers whose books were downloaded by Anthropic from pirate websites are subject to receiving compensation. This could involve your work. For more info: authorsguild.org/news/anthrop...

Lolz, anyone who says this has clearly never read the books.

When your sister gifts you the most perfectest mug for your days off. 🥰

In 2007, a US theatre company staged ‘A Klingon Christmas Carol’, performed in Klingon with English supertitles. ‘Bah, humbug!’ is ‘BaQa' in Klingon (📷: Commedia Beauregard)

Trying a new experiment with my clip-on quills today.

Feel free to contemplate the cosmos currently inhabiting my morning coffee.

The near-irrepressible urge when someone says to me in an email, “I hope you’re well,” to tell them about a dog I met that week.

All ready for Key City Steampunk Festival!!!

Wanna get your hands on some free books? Book Sirens has put together a great Coming Of Age bundle, and Rook’s Gambit is included! Check it out here 👉 booksirens.com/bundle/comin... #arcbooks #freebooks #yabook #booksky #yabooks

I would love to see some statistics on people who play D&D as to what percentage are neurodivergent vs. neurotypical.

What an incredible time I had chatting with Peter & Cyndi of P English Literature in our interview today! They are both such lovely people, and we had so many good discussions about the writing journey, process, and the business side of this industry. The interview should be out in about two weeks.

Hands down the most romantic thing the hubs does is this: every time I tell him there’s a spider, he instantly comes running to kill it. The standard has been set, folks.

If you're gonna be anywhere near Columbus, OH this weekend, why not pop over to the Columbus Book Festival. It's free! There's gonna be workshops, guests, & LOTS AND LOTS OF BOOKS! Sat., Jul 12 & 13 Topiary Park #Columbus #ColumbusOH #ColumbusOHEvents #BookFestival #ColumbusBookFestival

I would wear this shoe.

A hand stamp in Vegas. You know what that means. That’s right, a visit to the local botanical gardens, baybee! Followed by a mocktail. This is peak how to do Vegas, right?

Um, excuse, you’re forgetting Mulan.

What an incredible show last night, put on by Babatunde Hiphopera and Joya Bravo! If you get a chance to see either of these awesome folks live, do it! You will not regret it.

The BBB passed thru the Senate and is back with the House. Call your reps to tell them to oppose it. 5 Calls dot Org has numbers and a script preloaded for you. Just enter your location at the top and start calling. 5calls.org/issue/hr1-on...

📣📣📣Capitol Switchboard: (202) 224-3121

Adventures in Huntsville! I have wanted to see Something Rotten for over ten years! This show was everything I wanted it to be. Hilarious and clever and silly, this show was totally worth the wait. Also, parasols spotted!