Nothing better than a refreshing Christmas day nap!

Sometimes writers ask me my writing process then seem perturbed that my writing process seems strange or won't work for them. It's what works for me. You don't have to write the way I do! Honestly, I'd be wary of any author telling you their way is the best way for everyone.

Writers, be kind to yourself. It's hard enough writing a good book, but it's another thing entirely to get it published, and even more to get it noticed. Writing is hard, but you don't have to be hard on yourself.

14 years ago this month, I sent out my first queries to agents. Since then: Five shelved books Hundreds of rejections Nine years And then: Agent offer A book trilogy deal NYT bestseller Six foreign translations Another book deal A film announcement A screenplay

Now that I have the screenplay, for the first time I've started seriously thinking about who would be cast into the major roles, which is kind of fun!

Give the gift of the Above the Black trilogy to yourself or a loved this holiday season! And maybe preorder DOWNFALL, too!

It was really exciting meeting readers yesterday and hearing how many of them are excited for DOWNFALL and are planning on coming to the launch event.

Winter break is here!!!

A student from my school who I haven't met came after school to tell me how much he was enjoying SKY'S END. He is reading a digital version, so I signed a bookmark for him.

Sitting down to read the screenplay a second time. This time with my wife. It's...almost like we're watching a movie together.

I told my students I was reading the screenplay today and my 7th period went wild and they begged me to sign their binders, bookmarks, and even shoes. One kid asked me to sign his forehead. 😆

Early this morning, I received one of the most exciting emails of my life. The film producer forwarded the screenplay for my book. I've been smiling and tearing up all morning.

The second book in my trilogy came out in paperback today!

One of my foreign publishers tagged me in a post sharing the first glimpse of my new book, and I got a little emotional reading all the comments from readers speaking in another language and expressing their excitement for my book. This is the stuff of dreams.

From 2011 - 2020, all I got was rejection. It's still totally surreal to me that by the end of 2026, I'll be the published author of four books across two publishers.

Big week for me! -It's the last school week before winter break. -AMONG SERPENTS releases in paperback tomorrow -Final bookstore event of 2025 at The Printed Garden in Sandy, Utah

Final newsletter of 2025 is out! Sign up here: marcjgregson.us8.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=...

These past few weeks have been amazing because I've received several emails from people asking how to get signed copies of my books, or for a holiday letter from me as Christmas gifts for someone in their life.

In three months, I'll have a completed trilogy out in readers' hands!

I'm meeting with my publisher's marketing and publicity teams in January. We're gearing up for DOWNFALL's release in March!

I was so close to shelving my book. After getting over a hundred agent rejections, I was in the process of moving it into my shelved books folder in my computer. A feeling told me "don't" So I sent out to a few more agents. One of those agents ended up offering.

Before I got published, I really wanted to create a display case for my books. Now that we're getting close to the third book's release, how is it looking?

In which language(s) have you read my books? Tell me in the comments!

One thing that has helped me be happier as an author is focusing only on the things within my sphere of influence. There are so many things in publishing that are outside of my control and I used to make myself miserable worrying about all of them.

A student asked me today when I planned to be absent again. I told her March and April because DOWNFALL comes out then and I'll be traveling out-of-state to promote it. She groaned and jokingly said, "Oh yeah, you'll be gone a lot. Man, why do people have to read your books?" 🤣

The busy life of an author! I have one more event in 2025, then things will grow quiet until March when DOWNFALL releases.

Ten years ago, I wasn't a NYT bestseller, I didn't have a movie in development, I didn't have an agent and I was unpublished. Ten years ago, I first dreamed up the Above the Black trilogy. Now, we're 100 days from its conclusion. Pre-orders are open now!

I have two books getting published in 2026. One of them was on submission for publishers on and off for four years before it got an offer.

Why would I have a robot do something I enjoy myself? It reminds me of when I was a kid and I'd go to a friend's house and I'd have to sit and watch him play video games without ever getting a turn. Where's the fun in that?

Last night, I was walking downtown and was recognized by a pair of readers who loved my books! We chatted for a minute at the stop light. That was fun! 😀

A student asked me today about a big book event, "Mr. Gregson, why aren't you going?" "I wasn't invited, they usually only invite really big authors." The student looked at me and said, "But you ARE a big author." 🥹

I love doing author events and signings because I love meeting readers and I want to share my stories with others.

I approved a book cover and title for one of my for foreign editions today. It's beautifully epic. But it'll be sometime before it's revealed. 👀

Utah Beehive Book Award Nominee! It's my book!

Almost four years ago, I worried I'd never get published. Now, I'm only weeks away from reading the screenplay adaptation of my book. Just keep going!

I am adding a few visuals to my signing tables at bookstores and my French publisher is allowing me to use these images from their awesome book trailer. I'm going to have little tabletop displays to hopefully entice some readers to leap into the Skylands.

My Brazilian publisher gave me permission to print this awesome art from their animated trailer for SKY'S END. I'm going to have this art up on display when I do signings and bookstore events.

Another great signing today, this time at The Printed Garden in Sandy, Utah. I got to meet a few fans, and a few new readers. Also, I got to sign next to fellow Peachtree Teen author Cass Biehn who is the author of VESUVIUS! We both left signed copies of our books!

I'll be signing books at The Printed Garden in Sandy, Utah today from 1-4pm to support Small Business Saturday!

Nothing better than playing old Nintendo 64 games with your kids on Thanksgiving morning.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Today, my classes are doing book speed dating. Should be fun!

I love that when I'm set up with my books in a bookstore, readers will come talk to me, and listen to my pitch. And even if they're not interested in my books, they're almost always super kind and congratulatory. It's a good feeling.

It's a really strange feeling writing a book while already knowing it will be published.

I'll be at Barnes & Noble in Park City, Utah signing books from 1-4 today. Come see me!

There was a time when my author email inbox was a sea of rejection and unhappy things. Not anymore.

It's so fun seeing my clients' @mjgwrite.bsky.social and @stephaniebearce.bsky.social 's books on this Indiana Read Aloud List! And shout out to @Michelle4Laughs.bsky.social for her client @writeawhile.bsky.social 's book too! @stormliterary.bsky.social

Anytime I notice one of my students reading one of my books, I say something like, "Hey, I've met that author!" And the kids always smile. I'm pretty sure they want me to notice they're reading my book.

My next book after the Above the Black trilogy... BEHIND THE GLASS, planned for release on November 10th, 2026 from Blackstone Publishing. Can't wait!

Utah readers! I will be signing books at Barnes & Noble in Park City on Saturday, November 22nd from 1-4PM. If you have not had your book signed, this is a great chance for you to come meet me. I hope to see you there!