Writing tips, a Discord, and a paperback release party!

Hey newsletter friends. It's been a minute.

Turns out doing huge things like purchasing a house, ends up taking a lot of time away from, oh, I don't know... writing books, blog posts, and newsletters. I'm a bit behind on just about everything these days, with the exception of agent work, because my authors are my precious bbs. And speaking of, a lot of them have had some astonishing news over the course of the summer.
 

* Steven Underwood announced his debut, Forever for the Culture: Notes the New Digital Black Renaissance, which will be out in 2024 with Beacon Press. I've been following Steven's writing forever and I'm so psyched to be working with him.

* Kayla Ancrum's next two books were picked up by HarperTeen, and the first one Icarus, is a reimagining of the classic myth through the lens of two teens caught up in their parents' art rivalries. Think The Goldfinch, written as only Kayla can.

* Tiana Smith's adult debut, The Spy and I, was scooped up by Berkley in a two book deal. It's a hilarious action-packed rom-com, but you'll have to wait until 2024 for those. 

* Tawny Lara's perfectly titled sober-dating book, Dry Humping, was picked up by my old home, Quirk Books. I love that I get to keep making books with them, especially with someone so wildly talented. 

* Adam Sass' next thriller, Your Lonely Nights Are Over, was bought by Viking, the same folks who just published the hilariously delightful 99 Boyfriends of Micah Summers. 

* And Sophie Saint Thomas' FIFTH book, Weed Witch, was scooped up by Running Press. Book number five! Go Sophie, go! 

So despite the harried nature of the summer, I've been busy, and so have my amazing authors. A whole bundle of amazing books came out, including Fight Magic Items by Aidan Moher, Gamer Girls by Mary Kenney, Firefly: What Makes Us Mighty by M.K. England, Kid Trailblazers by Robin Stevenson, Player vs. Player (another book!) by M.K. England, and Star Wars Brotherhood by Mike Chen, which hit the New York Times and USA Today Bestseller lists. 

Whew!

For those of you who are aspiring writers and kicking around ideas and looking for tips, I've got you. 
 

* This summer I published the book proposals for Mary Kenney's Gamer Girls and Aidan Moher's Fight Magic Items, both of which you can download here. I hope you'll get something out of them, and consider buying those books to thank the authors. 

* Looking to connect with community? If you're in the Philadelphia region, I launched a Discord with some dear friends (do follow Swapna Krishna and Christina Rosso-Schneider, they are great). We've got about 200 people in there from around the area. Just email me for a link. 

And last, I should probably talk about this book-shaped thing.

While my followup to Jagged Little Pill: The Novel, the rival cheesesteak truck rom-com With or Without You, won't publish until later next year (though watch out for the cover, coming soon!), there's a paperback of You Can Go Your Own Way publishing in two weeks!

On my BIRTHDAY.

The fact that it's getting a paperback isn't lost on me. Not all books go to paperback, and it's a fluffy rom-com published in 2021. I wasn't expecting folks to show up for it, but you did, and now we're getting another breath of life into this one. Thank you.

I'll be celebrating with a little release party at A Novel Idea, a bookshop run by Christina (who I mentioned up top!). If you're in the area and want to come celebrate, here's a link! 

What a way to turn 40, am I right?

Hope those writing resources help you on your journey, and if you're around, come party. Keep writing good things, everyone.