October/November 2023 Reading & Writing Wrap-Up

October/November Wrap-Up

Book News/Progress:

Substack Newsletter: I decided it was time to jump in and create an author newsletter. A lot of authors seem to be on Substack, so I decided to check it out. I attended an excellent SCBWI Zoom where Debbie Ridpath Ohi talked about Substack and how it’s more than just a newsletter platform (you should definitely check Debbie’s Substack out – Inkygirl). So, I decided to jump in. I plan to document my publishing journey there (in more detail than I mention in these Sunday Posts).

Check out my first post, and I’d love it if you subscribe! (Click on the image to be brought to the post.)

Goodreads Author Page Claimed! It’s kind of an author rite of passage to get your request to “claim” your book rejected by Goodreads. Some authors get rejected six or seven times before they manage to claim their page! Luckily, I was able to do it in two. So my book is now officially connected to me on Goodreads, I was able to create a real author profile, and I was able to update the book’s title to the new one as well. If you haven’t added it to your TBR yet, you definitely should. 🙂  You can find the book at this link – THE SONG OF ORPHAN’S GARDEN

Possible cover artist? Another even more exciting bit of book news… my editor and the team at Feiwel & Friends looked at my cover notes and chose a cover artist that they’d like to approach for the project. I don’t want to jinx it, so I won’t say their name yet, but I am already SO attached to this artist, and I really hope that they accept the project! (If they say no, I just might cry.)

Other News:

New Bookcases: I finally talked my husband into letting me get two more bookcases (Hey, I need a good backdrop for authorish Zoom calls, and none of the bookcases in their current locations will work!). He was super nice and went to IKEA while I was working and picked them up and put them all together for me. He was almost done by the time I got home. Here’s a pic of the full bookcases. I’m going to post more pics on Instagram too, with close-ups of the different sections. Feast your eyes on this beauty…

What I Read:

• I read The Luminaries by Susan Dennard. I have no idea why I waited so long to read it. Loved this book!
• I finished listening to Ophie’s Ghosts by Justina Ireland. This book is an impactful historical fiction paranormal mystery – it has so much going for it!
• Then I listened to The Marvellers by Dhonielle Clayton. Kids who crave magic school books will be enthralled with this one!
• Next I listened to Instructions for Dancing by Nicola Yoon. I bought this one using an Audible credit a long time ago. I have no idea why it took me so long to listen to it. (This seems to be a theme!) I really enjoyed the romance and humor in this one.
• Finally, I started listening to The Heaven & Earth Grocery Store by James McBride. This book was voted the Barnes & Noble Book of the Year, so I thought it would be good to read it. (I hate it when people ask me about a big B&N book and I have to say, “I haven’t read it, but I’ve heard it’s fantastic!”) I’m not far into it yet, but it’s gotten such rave reviews, I’m excited to listen!

• I finished reading The Mystery of Locked Rooms by Lindsay Currie. Absolutely loved this book!! Not only is it suspenseful and fun, it has a ton of heart.
• Then I read Ink Girls by Marieke Nijkamp, illustrated by Syliva Bi. Set in a fictional city in Italy, this historical fiction graphic novel highlights printers who put their lives on the line to bring news to the people.
• I finished listening to Ungifted by Gordon Korman. I thought this book relied a little too heavily on stereotypes of gifted kids, but the overall message was one of inclusivity and belonging, which balanced out that negative for me.
• Then I started listening to Ophie’s Ghosts by Justina Ireland. I really loved Ireland’s YA, and her middle grade is just as good!!

• I finished reading Ravenfall by Kalyn Josephson. Really enjoyed this middle grade read with Supernatural vibes.
• Then I started reading The Mystery of Locked Rooms by Lindsay Currie. My family loves escape rooms, so I am super excited about this read!!
• Speaking of Lindsay Currie, I finished listening to The Peculiar Incident on Shady Street. Fantastic middle grade horror!
• Next I listened to The Shape of Thunder by Jasmine Warga. Going in, I didn’t realize what an emotionally impactful book this was. I’m so glad I decided to listen!
• And then I listened to Slayers by Amber Benson and Christopher Golden. This is an Audible Original that’s written radio-theater style, and it’s narrated by a bunch of the original Buffy the Vampire Slayer actors! Love revisiting old friends.
• Finally, I started listening to Ungifted by Gordon Korman. I haven’t gotten far, but I love it so far. I’ve been meaning to read something of Korman’s for a long time. He has so many books and they sell really well at B&N, so I definitely wanted to see what all the fuss is about!

• I actually read Duel by Jessixa Bagley, illustrated by Aaron Bagley before my last Sunday Post, but I forgot to include it, so I’m adding it here. This graphic novel explores sibling rivalry, grief, and the sport of fencing! It’s one of those reads that’s a lot deeper than it first appears.
• This week I finished reading Skandar and the Phantom Rider by A.F. Steadman. If you’ve been paying very close attention (which, honestly, I doubt anyone has), you’ll know that I started reading this book ages ago. For some reason, I kept putting it down, not because it wasn’t good, but just because I’ve been in a reading slump and can’t seem to keep reading anything! I really did like this second book in the series a lot, and I’m eager to see where the author takes us in the next book!
• Then I started reading Ravenfall by Kalyn Josephson. This book is Barnes & Noble’s middle grade book of the month, and I decided it was time to start reading since I’ve owned it ever since I pre-ordered the book over a year ago! I’m really enjoying this one – it’s a paranormal mystery with Celtic mythology woven in!
• I finished listening to The Creative Act: A Way of Being by Rick Rubin. This book is very inspiring, and helps foster the creative spirit!
• Then I started listening to The Peculiar Incident on Shady Street by Lindsay Currie. This is a classic ghost story for middle grade readers, and I’m loving it!