It’s summer. It’s hot. I hate it.

I have been spending a lot of time indoors, which means I have a lot of energy.

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A regular day in Queen Lucy’s life:

12pm - Wake up and leave bed

12-1pm - Explore the house, maybe get into some trouble. I should note between now and bedtime, my mom makes me go outside multiple times, and I do not want to go. This usually requires bribery or trickery. I don’t work without pay. I’m not a chump.

1pm - Start begging for my 2pm meal. First, I stare. If someone makes eye contact with me, I approach, tail wagging, threatening to bark. Then, I start barking. If I annoy them enough, I can get my meal 15 minutes early. Why? To remind them who is in control (me).

1:45-2pm - Meal time

2-5pm - Nap time. Everyone is working, and it’s boring. If my cat siblings are fed during this time, I get up. I stand weirdly close to them waiting for a single crumb to be dropped on the floor or left in the bowl. Then, back to sleep.

5pm - Start begging for my 7:30pm meal. I like to start this one early because my parents are usually trying to finish work, and they have short fuses.

5-7pm - Sometimes if it’s not a 90+ degree day, I get to walk around the neighborhood. This is my favorite activity because I find random things to eat on the ground, and I can relieve myself next to all the signs that say “no dogs.” I’m always looking for clever ways to drive my mom insane.

7-7:30pm - Meal time

8pm - Start begging for my 9pm meal. My mom usually gives it to me at 8:30pm because she is tired, and I wear her down.

9pm - Start begging to go to bed. Really, I just want the four milkbones I receive at bedtime.

9:45pm - Sit with my mom in the bathroom while she gets ready for bed. I make sure to get in the way so she doesn’t forget I’m there.

10pm - Sleep.

My mom has been working from home this summer, so I have been listening in on her meetings. I like to wait until the meeting gets going before I start to act up in the background. She pretends everything is normal while snapping her fingers under the desk or giving me a death stare. It’s hilarious.

She should know I need the attention on me at all times!!!

Anything I should add to my schedule? Tell me in the comments, and I’ll consider your suggestion.

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Now, since I’m a bookish dog—published author, actually—I’ll share some bookish content with you.

My mom crowdsourced these books from somewhere on her phone, so I can’t vouch for them, but she claims other people picked them as the best books they’ve read this year. After November 3, they will all say Just Like a Dream, but these books can have the spotlight for now.

Enjoy reading. My nap is not going to take itself.

Note from Lauren: I encouraged folks to submit their favorite books of the year, even if they weren’t published this year. I was happy to see a few older titles on the list - they should be easy to get from your local library or maybe on sale at your local bookstore!

I’m including the Kindle links below based on the usual readers of this newsletter, but if you’re able, please support your local bookstore by purchasing from Bookshop.

We All Want Impossible Things by Catherine Newman

Edith and Ashley have been best friends for over forty-two years, and now the unthinkable has happened. Edi is dying of ovarian cancer and spending her last days at a hospice near Ash. As The Fiddler on the Roof soundtrack blasts all day long from the room next door, Edi and Ash reminisce, hold on, and try to let go.

(I love this cover! It’s available on Kindle Unlimited. -Lauren)

Whistler by Ann Patchett

When Daphne and her husband visit the Metropolitan Museum of Art, they notice an older, white-haired gentleman following them. The man turns out to be Eddie, her former stepfather. Daphne hasn’t seen Eddie for many years, not since the fateful event that changed the direction of both their lives. While their relationship was brief, it had a profound impact on them both, and now that they are reunited, they have no intention of ever being separated again.

(Perhaps the book of the year? -Lauren)

The Heart Is a Lonely Hunter by Carson McCullers

In a Depression-era Georgia Mill town, an enigmatic deaf mute man, John Singer, draws out the haunted confessions of an itinerant worker, a doctor, a widowed café owner, and a young girl. Each yearns for escape from small town life, but the young girl, Mick Kelly, the book’s heroine (loosely based on McCullers), finds solace in her music.

(Also available on Kindle Unlimited!)

The Correspondent by Virginia Evans

Sybil Van Antwerp’s life of letters might be “a very small thing,” but she also might be one of the most memorable characters you will ever read.

(You won’t forget this one! -Lauren)

The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah

Tells the stories of two sisters, separated by years and experience, by ideals, passion and circumstance, each embarking on her own dangerous path toward survival, love, and freedom in German-occupied, war-torn France—a heartbreakingly beautiful novel that celebrates the resilience of the human spirit and the durability of women.

I See You’ve Called In Dead by John Kenney

Obituary writer Bud Stanley isn’t living his best life. He’s recently divorced. He’s given up on dating. And he’s about to be fired for accidentally publishing his own obituary one mildly drunken night. As Bud awaits his fate at work, he does the only logical thing: He goes to the wakes and funerals of total strangers to learn how to live again.

The Once and Future Queen by Paula Lafferty

Vera always knew she didn’t fit in. When she learns that she is meant to be in another time, she leaps at the chance to embrace a new life in a world of valor, intrigue, and unexpected magic in this bold and romantic retelling of Arthurian legend . . .

(I’ve been on hold for this one forever! Also on Kindle Unlimited. -Lauren)

The Road to Tender Hearts by Annie Hartnett

A darkly comic and warm-hearted novel about an old man on a cross-country mission to reunite with his high school crush—bringing together his adult daughter, two orphaned kids, and a cat who can predict death.

Thanks to everyone who submitted a book! Do you want to add your own suggestion? Tell us in the comments!

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Thank you for reading! My second novel JUST LIKE A DREAM is out on November 3! Please preorder, request from your library, add it to your Goodreads shelf, and share it with your friends on social media.

My debut novel CASKET CASE is available wherever you get your books. If you’ve already read it and liked it, please leave a 5-star review on Goodreads or Amazon and share it on the social media of your choice. I appreciate your continued support, which allows me to keep writing books!

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I read some reviews last week. It wasn’t fun.

Do I know better? Yes. Did I do it anyway? Also yes.

To be fair, it started with a mid review being sent to my email inbox because I’m silly enough to follow people who write book reviews and to suggest that they read my books.

Honestly, I don’t think my feelings were hurt? There are plenty of books other people love that I don’t like. I’m aware that the majority of humans aren’t going to like my books. Some people hate romance. Someone I know told me they don’t like speculative elements in books. Well, that’s two groups who will not like Casket Case or Just Like a Dream!

But still, I was an A student, and I don’t respond well to getting C’s. It was less hurt feelings and more objective failure.

Do you think I stopped there? See, the thing is, I’m very gifted at research. Way more skilled at finding things out on the internet than I am at anything else in life including writing.

So, I checked Amazon rankings. Goodreads ratings. Number of reviews. I didn’t just check mine. I checked every other author I could think of in my realm of midlist romance books. Listen, it was a terrible day for me to know how to read and do math.

Getting four hours of sleep while trying to balance the writing and my day job.

Exhausting myself to the point of being out of ideas completely and scraping together the only usable morsel of an idea for a second book.

Typing “they kiss” and hoping a future version of me will be able to write a whole scene that makes sense.

And that’s just the writing part. Which I swear I actually like!

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“Nobody wants your book to succeed more than you do.” Pushing it further…

James Clear says, “You always hold the rights to your effort, but never to your results.”

For a try-hard like me, that means try harder. If I haven’t tried as hard as I possibly can, have I even tried at all?

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Now, let’s bring in:

• Canva

• Posting silly things on TikTok

• Posting on Instagram but only sometimes because people in my real life will be annoyed/embarrassed for me

• Figuring out this newsletter as I go

• Visiting bookstores as often as I can

• Having as many events as I can fit on my schedule

• Paying for the travel to those events and those bookstores

• Studying every author more successful than me to see what they’re doing

• Listening to podcast episodes about what works in book marketing (the answer is no one knows, if you were wondering)

• Printing bookmarks and postcards and business cards

• Reaching out to authors I like to ask them to write a blurb (as if they’re not busy enough with all of the things listed above)

• The list goes on, etc.

And the emotional weight of feeling like a failure because so-and-so printed stickers, and I didn’t think to do that. And so-and-so is on her third book, and I’m only on my second. Feeling in general like every other person in publishing has it figured out. Except me.

For the optimists, let’s turn this on its head. The above is a list of all of the things that make me feel like hot garbage. What makes me feel… not like that?

Let’s explore this question further:

What would make me feel like I’m better than hot garbage roasting on the curb of an Atlanta street in July? What rating number or ranking would please me? How many strangers need to validate my work before I consider it a success?

The answer - there isn’t one. There is no number. No ranking. No amount of fame and fortune. Nothing would make me sit down with a smile on my face like I have done enough and can rest now.

Publishing (and life, really) is not a game you can win. There’s always something else.

Goodreads ratings, Amazon reviews, Sales, Bestseller Lists, Followers, Book Club selection, etc.

Wasn’t it everyone’s favorite billionaire who sings: “You play stupid games, you win stupid prizes?”

This is where one might normally expect the writer to land the plane on a positive, upbeat note.

If so, you must be new here. Welcome!

I *think* the only thing I can do now is accept reality.

Accept all the feelings at once: being genuinely proud to have written and published two books while also being aware of other people who will always be doing better than I am.

In the past, I couldn’t have named anyone’s Amazon ranking or Goodreads rating or who is on what bestseller list. But now I do know. And I have to accept that.

Accept that I am a person incapable of stopping. If I’m going to run into walls, I want to do it at full speed. That’s who I am, as ridiculous as it is and always has been even when I was a kid.

I’m going to keep posting my silly little videos in hopes that one more person sees my book(s) and tells someone else about them. Or recognizes the cover when they see it in a bookstore.

And I’m going to keep struggling and failing out here in public.

Unfortunately, you’re going to have to watch!

If anyone is going through a similar thing (about publishing or life in general), let’s commiserate in the comments.

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Thank you for reading! My second novel JUST LIKE A DREAM is out on November 3! Please preorder, request from your library, add it to your Goodreads shelf, and share it with your friends on social media.

My debut novel CASKET CASE is available wherever you get your books. If you’ve already read it and liked it, please leave a 5-star review on Goodreads or Amazon and share it on the social media of your choice. I appreciate your continued support, which allows me to keep writing books!

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What happens next? Copyediting! The manuscript goes to a copyeditor, and they get into the very tiny details of word choice, grammar, the calendar (ex. you said it was Wednesday, but now you say Friday- which is it?), etc.

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Here’s an example of the changes/suggestions I got in the Word document:

Comparing Just Like a Dream and Casket Case, JLAD had fewer revisions overall. By a lot?? I would have said it was the other way around. I do feel bad for CC’s copyeditor because I really messed up the calendar, and she had to sort it out.

This is the last time you can make big changes in the book, because the production folks have to put it in book form, and instead of working in a Word doc, we switch to PDFs.

Anyway. I got the copyedited manuscript on February 25 and turned it back in on March 10. I also moved into a new house on March 1, finished moving out of our old one on March 13, and got married on March 14. It was pretty much a fever dream.

This is also when you’ll be sent a lot of things for approval: web copy, the text on the back of the book, the questions/content in the back section of the book, etc.

Then, you get pass pages!! It’s a PDF file of what the pages will actually look like in the book. This is when it hit me that JLAD was real, and there was no going back. People were actually going to read it.

The advance reader copies (ARCs)/galley copies are printed from this version. This is what I think about when I’m sitting in traffic. Copies of my book with known errors being sent out into the universe. But it does look cute!

As I said, you’re not supposed to make big changes at this stage. If you delete a whole paragraph, for example, they would have to go in and shift every page following to accommodate that change.

I debated on sharing this, but why not: I had a real breakdown at this stage. I got pass pages on March 31, so I had spent two weeks or so not looking at the book. That break gave me just enough clarity to be upset with what was on the page. Casket Case was different because I had been editing it for years by the time it went to production.

Essentially, I wanted to delete the whole first chapter and rewrite it. Still do, tbh. That wasn’t/isn’t possible, so I put my big girl pants on and changed what little things I could without messing up everything. This is a lesson I’m learning the hard way. But I’m learning it!

Other editors also look at this semifinal version of the book, so it’s not just me trying to catch every error. The most often repeated edit from all the editors involved was around word choice - I use the same words constantly. No one is surprised.

We’ve now caught up to the present. Eventually there will be talk about marketing plans and whatnot. I’m using this lull in activity to post near-constantly on social media about CC and JLAD and to outline new things! I’d love to share more about that soon. I’m also excited to tell you more about the intricacies of JLAD - what is the World Dream Center? Who is Olivia? Why is Connor so annoying?

More soon!

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If you’re new here and want a look at the whole process that got us to JLAD, you can go back to these posts from the beginning:

Find all of my book recs in one place on Bookshop.

Thank you for reading! My second novel JUST LIKE A DREAM is out on November 3! Please preorder, request from your library, add it to your Goodreads shelf, and share it with your friends on social media.

My debut novel CASKET CASE is available wherever you get your books. If you’ve already read it and liked it, please leave a 5-star review on Goodreads or Amazon and share it on the social media of your choice. I appreciate your continued support, which allows me to keep writing books!

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I also went on a writing retreat (I can go into more detail if anyone is interested - leave a comment lmk) to work on outlines for my next book ideas! I used John Truby’s The Anatomy of Story to help me be more intentional than I usually am. Did it help or add more stress? The jury is out.

Roses: Cookie Butter Lattes from The Coffee Pot

Thorns: For once, I have no complaints! I’ll come up with one… laundry.

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I’ve been reading a lot - mostly audiobooks on my commute. Every time I post one of these someone wants to know when I find the time to read. The 2-3 hours per weekday in my car is the explanation! Audiobooks keep me sane!

Libby determines what I read and when, full stop. I’m constantly putting books on hold and then 5 of them become available at the same time, so I stress about how I’m going to read them all in 21 days.

Trying a new format because I have so many to tell you about!

Into the Blue by Emma Brodie

An epic, decades-spanning love story that blazes through the worlds of acting and comedy and charts a connection unlike any other.

Might be my favorite read this year? It pulled me apart and put me back together again. The less you know going in, the better. For those of us who loved Tomorrow and Tomorrow and Tomorrow.

One Golden Summer by Carley Fortune

Photographer Alice Everly returns to Barry's Bay with her grandmother, where she reconnects with Charlie Florek, leading to a slow-burn romance set against a nostalgic summer backdrop.

I stay behind the times. I love Carley Fortune’s books, and this one from last summer is no exception. This is a follow up to Every Summer After, and I might like it better? Slow burn summer romance… perfect for anyone looking for a beach read. I can’t wait to read her newest, which came out last week and hit #1 on the NYT Bestseller List.

It’s Different This Time by Joss Richard

In this sweeping, second-chance romance, a twist of fate forces two former roommates back into their beloved New York City brownstone where they must confront the events that led to their estrangement—and the unresolved feelings lingering between them.

I’ve been on hold for this forever!! I loved this second chance/forced proximity romance between an actress and an up-and-coming chef. I’m not in either of those career areas, so I’m not a reliable source, but it all felt so real. I need a layer of depth in my rom coms, and this one fit the bill.

You Between the Lines by Katie Naymon

A former sorority girl starts a prestigious poetry MFA program only to discover that one of her classmates is her high school crush-turned-nemesis—​and he can't stop writing about her.

Second chance romance set in an MFA program - I wish I had thought of it! Loved the characters. And the poems! Recommend!

Superfan by Jenny Tinghui Zhang

A novel about a pop idol and his superfan, whose stories shockingly collide. Dazzling, entrancing, and deeply heartfelt, Superfan is about fandom in all its magic and its terror, and the extreme lengths to which we go to rid ourselves of loneliness.

Why isn’t this book more popular? I couldn’t stop reading because I had to know how it was going to end. The bad parts of fandom are in the news a lot, so I was glad to see an exploration of the good parts of fandom and the communities you can build in online spaces. Made me nostalgic for my fandom days.

Laws of Love and Logic by Debra Curtis

An extraordinary debut novel about two sisters, one impossible choice, and the long shadow of the past.

This is the most literary of the bunch. It reminded me of Heart the Lover and/or Blue Sisters. I was really invested in the story, but I’ll warn you, it’s one of those rich-lady-messes-up-her-own-life books. Not for everyone!

Yesteryear by Caro Claire Burke

A traditional American woman, a “tradwife” influencer, suddenly awakens in the brutal reality of 1855—where she must unravel whether this living nightmare is an elaborate hoax, a twisted reality show, or something far more sinister.

Everyone is talking about this book, so you don’t really need my take. I’ll say I enjoyed the writing and the premise. The main character went so far beyond unlikeable that I was having fun reading her POV. I was disappointed by the twist, but I think this is a marketing problem. As many others have said!

Beg, Borrow, or Steal by Sarah Adams

Two feuding second-grade teachers (and neighbors) find themselves teaming up in this new rivals-to-lovers romance set in Rome, Kentucky.

Another trip to Rome, Kentucky! I enjoy these books and returning to familiar characters. If you’re looking for a classic romance, Sarah Adams is a great choice. This is also a comp for Just Like a Dream if you’d like a head start before November. There is one last book in the series, and no surprise, I’m on hold.

Once and Again by Rebecca Serle

A novel following a family of women with a singular gift: the opportunity to redo one moment in their lives.

Love all things Rebecca Serle. Love the way she weaves magic into reality. Wasn’t a fan of the ending of this one, but I enjoyed the read.

Find all of my book recs in one place on Bookshop.

Lady Tremaine by Rachel Hochhauser

As if Bridgerton met Circe, and exhilarating to its core, Lady Tremaine reimagines the myth of the evil stepmother at the heart of the world’s most famous fairy tale.

This Story Might Save Your Life by Tiffany Crum

Suspenseful mystery-thriller about a famous survival-podcast host who disappears, leaving her best friend and cohost to unravel dangerous secrets while he becomes the prime suspect in her possible murder.

American Fantasy by Emma Straub

When the American Fantasy cruise ship sets sail for a four-day themed voyage, aboard are all five members of a famous, nineties-era boy band and three thousand screaming women who have worshipped them since childhood.

London Falling by Patrick Radden Keefe

A spellbinding account of a family devastated by the sudden death of their nineteen-year-old son, only to discover that he had created a secret life which drew him into the dangerous criminal underworld that lies beneath London’s glittering surface.

What else should be on my TBR?

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Survivor 50

I’m writing this 24 hours after my fave got their torch snuffed, so I’m feeling a little down about the remaining castaways. But! Some great gameplay this season! And plenty of dramatics.

Old seasons of Australian Survivor

Why? Ask my husband. I’m enjoying it!

Outlander

Final season! I’ve read the books multiple times, so it truly pains me to see the choices they’ve made this season. Just follow the books! Why jump the shark at the end? To annoy me, maybe?

Tell me what I’ve been missing while watching Survivor reruns. What have you been reading? Watching? More soon!

Thank you for reading! My second novel JUST LIKE A DREAM is out on November 3! Please preorder, request from your library, add it to your Goodreads shelf, and share it with your friends on social media.

My debut novel CASKET CASE is available wherever you get your books. If you’ve already read it and liked it, please leave a 5-star review on Goodreads or Amazon and share it on the social media of your choice. I appreciate your continued support, which allows me to keep writing books!

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When we figured out the timing for the cover reveal of JUST LIKE A DREAM, I wanted to make sure newsletter subscribers found out first. I skipped the whole “how we got there” part and dropped the basic details for the book.

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Now, I’ll go back and connect the dots. This is where we left off back in August if you’d like a refresher:

TLDR: I was tired and had a lot to do (still haven’t gotten that haircut!) and was lugging around the printed version of the book and editing as I could. I was at the point in the process where things were almost clicking. My self-esteem was deteriorating rapidly, etc.

As a reminder, JUST LIKE A DREAM is about two dream creators (and high school nemeses) at the World Dream Center who have to work together to complete a dream assignment for someone they know. Olivia loves control. Connor loves fun. Drama ensues.

Some folks like to know how the editor/author relationship goes. This newsletter is for you!

After turning in draft 1, I got an editorial letter from my editors (I think most traditionally published authors get these) going through the things they liked, the things that I could consider changing/deleting, and things I could think about adding.

To summarize what the 5-page letter said, they wanted more. More of Olivia and Connor’s history. More about the World Dream Center and how it works. More dream examples. Dial up the stakes and the tension between Olivia and Connor. All great notes!

I added new chapters like this one:

I turned in draft 2 on September 2. I got notes back from my editors on October 6 as I headed into a month of travel for book events to promote my firstborn. My day job was also really stressful at that time, and looking back, it was a fever dream, and my anxiety was through the roof. We do what we have to do!

These edits between drafts 2 and 3 can probably be summarized as explaining everything more clearly. The totality of this book is in my head, and sometimes I forget other people don’t have all of the information. The stakes are high, but have I fully explained how high they are? I alluded to her relationship with her co-workers, but is it clear enough? Here’s an example from an office scene in draft 3:

In my head, Olivia interacted with her co-workers all the time, but I needed to put that on the page. Turned in draft 3 on December 4.

I got notes back on January 13. This was really one big note pertaining to a reveal and where it should go. I originally gave the info to the readers (and not the characters) early on, and my editors thought we could see what happens if this info is withheld until the end. I think I was trying to hedge my bets that readers would understand Olivia’s choices or put them on her side by sharing a secret with them in the beginning. She’s a bit unlikeable, FYI. But that’s sort of playing scared, no?

So, for draft 4, I moved a big chunk of writing from ~page 80 to page 268. You’ll have to read it to find out what it was! This draft was officially accepted by the publisher on January 26, and we moved into production. That can be its own newsletter topic.

For the numbers people, this is draft 1:

This is draft 4 (relatively close to the final total):

I hope this helps provide some details about the editing process in traditional publishing. Thoughts or questions? Tell me below! More soon!

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If you’re new here and want a look at the whole process that got us to JLAD, you can go back to these posts from the beginning:

Thank you for reading! My second novel JUST LIKE A DREAM is out on November 3! Please preorder, request from your library, add it to your Goodreads shelf, and share it with your friends on social media.

My debut novel CASKET CASE is available wherever you get your books. If you’ve already read it and liked it, please leave a 5-star review on Goodreads or Amazon and share it on the social media of your choice. I appreciate your continued support, which allows me to keep writing books!

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There has been a lot of news in our house lately, and most of it has been a snoozefest. First, we moved houses. That was the coolest one because I have decided I like garages even though I never noticed them before. Maybe our new garage is the best garage?

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Then, the next week, we finished copyedits for JUST LIKE A DREAM. I say “we” even though everyone knows I did all the work.

Then, the week after that, my mom had a wedding. I wasn’t invited. Honestly, didn’t want to be. All of the stuff my mom kept adding to her wedding pile was deeply uninteresting. Champagne glasses? Picture frames? Pens? No thanks.

I noticed they were using my likeness on some of the items, which is strange, because I have yet to receive payment.

I guess my mom is married to Chris now. I’m not sure what that means or why it was needed. I waited to see what would happen, and nothing did.

Chris is cool most of the time. Sometimes he is talking to my mom when I am trying to talk to my mom, so I just yell louder until they give me the attention I require. He feeds me sometimes. I hang out with him while he types on his computer in his little upstairs room. He claims he’s working, but he just sits there, so I’m not sure I believe him.

One interesting thing about Chris is that he is easily fooled. He always thinks I’m sleeping until he finds out I was getting myself a snack. If I’m lucky, he puts the cat food on the edge of the counter, so I can help myself.

He and the cats are really cuddly with each other, which is weird. Most nights, he tries to sit next to me on the couch, and I get up and move. It’s more funny he-he than ha-ha, if you know what I mean, but I have to entertain myself somehow.

Anyway, back to the most important thing: me finishing a second book. Have you preordered it? If not, click on over and do that now. Like literally right now. Everyone knows I’m a good writer, so I don’t know why you would hesitate. Tell your friends about it, too. More copies sold, more chicken sticks.

My mom said she promised people wedding photos, and since I have to do everything, I have selected a few for you to see. If you’re excited to see my mom and Chris standing around, scroll on down.

I’m off to cause trouble.

Thank you to Lucy for providing that intro. Here’s what you came for1:

I’m a romance author, so I’m leaving you with an HEA.

Chris and I are grateful for the love and support! As usual, hit the heart below so more people can find and read missives from a bossy beagle.

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Thank you for reading! My second novel JUST LIKE A DREAM is out on November 3! Please preorder, request from your library, add it to your Goodreads shelf, and share it with your friends on social media.

My debut novel CASKET CASE is available wherever you get your books. If you’ve already read it and liked it, please leave a 5-star review on Goodreads or Amazon and share it on the social media of your choice. I appreciate your continued support, which allows me to keep writing books!

Follow Me on Instagram

Follow Me on TikTok

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Chris and I met when we were babies and had several playdates during our childhood. Then, we didn’t see each other for 30 years. Now, we’re married.

I never really thought I would get married, and not in that way people say when they’re protecting themselves from vulnerability. I know this from experience because I’ve been that person. But at some point I realized I’m exceptionally good at being on my own. I love the peace and quiet. The space. The simultaneous freedom and safety of knowing my plans/budget/goals will not be hindered by someone else’s plans/budget/goals.

And the absolute last thing I wanted was a wedding.

You might be wondering how I got here. Me, too.

I won’t get into the ins and outs of my therapy appointments, but it was a new discovery for me that relationships don’t have to have a current of anxiety beneath the surface often disguised as passion. That there can be peace and quiet and space inside of a relationship without all the other stuff.

This is not an advertisement for marriage. I’ve been married for approximately 5 minutes, and everyone I know who has been divorced didn’t plan for their lives to go that way.

Perhaps I’ve mentioned this before, but I’m also learning that I can trust myself. My inner thoughts/feelings/gut checks are not a slippery slope to hell. Or at least not all of them are!! This is one of the unintended consequences of my particular flavor of religious upbringing, and one I didn’t know applied to me until I found myself in a life I barely recognized as one I could control.

For example, while single, I had well-meaning friends treat my singleness the way you might treat a gluten intolerance. “Are you sure this is ok?” they would ask as if I couldn’t handle being near a relationship in my condition. It took me a long time to understand that some of the perks of relationships and marriage weren’t that interesting to me, while other people saw them as vital. And that’s ok!

I had to learn to investigate the things that did interest me, even if they weren’t interesting to other people in my life. This is what brought me to a place in life where nothing was perfect, but I was content. Finally, I had the clarity and confidence to say no to all the things I didn’t want. To put myself first in a way I never had before.1

This clarity and confidence led the way on my first date with Chris. Strange to recall, but I had never once in my decade of first dates shown up as my unfiltered self2, but this one was different.

I knew then (and hindsight confirms it was true) that I didn’t care if he liked me or not. Truly. I was just starting to balance two jobs, and the free time activity I wanted to do more than anything was to hang out with my dog. It would have been very easy for me to forget the date even happened. Instead, the opposite occurred.

We started talking at dinner that night, and we haven’t stopped. We’re more different than we are alike. In fact, writing and pets might have been the only things we had in common at the time.

I hate committing to a dinner reservation, so I thought I would be a little freaked out by steps forward in the relationship, but I never was. Don’t get me wrong, I’ve had to learn plenty along the way. My anxious/avoidant tendencies are still there. As is my tendency to fix everything on my own.

It doesn’t really feel like changing my mind as much as it feels like part of a years’ long attempt at using my own life as the context through which I make decisions. This has been the key to becoming more of myself, and as it turns out, that self is a married one.

If you’ve made it this far, I’m impressed. I thought this was going to be about the wedding itself, but that’s not what happened.

Why did I write all of this? No clue, but it flowed out of me all at once, and you got to read it all. You’re welcome.

Leave me comments and hit that heart button. I owe you wedding photos, and I promise I will deliver once my photographer does.

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Special Request: Add JUST LIKE A DREAM to your Goodreads “Want to Read” shelf to help others find the book!

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A Dream Creator finds that working with her high school rival could be the recipe for a sweet dream—or a less-than-beautiful nightmare—in this charming contemporary romance from the author of Casket Case.

Olivia’s life is exactly how she wants it. She lives in the house she’s always loved, she’s close to her family, and her childhood best friend lives down the street. To top it all off, she loves her job at the World Dream Center, where she designs and implements dreams.

As the invisible strings in the giant web that connects everyone, dreams subconsciously influence people to make seemingly small decisions that move the plot of the world forward.

Olivia is great at her job, but when she’s assigned to create a dream for one of her friends, things start to unravel. Olivia has followed the Dream Playbook to the letter, designing dreams that should encourage her friend to date a certain coworker. But her friend isn’t taking the hint, and it’s holding up other Dream Creators who can’t move forward until this relationship causes its intended ripples.

Enter Connor, who’s an expert at handling difficult dreams with unorthodox methods—the same unorthodox methods that drove Olivia crazy when they went to high school together, making her less than enthused when he’s partnered with her to deliver results. Everyone thinks he’s a genius at his job, but to Olivia, he’s just another handsome face skating through life.

The more they work together, the more sparks fly between them. But the harder Olivia tries to change someone else’s course in life, the less sure she becomes of her own. With her job on the line, she has to work fast—and if she’s not careful, this assignment could turn into a nightmare.

I have so much more to share between now and publication. Mark your calendars for November 3!

I want to share more of the behind the scenes details, so if you have specific questions, leave them in the comments. If you have thoughts and opinions about the cover (!) and/or any parts of the synopsis, please leave those in the comments, too. Sending a newsletter feels like sending something into a void, and I do require external validation.

You’re the first to see the cover and the synopsis, and you can also be among the first order(s) if you preorder the Kindle version or Paperback. Technically, the book isn’t completely finished, so there is no Audible version yet, but stay tuned.

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Thanks to all of you for your continued support. I hope you’ll share JLAD with the romance readers in your life!

(Tapping the heart at the end of this newsletter is also helpful!)

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Thank you for reading! My debut novel CASKET CASE is available wherever you get your books. If you’ve already read it and liked it, please leave a 5-star review on Goodreads or Amazon and share it on the social media of your choice. I appreciate your continued support, which allows me to keep writing books!

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I have unintentionally taken an extended break from this newsletter, so I should have a lot of books to recommend. Unfortunately, I’ve been writing and editing a book, so I haven’t been reading very much.

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Nevertheless, I am here to suggest a few things for those of us in Olympics mode! And in true me fashion, most of them have caveats!!

The Favorites by Layne Fargo

I’ve already recommended this to you, and now is the *PERFECT* time to read it! Figure skating drama! Pairs drama! Who will win the gold medal? And how?? Sound like anything from the past few days in Olympics land? I read the audiobook and loved it.

Amazon Link

Bookshop Link

Carrie Soto Is Back by Taylor Jenkins Reid

This isn’t technically the Olympics, but it is about sports. Tennis, to be exact. The best to ever do it comes out of retirement for one final season, and drama ensues. Listen, I don’t like tennis. I don’t watch it. I don’t understand it. I refuse to play it. I loved this book! Trust me.

Amazon Link

Bookshop Link

Racing Hearts by Ann Adams2

This book’s caveat: I haven’t read it yet. But it is about getting to the Olympics! From the book description: “When a competitive rower’s losing streak threatens her Olympic dreams, she must train for the summer with a hometown coach to win it all back in this irresistible opposites-attract romance.” An Olympics romance! Perfect timing.

Amazon Link

Bookshop Link

Bonus content:

Glitter & Gold on Netflix

My biggest gripe about this show is that it should have been out earlier. I’ve only been able to watch about half of it because I was out of town and did not have time to binge it before the Olympics started. BUT! If you’re at all caught up with the ice dancing drama (why is it always the French judge?) and you want to know more, this is for you. It’s a documentary specifically about Chock/Bates, Gilles/Poirier, and Fournier Beaudry/Cizeron. It’s three hour-long episodes. I’ll finish it this weekend.

The Traitors on Peacock

This is a bit of a stretch, but Tara Lipinsky and Johnny Weir are both on the newest season that is currently airing. It’s a perfect thing to watch when the Olympics are over if you’d like to spend a little extra time with those two. In case you’re not watching because you’re not a reality tv aficionado: you don’t need any context for the players. It’s also more fun than you think it’s going to be!

The Cutting Edge

This movie is the perfect watch with the Winter Olympics, and that means it comes around every four years. Do not let this moment pass you by. It’s $3.99 to rent on Prime, and if you have promotional credits it’s less than that.

I’m sure I have a whole lot to say about book 2, so it can have its own newsletter. More soon!

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Thank you for reading! My debut novel CASKET CASE is available wherever you get your books. If you’ve already read it and liked it, please leave a 5-star review on Goodreads or Amazon and share it on the social media of your choice. I appreciate your continued support, which allows me to keep writing books!

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Hello and Happy October! I’m all over the place… physically and mentally… with work and book events and editing book 2 and the usual personal life things.

In California, I stayed in a cottage at a winery for a romantic weekend with Netflix and the newest Dan Brown book. It was so peaceful!

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I’m finally getting around to telling you about the remaining book events I have planned for October!

Fox Tale Book Shoppe in Woodstock, GA

Damsel Bookstore in Canton, GA

Books & Brews & Boos in Huntsville, AL

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In chronological order:

Come to Downtown Woodstock, GA to talk about Casket Case and anything else you can think of at FoxTale Book Shoppe on Tuesday, October 21 at 6:30pm. Do you have friends in the Atlanta area? Send them this info!

FoxTale Book Shoppe is a really cute bookstore, and Downtown Woodstock is a fun place to be, so it’s the perfect opportunity to stop by and talk about Casket Case before venturing out for a fall stroll or dinner or drinks or whatever else you can get into in Woodstock. RSVP!!

On Friday, October 24, come to Canton, GA to The Mill on Etowah where I will be signing books between 4-7pm at Damsel, A Romantic Bookstore during the Jack-o-Lantern Jamboree.

Damsel is a new independent bookstore in Canton, and I hope you’ll come support them (and me!). If you haven’t been to The Mill on Etowah, they have a lot of great restaurants and are always having events from what I can tell. It’s a great place to bring your family… and to buy books!

I mean look at this. Support small businesses, ok:

On Monday, October 27, I’m so excited to be part of Books & Brews & Boos - a book fair for grownups in Huntsville, AL! This is an event with The Snail on the Wall Bookstore, an independent bookstore in Huntsville that my friend Mary Beth (half of my unpaid PR team, the other half being her son Hudson) told me about.

I heard great things about the book fair last year, and I wanted to attend as a reader… then I got the offer to talk with people about Casket Case and said yes immediately. Rearranged my schedule even! I’m sure a lot of you remember book fairs at school as a kid, and I’m forever trying to recreate that feeling. Now is our chance!

If you’re in Huntsville (or anywhere really), come to the Straight to Ale Speakeasy for the book fair, which is free from 6-9pm. You can pay $12 for early access from 5-6pm to beat the crowd. This is a very cool event, and I hope to see you there!

To give you an idea, some things we’ve talked about at the recent book events in Escondido, CA and Florence, AL:

• Did I base the characters in Casket Case on real people?

• Aqua cremation

• Stuff I edited out that I wanted to keep

• Am I rich now

Anything can happen!

If you can’t attend an event, I hope you’ll online shop for some of your fall books at one of these bookstores:

FoxTale Book Shoppe

Damsel, A Romantic Bookstore

The Snail on the Wall

They’ve been so kind to support Casket Case (and me!), and I hope we can all return the favor by sending people and $$$ to their businesses!

I’ve been reading a lot and owe you some book reviews… they’re coming soon! I do post some on TikTok if that’s of interest to anyone. Link below.

Find all of my book recs in one place on Bookshop.

Hope to see you soon!

Thank you for reading! My debut novel CASKET CASE is available wherever you get your books. If you’ve already read it and liked it, please leave a 5-star review on Goodreads or Amazon and share it on the social media of your choice. I appreciate your continued support, which allows me to keep writing books!

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First of all, thank you to everyone reading this newsletter! If you’ve made it here, there’s a good chance you bought a copy of the book, shared it with your friends, and were kind to me overall as I navigated the newness in my life over the past year. I have such fond memories of seeing you at events and getting your updates from all over when you saw Casket Case in a store or recommended it to your book clubs.

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In the back of my mind there was this feeling that when I went from being the person you knew from work or college or high school or whatever image you have of me to someone publishing a book and trying to get people to buy it, that maybe people would make fun of it or think it was silly or stupid. I’m not used to being vulnerable in public, and I’m certainly not used to asking people for help or letting people help me.

I’m sure this happened in some group chat somewhere I’m unaware of and definitely in the Goodreads comments, but by and large I only experienced the good in people. It can be hard for me to share my life online, but it’s gotten easier thanks to all of you making it a safe place for me to do so.

What is there to say about Casket Case? It is one of the hardest things I’ve ever done. A project over many years with many iterations and rejections and my god how am I still finding first person POV??? I have learned so much about writing and about myself. It has completely changed my life in too many ways to count. Legitimately, my fiancé and I are together because of the publisher’s weekly announcement that you can find on Instagram.

My whole goal was to hold a book with my name on it in my hand, and I keep reminding myself that everything else is a lovely bonus—the fulfillment of dreams I never knew to have. I’ve gotten to meet so many people, both readers and other authors, who have been so kind about the book.

The shiniest hidden gem has been the DMs I get from readers who are writing just to tell me how much Casket Case meant to them and all the ways it connects with their own experiences. Every time I get one of those, I’m reminded that something I made up in my head has affected someone’s life positively. Someone I don’t even know. Someone in another state. In another country! These one off messages remind me that all of the hard parts about it have been worth it.

If you’re a writer reading this, keep trying. That’s the whole answer. I’m a try hard from way back, and when I get an idea in my head, it’s hard for me to let it go until I’ve exhausted all options. It’s a right place, right time, right people situation, and the only way to be in position for that to happen is to try. It can be painful, but we need your stories in the world. Trust that if I can do it, you can do it.

Now for the fun part! A request! The easiest way to help authors you love is to share their book with your networks. It’s free. It’s also the perfect time of year to share it. I’m going to post about this newsletter on Instagram, so you can share that if you feel nudged by some otherworldly force to do so.

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If you have the ~$18ish to buy the book (most of you already have), the next best thing to do is leave a 5 star review at all the places you can review books. I’d love for Casket Case to be in the fall books section of bookstores every year, and the best way to make sure that happens is for people to buy the book.

Thank you so much for all of your love and support!

Thank you to everyone who had a hand in making Casket Case a reality—my agent Sophie in particular who saw something in the first few chapters I sent. Maybe one day I’ll publish those weird sections about sentient caskets and sarcophagi that we loved but perhaps a normal romance reader would not.

Thank you to coauthor Lucy for being by my side through all of it.

Thank you to Nora, for everything.

Thank you for reading! My debut novel CASKET CASE is available wherever you get your books. If you’ve already read it and liked it, please leave a 5-star review on Goodreads or Amazon and share it on the social media of your choice. I appreciate your continued support, which allows me to keep writing books!

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Welcome to The *Magic* Questions where we get to spend a little more time with an author from READ THIS BOOK. This week’s edition is with Chrystal Schleyer, the author of A RATHER PECULIAR POISONING.

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It’s been a long day, and *magic* has agreed to bring you the meal of your choice. What comfort food do you choose?

Oh my goodness, everything? I'm prediabetic and working on reversing it, so please give me all the carbs and sugar I've been refraining from. Specifically French toast or chocolate caramels, please! (I acknowledge the chocolates aren't a meal but... they could be!)

*Magic* will let you join a celebrity for a day in their life. Who do you choose?

Oh man, I don't know. I'm not too up-to-date on celebrities, but maybe Keanu Reeves because he seems like a kind, genuine person.

You can use *magic* to ensure that a team or athlete of your choice will win whatever championship they’re chasing. Who do you choose and what do they win?

This is going to make me sound so lame, but I follow exactly zero sports. I know nothing of anything in this realm.

Launching a book is hard, so *magic* awards you a dream vacation. Where do you go? With who? Set the scene for your perfect vacation day.

This isn't exotic or anything, but I would go to TN. Find a cabin or hotel that would accommodate my crew and take my family to the mountains, but not too far from a city/town where we could walk each evening for dinner or dessert.

You eventually have to get back to work, and *magic* will provide the caffeine of your choice to help you get started. What do you choose?

I'm simple. Just give me a plain, hot coffee with a splash of whole milk. It's 79% of my diet already.

*Magic* will give you one wish from the readers of this newsletter. What can we do for you?

(Follow you on Instagram? Leave a review? Buy the book? Share the book? Send positive thoughts/prayers/vibes your way for something on your mind? Something else more creative than I could possibly think of?)

Oh how sweet! I will take any of the above, especially sharing/reviewing/talking about A Rather Peculiar Poisoning. Word of mouth is still such a driving force for books and always so very, very appreciated!

Find all of my book recs in one place on Bookshop.

Note from Lauren:

A cabin in the mountains and someone else cooking sounds amazing for launch week plans!

Follow Chrystal on Instagram, read A RATHER PECULIAR POISONING in whatever format you choose, and share this interview with other readers who might enjoy Chrystal’s book.

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Thank you for reading! My debut novel CASKET CASE is available wherever you get your books. If you’ve already read it and liked it, please leave a 5-star review on Goodreads or Amazon and share it on the social media of your choice. I appreciate your continued support, which allows me to keep writing books!

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READ THIS BOOK is a series in which I interview authors about their recent books. You can trust I will only choose books I have read and liked, am currently reading and liking, or books at the top of my TBR pile. I’ll also be purchasing these books myself, so the only incentive for me is that I get the answers to my nosy questions. I remember preordering this one the day the link came out!

“Bridgerton meets Knives Out” is what originally caught my eye when I saw the book deal for A RATHER PECULIAR POISONING by Chrystal Schleyer. I was pleasantly surprised to learn a few sentences later that Chrystal and I share the same agent (hi Sophie!). Chrystal is about to tell us more about herself, so I won’t spoil it, but her Instagram is a fun place to be if you’re an animal person!

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First, tell us about yourself.

I live in South Carolina on an old hay field, happily in the middle of nowhere with far too many animals. I'm also a twin to Christina Ferko who is a writer as well (and it's been so fun to navigate debuting together!)

Now, tell us about your book.

A Rather Peculiar Poisoning is Downton Abbey/Bridgerton meets Knives Out. It's a twisty, closed circle murder mystery with lots of family drama, hidden passages, and motives around every corner.

Give us the real pitch. Why should we read this book? Why will we love it?

If you'd like to be dropped in the middle of an old English manor, smelling the cinnamon from the kitchens, the smoke of gunshot in the woods, or listening to the tinkling of fine china and old creaking wooden doors, all while following clues of who is the murder as well as who is the victim, this book will be for you.

Describe the setting for your book. What made you choose this setting? What was the most fun part about it?

It's set in 1910 in an English manor at the edge of a sprawling lake and tucked up against a forest. I chose this to have an isolated setting that also could feel cozy and warm or dark and moody depending on the scene. The hidden passageways as well as the poisonous garden were some of the more fun parts to write!

If you could go on a road trip with any of the characters in the book, who would you choose, and why?

Probably Della. She was one of my favorite characters to write, and I feel like she'd be smart enough to help me not get lost.

If you had to build IKEA furniture with one of the characters in the book, who would you choose, and why?

I'd most likely pick Sadie. She'd be a hard worker as well as easy to get along with. Plus, she's used to following directions when she cooks in the kitchen, so she'd be less likely to go off script with those IKEA's manuals.

Would you say writing this specific book was straightforward for you, or were there surprises along the way? Were there any parts of the book that were especially difficult to write? Especially fun to write?

I only knew the ending when I started this book. I knew how I wanted everything to resolve... and then I had to work backwards to create the problems that needed to be solved. Writing that ending and tying everything together finally was one of the best parts for me.

What does a “normal” writing session look like for you? Take us through your process.

For this book, I had no normal. My husband and I were living in a basement with our kids while we built our house when I wrote this book. It was all very chaotic. I wrote whenever I could on a cracked little iPad. Sometimes I'd go to our build site and let the kids run free on the land while I wrote (my fav writing sessions) and other times, it was curled up in bed when everyone was asleep. The only constant was coffee. These days, it looks like writing in the dark still after my newborn is sound asleep.

Describe your journey to get to a book deal.

It was quite the whirlwind after years and years of... nothing. I had been writing for 12 years, and A Rather Peculiar Poisoning was my 7th queried manuscript. After all that time of only hearing no, I queried Sophie at The Book Group, and she requested a day later (on a Friday) and by Saturday, I had an offer from another agent! I let Sophie know, and she offered as well! I ended up choosing Sophie (highly recommend her. She is the loveliest!!) We did a round of revisions before sending it off on submission and within 5 weeks, I was nervously zooming with editors. By the sixth week, we'd chosen to go with Park Row Book's offer and I was signing a contract. I was shocked and elated (and part of me didn't believe it was even real) at how fast we were signing a contract! I feel very blessed.

Tell us how you balance writing with the other parts of your life. Any tips or tricks that have worked for you?

I wish I knew. I only know that I drink way too much coffee.

Do you have any advice for… Writers working on their first book?

Don't give up and find trusted friends. I think I would've given up if it hadn't been for writer friends encouraging me to keep going. Ande Pliego and I "met" through Instagram and became CPs. She read this book as I wrote it and told me to keep writing. There are countless others that just encouraged me while I was in the query trenches and wondering if a book of mine would ever be in print. The writing community is made up of some of the best people. I believe Adrienne Young and Kristin Dwyer created the hashtag #FindMyWritingCommunity for this purpose, and that was actually the hashtag that brought Ande and I together.

…Querying writers?

Querying now is so much harder than it was when I first started writing. I've watched the trenches get harder and harder over the years. Don't take this as discouragement because the slush is still how agents find their authors! But it is slower and there is more silence. Prepare for that, have some chocolate on hand, keep writing while you wait, and know this business really is so subjective. What one person doesn't like, another loves! Keep going, keep writing, and again, find your people/CPs that will be there through the lows and the highs!

…Other authors with books launching this year?

I don't know! I'm a month out from debuting as I write this and full of prepub jitters myself. But maybe... don't be afraid to go to more seasoned writers for advice. I've found that most writers (myself included!) are happy to help the next group of new writers--this applies to prepub, querying, starting out.

We want to support you! Share all the links. Tell us where to find your book. Where to follow you online. Etc.

I'm most active on Instagram ( @Chrystal_Schleyer ) but you can also all my book's information/links on my website: www.ChrystalSchleyer.com.

Note from Lauren:

I’m glad Chrystal is so open with her stories about querying. It’s refreshing to hear the process still works even when it can feel pointless. We need all of you writers to keep going because we need your stories in the world!

Thank you to Chrystal for answering my questions! If you need a dose of cute kitties or waddling ducks to get through your day, go say hello to Chrystal on Instagram. Please pick up a copy of A RATHER PECULIAR POISONING wherever you get your books!

Thank you for reading! My debut novel CASKET CASE is available wherever you get your books. If you’ve already read it and liked it, please leave a 5-star review on Goodreads or Amazon and share it on the social media of your choice. I appreciate your continued support, which allows me to keep writing books!

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A note before we begin: Apparently this post is too long for email, so you might have to click a button or two to get to the end. Grow up, Substack.

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This month, I’ve mostly been editing draft number two of book number two, and I’m actually pleased with my progress. I’m planning to turn it in next week. I’ll have a more specific update for you once I do.

Roses: The weather at this exact moment (7:27am) in Atlanta. Knock on wood - our pets are thriving for the first time since March-ish. Two of my friends had babies, and my niece and nephew collection will increase in a few months.

Thorns: August has been a doozy. You can read my complaints here:

What I’ve been clicking on literally and figuratively:

This month I’ve noticed a general theme of comparison/moving the goal posts/remembering what you’ve accomplished going around from some of the writers and content creators I follow. They exist in different areas of the internet, so it’s worth paying attention when they’re talking about similar things.

This post from :

Andrea Bartz: Get It Write

Being a bestseller doesn't actually guarantee anything

Hi, authors! A little housekeeping before diving into today’s truthbomb…

Read more

a year ago · 26 likes · 21 comments · Andrea Bartz

It includes this quote:

Walking around with the cognitive dissonance of (a) knowing many authors would kill for some of the things I’ve gotten while (b) cringing every time I open my sales portal and wondering, not actually all that absurdly, if my publisher will keep working with me now that I’ve spent four+ years falling short of expectations since We Were Never Here hit its peak…

And references to this post from Betty Who:

I suppose this is the point when I should explain why it matters to me, but it’s a bit self-explanatory, no? Long story short: Constantly moving the goal posts is a Big Bad of our time.

And this one from :

Diary of a Novel with Soman Chainani

No. 78: The Life of a Showgirl

Like most of the women and gays on Planet Earth, I tuned into the New Heights podcast last week, a podcast I have zero interest in and now was held captive by — all to hear Taylor Swift announce her next album…

Read more

a year ago · 35 likes · 12 comments · Soman Chainani

Many times, I would read paragraphs thinking: ‘how the hell did I write that?’ Or ‘where did this come from?’ A feeling all writers know, because there are slippages during the writing process, where the truly unconscious breaks through onto the page, and you express something far beyond your known self. It’s what we’re all chasing. And when you’re reading the final book and you find these, shimmers of diamond from the mine, light you never saw while you were down there in the dark, it feels like the highest kind of miracle.

Again, no comment necessary.

This episode of The Next Right Thing Podcast from :

I really resonated with her example of always looking for the next thing about yourself to fix.

This Bad on Paper podcast episode with and :

The main thing to say about this one is thank goodness it’s not just me. Since I’ve been back on social media, I’ve been running into the same issue that forced me off in the first place: everyone else’s lives being one click away.

BOOKS BOOKS BOOKS

These Summer Storms by Sarah MacLean

• Succession on a private island

• Comfy read because of the classic romance elements

• Love a family story with adult siblings

• Great choice for Audible

Atmosphere by Taylor Jenkins Reid

• TJR gets me every time and I know this

• Lady astronauts in the 1980s

• Love a nice blend between romance and family stories (see above)

• Great choice for Audible (same narrator as the above)

I already told you about these two:

Find all of my book recs in one place on Bookshop.

This month I’ve only been reading (Audible-ing) on my commute, but once I turn in my draft, I’ll be able to read all the books lying around my house!!

I’d love to hear about your month. Do share in the comments. Or just hit the heart/like button if you made it this far in the newsletter. For those who did make it this far: a little hint as a treat. I might be coming to a bookstore near you this fall. More soon!

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Thank you for reading! My debut novel CASKET CASE is available wherever you get your books. If you’ve already read it and liked it, please leave a 5-star review on Goodreads or Amazon and share it on the social media of your choice. I appreciate your continued support, which allows me to keep writing books!

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Welcome to The *Magic* Questions where we get to spend a little more time with an author from READ THIS BOOK. This week’s edition is with , the author of ONCE UPON A TIME IN DOLLYWOOD. It’s out now!

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It’s been a long day, and *magic* has agreed to bring you the meal of your choice. What comfort food do you choose?

I think a really good chicken and shrimp jambalaya has been missing from my life for far too long, so…yeah, that.

*Magic* will let you join a celebrity for a day in their life. Who do you choose?

Rihanna, for sure. Not only is she effortlessly fly, but I feel like she gives really good advice. Also, free Fenty Beauty, please!

You can use *magic* to ensure that a team or athlete of your choice will win whatever championship they’re chasing. Who do you choose and what do they win?

I’d love for Coco Gauff to win Wimbledon and the Australian Open in the next couple of years. (I’m a basketball girl, but I have no one I’m particularly rooting for right now, and I really love tennis too!)

Launching a book is hard, so *magic* awards you a dream vacation. Where do you go? With who? Set the scene for your perfect vacation day.

I’ve been trying to plan a writing retreat with my critique group for the longest time, so it would be wonderful if magic could pull that together for us. We’ve been looking somewhere in the Great Smoky Mountains, but there’s also this beautiful lodge in Victoria Falls (Zimbabwe) that I’d love to magically transport to, if we could. And the scenery is the best part, so I think a perfect day would be lounging in our gorgeously luxe rooms and getting our next books done! (I know it’s supposed to be a vacay, but writing really is relaxing – and it’s a break from our day jobs, at least!)

You eventually have to get back to work, and *magic* will provide the caffeine of your choice to help you get started. What do you choose?

I really love a good lavender latte. That’s been my go-to for a couple of years now. In fact, I’m drinking one now!

*Magic* will give you one wish from the readers of this newsletter. What can we do for you?

Everything with my debut has gone so much better than I ever imagined, I don’t even know what more I can ask for. I mean, if you want to buy the book, I will not complain! And come hang out with me on Instagram!

Thank you so much!

Find all of my book recs in one place on Bookshop.

Note from Lauren:

I’m all in on lavender lattes. Thanks again to !

Follow Ashley on Instagram, read ONCE UPON A TIME IN DOLLYWOOD in whatever format you choose, and share this interview with other readers who might enjoy Ashley’s work.

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Thank you for reading! My debut novel CASKET CASE is available wherever you get your books. If you’ve already read it and liked it, please leave a 5-star review on Goodreads or Amazon and share it on the social media of your choice. I appreciate your continued support, which allows me to keep writing books!

Follow me on Instagram

Follow me on TikTok

READ THIS BOOK is a series in which I interview authors about their recent books. You can trust I will only choose books I have read and liked, am currently reading and liking, or books at the top of my TBR pile. I’ll also be purchasing these books myself, so the only incentive for me is that I get the answers to my nosy questions.

When I saw the cover for ONCE UPON A TIME IN DOLLYWOOD by Ashley Jordan on Instagram, I needed to know more. Southern fiction + a love story + the clever title! I’m pleased to say it lives up to the hype. If you don’t believe me, you can ask Reese Witherspoon, who picked it for Reese’s Book Club! Keep reading for the behind the scenes info from Ashley!

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First, tell us about yourself.

I’m a millennial from Atlanta, GA (born and partially raised in Brooklyn, NY). I love Beyoncé, basketball, and books, but TV is perhaps my truest love. I’m a plotter and a procrastinator. My favorite thing to write is dialogue – specifically, arguments. I love autumn, I really don’t love summer. My current Wordle streak is at 328 days, and I’m gonna be really mad if I don’t make it to a year.

Now, tell us about your book.

It’s called Once Upon a Time in Dollywood, and it centers Eve Ambroise, a 30-something playwright from Brooklyn, and Jamie Gallagher, a 30-something single dad from Nashville. After some disappointing news, Eve is looking to outrun her heartbreak and her writer’s block and escapes to the Tennessee mountains in Gatlinburg. There, she meets Jamie, who’s kind and mostly steady, but definitely dealing with his own scars. And what starts as a spark between them grows into something neither expected. But love asks for risk, which they’re both deeply wary of, so they have to decide if the chance at something special is worth the possible fall.

Give us the real pitch. Why should we read this book? Why will we love it?

If you like realistic romance with big emotions – I’m talking high highs and low lows – this one is for you! It’s Emily Henry’s Beach Read meeting Tia Williams’ Seven Days in June, sprinkled with the Black millennial-ness of HBO’s Insecure.

Describe the setting for your book. What made you choose this setting? What was the most fun part about it?

For the most part, the story is set in the Great Smoky Mountains of Tennessee. I chose it because it gave my heroine the isolation she needed to confront herself and her past, but in a space where there are national parks and crowds just a few miles away, so she wouldn’t feel unsafe. I also think there’s a certain magic to those mountains – the winding roads, the mist curling over the hills in the morning, the way time seems to slow. And all of it is wrapped up in the quaintness of a small Southern town, where everyone knows your name — which Eve hates, but it may be just what she needs. So all of that made it pretty easy to build a sense of place that’s very vivid; it almost feels like its own character.

If you could go on a road trip with any of the characters in the book, who would you choose, and why?

Definitely my main character, Eve. While I did not intend to make her like me, we do share a lot of personality traits (which perhaps wouldn’t make for the best road trip, to be honest), but also lots of the same taste, so there will be no fighting over what podcast or album to listen to!

If you had to build IKEA furniture with one of the characters in the book, who would you choose, and why?

I’d have to go with my MMC, Jamie. Partly because it’s his job, and he’d probably make me something original. But also because he has the patience of a saint, and both of us would need that if I’m involved in this at all! Haha.

Would you say writing this specific book was straightforward for you, or were there surprises along the way? Were there any parts of the book that were especially difficult to write? Especially fun to write?

For the most part, the writing felt pretty straightforward – I had a clear vision for the story and where I wanted it to go (as I mentioned, I am 1000% a plotter). But I was surprised by how emotional some of the scenes were to write. There were moments between Eve and Jamie that snuck up on me, where their vulnerability hit a little too close to home. And the most difficult parts were the scenes where Eve confronts her past – I had to to tap into emotions I basically try to avoid at all costs! And on the other hand, the most fun parts were the arguments. I love allowing my characters to be witty and biting and even angry if they need to be. That’s probably weird. But I really do love those angsty conversations the most.

What does a “normal” writing session look like for you? Take us through your process.

I’m not sure I have a normal writing session! Sometimes I’m writing at my desk at 2:00 in the morning. Sometimes it’s on a flight. When I’m on deadline, I do find that I’m most productive when I go to my favorite coffee shop and sit there for a good 3-4 hours. (I do buy several cups of coffee and/or treats during this time, of course.) I think being in public really forces me to concentrate in a way that I often don’t when I’m at home. I also use the Pomodoro method (a cycle of 25 minutes of work and then a 5-minute break), which is deeply helpful for my ability (or rather, my inability) to focus sometimes.

Describe your journey to get to a book deal.

Okay, I’m going to try to give you the abridged version, because it was a very long journey. It was mostly straightforward, but it definitely wasn’t without its curveballs. I started out in 2020, and I really didn’t know what I was doing – my query letters were clunky, my book wasn’t ready, and I was learning as I went. But I happened to start querying at a time when publishing was trying to address its lack of diversity, which meant agents were more open to books like mine, and sometimes even offered feedback or second chances. That first round actually led to an agent offer, but I turned it down because my gut told me the book still needed work.

It wasn’t easy to say no, but I went into revisions after that. When I queried again the next year, the rejections started to pile up. That early interest kept me going for a while, but honestly, I was a handful of rejections away from giving up when I was selected for the LitUp fellowship with Reese’s Book Club in 2023, which changed everything. The mentorship, the workshops, and their resources really gave me the tools and the confidence to take my book to the next level. Shortly after, I signed with my agent – one of my dream agents, by the way – who truly understood my voice and my vision for the story. From there, things moved quickly: we went on submission in November of 2023, and just before Thanksgiving, we went to auction with six different imprints involved. It was surreal to go from feeling like I was shouting into the void to having multiple editors excited about the story I’d been carrying for so long. But every detour and delay ended up leading me exactly where I needed to be. And now I’m an official Reese’s Book Club pick!

Tell us how you balance writing with the other parts of your life. Any tips or tricks that have worked for you?

As much as I wish otherwise, I’ve learned I’m not the kind of writer with a color-coded schedule and a perfect morning routine – my process is more like organized chaos. Some weeks, I’m glued to my laptop for hours, other weeks, I’m jotting down half-baked ideas in my phone while waiting in line at the grocery store. (Honestly, that’s most weeks.) But I do feel that as long as I stay connected to the story, I can count it as progress. And I’m a firm believer that rest is part of the process. You can’t pour from an empty cup, so sometimes, the best thing you can do for your writing is to go live your life. Consume art – especially other books, but music, TV, movies, etc. – then come back with something new to give the page.

Do you have any advice for… Writers working on their first book?

Remember that the first draft doesn’t have to be perfect – it just has to exist. When I was writing Dollywood, I spent so much time worrying about getting every scene just right instead of letting the story breathe and evolve. My advice to first-time writers is to give yourself permission to be messy and curious. Your book will change in ways you couldn’t have imagined if you allow it to. Protect your joy in the process, and don’t rush it. Every word you write, even the ones you’ll cut later, is teaching you how to tell the story only you can tell.

…Querying writers?

This business is so subjective. It’s difficult, I know, but try not to take the rejections personally. They aren’t always about the quality of your work – it can be about timing, taste, or just not quite the right fit. Querying can be both exciting and brutal, so pace yourself. Research agents (I cannot stress this enough), and my advice is to only personalize a query if you truly have a unique reason for querying that agent – otherwise, it’s basically a waste of time. If you’re lucky enough to get feedback in this day and age, do not take it as gospel – take what resonates and discard the rest. Don’t be afraid to pause and revise before sending your next batch; it’s not a race, and there’s no medal for being the fastest. Most importantly, protect your belief in your story. The right agent will see what makes it special, and that match is worth the wait. I’m living proof!

…Other authors with books launching this year?

I think the biggest thing I learned through my debut year is to keep my eyes on my own paper. It’s so easy to be distracted by the things that are happening for others that aren’t happening for you (and vice versa), but it’s so important to remember that your journey is yours, and to be appreciative of it. Publishing has a lot of issues (and I do mean a lot), but I also know how many authors are trying to get to this place, and I always try to be mindful of what it means to have made it this far.

We want to support you! Share all the links. Tell us where to find your book. Where to follow you online. Etc.

Thank you so much. My book is available pretty much anywhere books are sold (I think), but I’d love it if you headed to Bookshop.org and shopped at your local indie bookstore. Even if they don’t have it, they can probably get it for you!

And you can find me on the internet at:
My website - https://ashleyjordanwrites.com
Instagram - https://instagram.com/ashleyjordanwrites
Or Substack -

Sweet Tea

Updates on my author journey and the things I learn about publishing along the way.

By Ashley Jordan

Note from Lauren:

Reading about Ashley’s journey and her writing process was a great reminder for me that not all writers have color-coded calendars and strict writing schedules. I love the grace she has for herself and the permission she gives other writers to do the same.

I felt this same grace for her characters in ONCE UPON A TIME IN DOLLYWOOD. It’s refreshing to read about real people struggling to get through life the way we’re all struggling to get through life when there is no magic fix for our problems. These are the sorts of love stories I’m looking for, especially when they come with southern accents! Thanks to for taking the time to answer my questions!

I hope you’ll get a copy of ONCE UPON A TIME IN DOLLYWOOD in whatever format you like best, so you can read this book!

Find all of my book recs in one place on Bookshop.

Thank you for reading! My debut novel CASKET CASE is available wherever you get your books. If you’ve already read it and liked it, please leave a 5-star review on Goodreads or Amazon and share it on the social media of your choice. I appreciate your continued support, which allows me to keep writing books!

Follow me on Instagram

Follow me on TikTok

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This week’s woes… feel free to skip this section.

I recognize how annoying it is, but writing is how I process things, and someone let me start a newsletter.

Caveat before reading: These are easy problems to solve!!

Life is catching up with me. Working full time and in the office 5 days a week plus 2 hours of commuting per day is something completely doable, and in fact, plenty of people do it. My problem is that I arranged my life around working in the office 3 days a week and at home 2 days, so I’m at the point where something’s gotta give.

I have a lot to do at work. The commute sucks. I get home, and I’m exhausted. Now, I have to cook dinner and do the dishes and get my lunch ready for the next day and maybe say hello to the other members of my household. I forgot to get the trash together, then I spilled a full cup of coffee all over the counters, and did I mention the dog making absurd messes that require my immediate attention? When am I supposed to write? When am I supposed to do the laundry? When am I supposed to talk to my friends? When am I supposed to get my hair cut? When am I supposed to sleep? I also have a wedding to plan, and I would keep that to yourself if you were thinking of asking me about it.

Once again, These are easy problems to solve!! I just need to figure it out. Maybe on a day when I’ve had more than 4 hours of sleep, which is hopefully a day in the future that does exist.

Woes over. Now on to the editing.

I am still working through the edits on book 2! I will be turning in draft 2 in a few weeks, and I put myself on a schedule that I feel…mostly ok about? Shout out to Virgos—your season is coming quickly! May it give the rest of us some of your organizational powers. Because this Sagittarius is barely hanging on… see above.

My fear of commitment which stems from a crippling fear of missing out makes scheduling hard for me (in a cute way of course!!). This is why I made a weekly schedule for editing instead of breaking it down any further. But surprise!! This has been a gift! Right now, I’m teetering on the edge of being behind schedule, but the weekend is going to save me! I have the next few days to catch up to where I need to be before next week.

Is anyone even interested in granular details? If not, I understand. Skip ahead!

If so, here you go:

I printed my draft, and I’ve been lugging it around in a giant binder to work on anytime I find five or more minutes for myself. Some days, I don’t touch it at all and carry it around for no reason. That’s fun. Other times I can get a few pages done in between other obligations.

Interlude for the school supplies girlies:

Check out my binder (with other color options). Check out my pens. Check out my printer.

I strongly believe in taking breaks between drafts so that I can come in with fresher eyes and (almost) like I’m a regular reader of a book I didn’t write. Printing out the draft also helps with this somehow. Sometimes when I’m zoomed in on the blinking cursor in a full document, I lose sight of the whole picture. It’s a little easier to see everything as parts of a whole when it’s printed. IMO. YMMV.

Read in petulant child tone: I’m trying to be better about organization.

I got this tracker spreadsheet from . Again, I’m not a Virgo, so filling out all the tabs is just not in my future, but I did take this one tab and make some adjustments to help me keep track of the project as a whole. If you’re a numbers person, here you go:

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Writing Accoutrements

Hi friends…

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2 years ago · 132 likes · 20 comments · Becca Freeman

Most of my current edits are big ones: move this chapter, rewrite this intro, add a new chapter here, introduce this character earlier. Of course, I also have line edits (word changes, rewriting a sentence, fixing typos), but I’ll get more into the weeds as I get further into the draft.

I finished going through the printed draft, and this week has been about incorporating the changes into the Word document. I started a list on a note inside the binder for all the big changes that involve me writing something, so when I finish incorporating everything, I’ll have a list to work through for the next two weeks (or until I finish on the extreme off chance that it takes me less time than that).

The week after that is when I’m supposed to turn it in, so I’ll do a big reread to try and push this draft as far as I can. This is usually when I’m really mean to myself about how terrible it is and how much better other books are. It’s going to be great. My therapist has plenty to do.

I’ll give you another update in a couple of weeks with how things are going. Assuming you’re interested in watching the workings of my mind and my self esteem deteriorate in real time.

Thank you for reading this stream of consciousness that poured out of me. I’m not going to edit it too much because 1) I don’t have time and 2) authenticity, baby!!

I dream of the day when I can share more with you, and I would guess that’s coming fairly soon.

Like this post if you’d like to read more unhinged writing content in the future. More next week, and I’m genuinely excited for you to read it!!

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Thank you for reading! My debut novel CASKET CASE is available wherever you get your books. If you’ve already read it and liked it, please leave a 5-star review on Goodreads or Amazon and share it on the social media of your choice. I appreciate your continued support, which allows me to keep writing books!

Follow me on Instagram

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Welcome to The *Magic* Questions where we get to spend a little more time with an author from READ THIS BOOK. This week’s edition is with Elissa Sussman, the author of TOTALLY AND COMPLETELY FINE. It’s out now!

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It’s been a long day, and *magic* has agreed to bring you the meal of your choice. What comfort food do you choose?

Lasagna and fresh-made bread.

Thanks to *magic*, you’ve just entered the world’s biggest thrift store. What section do you scour first? Are you looking for anything in particular?

I'd be there all day. I love thrifting, but lately I've been heading straight to the kitchenware section to find weird, interesting things. Or I'm on my continuing search for chandeliers.

*Magic* will let you join a celebrity for a day in their life. Who do you choose?

Rege-Jean Page. He's signed on to play Gabe Parker in the TV adaptation of FUNNY and I can't imagine anything more fun than hanging out with him on the set.

You can use *magic* to ensure that a team or athlete of your choice will win whatever championship they’re chasing. Who do you choose and what do they win?

Go sports! (I have no idea)

Launching a book is hard, so *magic* awards you a dream vacation. Where do you go? With who? Set the scene for your perfect vacation day.

Husband and I stay at home with our menagerie of pets, perfect weather and a fridge full of food and snacks so we don't need to go anywhere for several days.

You eventually have to get back to work, and *magic* will provide the caffeine of your choice to help you get started. What do you choose?

Thai Iced Tea with Boba

*Magic* will give you one wish from the readers of this newsletter. What can we do for you?

Challenge the concept of virginity every day all day!

Find all of my book recs in one place on Bookshop.

Note from Lauren:

Still thinking about Rege-Jean Page. Thanks again to for answering all of my questions!

Follow Elissa on Instagram, read TOTALLY AND COMPLETELY FINE in whatever format you choose, and share this interview with other readers who might enjoy Elissa’s work.

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Thank you for reading! My debut novel CASKET CASE is available wherever you get your books. If you’ve already read it and liked it, please leave a 5-star review on Goodreads or Amazon and share it on the social media of your choice. I appreciate your continued support, which allows me to keep writing books!

READ THIS BOOK is a new series in which I interview authors about their recent books. You can trust I will only choose books I have read and liked, am currently reading and liking, or books at the top of my TBR pile. I’ll also be purchasing these books myself, so the only incentive for me is that I get the answers to my nosy questions.

I read TOTALLY AND COMPLETELY FINE by Elissa Sussman and could not put it down. I really connected with the female main character, and not just because her name is Lauren! It has everything - spice, heart, a hot guy with an accent. What else do you need?

was kind enough to answer my nosy questions, so let’s get to it!

First, tell us about yourself.

I'm a romance writer with big opinions and a small garden.

Now, tell us about your book.

Totally and Completely Fine is a dual timeline romance about Lauren, a widowed mother, dealing with the loss of her husband, her angry, grieving teen daughter and the hot younger movie star that crashes into her life.

Give us the real pitch. Why should we read this book? Why will we love it?

This is a great book if you want to laugh through your tears. It's about grief and sex and small towns and big personalities. If you liked FUNNY YOU SHOULD ASK, it's a prequel, sequel, and retelling all in one.

Describe the setting for your book. What made you choose this setting? What was the most fun part about it?

A small Montana town - loosely based on the town where my husband grew up. I've spent many holidays there and while there are things I love about the small town life, it can be stifling and homogenous. There are a mixture of real places (Birds and Beasleys) and fake places (The Finnish Line) and I had a lot of fun mixing reality with fiction.

If you could go on a road trip with any of the characters in the book, who would you choose, and why?

Ollie, a fan favorite from FUNNY and recurring character in TOTALLY would be a great person to road trip with because he'd want to stay at all the nicest places and eat the best food.

If you had to build IKEA furniture with one of the characters in the book, who would you choose, and why?

Ben is very, very good with his hands.

What are the vibes of the book? Because you’re a writer, we’ll give you a five word limit.

You might want some tissues

Would you say writing this specific book was straightforward for you, or were there surprises along the way? Were there any parts of the book that were especially difficult to write? Especially fun to write?

Writing a book about grief while grieving is not exactly what I'd recommend to anyone else, but as hard as the book was to write, it was extremely rewarding to finish. The scenes with Lena (especially between her and her uncle, Gabe) are some of my favorites in the book.

What does a “normal” writing session look like for you? Take us through your process.

I usually write in 500 word blocks. It makes it feel more manageable and allows for plenty of breaks, but most of my writing process involves me internally yelling at myself for not hitting my word count. There's also a lot of staring at my computer screen, plenty of naps, and sweet treats for bribery.

Describe your journey to get to a book deal.

Pretty traditional! Wrote a book, queried agents, got an agent, went on submission with book, sold book to editor. Now just repeat that whole process three times with three different books, three different agents, and three different editors.

Tell us how you balance writing with the other parts of your life. Any tips or tricks that have worked for you?

I truly have no idea. I think it's mostly sheer will and unwavering stubbornness.

Do you have any advice for… Writers working on their first book?

You can't edit an incomplete book. You have to start and finish whatever you're working on.

…Querying writers?

This is a great time to get used to rejection. It's gonna happen a lot. And it's gonna keep happening. Build up your protective shield.

…Other authors with books launching this year?

Don't go on GoodReads. Don't compare your book to others. Focus on the fact that you wrote a freaking book and it's going to be published. Everyone thinks they can write a book (and everyone probably can) but you DID.

We want to support you! Share all the links. Tell us where to find your book. Where to follow you online. Etc.

I'm on social media, mostly on IG (https://www.instagram.com/elissa_sussman/) and have a website (elissasussman.com). There's also my newsletter: Elissa Explains It All (https://elissaexplainsitall.substack.com/about) and my new podcast But How's the Sex (https://elissasussman.com/podcast/) where a guest and I debate the sex lives of fictional characters.

Note from Lauren:

This is sort of a two-fer because you should also read the first book in the series FUNNY YOU SHOULD ASK (recently optioned for TV by our favorite hot duke Regé-Jean Page), but nbd if you haven’t yet—it is totally and completely fine to read TOTALLY AND COMPLETELY FINE on its own. As Dolly Parton says in Steel Magnolias, “Laughter through tears is my favorite emotion.” I think she would be pleased with this book… and all the things Ben can do with his hands.

Thanks so much to for her advice and for giving us all the info about TOTALLY AND COMPLETELY FINE! I hope you’ll follow her, get a copy of the book in whatever form you fancy, and read this book!

Find all of my book recs in one place on Bookshop.

Thank you for reading! My debut novel CASKET CASE is available wherever you get your books. If you’ve already read it and liked it, please leave a 5-star review on Goodreads or Amazon and share it on the social media of your choice. I appreciate your continued support, which allows me to keep writing books!

Follow me on Instagram

Follow me on TikTok

Roses: Vacation to Northern Ireland with a brief stop in Dublin! I got tickets many moons ago to The Open at Portrush (a fairly prestigious tournament in the world of golf, which is possibly irrelevant to most reading this newsletter). This trip almost didn’t happen for many reasons, and there was one point where I thought I would be going alone, but it all worked out in the end.

I got a new nephew!

I saw Beyonce! (and her husband)

Thorns: Lucy had her second surgery of the year last week. Thankfully, it was a routine splenectomy, and the recovery was much better this time than her last surgery, which was only two months ago. I keep hoping our pets will stop running up insane vet bills, but that continues to be a hope for the future.

I’m feeling frazzled trying to balance all the things that need balance in my life. Taking care of a bored beagle who isn’t allowed to go anywhere or do anything, working, moving offices at work, returning to work in the office 5 days a week, editing a draft (more soon), planning and writing this newsletter, many doctor’s appointments, and other first world problems that I will not list in order to spare you the complaints. Nothing is that bad, but doing it all at once is proving challenging as I am only one person.

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What I’ve been clicking on literally and figuratively:

Northern Ireland

I’ve been twice and loved it twice. The people are friendly, and the views are something out of a fantasy novel. Maybe I’ll write another post about the places we went for those who are interested in travel info.

We went to The Open at Portrush! Going to The Open is a dream for my family, and I’m glad at least a few of us were able to make it happen this year. I expect another trip down the line… maybe in Scotland?

An excerpt from my Google searches:

“What is the best way to get past the afternoon crash?”

Even the productivity side of the internet has no answer for this. The main advice is to get over it, from what I can tell. ~We’re not meant to work nonstop~ While I agree with this, the reality is that I have to work in order to pay my bills, and sometimes that means I have a meeting or a task I need to do during that early afternoon window.

Advice I’m taking: go for a quick walk, stack your easiest tasks during that time, use that time for scrolling but with a hard stop time.

Advice I’m leaving but might work for you: take a nap (In the middle of the day? Am I a Tudor?), give up caffeine (they may take our lives, but they will never take my coffee), diet culture nonsense (What is a keto? No one tell me.).

Pet Insurance

Stop what you’re doing and insure your pets. It’s something I was always planning to do and never got around to it… until Lucy needed surprise TPLO surgery a few years ago. It was too late for that surgery to be covered, but the two unexpected surgeries this year were at least partially covered. The cats are not insured, and we could have used that insurance for Oscar earlier this year. All of these things were surprises!! Lucy and Oscar had no preexisting conditions. It takes 5 minutes to do online.

People really do ask me questions about this, so I looked everything up to have the answers at hand. There are many pet insurance companies, and generally if you’re willing to pay more per month they’ll cover more. Lucy is 12 now, and these surgeries keep happening, so I will pay more to cover more at this point. I pay $130 per month (this just went up based on company changes; it started at like $70 per month) and it pays 70% of our vet bills related to illness or injury. I wasn’t too stressed about the price increase because we’ve already been reimbursed (way) more than we’ll pay this year, so it has been worth it to me. It also comes with 24/7 telehealth services. When I submit an invoice online for Lucy, I get reimbursed within 1-3 days.

I have Nationwide. They claim their plans start at $13 per month. They’ll give you a deal if you have multiple pets to insure. I looked into Lemonade after reading good reviews, but they wouldn’t insure Lucy because of her age and are dead to me now. Their plans start at $10 per month. If you have a younger, healthy pet, you should be able to find relatively cheap plans. When you get a surprise $5k vet bill you’ll be happy if insurance will cover even 10% of it.

Enneagram 5 moment over.

BOOKS BOOKS BOOKS

This should be easy because I’ve barely read anything this month! My vacations are rarely (if ever) built for reading and relaxation. I’ll never be one of those people who comes back after reading 8 books because sitting still in a foreign place makes me antsy with FOMO. I support those who do relax! Teach me your ways!

The Favorites by Layne Fargo

• For those who can feel Moira Kelly saying “toe pick” in their souls

• Classic USA vs. Russia Olympic figure skating storyline

• Loved the complexity of the relationships

• Great choice for Audible

The Irresistible Urge to Fall for Your Enemy by Brigitte Knightley

• An assassin and a healer - how could they possibly understand each other??

• Book 1 of 2: classic enemies to lovers with a novel magic system

• If you know the original source material, you won’t recognize it here

• Brigitte is a fun follow on Instagram

The Knight and the Moth by Rachel Gillig

• Gothic romantasy about a prophetess and an irreverent knight

• Religious themes and discussions (e.g. What’s a god to a nonbeliever?)

• Fast moving plot imo (complimentary)

• Definitely getting a sequel

Find all of my book recs in one place on Bookshop.

Next up:

Totally and Completely Fine by Elissa Sussman (current read, more next week!)

Bury Our Bones in the Midnight Soil by V. E. Schwab

Problematic Summer Romance by Ali Hazelwood

Finishing my draft!!

I’d love to hear what you’ve been doing this month. Tell me things in the comments. Or just hit the heart/like button if you made it this far in the newsletter.

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Thank you for reading! My debut novel CASKET CASE is available wherever you get your books. If you’ve already read it and liked it, please leave a 5-star review on Goodreads or Amazon and share it on the social media of your choice. I appreciate your continued support, which allows me to keep writing books!

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