Paperbacks and previews
Revelle's paperback edition is out in the US today--and I've got some Book 2 artwork I can't help but share...
a little update 👋🏻
Revelle is out in paperback TODAY! 🎡
sneak peek of character art for Book 2… ✨
summer favorites so far ♥︎
1. a little update👋🏻
Hello, lovelies. Welcome to the 3rd installment of my newsletter. I have been in front of this keyboard every day, revising my second YA romantasy. I’m currently doing scene-level edits, which means my editor and I are happy with the overall plot and the sequence of events, but are attempting to deepen the emotional impact of each scene. I’m also tightening the pacing, getting rid of every superfluous word and train of thought so that readers (ideally) never feel bored. It’s fun! And, after rewriting this book three times before finally getting this complex story to cooperate, it’s a relief to be in this phase of revisions.
If you read to the end, you’ll get to see a preview of the character art for this project. I’m obsessed!
2. Revelle is out in paperback TODAY!🎡
Thrilled that Revelle’s paperback is in US stores today! If you’re a reader who prefers paperback, you can order yours at Barnes and Noble, your favorite indie bookstore, Amazon, or your local library. And it’s on sale at HarperCollins’ website! If you use the button below, it’s only $12.79.
Let me give y’all a little tour of this edition! While the cover and spine are shinier versions of the hardcover, the back cover is a deep purple, with a summary of the book. See?
The blurbs from other YA fantasy authors (and a few trade reviews) are printed on the inside of the front cover, while a one-page preview from a later chapter entices readers about the story to come. It’s a favorite page of mine, one that I had to fight tooth-and-nail to get the design team to print just right to capture the whimsical, hallucinogenic drink mood. See the way the page on the right ends?
And it also has the advertisement for Charmant. Still obsessed. The design team really outdid themselves.
If I’m being 100% honest, I was hoping to have Book 2 done before Revelle’s paperback released, so a preview of Book 2 could be included after Revelle’s conclusion. Specifically, the prologue. I LOVE the Book 2 prologue. But the timing didn’t work out (because I am le slow). Guess I’ll have to share it with y’all instead. Soon!
3. sneak peek of Book 2 character art ✨
Okay, so I still can’t officially talk about Book 2. But one of my favorite artists, Will Hatch, opened up for commissions, and I jumped on it. Although I can’t share it publicly, I thought i’d give y’all a sneak peek. Now keep in mind, this is an entirely new standalone romantasy. And this cropped preview is only part of the full artwork. Shhh!
In case you missed it, here’s the playlist I’ve been listening to while working on Book 2. The scene above correlates to the first song on the list, which Baz Luhrmann fans may recognize from Romeo and Juliet. This book has many varied moods, and this is only one of them, but ya girl loves her angst. ♥︎
4. summer favorites so far
Welp, I’m back on deadline, so my free time is limited,. But I’ve been making an effort to maintain some semblance of balance rather than hunker down in my writing cave and ignore the world. Here’s what I’ve been enjoying:
What I’m reading: Believe it or not, I’m halfway through something nonfiction! Gasp! My husband has been begging me to read Atomic Habits, by James Clear, because he knew I’d enjoy it. It has sat on my nightstand for about a year, collecting dust and dried contact lenses. But when Anna Mercier suggested I read it for Turning to Story, I finally dusted it off. And it’s, unfortunately, as great as everyone says it is. The basic premise is that making subtle, 1% changes in your habits can vastly alter your life. As a psychologist, it’s fascinating.
What I’m reading (again): Because I can’t just recommend nonfiction, let me tell you what else I’ve been devouring. Brian Kennedy’s third book (yes, this is a humble brag, because it’s not available anywhere—yet—but let me tell you, I read it in one sitting without stopping). Ruby Barrett’s upcoming post-apocalyptic romance (my favorite of her books) was another fantastic recent read for me. So many good books on the horizon.
What I’m watching: Couple’s Therapy on Showtime. Yes, I’m years behind the zeitgeist, but I have always struggled with therapy representations in film and television because it’s usually awful and cliche. But I listened to an interview with Dr. Orna Guralnik, the psychotherapist who provides therapy to actual real-life couples on this documentary, and she sounded so brilliant, I gave the show a try. AND LOVED IT. Full disclosure: I’ve never been particularly good at couple’s therapy. I’ve always felt a pull to take one side or the other, and it’s hard for me to maintain the neutrality required for safe exploration. But watching a true expert navigate those boundaries while I can sit back and choose sides is very satisfying.
What I’m listening to: 2023 and 2024 have been the 20 year anniversaries for so many of my favorite albums (yes, that hurt to type) , which has led to some of my favorite bands reuniting. Last week, I saw Something Corporate in NYC and it was pretty much a perfect night. Music from my teen years just hits different!
Sunset, skylines, and live music. What I’m buying: I’m the last person who should be making any beauty recommendations, because my mantra is “what is the least amount of work I can do to not be a gremlin?” With that in mind, this deep conditioner is the only thing that keeps my hair from turning into straw every summer.
Adios!
Thanks for making it all the way to the bottom. See you when I have something new to share, hopefully later this summer.
