hello dear StoryClub Please send your girl some love...I've reentered the query trenches... sent 3 out yesterday...and have like 20 to go. One was to an agent who I live pitched to at the SCBWI summer conference who seemed excited about it... and of course, after I hit 'send' I started running the acronym in my head and realized how many times I've been calling it SCWBI (doesn't that sound better even though it doesn't make sense?) and also that I didn't put headers with page numbers on my writing sample. (side note: If anyone is looking for even more support, SCBWI virtual conference was actually really well run and super fun and easy to meet people). Anyway, I'm excited the actual writing is all me and the story is what I envisioned it to me years ago when I started it... and the query letter is so much better ... as for the synopsis? Well, that's still a beast of burden... Lastly, when i sent out a few queries earlier this year, for the first time, I broke out into hives. that hasn't happened...yet. 🍻to progress! What I learned for this time was to have something ready to go and work on so your not sitting there frozen in fear of rejection ... I mean of course we all want books that go big, but along the way, I've noticed that so long as I'm creative, I am well. and, if you're working on the next thing, it also has the added bonus of having something else to query. The other thing that's different is that I have since built up a writing/creative community that I'm not afraid to lean on. So, thank you all for this space, too! (and to @Angela Griffin for starting that neverending story at the perfect time!)

I will be with 100 other indie authors at the Fredericksburg Independent Book Festival on Saturday, October 3, in Fredericksburg, VA. If you're in or near Virginia, stop by.

Anyone who's experienced StoryCon knows it's a massive source of inspiration, community, support, and fun for writers. If you're feeling like treating yourself this upcoming year, join us there (and let's do an in-person meet-up!!) Individual Adult and College Student Tickets are 20% off as part of our launch sale with the code EARLYBIRD27. This is the only significant discount we're running all year, so if you want to come, now's the time to commit! The sale ends Sunday night at midnight. Learn more at https://www.storycon.org/ See you there!

I have a book signing at Barnes and Noble in the Shops at Stonewall in Gainesville, VA, this Sunday, July 26, from 12-3pm. If your in or near the DMV, please stop by.

You cannot control the weather as an author. My book signing this weekend was accompanied by a deluge of thunderstorms. I sold four books in three hours. Sadly it doesnt cover the travel expenses for the weekend. But, sadly, this is the world of an indie author.