J.T. Ellison's Blog, page 2

Friday Reads 8.1.25

Hullo, and Happy Friday to ye. It’s a big day—release day!

Before we jump in, I wanted to update you all on the mommy cardinal situation.

Apparently, after last week’s solo outing to the feeder, her unwanted fame drew the attention of a boy cardinal. Last night, they had their first date. It was awkward. He’s not a big guy, and he was being shy. She, too, was curious but not flirting. They sat at opposite ends of the pavilion and were kind of doing their own thing. It reminded me a bit of going to dinner and seeing a couple on their respective phones. BUT! They flew off TOGETHER!!!

I don’t know why this made my heart so glad. She’s a loner, and that’s totally cool. But he looked a little bedraggled, too, so I am living in great hope that the two live happily ever after.

So… it’s my favorite Friday Reads of the year because I get to share MY book, at last!

LAST SEEN is out in the world today, in all its glorious formats, and I am so incredibly thrilled! I can’t wait for you to meet Halley James, and Catriona, and the Monster. I want you to get lost in the woods, spend your weekend in my weird little biophilic community, and go to bed with the lights on. This one’s got a creep factor that hearkens back to some of my earlier novels—and definitely has a ripped-from-the-headlines vibe about it. You’ll see what I’m talking about when you read or listen, no spoilers here…😇

I WANT LAST SEEN!

Today at noon Central time, I will be live here on Substack with the one and only Jayne Ann Krentz! You should get a reminder when that happens, so forgive me for a double notification day. And tonight I’ll be at Parnassus with BFF extraordinaire Ariel Lawhon, chatting it up about the story. Sunday, the newsletter comes out with a lot of introspection about this book and some cool stuff. So phew! It’s finally here and I am beside myself with joy! I can’t say it enough, I continue to be blown away by your support for LAST SEEN. You guys, over 6,000 reviews before release day?!? Thank you for downloading, purchasing, reviewing, and sharing. It means the world to me!

So what else am I reading? Honestly, I’ve been all PR all the time this week and haven’t read more than a few sentences at a time, and that’s from Fourth Wing because I’m too deep into the next book’s draft to allow in any other voices…

So it’s on you, this week, friends! Bonus points for reading LAST SEEN, of course, but I’d love to hear what’s tickled your fancy this week! What are you reading this weekend? Any recommendations for us?

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Friday Reads 7.31.25

Hullo, and Happy Friday to ye. It’s a big day—release day!

Before we jump in, I wanted to update you all on the mommy cardinal situation.

Apparently, after last week’s solo outing to the feeder, her unwanted fame drew the attention of a boy cardinal. Last night, they had their first date. It was awkward. He’s not a big guy, and he was being shy. She, too, was curious but not flirting. They sat at opposite ends of the pavilion and were kind of doing their own thing. It reminded me a bit of going to dinner and seeing a couple on their respective phones. BUT! They flew off TOGETHER!!!

I don’t know why this made my heart so glad. She’s a loner, and that’s totally cool. But he looked a little bedraggled, too, so I am living in great hope that the two live happily ever after.

So… it’s my favorite Friday Reads of the year because I get to share MY book, at last!

LAST SEEN is out in the world today, in all its glorious formats, and I am so incredibly thrilled! I can’t wait for you to meet Halley James, and Catriona, and the Monster. I want you to get lost in the woods, spend your weekend in my weird little biophilic community, and go to bed with the lights on. This one’s got a creep factor that hearkens back to some of my earlier novels—and definitely has a ripped-from-the-headlines vibe about it. You’ll see what I’m talking about when you read or listen, no spoilers here…😇

I WANT LAST SEEN!

Today at noon Central time, I will be live here on Substack with the one and only Jayne Ann Krentz! You should get a reminder when that happens, so forgive me for a double notification day. And tonight I’ll be at Parnassus with BFF extraordinaire Ariel Lawhon, chatting it up about the story. Sunday, the newsletter comes out with a lot of introspection about this book and some cool stuff. So phew! It’s finally here and I am beside myself with joy! I can’t say it enough, I continue to be blown away by your support for LAST SEEN. You guys, over 6,000 reviews before release day?!? Thank you for downloading, purchasing, reviewing, and sharing. It means the world to me!

So what else am I reading? Honestly, I’ve been all PR all the time this week and haven’t read more than a few sentences at a time, and that’s from Fourth Wing because I’m too deep into the next book’s draft to allow in any other voices…

So it’s on you, this week, friends! Bonus points for reading LAST SEEN, of course, but I’d love to hear what’s tickled your fancy this week! What are you reading this weekend? Any recommendations for us?

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Step Twenty: The First Review

There’s nothing more terrifying than sending your book baby out into the world for critical review. It’s kind of like getting into a rocket ship and hoping it doesn’t blow up on the way to the stars. It’s impossible to predict: you could have a smooth ride, or you could crash and burn. Some will be fantastic, while others will be abysmal. And you have to wrap your head around the fact that some people, for reasons both valid and specious, will not like your work. You must be tender with yourself now. While a book happens for your whole team, the reviews feel more personal. Like they’re only happening to you.

Reviews can be a relief, and they can be crushing, which is why your team is going to recommend that you DO NOT READ YOUR REVIEWS, especially those of the general consumer.

Why?

Because we are artists. We are sensitive. It’s human nature to want accolades for your hard work. And when those accolades come, they are amazing. But sometimes, they do not, and that can send your self-worth crashing through the floor. It can stifle—even murder—your creative spirit.

We as a species tie our self-worth to our acceptance in the community. In a world of likes and hearts and thumbs-ups and stars, it’s no wonder this moment is so fraught. We have been conditioned to seek, nay, crave, positive reinforcement and acceptance. Every social media and SM-adjacent website is built on this attentiveness, the dopamine hit of affirmation. And having a book reviewed is all of that on steroids.

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Friday Reads 7.25.25

I credit today’s post theme to a mommy cardinal.

We have a feeder in the backyard that resembles a mini-gazebo. The birds can shelter inside when it’s raining, or they need shade, and it’s always crowded. I’m talking the 405 at rush hour, crowded.

But I just went for a glass of water, and there was a lone mommy cardinal in the feeder. I watched her, and she watched me. She had a moment of peace, chewing contentedly, all by herself in the gazebo.

I, of course, immediately got worried that she’s somehow been outcast and this is her only chance to eat, when the rest of the flock has looked away. Or that she’s missing her mate and having breakfast alone.

And then I realized it’s more likely by choice. She realized she could have a moment of peace and quiet and safety whilst eating, and took advantage. Moms, and women in general, don’t always get those quiet moments—when we do, we treasure them.

And that reminded me of the peace I’ve been feeling this week.

It’s been a quiet week here. I’m working hard on the new book, preparing for next week’s launch of LAST SEEN, and otherwise trying to keep my head on straight. The calm before the storm, as they say. It’s been my entire focus. I go to sleep thinking about it and wake up thinking about it. I’ve let everything else go in favor of getting the story down.

It’s been very nice.

It’s always hard to have a book releasing while you’re still writing the next one. I’m used to this, we do it all the time, and I’m close to where I need to be by August 1. It’s due in September, and I really, really want to have at least a loose draft done before I leave on tour. I wanted to be done entirely, but from the ‘man-plans-God-laughs’ files, that was not to be. I thought I would finish this book back in May. If you’ve been here a minute, you know we lost February to family issues and May to Covid, so here I am, still paddling the boat. Taking advantage of the quiet this week has really helped. Somewhere along the way, this story got away from me, and I’ve been trying to edit a blank page, and that, of course, never works.

Books are fascinating creatures. Some resist being written, some fly out of your fingers in desperation to get out of your head. It doesn’t matter how much or how little planning, how many hours you put in, how good you are at your craft. Some stories fight back. I can give you innumerable reasons why this one has been giving me fits, but it’s irrelevant. I’m getting close to finishing the draft, and then I will wrestle with it.

So. Books. It’s been a slow reading week, mostly because I’ve needed to do research, and that’s involved some weird documentaries on crypto, financial fraud, and of course, the Billy Joel documentary, which is fantastic! I’m a huge fan. I’ve seen him in concert several times over the years, and feel very blessed to be able to say that. He’s one of the finest in person performers I’ve ever seen!

I’m deep into Megan Miranda’s excellent YOU BELONG HERE. It’s been my fall asleep read, and it’s been keeping me up too late.

And still listening to THE DEVIL AT HIS ELBOW, which is extremely long. I haven’t been in the car much so I’m anxious to get back to it.

I grabbed THE IDEA: The Seven Elements of a Viable Story on the recommendation of another substacker. When I get lost, I love to read craft books.

I also pulled in a completely new to me story called THE DEATH OF US by Abigail Dean. It showed up in my feed and had so many laudatory reviews from luminaries; I thought, 'Hey, why not?’ Have you read it?

Jess Lourey has a new book out this week, THE LAUGHING DEAD. If you’ve not read her before, she's amazing.

Step Twenty, The First Review, is coming Sunday. Can you believe we’re almost done with this series? Once I finish I need to pull together a proposal, which I might write about, too, because I’ve never done a non-fiction proposal before.

I can’t say it enough, I continue to be blown away by your support for LAST SEEN. Thank you for downloading, purchasing, reviewing, and sharing. It means the world to me!

I hope you have fun plans for the weekend, and a good book on tap. What are you reading this weekend? Any recommendations for us?

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Friday Reads 7.18.25

Friday, at last! It’s been a long and steamy week here in Nashvegas, and I’m not thrilled to be entering the official dog days of summer for the next two weeks (nor Mercury going retrograde-UGH!). Staying inside where it's cool is definitely the order of the day. It’s the perfect time of year to chill and write.

I’ve been listening to a fabulous book recommended by a friend, THE DEVIL AT HIS ELBOW, about Alex Murdaugh and his extended family’s legacy of crimes. You know how the universe gives you what you need when you need it, as long as you’re open to that? Well, this is so perfectly timed, it’s almost breathtaking. It’s helping me conquer something I’ve been struggling with in the book I’m writing. Actually, it’s something I struggle with in every book.

I’m always fascinated by what drives people to do such terrible things. Why do they willingly break the law? I’m not talking about speeding, I’m talking about the laws of humanity. I have to put myself into the minds of criminals constantly, and I resist every time. I remind myself again and again that people are devious, and the more devious my characters are, the better. Just because I can’t fathom doing what they do doesn’t mean it doesn’t happen every day.

The Murdaugh book reminded me of this. It’s a wild story, full of generational shenanigans, and it proves the old adage: Evil hides in plain sight. The worst evil, actually, is the most innocuous. Who would expect a red-headed good old boy lawyer to be a third generation criminal? Murdaugh is a thug in frat boy’s clothing, and I really needed to be reminded of how simple crime fiction can be. Yes, we can have the monsters, and the psychopaths, and the serial killers, and the spies, but we can also have a bloviating country lawyer with a pill problem who will do pretty much anything — lie, cheat, steal, kill — to stay afloat.

Very helpful, and the audio is wonderfully engaging.

I also attended a virtual presentation on the prison system by my friend James L’Etoile. A former warden and hostage negotiator, he is a font of information, and his stories are gritty and full of very real people and situations. His new book, RIVER OF LIES, is atop my TBR.

I’m very much enjoying Megan Miranda’s YOU BELONG HERE. I love a good campus mystery, and this delivers all the vibes.

Daniel Silva’s newest Gabriel Allon book, AN INSIDE JOB, dropped this week. Silva is an auto-buy for me; I love the main character, the storytelling style, and everything about this series.

So did Jeneva Rose’s THE GIRL I WAS. I love Jeneva; she is an absolute hoot and a really talented author. I can’t imagne I won’t adore this one, too!

I also snatched up THE WOMEN OF ARLINGTON HALL, by Jane Healey, which looks super cool. I love a good female spy novel.

On the homefront…

Step Nineteen is live! I go deep into the marketing and PR campaign for LAST SEEN as well, and what I’m seeing in the industry right now.

Last but not least, I continue to be blown away by your support for LAST SEEN. Thank you for downloading, purchasing, reviewing, and sharing. It means the world to me!

I hope you have fun plans for the weekend, and a good book on tap. What are you reading this weekend? Any recommendations for us?

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Step Nineteen: The Marketing & PR Campaign

Word is starting to get out about LAST SEEN, and I owe you an apology for making you wait this long for the last few steps in this series. I’ve been holding off for a couple of reasons. One, because a huge component of our marketing and PR campaign was a secret. Now the secret is out—LAST SEEN is part of Amazon’s First Reads program for July! I’ll talk more about what that means later. And second…well, I’m not an expert in this part of the process at all. I fear I’ve been a little worried about trying to share information about a subject that I am not as well-versed in as, say, creating a book. Yes, I did aerospace marketing prior to my life as an author, but that was in the time of a crazy, burgeoning technological boom called developing a “Web site.” I had a fight with my team about it, actually. They thought it was a stupid idea. Ridiculous, in fact. Now you understand when I say I’ve generally been an early adopter, I’m not joking.

While the generalities of marketing itself haven’t changed, the tactics have, dramatically. And book marketing and PR is unique.

There are many people out there who write eloquently about marketing and PR. Publicist is one I’d heartily recommend. She recently posted an astoundingly comprehensive guide that you should definitely check out if you want to learn about some of the broader aspects of PR.

With the caveats in mind that I am not an expert, I’ll beg your forgiveness now for sticking to some generalities, and that way, we can finally move forward with the series.

Let’s start with the time-honored question. How do we differentiate between marketing and public relations?

In the simplest terms, marketing is about raising awareness of a product to drive sales, and public relations is about showcasing its desirability. Marketing focuses on awareness and conversion, while PR is about building and maintaining a reputation.

My better half, , (here on Substack, lifting the veil on the polling world), likes to say marketing is identifying a need and creating a product to satisfy it. People want to be entertained by a thriller, so the product is created to fulfill that need: you discover and buy a book to be entertained, surprised, and thrilled.

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Friday Reads 7.11.25

Happy Friday, friends. It's giggled a little when I saw the date for today’s post. The words 7-Eleven bring to mind Slurpees, illicit beer runs, and Benson & Hedges Deluxe Ultra Light 100s. Lingering in parking lots, bandanas tucked into back pockets, white Reebok high tops, jeans tucked into slouchy socks, and of course, some of the best music known to mankind. This was high school, and for some reason, I’ve been thinking about it a lot this week. So, rather apropos that the date and the memories collided.

We were freer then. More mature—or desperately trying to pretend we were. My summer job was possibly my favorite, next to being a writer—I was a lifeguard. We were at the pool last weekend, and I’m telling you, it never leaves you. I barked at two different kids to stop running, instructed a girl to get off the ropes, and Randy just laughed and laughed at me.

Here’s the thing. I was a good lifeguard. I took my job seriously. I was well-trained. This earnest desire to keep people safe hasn’t left me, either. I think it makes sense that I ended up writing crime fiction, where I *can* keep people safe from monsters.

I picked Taylor Jenkins Reid for my pool read. ATMOSPHERE is absolutely excellent. Five stars. No notes. I grew up in an aerospace family that worked on, among other notable projects, the booster rockets for the space shuttle. I remember that first shuttle launch. I was in 6th grade. They gathered us all together and rolled in a television. Like probably every school in the country, it was a huge deal. The whole week was space-themed. I’d been practicing for it all my life, really, having conversations at dinner about all things astronomy.

So I’m enjoying the book tremendously. TJR has done a lot of research, and it’s impeccable. It’s always hard when you’ve become an expert on something esoteric to know how much to bring to the page—she’s brought exactly enough. Very impressive book.

The other fun part of the read was the astronomy lessons. In LAST SEEN, my main character’s father is an astronomy and physics professor at the Goode School. My main character is named Halley Leia - Halley for Halley’s comet, Leia for Princess Leia. I’ll say this, without spoilers, it’s a good thing her father taught her how to navigate by the night sky… 🌌

Lots of good books are out this week.

Gregg Olsen’s OUT OF THE WOODS is part of the First Reads July extravaganza. Gregg and I are old buddies from back in the Killer Year days. He’s an astounding true crime writer, and if you haven’t read him but dig true crime, he’s your fella. It’s been a lot of fun to sit alongside him on the list of bestselling books this week!

I started Megan Miranda’s YOU BELONG HERE, and it’s stellar! I love her books. Megan and I will be in conversation together at Poisoned Pen on August 7.

And lucky me got my hands on Stacy Willingham’s FORGET ME NOT. Can’t wait to dive in. I’ll be in conversation with Stacy at Parnassus on September 3.

The fabulous Janelle Brown has a new suspense WHAT KIND OF PARADISE, that seems like a perfect complement to LAST SEEN, looking at isolation and family. She’s a brilliant author, and I can’t wait to read it.

Ruth Ware’s newest is out, a sequel to her huge hit THE WOMAN IN CABIN TEN. It’s called THE WOMAN IN SUITE 11, and picks up with the same character, Lo Blacklock. As I consider writing a sequel to one of my standalone novels, I am very interested to see how it works! Have you read it yet?

Last but not least, Kerry Lonsdale’s FALLING FOR YOU AGAIN is making waves! Get a copy!

Oh, an interview I did with from The Aspiring Life should be live today… it was a fun chat.

And with that, I wish you a safe and fun weekend ahead, with some excellent books to read. I’d love to hear what you’re reading, and any recommendations you might have for us!

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Friday Reads 7.4.25

Happy Friday, friends, and Happy Independence Day! 🇺🇸

I hope everyone is relaxing today, enjoying a good book, a cookout, the beach, or the pool. I will be enjoying the latter later on, after I finish my words, and I’m trying to decide what to start reading. I have a slew of books to choose from—and you know how that is. Sometimes, the pradox of choice bites you in the butt.

Speaking of the paradox of choice… If you didn’t hear the great news, let me sing it from the rafters here. LAST SEEN has been chosen for Amazon’s First Reads Program, which means if you like to read on your Kindle, the book is available NOW, a month early! Free for Prime members, and only $1.99 for non-members. And it’s a double credit month, so you can choose two books — an embarrassment of riches, for sure.

Last year, A VERY BAD THING (which is also on sale this month) was in the AFR program, and it was a rather surreal experience. Having the book come out a month early means I’ve been working hard in the background to get ready. It means the tour is longer, and the chances of you getting sick of me touting my new release are higher. But them’s the breaks, right? It’s an amazing opportunity for my dark little book, and I am so grateful for the response we’ve had this week!

LAST SEEN is a dark book. Though it’s a standalone, it hearkens back to some of my earlier work. It’s a bit twisted and definitely a bit scary. I didn’t necessarily set out to do that, but sometimes, the book becomes its own thing. There is a narrator who, let’s be honest, is a monster, and he really sets the tone. It was fun to write, and I’m sort of longing for the characters, as I got very attached.

A friend and I were discussing this the other day: the power of a story to captivate us, and how, when we’ve finished, we need to walk away, but that world and those people —the world and people we created —still exist. Do they miss us? we wondered. It’s like when we go on vacation and Jordan is here with her pet sitter — she’s not hearing my voice every day, or getting her hugs and rubs. Does she think I’ve abandoned her? Do the characters feel that way, too? Do they miss us when we aren’t there to give them a voice?

On that philosophical note… You’re here for the recs, and I have some! Sort of. My TBR is teetering, so maybe you can help me pick my next read. Here are my contenders. What should go in my pool bag?

The absolute brilliant Lisa Scottoline’s THE UNRAVELING OF JULIA, coming out on the 15th, and is currently on top and leading the pack…

Alafair Burke — THE BETTER SISTER (we started the show and it’s VERY engaging)

Brad Thor — EDGE OF HONOR (the newest Scot Harvath looks to be rather topical)

Megan Miranda — YOU BELONG HERE (Megan and I will be in conversation at Poisoned Pen August 7!)

John Grisham — THE WIDOW (This is John’s upcoming mystery, and I love his work, so it might be hard to beat)

Taylor Jenkins Reid — ATMOSPHERE (I know, I know, I am VERY late to this one. I don’t know what’s holding me back)

Jessa Maxwell — DEAD OF SUMMER (This is a galley, coming the 22nd, and it looks pretty good. Also, great cover)

Rachel Gillig — ONE DARK WINDOW (I am still gaga over KNIGHT AND THE MOTH)

OK, that’s enough to choose from, don’t you think??? Tell me what I should pick.

Also, a final, heartfelt recommendation. My dear friend Kerry Lonsdale suffered an unspeakable tragedy last week, the loss of her son, Evan. Her new book, FALLING FOR YOU AGAIN, releases on Tuesday, and it is her best yet. I’ve already ordered my copy, and I think you’ll love it. Kerry is a fantastic writer; her work touches my soul every time. Get a copy, won’t you?

And with that, I wish you a safe holiday weekend. Would love to hear what you’re reading this weekend, and any recommendations for us!

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Friday Reads 6.27.25

Happy Friday, friends. A quickie from me this week, as I am deep, deep into the new book. Soon enough, I will have to turn my focus elsewhere, and I need to get as much done as I possibly can before that happens.

Most of my reading has been research-related, dipping in and out of articles that I’ve been saving as I go. But a few fantastic books dropped this week, including Lisa Jewell’s really great DON’T LET HIM IN, which I read in galley form several months ago and absolutely loved. It’s a really creepy, insular, Ripley-esque book, and I know it’s going to be a huge bestseller.

I’ve been in TV mode instead of book mode this week. We finished DEPARTMENT Q, which was fantastic (and might be giving me the vibes I needed to really get cooking in this draft.) And because I do love me some Matthew Goode, I decided to watch A DISCOVERY OF WITCHES again. The books by Deborah Harkness are a favorite of mine, and the show—especially the first season—is spectacular. Definitely pre-pandemic in its scope and range, being shot in Oxford and Venice and France. The ultimate elemental love story, this is one of the first real romantasies that I fell in love with. Highly recommended, both the books and the show. Happily, they’ve really kicked the creative spirit in the tush this week.

I also read JACKRABBIT SKIN by Ivy Pachoda, her short story that won the thriller award last week. (Congrats, Ivy!) Very cool, very creepy, very intense.

And THE SECRET ROMANTIC’S BOOK OF MAGIC, an anthology by the amazing Marie O’Regan and Paul Blake, popped up on my Kindle—yay! There is nary an anthology Marie and Paul edit that I don’t love to pieces.

If you missed it, the June Newsletter dropped on Sunday, full of musings and news. I was very happy with the response, so that experiment was a success!

That’s it from me this week. Sorry for the brevity! What are you reading this weekend? Would love to hear your recommendations for us!

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Friday Reads 6.19.25

Friday again, my friends, and boy, did this week fly! I’ve had my head down working, writing up a storm, and feeling deep pangs whenever I see posts about Thrillerfest. Because of the grand swaths of time we’ve lost this year to familial and personal illness, my looming deadline, and upcoming book tour and fall travel, it was just not in the cards this year (nor is Bouchercon), but I am bereft not to be seeing everyone and hanging out. Thrillerfest is always such a blast. Next year, for sure.

The good news is I’m making headway on the book at last. I had one of those moments when I looked at the story and decided the only way out was through, and shoved myself through the door. I’m finally starting to feel like it’s one step back, two steps forward, which is my usual writing method, instead of what it’s felt like—three steps back, one sideways—so HURRAH!

I’m starting to realize I might have become more of a plotter than a pantser (autocorrect kept making this PANTHER, which honestly is fantastic, and I am now searching for a good metaphor for this. Like… PANTHERS wing it, stalking the savannahs for their meal, and SPIDERS plot, building their webs with concentrated precision. Ha!) Without a more structured plan like I had with LAST SEEN, I got a little lost. I’m going to plot out the seonc dhalf of the book so I can get it wrapped up faster. This is undoubtedly my own version of outlining, which is not constrained, but brings a little more structure to my previous method of just winging it.

We started Department Q on Netflix, too, and it’s so so good!!! Really great crime fiction!

Now, on to the books!

I am reading THE GHOST WRITER, which is as great as I anticipated. Superb plot, really great characters, family secrets—all the things I love.

I took myself on an artist date to Parnassus this week, where I picked up Mel Robbins’ THE LET THEM THEORY, Carly Fortune’s ONE GOLDEN SUMMER, and Ruth Reichl’s THE PARIS NOVEL (which was the working title of LIE TO ME for a very long time…)

Allison Brennan’s got a new book out this week, always a reason to celebrate. BEACH READS AND DEADLY DEEDS looks fantastic, a slight departure for her into a lighter subject.

Liv Constantine’s DON’T OPEN YOUR EYES came out, too, and man, what a cool story. I too am a prophetic dreamer, so this feels very close to home!

And finally, Allie and Sam Conway’s debut, HOW TO MAKE A BABY: Everything LGBTQ+ Families Need to Know About IVF and Fertility Treatments, came out this week. I’ve been following their journey since I started doing research for IT’S ONE OF US. I spent a lot of time on Instagram, tapping into Olivia’s (and my) feelings about seeing other women get pregnant and have children, or lose them, and came across Sam’s feed. She and Allie were just starting their journey, and they were so sweet and engaging, I couldn’t help but root for them. They now have twin boys, and a new book geared toward same sex families, and I couldn’t be more proud of them. So proud I actually blurbed the book!

“Open, frank, touching, and informative... Allie and Sam Conway are the perfect couple to write this groundbreaking book. Their journey is remarkable. I wish I'd had it when we went through IVF.”

In news closer to home, A VERY BAD THING is on sale this weekend!

Also, I had a lovely conversation with on her podcast, Dear Whole Writer.

Dear Whole Writer Building a Creative Life That Lasts with J.T. EllisonIn this inspiring episode, bestselling author J.T. Ellison shares what it really takes to build a creative life that stands the test of time… Listen now3 days ago · 1 like · Nicole Meier

Over on the Craft side of things, I did a deep dive into ways to break a bad Writer’s Block.

The June Newsletter will drop on Sunday, full of musings and news. Going forward, I will try sending that on Sundays, so I can split up the emails I send to you all.

And one more programming note— is rescheduled out for a couple of weeks… I will let you know when we get that one on the books!

That’s it from me this week. What are you reading this weekend? Would love to hear your recommendations for us!

And stay safe out there. It’s a wild, wild world.

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