Kate Willis's Blog, page 22

books currently <3

Book I’m Writing: “A Dream of Flight” (my Jewish sci-fi novel). It’s in the “apply beta-reader feedback” stage, and I made it through the first twelve chapters today! I’ve experienced some delays, but hopefully this means I’m back on the horse. Book(s) I’m Reading: Honest June by Tina Wells (so cute and illustrated!) and a...Continue reading »

one month of Watson

I can barely believe it’s been just over a month since we brought home Watson. 😍 He’s grown so much bigger, learned (and forgotten and is relearning) a few important ground rules, happy peed when meeting my family, and discovered snoozing on the couch next to Mom is the best thing. In fact, most of...Continue reading »

3 ways I stepped out of the box with my sci-fi novel

With my sci-fi novella A Dream of Home out in the world (eeeeek!) and the novel upcoming, I thought I’d highlight three ways this project has been different for me and the reasons I made these choices. 😉 1. It’s unabashedly Jewish. I wrote ethnically and religiously observant Jews (without a conversion storyline) for the...Continue reading »

my favorite cookie recipe for Christmas in July

I hope you’re enjoying Virginia Henderson’s Christmas in July party! I’m just popping in to remind you that Sincerely, Jem is still free to download (here) and also to share my current favorite cookie recipe! I love to make these with just chocolate as a topping and make them a day ahead and refrigerate them...Continue reading »

my favorite movies for Christmas in July

I’m so excited to be joining Virginia Henderson’s Christmas in July blog event with some Christmas movie recommendations. 😉 (Check out her page for all the freebies and giveaway links, as well as the event schedule!) The Nutcracker and the Four Realms (Disney+) Sweet, creative, and a perfect spin on the original play! (I have...Continue reading »

thank you for a great AFHE weekend!

Thank you to my team of J and Anna for being my amazing companions and clerks (and Tyrel for filling in the second day!). Thank you Anna for all the fun social media pictures and videos (check out my Instagram for more) and for grabbing the iconic ice cream. Thank you to all the parents...Continue reading »

5 favorite indie books for middle-graders

As a big fan of indie-published and middle-grade books, here are some of my favorites that span both genres. I hope you find a new favorite book to read! In no particular order, we have… The Case of the Tabloid Tattler by Perry Elisabeth Kirkpatrick This opening to a very fun series (about a brilliant...Continue reading »

last time and this time <3

It’s been six years since I’ve sold my books at this homeschool convention. Six years since I went with fellow authors from my old church, and six years since that huge part of my life ended. I’m both nervous and excited to be back (with J!), and I know that this time I’m going to...Continue reading »

signing books makes me nervous

It’s such an honor to sign a book for my readers, but I’m filled with all the fears that my handwriting will suddenly not cooperate, that I don’t deserve to be doing this, that I’ll misspell their name, and so on. 😉 Anyone else? And any tips for making this part of the process easier?

my favorite books for the second quarter

Of the 57 books I’ve read so far this year, the best of the best have the honor of being added to my Goodreads “favorites” shelf, and I thought I’d share which ones made it from my second quarter of reading. 😉 April Creating Character Arcs by K.M. Weiland was a rare non-fiction favorite. After...Continue reading »