Hello my lovelies! It’s been a while since I showed up in your inbox. I’ve been super flooded with work (release related + otherwise), as well as super stressed about the release.

Reminders

Here are some routine reminders for you:

• ARC Signups are now open! I honestly don’t remember whether I’d sent out a newsletter about that when it initially opened, but just in case I hadn’t, here’s the announcement! You can sign up via the form here. If you’re interested in being an ARC reader, it’s super important that you read the content warnings thoroughly before continuing with your application.

• UIHHY is available to add on Goodreads! If you’re an avid reader that loves to catalogue what you’re reading and what you want to read via Goodreads, you can add UIHHY to your reading list here!

• Kindle Preorders are also open, and you can grab a copy here!

Updates

Now, for some release updates:

• I had some challenges with the editing process, but I pushed through, and we’re on the other side now. Releasing a book is an incredibly stressful, vulnerable process, and the editing process is already stressful in itself - even when it goes perfectly. So, to have it go…not how I wanted it to…only added to my heaping pile of mental breakdowns. I really struggled through the aftermath of this process. I’m so thankful for my inner circle of writer friends that helped talk me off the ledge when I wanted to cancel it all.

• I pulled a massive all-nighter this week to finish my line edits in time for my proofreader to go through the book! I’m working super hard to get the manuscript polished and ready for release so that there (hopefully) won’t be any hiccups in the release timeline. I want release day to go smoothly - especially since the rest of the process has been so difficult.

• Also, and most exciting of all, I unboxed the first ever proof copy of UIHHY yesterday! It looks incredible, and I’m proud to say that I made the stunning cover, and all the contents myself. We don’t fuck with Generative AI in this household. Gen AI is incredibly harmful to artists and entirely unethical. We don’t need bots to create on our behalf - we’re real artists. You can watch the unboxing reel here, on my IG!

What I’ve Been Up To

I’ve taken up a bunch of new hobbies in the past month or so! I was gifted a screenless drawing tablet by a friend for my birthday that I’ve been using to make some really beautiful art.

I was also gifted some new acrylic paints and canvases for my birthday by another friend, so I’ve been mixing up some colors and trying to paint. This particular hobby isn’t going as well as the digital drawing 😅.

I bought myself an electric guitar as a late gift to myself for my birthday, and today was my first day playing it. My fingers hurt, and I’m confused and frustrated by it all, but I’m having so much fun! It’s been a dream of mine to learn to play since I was a little kid, and I’m super proud and happy that I was able to get myself this gift.

Okay y’all. Whew. That was a mouthful. I hope you’re al doing well! Until next time besties!