Hello friends!

It's been a minute. Honestly, I’ve been meaning to pump out newsletters with a lot more frequency but then life stuff got in the way. Last year I was going to write something about my 25th anniversary of living in NYC but then my mom died. On the heels of my mom's death, the election happened and, well, we're all seeing how that turned out. Needless to say the last year hasn't been the best but I'm grateful for the love in my life that has kept me grounded as the world seemingly goes insane. I'm working on a few different pieces of writing that I'll roll out in the future (don’t hold me to this!) but today’s newsletter is light, airy and full of fun career updates.

2025 marked a career milestone for me. My first published work, the Fantastic Four Movie Sound Storybook, came out 20 years ago. Time flies when you’re having fun. Since then I’ve written over 100 books for young readers which is crazy. 2026 will also mark a career milestone: my first full-length original graphic novel for DC Comics!

Supergirl's Family Vacation drops May 5^th, written by me with art by the amazing Sarah Leuver, letters by Becca Carey and edited by Kristy Quinn. I’ve been sitting on this news for years and it feels so good to finally be out in the open. Writing this book has been an actual dream come true and when I tell you you're going to fall in love with Sarah's art, believe me. I know that sounds like hyperbole but it packs the perfect one-two punch of action and emotion. Every week I get pages that warm my heart and make me laugh. We’ve got Superman, Lois Lane, their 8 year old son Jon, Kara Zor-El, and her BFF Natasha “Steel” Irons on a trip through space! What's better than that?

It would be REALLY COOL if you PRE-ORDERED this book.

Everyone involved in the creation of this story is itching for a sequel. The publishing industry being what it is means that we’re not in a position to get one until DC Comics sees that we’ve got the numbers. Pre-orders will show them that demand is out there. We’re planning on having limited edition signed bookplates made and if you pre-order a copy, I’ll send you one when the book comes out! Don’t want a book for yourself? That’s fine. Buy a copy and donate it to a school, your local library, or a hospital. How does one pre-order Supergirl’s Family Vacation? The easiest way is online but what I’d love is if you called your local bookstore or comic book shop and asked for it by name. Did you know if 3 or more people call and ask about a particular book, it drives a store to order more copies? I know not everyone has the means but shopping small is so much better than giving money to a soulless online retailer that makes money hand over fist on the backs of workers. Mom and pop retailers need your business more than ever. If you’re not sure where your local comic shop is, do a quick search and it will appear! If they ask, we’re in Issue #67 of the DC Connect catalog.

It was a Mad Mad Mad Mad Libs Summer

Writing Mad Libs is my therapy. If I could only write Mad Libs for the rest of my life, I would. Kidding. Kind of. Don't tell my other editors that. This year saw the release of a slate of crowd-pleasers featuring Disney Villains, the Incredible Hulk and the Fantastic Four. Next year I've got a real mix on the docket. For lasagna lovers, I've got Garfield. For manga fans, I've got One Piece. For everyone else I've got KPop Demon Hunters. After that, you'll have to stay tuned!

Love is Golden

Golden Girls: Love is Golden is out in the world! Jen Taylor’s art is adorable. This one is a board book for the littles and a total crowd pleaser. I got to work with my editor, my friend, Mary-Kate Gaudet, who is one of the best. We packed this baby full of Easter eggs like Fernando the Teddy Bear and Mr. Ha Ha’s Hot Dog Hacienda. Here's the official description from Little Brown Books: It’s almost dinner time and Ma has a surprise. She’s taking Dorothy, Blanche, and Rose to a restaurant! When Dorothy asks if there’s a special reason, Ma simply says, “Because I love you, pussycat.” The girls have a lot of follow-up questions. Does Ma love Dorothy as much as Rose loves animals? As much as Blanche loves being fancy? Ma’s answer is always yes. But how will Dorothy show how much she loves Ma? Luckily, a mishap at dinner gives Dorothy a wonderfully sweet idea!

If you're in Cincinnati, Ohio on December 27th, pop over to Joseph-Beth Booksellers at 1pm and I'll sign your copy in person. RSVP on Facebook if you’re so inclined. 

If you buy ANY of my books this season and I'm unable to sign them for you in person, hit me up and I can send a personalized postcard to use as a bookmark.

“Hello? Is it me you’re looking for?”

I love speaking to kids about my life as an author and will be expanding my school visits in the new year. If you or someone you know is looking for someone to speak to kids, get in touch.

Giving Season

With the holidays upon us, it's important and necessary to recognize that a lot of people are struggling and need a little assistance. I encourage you to look for local orgs and food banks in your area and give what you can. Do a sweep of your closet and cycle out your old coats and sweaters. If you're buying toys online for your nieces and nephews, throw an extra one in your cart for a toy drive. Every little bit helps. My favorite local places to give are Food Bank NYC and the Astoria Food Pantry.

House Cleaning

One last thing. You'll notice I switched from Substack to Buttondown. Once I heard Hamish McKenzie claim that keeping Nazis on the platform was all about "free speech", I had to leave. Hate speech and bigotry isn't just "another perspective", it's cancerous. We know this from history. You don't sit Nazis and white supremacists at the table and give them space to spread measurable hate. Free speech means they can say whatever they want and not be put in jail for it. Online spaces, however, can and should be curated to ice Nazis out. With that in mind, Substack can choke. Buttondown is nice so far! I like it.

I hope everyone is surviving as best they can. Here’s a pic of me and Linda Blair, one of the Librarians at the Lake Placid Public Library. She been there for 45+ years!

She couldn't have been sweeter and we had a great conversation about the importance of libraries as a public space. Go get a library card if you don't have one already. Borrow books. Borrow DVDs- they often have rarities! Donate books. Volunteer if you have time. Advocate for library funding by pushing legislators who claim to be for the people. Libraries are for the people! Services aren't businesses and they don't need to be! Libraries are a place where all are welcome to hang out and explore. Now go give your local libraries some love. They deserve it.