Happy Black History Month <3
This February's edition covers witnessing societal wrongs, how to cope, new writing projects, book recommendations, and supporting local organizations.
February 2026
Hey Friend!
Well January 2026 has been a doozy, hasn’t it? I don’t know about you but for me, I’ve been balancing not wanting to face having to look at this violence head on and also needing to be a witness. Needing to be able to say I saw it and it’s not right. The truth of the matter is, this is history repeating itself for the millionth time except now people aren’t able to close the book and pretend its just history. We’re all in the Parable of the Sower, maybe a few years earlier but honestly not that many years.
A reminder to each of you to look in the face of this and be a witness, to take a step no matter how uncomfortable. Make a phone call, donate some money or some time, whatever you can do that makes you feel like you’ve done something. Witnessing isn’t the whole of how we get through this but its part. The other part is making an effort. And the last part, is knowing yourself well enough to know when you need to take a step back. To breath and look at a cat video or whatever else makes you smile. Take a day or take two and then tag back in.
If we rest and rotate, we all get to do the work and support each other without burning out.
It’s a sentiment to take to writing as well. Sometimes, you take a break because the words aren’t coming. It’s not an excuse to never return or quit. It’s taking a minute and getting back in the fight.
Maybe that’s the way it is for everything.
In any case as we head into Black History Month, drink some water, go outside, put your phone down and tomorrow, if you’re feeling up to it, dive back in.
I started a new long form project this month! UD has been very slow this month. I hit my monthly goal of 31,000 words but it was hard work getting there and I feel like I have pivoted six or seven times. I don’t start over when I do that, just take the turn my brain seems most excited about. Editing is for making sense of drafting, in my opinion.
February the goal is 28,000 words on the draft. We’ll see how this goes.
One of the things I’ve added back in this year is doing some post writing journaling. Not deep and in depth but just summarizing what I wrote, sometimes how I’m feeling about the project and noting a little plan for the next day. I don’t always stick to that plan but I think it will be nice to reflect on the progress of this work afterwards based on what I’m seeing in the journaling. Have you tried something like this before? What did you like about it?
2026 Goals
0/3 Long form projects
40/100 queries
0/1 non-fiction essay submitted
I haven’t been anywhere friends but can I introduce you to A Seat At The Table Books? You’ve heard me talk about this place before and I share a lot of their posts on socials. This is one of my local indie bookshops that is so so much more than that. It’s queer-owned, family-friendly, and so much more than a bookstore. They run a multitude of book clubs, writing events and offer their space as an event space (Check out the trivia!). It’s super community focus, its home to a community pantry, is a drop off point for NorCal Resists! donations and do a lot of educational work with their nonprofit arm. Thats to say nothing of their robust collection of diverse books and the amazing local authors they bring in all the time. Even if you’re not in the Sacramento/Elk Grove area, you can order from them online and keep an awesome indie bookstore and community third space alive. I love this place and I hope you will too!
I’ve submitted a panel at VirtuousCon but haven’t heard back yet. Hopefully, you’ll be able to see me there!
Reading
 | I really enjoyed Faebound and was super excited to read Cursebound. I started this last year but finished it up early in the month. Somehow I thought it was a duology so I was very concerned when I reached 80% and we were introducing new details and nothing was wrapping up. Second books in a trilogy can sometimes feel like they are just a filler before the end but that is not true hear. The new characters are great, the action feels like its ratcheting up and the betrayal’s cut deep! You should definitely check it out (and Faebound if you missed the train on that!) |
 | Don’t berate me but this was my first Akwaeke Emezi book! I know I’m ashamed too, don’t throw tomatoes. The others have been on my list but when I heard they had written a romantasy I knew i had to pick it up. I also have a soft spot for Lucifer Morningstar and his many iterations. I enjoyed this book and we have surprise polyamory so I’m incredibly down. A fun read you should definitely check out! |
Are you on StoryGraph? That’s where I’m doing all my tracking. Come find me.
Looking for a new audiobook platform that’s not going to support B*zos? Check out Libro.fm (this is a referral link).
Watching
 | The Pitt has returned and we are sat! I’m someone who often has a hard time coming back to a show in the second season even if I loved it the first time, not so with this show. I’m depressed that Dr. Collins didn’t come back but nice that they sent her off to Portland to adopt a baby and live a happy life out of the shadow of her ex. I wish they’d added another black doctor but the show is still very diverse and its nice to see the growth of the characters since the last shift we saw them on. Must see TV. |
 | I love Traitors. There I said it. I love to see the drama, the way no one is ever using reasonable logic to find a traitor and of course seeing some of my favorite reality stars being themselves. This show is so good. |
 | I’ve been getting into watching Cozy K for the last month. She brings such a lightness and joy to the world and so its been great to sit with her while she does something cozy and do something cozy myself. |
Listening
This is the Utter Destruction Playlist and its mostly songs about revenge which for some reason are majority about bad breakups. That’s the not the vibe of the book but the energy of kickassness and you’re going to get yours certainly is.
Organizations that need your support
Writing Links
Life Links
