The Power of testing "facts"
May 2026
Hey Friend!
Friends, so happy to be back here with you again. I mentioned last month that I was taking a break from writing this month and that is what I have been doing. In some ways its been so lovely, nice to do what I want with my evenings and to not think about what a story needs but to think on other things I don’t usually make good space for— Writing reflections, social media and volunteering.
And in other ways, its been hard. I’ve been craving new stories, new characters and new worlds or old ones. I have people talking in my head with no where to go. This is a great problem to have because in the moments when I think that I’m not a writer, these characters appear and how can I deny that I’m a writer when these people and their stories come to mind. It’s making me think about how the cure to self-criticism is sometimes to give the voices what they want. You think I’m not a writer and I should quit? Ok, I’ll take a break and I won’t write. If nothing comes to me then maybe that means something.
Something always comes because I am a writer, no matter what that voice thinks. Maybe this little trick can do the thing for you too. Give that nasty self-critical voice what it thinks it wants. Maybe you’ll discover that it’s wrong. Loud and wrong.
And what could be in its place if you didn’t listen to it, now that you know its loud and wrong.
I didn’t write this month! As I said above it was kind of nice to have the break. I did more writing admin that I usual put off or gets left by the wayside of word count goals. I got more queries done which is good AND its making me think this book just isn’t the one. I am reminding myself once again that all I can be in control of is myself. All I can do is write the things I’m interested in writing, all I can do is edit it to the best of my ability, all I can do is keep learning and trying to improve and then all I can do is send the work to other people. I can’t control whether they say yes or no. Whether they like my pages or not. Whether they give me a personalized rejection or just another form one. Its hard to manage the feeling that I haven’t done something I wasn’t supposed to do but the truth is, I did everything I was supposed to do. Everything I could do with the skill, time and desire I had. Everything else is outside of my control. Just gotta accept it. Which is easier said than done.
2026 Goals
1/3 Long form projects
UD: Complete at 60,226
80/100 queries
0/1 non-fiction essay submitted
A repeat from previous months but still true:
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’m featured in two anthologies this year! The first is Forged in FIYAH: Celebrating Ten Years of Black Speculative Fiction Edited by DaVaun Sanders! You can pre-order at the link above or anywhere else you like to get your books. The book will be out this September.
The second anthology is Shatter the Sun will be out this May and you can pre-order that anthology here.
So grateful to have been asked by both anthologies!
Reading
 | Is everything Eden Royce writes pure gold? I mean, yeah basically. This is the story of a family with a secrets and a young woman who in caring for the last rites of her aunt unravels them all. We’re still in the post-civil war time and Black people are making it work in this magical society and they’re still experiencing the trauma and pain of white people being angry about that. Its a really nuanced novella. Really enjoyed it! |
 | One of the things on my list of reading categories for this year is a translated work and I was excited when I discovered this novella and essay. I didn’t realize that the story of Mothra began its life as a novella. I’m a fan of the Godzilla series and Mothra as well so I enjoyed reading this and getting an understanding for why its so weird. Really great if you like these movies! |
 | This book is my classic read of the year. I’m really happy with this series and recommend the Andy Serkis narration if you can get it! He’s fantastic at the voices and brings a unique gravitas to the story itself. When I read the first installment last year I really felt like I was understanding the genre better and I’m continuing that feeling now. |
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
I’m not watching much that’s new at the moment friends. I’m doing comfort watches and tons of YouTube videos. Look back at previous months and you’ll find some things I’m likely watching.
Listening
No music this month, I have been all audiobooks all the time!
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