Times are hard, but we keep going

                July 1, 2025

            Times are hard, but we keep going

                In this edition, I'm reflecting on June's highs and lows, writing a new novel, and enjoying queer community spaces.

            July 2025

Hey  Friend!

I don’t know about you, but June felt hard. On one hand, you had the beauty and display of human decency that were the peaceful protests against ICE, and on the other, the disgusting behavior of America’s so-called president. The joy of pride and the pain of losing queer elders for doing nothing but going to their mailbox. If you’re watching Murderbot, they played a game in a recent episode where they gave the sweet with the bitter. Because that’s what life is. But the bitterness these days feels like it’s outweighing the sweetness sometimes.
I hope folks are taking care of themselves even as they’re taking care of others. We can’t survive if we burn out in the first few months of this presidency. This is a long game and your personal care is part of that. Take time away from social media, hang out with your friends without organizing or solving problems, and do something that brings you joy. I’ve started using the Finch Self-care app (free with some options to upgrade), and I’ve found it really helpful to have reminders to do simple things that take care of me, like doodling, for instance. Or getting outside and just breathing the fresh air. Gardening. Put your oxygen mask on first before helping those that you love.
Something else random that’s been bringing me joy recently is imagining community spaces for queer folks in old age. A community that cares for each other, lives together, and has a safe space to be ourselves without having to be hyper vigilant about what people who hate us are up to. That’s a beautiful dream.

In June, I wrote a new short story, which got us to that beautiful 5 for 5 of my 2025 goals! I’m so glad that’s done; now I can focus on novel projects for the year.
After completing the short story, I worked on a reverse outline for WSMS (my novel project) based on amazing notes from a friend. I’ve built out my notes for revision, and I spent the last week of the month working on edits.
In July, I’m going to keep working on those edits while I write a new novel project. This one is about vampires, death and grief. Sapphic as always. I’ve started a version of this previously but I’m hopeful this time to get to “The End” and have as close 100k written as possible.
Goals Review:
Write Shorts/Novelettes: 5/5 ✅
Write novels: 0/2
Edit shorts/Novelettes: 5/5 ✅
Edit Novel: 1/1 ✅
Beta Novel: 1/1 ✅

I had an amazing time at Elk Grove Pride, selling Stone and Steel and talking about the amazing A Seat At The Table Books in Elk Grove. It was so fun to meet new readers and chat with folks. It’s a small but mighty pride.
Masked up and ready to start the day!
Stone and Steel looking gorgeous!
Thanks A Seat At The Table Books for hosting me!!

I’ll be at BayCon! I’m going to be on the Black Poetics Panel on Saturday at 3:45 PM. If you’re going to be attending, I’d love to see you! If you see me around, please say Hey!

Reading
Strange Bedfellows by Ariel Slamet Ries I read this on a whim and wasn’t sure I was going to like it. But oh the themes in this of love and longing, dealing with mental health challenges and grief were really good. It’s a stand alone graphic novel and just fantastic. Check it out.
House of Frank by Kay Synclaire I really enjoyed this little read. Our MC is on a journey to finally plant her sister’s ashes in a garden of the dead created by an amazing Witch and her Husband Frank. She’s dealing with the grief at the loss of her sister but also at everything she gave to her sister before that. Not only does she have personal drama to deal with but all is not what it seems at the House of Frank. I enjoyed the way grief and found family were made central in this book and of course I’m a sucker for a sapphic romantic element.
Keynan Masters and the Remixed Monster by DaVaun Sanders Now full disclosure, DaVaun is a friends but I really loved this installment in the Keynan Masters. This brought way more depth to the world and the lore and it was great to see the way the Peerless Crew has grown and the lengths they still have to go. Hopeful for another book to close out the story here.
Also are you on StoryGraph? That’s where I’m doing all my tracking. Come find me.

Watching
RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars Season 10 Wifey and I have been enjoying the current season of all stars. It’s amazing how quickly you forget Queens and how many stick with you well after. These folks are so talented and its great to see people we haven’t seen in a while in most cases.
Ironheart Yalllllllllllll! Ironheart is so good! As always this show is getting hate from white male geeks who are just mad they don’t have a hero as cool as Riri is. The show just dropped it’s first three episodes and music, tone, family dynamics, it’s all *chef’s kiss*
Toni and Ryan I may be the only black fan Toni and Ryan fan but I’m happy to be here. I love an accent (it helps me get better at my own) and they are genuinely stupid funny. Listening to them is like hanging out with your friends on your silliest evening.

Listening
The Summer Playlist is a little light still, I’m building it up slowly but it does have some fun songs on it!

Stone and Steel
My other work

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Strange Bedfellows by Ariel Slamet Ries	I read this on a whim and wasn’t sure I was going to like it. But oh the themes in this of love and longing, dealing with mental health challenges and grief were really good. It’s a stand alone graphic novel and just fantastic. Check it out.
House of Frank by Kay Synclaire	I really enjoyed this little read. Our MC is on a journey to finally plant her sister’s ashes in a garden of the dead created by an amazing Witch and her Husband Frank. She’s dealing with the grief at the loss of her sister but also at everything she gave to her sister before that. Not only does she have personal drama to deal with but all is not what it seems at the House of Frank. I enjoyed the way grief and found family were made central in this book and of course I’m a sucker for a sapphic romantic element.
Keynan Masters and the Remixed Monster by DaVaun Sanders	Now full disclosure, DaVaun is a friends but I really loved this installment in the Keynan Masters. This brought way more depth to the world and the lore and it was great to see the way the Peerless Crew has grown and the lengths they still have to go. Hopeful for another book to close out the story here.


RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars Season 10	Wifey and I have been enjoying the current season of all stars. It’s amazing how quickly you forget Queens and how many stick with you well after. These folks are so talented and its great to see people we haven’t seen in a while in most cases.
Ironheart	Yalllllllllllll! Ironheart is so good! As always this show is getting hate from white male geeks who are just mad they don’t have a hero as cool as Riri is. The show just dropped it’s first three episodes and music, tone, family dynamics, it’s all chef’s kiss
Toni and Ryan	I may be the only black fan Toni and Ryan fan but I’m happy to be here. I love an accent (it helps me get better at my own) and they are genuinely stupid funny. Listening to them is like hanging out with your friends on your silliest evening.