Spring in Boston looks like this 🌸🏃🏾‍♀️

One day the trees are in winter mode, and the next fully bloomed! You gotta run to catch those buds, or else ya miss 'em.

Other than flowers, perennial events for me are attending a retreat with my fellow writers (also my co-conspirators in our indie publishing collective–Table for 7) and attending the annual Kweli Color of Children's Literature conference. This year, I also get to enjoy heading into the world to share my love of zines, writing, and reading with young people! More below.

Writers Retreat

For artists with busy lives (which, yes, that's ALL of us), it's vital to set aside time, if possible, to focus on your craft. I've been attending retreats for most of my adult life. They tend to be simple affairs: a few rooms and a kitchen somewhere, people willing to cook, and evenings relaxing together. I'm deeply grateful for the access I've been afforded over the years, and the opportunities. 

This spring, members of my writer's group and I enjoyed a retreat to Massachusetts's Cape Cod. We rented a lovely house and shared focus-time, meals, and stories. I tend to write down a long list of tasks I'd like to accomplish during the retreat, and this round I made it through 3/4 of that list in the 2.5 days we spent away together!

Ok. I admit I made a silly tiktok about it.

Kweli Conference

I'm excited to return to Kweli Color of Children’s Literature Conference, April 18-21st. One of a number of offerings by Kweli Journal, the annual spring “kidlit” conference is held in New York City, not too far from my mothership state, New Jersey. 2024 will be my fourth year attending, my second in-person (following two fully virtual conferences during the pandemic). It's an opportunity to meet stars, rising stars, and those of us who are just starting out as writers, authors, and illustrators. I look forward to sharing a recap in an upcoming Dropped Candy newsletter.

Appearances

Greater Roxbury Book Fair

I'm looking forward to my first time participating in the Greater Roxbury Book Fair, a free event championing local authors and celebrating a love of books and reading. The event will be held at the Roxbury Branch of the Boston Public Library on Saturday, May 18th from noon to 5pm. Come see me and a host of exciting featured authors, including my buddy Raul the Third, amazing illustrator and Rox-raised Ekua Homes, and more!

Boston Public Schools Book Fair
I'm delighted to have been invited to run a workshop at a new book fair established by Boston Public Schools (BPS) at the end of May. This event will be private to BPS, but I'll be sure to share reflections and photos!

Spotlight on Friends' Events

Brazilian Night at Regattbar in Cambridge

My friend, singer and concert promoter Anna Borges, will be performing as part of a double bill of Brazlian Night led by Receita de Samba and Henrique Eisenmann Trio on Saturday, May 11th. I will have the honor of introducing Anna, who is a vibrant and important voice in the music scene in Greater Boston and beyond. I hope you can join us for an evening of gorgeous sounds at Regattabar at The Charles Hotel.

Tickets available via EventBrite

Special Project Featuring Double Star Band

He's not a 'friend' so much as my partner (👩🏾‍🦱💞👱🏼‍♂️), and I can't reveal the surprise just yet, but David and his band Double Star will be unveiling something this spring that will be sure to bring rockin' tunes to a tape deck (or streaming service) near you! Keep your eyes (and ears) open.📻

🌈 Bonus Question Results 🌈

In the previous Dropped Candy newsletter, lucky readers were invited to respond to the following question: Which natural phenomenon have you witnessed or experienced (check all that apply)?

Top most witnessed phenomenons:
1st place: Rainbow or double rainbow 🌈
2nd place: Lighting strike
3rd place tie: Four-leaf cover & summer hail

Reader additions: full court pass alley-oop dunk (basketball), anticrepuscular rays, & SEVEN RAINBOWS at once 🌈 🌈 🌈 🌈 🌈 🌈 🌈

Collected results from all bonus questions

Buy My Novel (If You Haven’t Already)

Signed copies are still available at Porter Square Books, Cambridge and Papercuts Bookshop, Jamaica Plain. You can contact either shop about personalized signatures; I'll sign a book directly to you or your recipient. 

Other options:

bookshop.org
indiebound.org
barnes & noble
amazon.com

Learn More

About Confessions

About Phoebe

tw (never x): @wholeheartlocal

insta: @wholeheartlocal

tiktok (yeah, it's happened): @pholoveslocal

TTFN