february 2024

Book tour details, trade reviews, and keeping my eyes on my own paper.

Hello, lovely readers! I cannot believe we are just about 10 days out debut! I’m pinching myself; how is this real life? My final copies arrived over the weekend, and it was an incredibly emotional moment. After 14 years of serious writing, of trying to be traditionally published, i was finally able to hold my hardcover in my hands.

This was a bright spot in an otherwise really difficult month. My grandfather passed away suddenly, which sent me reeling. I’m struggling to find my footing in Book 2. And to top it off, we decided to adopt a 3-year-old hound dog named Mister who is the sweetest boy but we are all going through a huge adjustment period. If anyone has tips working through anxiety in a new rescue, feel free to let me know — we’re meeting with a trainer, working with our vet, and trying our best to show him that he’s safe and loved and that we aren’t going anywhere. But it’s all a LOT, and to be honest, I felt like I’ve been drowning.

I’ve heard a lot of authors talk about how hard Book 2 can be – it’s my first one drafted under contract, my first one on a deadline – and I thought I was prepared for it. This is actually my 8th manuscript, after all–by now, I know where I get stuck in a draft, when I’ll want to quit and throw it all into the sea and walk away. I knew the deadline aspect would be difficult. What I didn’t anticipate was how hard it would be to draft while reviews for A DEADLY ENDEAVOR are coming in. And I’m not talking about Goodreads reviews (I’ve blocked myself from seeing them!), but the trades. So far, I’ve gotten (mostly) positive reviews from Kirkus, PW, and Booklist. Even the PW review, which was the most critical of the three, had a lot of good in it, and the things they didn’t like are the things I honestly love about the book – like Edie’s unabashed femininity (which they referred to as froth).

And yet.

I can’t stop fixating on them. And wondering if this next installment in Edie and Gil’s story will live up to the expectations I’ve set for myself, and now the expectations of my readers. I’ve never been in this spot before, and it’s hard to focus. I don’t know if it’s the grief over all of the loss I’ve experienced in the last 18 months (two cats, a beloved aunt, a dog, and now my grandpa), my generalized anxiety disorder, the ADHD, or the chaos of the last few weeks and the anticipation of the next few weeks or a combination of any or all of the above, but I am really struggling to shut out the world and write.

But like anything else in life –the only way out is through, right? So I’m going to try to put my head down over the next few weeks, keep my eyes on my own paper, and bust my butt until it’s done. And I hope my next newsletter will be a celebration of not just A DEADLY ENDEAVOR’s release (SO SOON!) but also of the fact that I’ve made significant progress in Book 2. Stay tuned!

Book Tour Details

I’m so jazzed to announce a mini-book tour for A DEADLY ENDEAVOR! If you’re in the DC or Philly areas, you can celebrate with me on the following dates:

I’ll also be attending Malice Domestic in Bethesda from April 26-28. It’s my first time going, and I’m so excited to meet fellow mystery writers and fans!

That’s it for February, friends. I’ll be back in your inboxes on release day! I can’t believe it’s really happening!!