Hi, it's been a minute!
A newsletter 14 months in the making....
Hello, friends!
I’ve been meaning to write this newsletter for more than a year.
Seriously.
I sent out my last newsletter in February 2024, when The Absinthe Underground came out, and then I kept meaning to send out another one, but there were deadlines, and teaching, and family time, and Furious published, and we moved across the country, and then we moved again across town, and then the election happened, and always there was grief and worry and bills to pay and emails to send and books to read and papers to grade and dinner to make, and then, and then…
Perhaps, you know how it goes.
Perhaps you know how a simple task you enjoy can become a monster. How it can move from a quick, fun to-do item to an impossible mountain to climb, and one I’d rather never-ever-think-of-again.
When faced with those sorts of things, my mind often whispers that if I can’t find the EXACT right theme for the newsletter or get the tone perfect or recommend every single book/movie/sandwich/TikTok I’ve loved in the last year, it’s not worth doing.
This happens a lot in my ADHD brain (across all areas of my life from things like scheduling that one appointment, to sitting down to draft a book, to just making dinner), but I’m trying something new lately that centers the idea that action proceeds motivation.
I’ll stress that point: Action proceeds motivation, which means: Just. Get. Started.
This means rather than plan every single thing in excruciating detail always, I’m just diving in. In fact, I’m writing this at my kitchen table, while lifting weights. I’m doing a few sentences between each set (while my family is bopping about to early 2000s emo music around me). And, guess what: it’s getting done.
Increasingly, this is how I have to operate.
Not in long hours of ideal-conditions work, but, rather, in short bursts of focused effort. I’ve been doing this for everything in my life, and it’s bringing me a lot of success. Or at least forward movement, which feels like progress.
So, whatever it is you want to do, or haven’t done, or have been putting off: I will gently suggest, just get started. Do a little. And then, do a little more. And a little more. (But don’t forget to rest, which is also important in these trying times.)
Moving on!
Life Updates
Speaking of moving: we moved to Portland, OR last year! If you follow me on socials, you’ve likely seen my many pictures of oceans, trees, flowers, crows (there are so many here, I love them), pastries, and much more. It’s good to live in a place with endless food options, access to mountains and the sea, and progressive, inclusive policies that are so important to us. (Though I do miss Madison and my friends and the book community there so much!)
Writing Updates:
My beloved co-author Becca Podos and I launched our adult debut, Homegrown Magic last month in the US and UK. We adore this book and have poured so much of our hearts into it. If you’re in the mood for a feel-good, queer, cozy D&D inspired romantasy to escape into, we think you’ll love it!
We’re also hard at work on the sequel, Homeward for a Spell, which features two characters you meet in book one.
I’m also on deadline for my next YA, The Hyacinth Labyrinth, which is a standalone, follow-up to The Vermilion Emporium and The Absinthe Underground. This adventure fantasy romance, which follows Fae Princess Hyacinth and human sword girl, Chloe, has been a beast to figure out, especially as I’m balancing what happened in other two books, with everything that wants to happen in this story. BUT- I’m having a great time and I think we should be revealing the gorgeous cover soon!
Reading updates:
I’ve read so many incredible books in the last year, but recently I’ve been deeply obsessed with HG Parry’s historical fantasy novels. They are all brilliant and magnificent, and I particularly loved The Scholar and the Last Faerie Door.
I’m also so excited that my dear friend, MK England’s next YA contemporary romance, Roll for Love, comes out this week. It’s a swoony, sapphic, D&D inspired romance set in a tiny rural southern town, and it’s exactly the book I wish I’d had when I was seventeen and growing up in the rural south.
And, on the poetry front this month, I loved Ocean Vuong’s Time is a Mother. I’ve read it before, and it breaks my heart all over again every time.
What I’m watching:
I’m rich with great stories to watch lately, and that’s been tremendously inspiring! I’m finally watching Arcane, and it’s sublime. I love Vi and Cait so much, but also much of the world and the other characters are so well done. I’ve cried several times while watching, which surprised me entirely.
We’re also re-watching Ozark, which is always a master class in making your characters’ lives miserable, and showing the impact of their bad choices again and again.
And, lastly, we’re loving The Residence here, though I’m only two episodes in and have no idea who did it!
That’s it for this month! Voila, the newsletter is done! Onward friends, and I wish you all the good luck, big joy, and wild delight in whatever you’re working on, creating, fighting for, and loving.
Until next month! (When I think I’ll start a new section about wild folklore fun facts/stories I’m discovering lately— now that’s something to look forward too!)
xx,
Jamie
I would love a folklore fun facts section!!