Katja H. Labonté's Blog

I am like a year late to this party (who else remembers the myriad of posts and reels sweeping across bookstagram and the blogosphere last summer??) but this post has been in my drafts for a long time. With betas recently going through my novella, and commenting on things I’d said, I was reminded ofContinue reading "My Thoughts on Clean Fiction"

First, the sad news: ANC’s hardcover is leaving. A Noble Comfort was my first published novel, written and published during what was for various reasons a very difficult time for me. Because of this, some things were rushed and didn’t get the attention or care they should have had, which I deeply regret. I takeContinue reading "A Noble Update // Important Announcements"

I did this tag years ago when C.G. Drews @ Paper Fury created it, and recently Katie @ I’m Charles Baker Harris brought it back, which reminded me I wanted to do it again. Kate @ Once Upon an Ordinary once again reminded me this week (as of writing this, haha) so here we go!Continue reading "The Smashing & Dashing 2025 Character Awards"

{ Quick note: The FINAL round of voting for the OUAP Awards ends TODAY, and my book is still in the running for Best Debut! You can vote here. } I’m a huge fan of (nonmagical) fairytale retellings and love writing them, so when I saw this tag, I had to do it. In fact I didContinue reading "The Once Upon A Time Book Tag"

A Noble Comfort, my debut novel, has advanced to the FINAL ROUND in the Once Upon a Pen 2025 Awards!! This round closes February 20th (Friday) and ANC is currently in the running as Best Debut of 2025—during its birthday month!! If you want to vote in the awards, you can do so here. AllContinue reading "The OUAP Awards // Finals!!"

Well, cupcakes, it’s February. I’m not ready for a whole month to have passed, but I’m also thankful we’re one month closer to spring. Now it’s eleven more months till my birthday though… ;P BUT FIRST: an announcement: the FINAL round of voting for the Once Upon A Pen Awards just opened, and my bookContinue reading "January Wrap-Up // 2026 Edition"

It’s day 3, “last but not least,” as they say. Or perhaps it’s “the best saved for last.” Anyways, we are on the last day of this new party by the lovely Kate, and I’m already excited for next year. If it happens. Ahem. No, totally didn’t get caught up by my excitement there. IfContinue reading "5 TBR Books I Want to Buddy-Read // The TBR Love 2026 Blog Party, Day 3"

Welcome back to day 2!!! I’m sure you already saw my post yesterday, but in case you didn’t, this sweet little party is hosted by the darling Kate from Once Upon an Ordinary and is all about encouraging each other to finally tackle that TBR pile. Or make it worse. Because today’s genre is… Okay,Continue reading "5 TBR Books I Need to Buy // The TBR Love 2026 Blog Party, Day 2"

Y’ALL! I have been waiting for this party for so long!!! Isn’t it so cute and pretty and pink?! 🥹 And it’s all about TBRs… ah! Let’s get right into it. This party is hosted by my sweet friend Kate @ Once Upon an Ordinary—you might remember her from the Five Fall Favourites parties, amongContinue reading "5 TBR Books I’m Scared to Read // The TBR Love 2026 Blog Party, Day 1"

If you recall, my debut novel, A Noble Comfort, was nominated for the Once Upon a Pen 2025 Awards last year. I’m thrilled to announce we received enough nominations to advance to the semi-finals! The first round opened Monday and closes February 9th (next Monday). ANC can only win one category. Personally, the one I’mContinue reading "OUAP Awards // Semi-Finals!"