Welcome (Back)

I’ve been doing some website-related updates and trying to consolidate my online communication stuff here. Blogging used to be such a huge part of my online experience and it made sense to bring things back here instead of trying yet another newsletter platform. So whether you’re on my site or getting this via email, welcome!

Where I’ve Been

Last month I had the opportunity to attend the New England Independent Booksellers Association’s (NEIBA) fall conference in New Hampshire to talk about Winter White at one of the children’s author breakfasts. When I mentioned to my writing group that I was asked to attend, they were so enthusiastic. A couple had previously worked in indie bookstores in New England. “NEIBA is the conference to go to,” one said.

I can’t compare it to other indie conferences, but I had a great time. The booksellers I met there were so gracious and thoughtful, and I loved hearing from the other authors/illustrators about their upcoming books. It was especially nice to meet with Alex, a bookseller I’d previously worked with at Brookline Booksmith events. They introduced me at the breakfast and had such kind things to say about Winter White.

It was my first time talking about Winter White in public, not just with people in publishing or my writing group and honestly, it was a little strange to be moving from that phase of ‘this is a thing I’m working on’ to ‘this is a thing for other people now. But as one of my writing group friends told me, this was a super friendly crowd. Indie booksellers are the best.

Where I’ll Be

I’m so thrilled to be at the Young Adult Author Symposium (YAAS) on Saturday, November 15! This is the second year they’ll be running YAAS, and it’s awesome to have a YA-specific, large-scale event in the Greater Boston area.

Years ago, there was the Boston Teen Author Festival, which I took part in when The Change You Won’t Return was first published. Unfortunately, organizing a giant event with a bunch of authors and local readers is a tough job, especially if it’s not a paid job for most of the organizers. So when COVID hit, the BTAF never came back. It was understandable, but kind of heartbreaking for YA fans in New England.

So when I heard about YAAS, I was thrilled. One of the YAAS organizers, Kip Wilson, is a fellow YA author I’ve known for years. Her books are largely historical novels-in-verse and must-reads.

If you’re in the Boston area, come out to Concord on Saturday, November 15. You can check out the festival information, including the schedule, author line-up, and breakout session info to plan your day. I’ll have swag on hand and maybe some advanced reader copies of Winter White to give away, too.

What I’ve Been Into

Last year, Walt read The Power Broker by Robert Caro and kept telling me a little about the book and how its central figure, Robert Moses, shaped so much of New York City by sheer force of will. It’s a big ol’ doorstop book and I didn’t think I’d be that interested in a book about the infrastructure of New York. But I ended up reading Robert Caro’s Working, largely about his writing and research process, and it was so fascinating and well-written that I thought, Damnit, I’m going to have to read The Power Broker.

So I read The Power Broker.

Y’all, it’s really good.

It won the Pulitzer prize in 1975, so it’s not like people haven’t been aware of how good this book is for fifty years. But if you, too, think it’s a lot of book to get through, trust me–it’s deeply compelling. It’s also available in audiobook, so you can listen to the story of Robert Moses and get furious as you walk your dog around the neighborhood or do the dishes (just as an example).

Other (more recently published) books I’ve been enjoying:

The Trouble With Heroes by Kate Messner, a middle grade novel-in-verse that deals with grief, loss, and love in the most touching ways.The Spellshop by Sarah Beth Durst, the exact kind of charming, cozy fantasy I was looking for. I think this one is technically in the adult fantasy section but is extremely appropriate for teen readers, too. The Gate, the Girl, and the Dragon by Grace Lin, a new middle grade novel from one of my favorite fantasy middle grade novelists working today.

What have you been reading/listening to/experiencing? Share your recent favorites in the comments!