I simply can not believe this is my LAST post as a Debutante! Post #52! It has been such an honor to be apart of the Deb Ball and I am so f*cking grateful to have done it with Amy, Crystal, Jenni, and Lynn. This has been one HELL of an apocalypse year to live through and us gals really had each others backs, through the highs and the lows….
Last week I was doing a google search, collecting pictures to create a big debut year photo album when I stumbled across this one, taken for the Brooklyn Newspaper. This photo has a story: Two hours before the photographer showed up at my apartment, I had a major meltdown in the shower. I pulled myself together with the help of heavy concealer and blush, but my hands were shaking so…
I’ll be honest, this year was a tough year to fit in reading. Between work, more work, writing book 2, the world exploding, and marketing Allegedly, I barely had time to fit in these few titles. But I can’t sit here and not practice what I preach, which is that reading makes you a better writer. So here are a few of the books I read, in no special order…
I am BEYOND excited to introduce our next guest-the phenomenal Brandy Colbert! I first stalked Brandy when she released one of my favorite books POINTE as I’m a sucker for any books with black ballerinas and seeing myself on the page. I’m proud to call her a friend I can go to for the best advice on navigating the rough publishing waters. Her new title LITTLE & LION, just came out this…
Write a first draft. Edit. Trash parts. Write a second draft. Edit. Eat cookie dough and cry. Write a third draft. Edit. Edit some more. Cry some more. I hate this. I suck at being a writer. Maybe I should be a plumber. This shit sucks. Whatever. Sends to editor. Drinks away the pain. Editor sends letter. He likes! Really? Oh. Makes some adjustments. I mean, I guess this isn’t…
I’m pretty excited about today’s post! Mary’s name is one of my favorite Easter eggs in Allegedly! During edits, I actually debated with the copy editor over the following excerpt. The name Mary has several different meanings but this one fit the story best: I thought it was very fitting to have Mary’s Momma, a deeply religious woman, name her after one of the most loyal women in the…
I absolutely love summer and every that goes along with it, including my favorite activity: rest. Nothing beats doing absolutely nothing while sitting by the pool, on a beach, or just chilling in the park. After the type of tumultuous debut year we’ve had, we deserve to take a breath and enjoy the sunshine. Which technically means I haven’t done much writing. And that’s ok. When you become a debut, you are…
Calling Debut Authors! Now Accepting Applications for the 2018 Debutante Ball! Read this post to learn more. Hurry! THE DEADLINE IS JULY 28! — I’m having deja vu because I could’ve sworn we’ve written this blog before. BUT I have no problem sharing more fun facts with you guys! So, here we go: 1) I LOVEEEEE Mariah Carey. She’s my absolute favorite singer next to Whitney. I could listen to…
Calling ALLLLLL Debut Author Folk! Now Accepting Applications for the 2018 Debutante Ball! Read this post to learn how. THE DEADLINE IS JULY 28! A part of me wants to sing Faith’s “Again” to you in my horrible singing voice. “If I had to do it all again I wouldn’t take away the rain Cause I know it made me who I am!” I try very hard not…
Do you recall my resolution not to OVER-plan this year? (i.e The Planner Has No Plans). Remember how I said I wanted to enjoy the moments and cherish the idea of being an debt author? Well, I sort of kept up with it. Every author I spoke to agreed, this was a tough year to debut. Between Trump taking office, the lives lost needlessly, the climate of YA publishing, and…
