We had such a great launch party. Horror fans - tune in and find out all the behind the stories inspirations and other cool stuff, including what inspired my strange heist story, Shell Game!

Like I do every year, here are some songs I’ve been listening to this summer — a mix of old and new. Look forward to hearing what I’ve missed.

Absolutely loved Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt ! Such a kind, heartwarming story. Looking for a great summer read? This one is for you!

Students need role models, leadership, and books! This won’t work unless you view schools as detention centers instead of hubs for innovation and creativity. Texas students and librarians deserve better. abc13.com/hisd-libraries…

“It’s just overwhelming,” Koehler said. “It is untenable. It’s not something a small business, even a large business, could do.” Thank you to Houston Chronicle for sharing this story about the new book-rating law that is threatening our small business. houstonchronicle.com/business/retai…

A new book-rating law in Texas will require us to read and rate each book that we'd sell to schools—not only in the future, but also any we’ve sold in the past. This law makes it all but impossible to work with schools—which makes up 20% of our business. nytimes.com/2023/07/25/boo…

If you need to stock up on gifts for the early readers in your life, then you need the Cranky Chicken boxed set!! Prime crankiness! Great adorable laughs. Katherine Battersby is in THE CRANKY-VERSE 🐔📚 is the best!

As as if there aren’t enough world trash fire doings to keep me from sleeping, like, ever, now we have to worry about the rise of leprosy?!

On this day in 1982, Ruth First, Jewish freedom fighter, journalist, and academic was assassinated by South African’s apartheid government. Ruth fought for equality, justice and intellectual freedom. A somber day indeed, but I’m honored to share her story with readers on 11.7.23

Everyone needs this lovely, heartwarming middle grade novel! katealbus is brilliant!! Bravo!

What is this coming from the sky? Rain rain rain!!! At last!

I’m going to continue cheering for this wonderful book that I was so fortunate to early read! Love that it’s getting all the stellar trade reviews!! You need this heartwarming middle grade novel by katealbus !

In which I discuss how I wish people would stop describing books as ‘quiet.’ open.substack.com/pub/joypreble/…

Happy Book Birthday to my dear, incredibly talented friend, Jennifer Mathieu , whose new YA novel Down Came The Rain is out today! Jen writes books you can’t put down. Her voice is fierce & wonderful! Cheers!

Teachers, if you use my I Survived books in your classroom, I have tons a lovingly created, free resources for every single book, on my website. Let me know what else you need!

So thrilled to see all these well deserved grand reviews for BLOOD YEARS and my incredibly talented friend @ElanaKArnold ! You all need this book snd all her others as well.

So happy it’s finally raining and raining, but dog has dug in her puppy heels about going out, and is doing her Bartley Scrivner. “I prefer not”

Did the word ‘bespoke’ suddenly become trendy while I wasn’t looking? Because suddenly I see it used everywhere.

Texas was the first state to ban my books, and the last time I was here people prayed at me. Anyways I’m back! Speaking at Brazos Bookstore tonight. I don’t think the praying worked 😇 come see me! We can pray my way 🌈🤠 brazosbookstore.com/event/person-r…