I sent out eight new queries (including two in the actual mail 🐌) for my magical ✨, musical 🎶 MG novel about guilt and memory and the strength of understanding your own family history. Took over two hours. Now only about a hundred more to go... #kidlit #amquerying #middlegrade

I found this refrigerator-turned-library near a beach in El Ensueño, #Uruguay. Yes, it's filled with #books. Yes, I immediately made a pun about preserving literature. Yes, I want to move here now. #readingiscool #library #kidlit #travel #goreadabook

Hey Lincoln! Love talking about good books and improving your craft? Join me tomorrow! Larksong Writers Place

#superconductor talk around the dinner table tonight. 7yo: "For my b-day I want a 3-layer cake, and each layer will levitate." 12yo: "Can we build a superconductor top hat?"..."Why?" "Why not?!" 9yo: "We should put a superconductor in our shoes so we can float." Still going...

One of my go-to sayings for my kids is "first things first," especially during the school year. What do you find yourself repeating to your kids this time of year? #backtoschool #sevenhabits #firstthingsfirst #parenting

I got an #MFA in Creative Writing because (for me) it was the fastest track to teaching college English. I graduated in July, and today I taught my first college English classes. Yay! Except...now I have less free time, but I still want to #write. How do you all find balance?

Starting my first year as an #adjunct professor while my oldest starts his first year in a challenging #HighSchool program=pretty cool. My kid: "Wanna sit with me at the dining table while we do our homework?" Me: [heart explodes]

I've submitted A LOT of queries for my #middlegrade time slip novel. Today I received the kindest #rejection. It was personalized and complimentary, and it made my whole day. #amquerying

My first non-fiction publication is now live! This small story about getting my driver's license in Saudi Arabia holds a huge piece of my heart. inscape.byu.edu/2024/04/19/sha…

I'm so excited and grateful that my MG mystery/adventure ALEX BROOKSBY: BORN A THIEF was chosen for this year's #pitchme event. Huge thanks to Krista and her team for their hard work!

Just confirmed that I have three #nonfiction pieces set for publication in two different journals. I love telling stories, all sorts. Now let's get that kind of momentum for my #kidlit projects! #middlegrade #amquerying

The attitude that helps most with intense stress is not mindfulness. It’s hope. In hard times, it’s overwhelming to live only in the present. What brings strength is anticipating a brighter future. Resilience lies in remembering that today's burdens may be lighter tomorrow.

12yo thief Alex Brooksby learns Al Capone’s treasure is buried near his grandma’s motel on Route 66. Pursued by a con artist contortionist, Alex follows decades-old riddles through tunnels, carnivals & crypts, all while unraveling the mystery of his family’s past. #PitchMe 9 MG

My MG adventure mystery pitch is live in the #PitchMe thread!

During a mild dinner conversation about local candidates last night, my 8 yo interrupted Paul Weitzel and me to say, "All I hear when you two talk is, 'Politics...politics...politics...politics' (giving what I assume is her best impression of a squawking bird). #politics

This gem sits under the glass on the counsels’ table at the Nebraska Supreme Court. “Please stop calling us ‘You guys’.”

We're all excited to dig into this new mystery by one of our favorite middle grade authors. My 9th, 6th, and 4th graders are all vying for who gets to read it first. Thanks for the ARC, Taryn Souders - Middle Grade Author!

Finished this fun middle grade murder mystery. I had to fish it out of my daughter's room because we both wanted to read it. Taryn Souders is so good at creating characters who surprise and delight. The clever sleuths and gossipy town kept me guessing until the end. Recommend!

People say life isn't like a musical, but I break out into singing all. the. time. And every time I do, my 11yo son sings with me, impromptu lyrics and dancing included. #mylifeisamusical