If We Were Having Coffee

Well, hello, friend. It’s been a bit since I’ve had a few minutes to write a post, hasn’t it? The last month or so at work has been one of my busiest ever, and I’ve been exhausted. Pro tip? Don’t plan multiple major events back-to-back-to-back-to-back. We’re on the other side of it, though, and I’m hopeful things will be a little more routine, at least for a while. “Don’t plan these events back-to-back-to-back” is definitely going into the debrief notes.

If you’ve been around here a while, you know I like to share the occasional “If We Were Having Coffee…” update where I pretend that we’re sitting across from one another at a favorite cafe, catching up on life. Today, while it’s a little rainy out, my coffee is full of pumpkin spice creamer, and I really do have a lot to catch you up on, feels like a great day for a coffee date.

If we were having coffee, I’d tell you…

I am in my Showgirl Era. I didn’t know if I was ready to leave The Tortured Poets Department, but then I listened to “The Fate of Ophelia” at five o’clock in the morning. I was into it. By “Elizabeth Taylor,” I was all in. I know people have a lot of thoughts and feelings about The Life of a Showgirl, but my opinion? Let a girl be happy. Not everything has to be deep, meaningful, or social commentary. Sometimes, it can be about cancelled friends and calling someone honey.

My favorites on the album so far? Glad you asked:

The Fate of Ophelia
CANCELLED! (It’s rep coded and I love it.)
Life of a Showgirl
Opalite
Father Figure
Honey

If It Makes You Happy. I had an ARC of If It Makes You Happy by Julie Olivia, and I cannot recommend it enough for the fall season. It’s Gilmore Girls meets Love Actually. Set in a small Vermont town, Michelle moves to Copper Run for the -ber months to run her late mother’s bed and breakfast while her sister, who was left the place, finishes her last semester of school. Naturally, a hot single dad lives next door, and he happens to be the town baker, too. It’s a slow-burn, friends-to-lovers story with all the best holidays, fantastic side characters, and a loveable dog named Rocket who steals the show. Add this one to your fall TBR list for sure.

Substack. I decided to revive my Substack as a platform for sharing personal essays and reflections on occasion. I don’t know how often I’ll post there, but if you decide to follow along, you can find me at Between The Pages. The first post I shared is a reflection on the changing of the seasons, what happens if the harvest isn’t bountiful, and, perhaps, letting go. Read it here.

Political Gain. I am deep in the Political Gain edits. I love being back in this world. The manuscript is due to my editor on Halloween, and I desperately want to get TWO more rounds of self-edits in before then. If you need me, I’m probably editing. I am SO EXCITED to see where this book goes – and to share some additional bonus content over the next couple of months…

My first book festival. I’m attending my first book festival on October 25th! It’s in my hometown, which feels like a great place to make my book festival debut. I’ll be selling and signing books at the Crozet Book Fest from 12-5 pm. Come see me at the Crozet Library? I should probably order stock to sell, a tablecloth, make a few signs… So much to do, so little time! But seriously – come see me? I’m so nervous no one will show up!

Book Balls. I get to go to two book balls to wrap up 2025. The first is in my best friend’s town, right outside of Philadelphia, and is The Wizard of Oz-themed. The second is the Worldhoppers Ball during Brandon Sanderson’s Dragonsteel Nexus convention. My dress should be here in the next week or so. It’s gorgeous online, so keep your fingers crossed that it’s just as beautiful in person and fits well.

What’s to come. If this last if we were having coffee update feels vague, it’s because it is. It’s because I don’t know, exactly, what’s to come. I just know that something is coming. I can feel it in my bones. I hope it’s great, whatever it is. I’ve been pushing on a lot of doors that won’t open and pulling on a lot of windows that won’t budge. At some point, a door has to open, or at the very least, a window has to crack. I’m hopeful my opening is coming soon. I’m excited to step into it – whatever it is.

What would you share if we were having coffee?