This newsletter is brought to you live from my phone, likely with all the typos and autocorrect mishaps that implies! Forgive any missing links or bizarre phrasing – blame it on my thumbs and the somewhat patchy cruise ship WiFi. Yes, you guessed it, my rockstar romance novel journey has taken me on an actual cruise! The past few weeks have been a whirlwind of events, from Love Y’All Fest to SCAD and now this LoveLit cruise. It’s been exhilarating, affirming, and fascinating in so many ways, and I wanted to share some highlights. And while I’m having an incredible time connecting with readers and fellow authors, if you’re wondering, yes, I am starting to crave the comforts of home. Being away from my family, my bed, my shower, and my usual routines for this long is starting to… well, let’s just say a homebody can only be nomadic for so long! But in a fun way, I promise, mostly fun.
Author at Love Y’all Fest, Decatur, Georgia, engaging with readers and fellow romance enthusiasts during Valentine’s Weekend.
My journey began at Love Y’All Fest in Decatur, Georgia, right in time for Valentine’s Weekend. Thinking back to that event, it struck me how much my experience at Steamy Lit influenced the writing of Never Been Shipped. If I hadn’t attended Steamy Lit a few months prior to drafting the book, it might have turned out quite differently. That particular conference, while creatively stimulating, coincided with some personal and professional challenges. As much as I adore connecting with people, I’m fundamentally an introvert who needs quiet time to recharge. Imposter syndrome? It rarely visits me during writing, but at large conferences and events, it can be a louder voice. Yet, the creative energy I absorb from being around other writers I admire, meeting readers, and immersing myself in the romance community in person – it’s invaluable. It’s a powerful reminder of why I love what I do, and that feeling of connection, of wanting to be “everywhere” at once to soak it all in, is something special, almost like the feeling you get from a song that perfectly captures a moment.
It’s almost funny how much of that experience seeped into Never Been Shipped. The characters, John and Micah, reunite with their band on a cruise ship after a decade apart. The experience is overwhelming, partly because they grapple with feeling undeserving of the opportunity. Their past fame feels distant, and they carry baggage that makes it hard initially to embrace what should be exciting. However, the cruise becomes transformative, bringing them back together and healing wounds related to their music career, which they come to see not as a failure, but as part of their journey. Even the friendship bracelets in the book are inspired by real life – receiving friendship bracelets from readers is genuinely one of my favorite things. It feels like such a unique and personal connection.
After attending a few of these larger festivals and conventions, I’ve truly grown to appreciate them. They often provide rare opportunities to connect with authors and people I admire, and I always cherish meeting new readers I’ve only known through Instagram or seeing familiar faces from past events. Every panel I attend leaves me feeling energized and inspired by the sheer talent and intelligence around me – it’s truly a vibrant and uplifting atmosphere. That feeling of wanting to be everywhere, to experience every conversation and connection, resonates deeply, almost like a favorite song you want to hear on repeat, everywhere you go.
Author smiling brightly at SCAD (Savannah College of Art and Design), enjoying the beautiful Savannah weather and engaging with students.
From Love Y’All, I drove across Georgia to the Savannah College of Art + Design (SCAD). The plan was to chat with students about the craft and business of writing, and everything in between. Savannah itself is a city I adore, especially in this weather. My previous visit was in the sweltering summer heat, and I felt terrible for our trolley tour guide sweating through his historical attire while describing the Girl Scout house. This time, I explored Forsyth Park, visited E Shaver Booksellers, treated myself to afternoon tea, and even spontaneously joined a tour of the Mercer Williams House from Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil. It was fascinating.
Talking to the SCAD students was a highlight. It made me miss teaching. Their engagement, creativity, and insightful questions challenged my own perspectives and made me see things anew. During an in-class writing exercise, I confessed that I’d mostly just write song lyrics when asked to do such exercises in school – writing with others around can be a challenge for me! One class, later in the evening, took a surprisingly deep and political turn. It served as a powerful reminder of the inherent political nature of art, activism, and expression. These conversations, these connections – they leave you wanting to be everywhere at once, engaging in every stimulating discussion, much like a song that captures your thoughts and feelings perfectly.
Author enjoying a moment of peace and reflection at Forsyth Park in Savannah, surrounded by the city’s charm and natural beauty.
After SCAD, I had a couple of blissful days at home: pizza nights with family and LOST episodes. (To my kids impatient with weekly episode gaps at cliffhangers: “WELCOME TO 2009 TELEVISION!”). Then, it was off to Miami via train for the LoveLit cruise – essentially a book festival on a cruise ship. Inspired indeed!
I’m admittedly a terrible “typical” cruiser. I don’t drink, I’m not a gambler (mostly true, Bingo happened for book research!), not a pool or beach person, don’t want to overspend, and prefer routine meals and coffee times. But, I do enjoy the general cruise vibe. There’s something fun about a ship teeming with activities and happenings, even if I mostly observe from the sidelines. And a themed cruise, like this LoveLit one, a Paramore cruise (the source of this week’s song inspiration!), or even a fandom cruise like the Smallville one happening this summer, feels like the ideal way to cruise.
This LoveLit cruise is extra special because I’ve been photographing my Never Been Shipped ARC in various ship locations: the casino, shuffleboard court, stage! Even the ship’s drag queen, Cordelia Facade, posed with my book – no Photoshop needed, she’s a pro! I even had the surreal experience of reading on deck while people nearby were reading ARCs of my book. It was a top-tier reading experience, proving I can enjoy a cruise in my own way. The desire to share these moments, to be “everywhere” at once to witness readers engaging with my work, is a unique and humbling feeling, not unlike the powerful resonance of a song you wish everyone could hear.
Cordelia Facade’s cabaret show included a moment where she spoke about personas, reminding us to care for the person behind the performance. It resonated deeply, especially after her moving rendition of “Landslide” (yes, I’m a sentimental sap). Balancing persona and self is an ongoing journey, but I feel I’m improving as I settle into this career. It’s part of why I’m genuinely enjoying this whirlwind, even with missing family and occasional imposter syndrome. Remind me of this in four months during peak book promo season! But for now, I’m trying to savor the enjoyable parts.
This entire newsletter was written on my phone – not recommended! But a SCAD student reminded me of a favorite quote: “The show doesn’t always go on because it’s READY, it goes on because it’s 11:30.” This newsletter, though sometimes last-minute, is a part of this career I genuinely enjoy. It’s a way to connect with you casually each week. I started with the “currently” sections on deck with my 2:30 coffee, then wrote the body in my cabin to the soundtrack of Friends episodes and pumping DJ music from “Scarlet Night” (apparently, just wear red?). Scarlet Night might not be my scene, but writing this, connecting with you, this is exactly how I want to enjoy this cruise, and in a way, be “everywhere” with you through these shared experiences and reflections, much like the way a meaningful song can connect people across distances and experiences.
Author enjoying a peaceful moment on the cruise deck, with a cup of coffee and a serene ocean view, finding joy in simple pleasures amidst the busy travel schedule.
Currently reading . . . I just finished The God of the Woods by Liz Moore on audio and loved it! It’s one of those books I saw everywhere, gifted to others, and finally got to myself. As a writer, I’m always amazed by stories with interwoven timelines and POVs. I wish I could peek over the author’s shoulder and ask, “Why Alice in 1961 now?” But, I suspect no writer would welcome that.
watching . . . No streaming internet, no TV in the cabin – so, nothing! My husband finished Kevin Can F*ck Himself and wants me to watch it, so that’s on my list for when I get home.
listening to . . . Briefly, a table of “bitcoin bros” nearly drove me overboard until they moved. Close call!
Author capturing a reflective selfie on the cruise, showcasing the “Never Been Shipped” ARC and the beautiful backdrop of the cruise ship setting.
