Writing Tea
August has been hectic as hell! With my job and personal life colliding in such a way, it’s been hard to balance everything. Sorry this newsletter is late, but it is what it is. *shrug*
Writing has been going extremely well. I finished my WIP at 73K, began outlining two more and did two more proposals. I am also finishing a #WhyChoose novella that will be coming out under another pen name in Fall 2023. The premise is a widow who finds love again with her husband’s three best friends. (yes, I said 3) That’s all I am going to say about that. :) I am really excited about it. It really helped to push me into new writing territory. It’s my first foray into more erotic writing and soon I will have some beta readers. Look out for it soon…
I am still working on what I want the next big work to be. I’ve had some rejections and some lukewarm responses to premises that I’ve pitched. So I am praying something clicks soon. I have goals for 2023, one of which includes getting a contract for a series. Let us pray…
Podcast Tea
The podcast will be back the week of September 11. We are on a bi-weekly schedule and Yakini is back as co-host, fully recovered from her surgery! So excited to have her back.
We still have a few slots available for either book influencers or BIPOC authors to come on. See the sign up sheet here: Podcast Sign Up Sheet
Random Tea
My August was absolutely amazing. One Love Reunion was legit the best thing that I’ve ever experienced. I got to meet some of my favorite authors and my idols. I couldn't believe it. I’ll let the pics speak for themselves
I didn’t sit on any panels per se but I also did the author speed dating so that readers get to know me. What was funny (or maybe not so funny) was that all my books were sold out before I got there. The bookseller, Turning Pages, sold out of the books before she could get there. Ms. Valinda was so sweet. I sent her book plates and swag to send out with books that folks.
All in all, my time in Charleston was a learning experience for me as a debut author and truly fed my soul.
I also had an amazing time with My Cousins’ Book Club at The Book Cellar in Conyers to discuss The Build Up. I was so overwhelmed by the number of sisters there, dressed in their yellow and red lippies, to discuss Porter and Ari. I signed books, did some reading and took mad pics. I can’t wait to fellowship with them again.
I also love the fact that they took their show on the road and went to Twain’s, a pub that inspired a scene in The Build Up and ordered the exact meal that my characters had. That totally warmed my heart.
Also, Save the Date…..coming to Atlanta…. The Atlanta Love Ya’ll Romance and YA Book Fest.
Check out www.loveyallfest.com for more information.
Tati is Reading
Reading for pure enjoyment again has been nice. I read a few things that were top tier this month.
The Thing about Home by Rhonda McKnight
Mickey Chambers Shakes It Up by Cherish Reid
Just For the Cameras by Viano Oniomoh
YellowFace by RF Kuang (man did this book piss me off. But I love when book stake me there)
I got a signed copy of Secrets to a Southern Wedding by one of my faves, Synithia Williams, at One Love Reunion. This is my current book. I am starting now and I love a book with a messy plot and subplot.
Until next month,