ANNOUNCEMENT (as shared on FB and IG):

I wanted to let folks know I’m taking a step back from writing and promotions right now. I’m still going to close the Next Level fundraiser this week, order books, deliver them. I’m going to attend all the author events and book fairs I have committed to so far. But our family is being failed by our social and community support systems, and I’m going to have to focus on meeting immediate needs right now.

What does that mean? I’m not scheduling further events at this time. If we haven’t started talking about it, it’s just not going to happen for a while. Maybe not for a couple of years. I just don’t have it in me. And I have to put what little energy I have where it’s needed most—in my family.

I’m also not going to be submitting any more manuscripts for a bit. They’re lying around, collecting dust. And that’s Ok. I don’t have the strength to bring them to life.

But hey! Here is something I’m reminding myself today. Even when it feels like I’m sitting in crushing personal defeat: I did this thing. I have had THREE books published, and each one has earned a KIRKUS STARRED REVIEW

Out of the 8,000 to 10,000 books submitted to Kirkus reviews yearly, about 10% receive a starred review. (You can read more about that here). Each of my books has done that, and not many people can say this. I’m going to hold onto this accomplishment through the next few years.

Thank you to everyone who has supported me and my family. Thank you for reading and for sharing. I hope you continue to read and to share the works you find meaningful. Thank you to the amazing illustrators whose work so beautifully complimented and elevated my own. Thank you to Charlotte Sheedy for being my agent when nobody knew my name. Thank you to the schools and librarians and teachers and book lovers who have hosted me and supported the messages of my books. Thank you to my family for loving me through all the ups and downs.

Photo Credit: Michelle Shupp