New space, new book, new era?

There really should be a word for the opposite of ghosting

When I was fourteen, I started a blog that I used as an online diary, not realizing that anyone could read it. Oof. That’s probably why it took me so long to move my newsletter over to Substack, where I can communicate with both your inbox and the greater internet simultaneously.

Now that I’m here, I hope to be far more present, both in sharing quick updates and longer form dispatches. Also, you can leave comments, which feels less like ding-dong-ditching you with news, and more like starting a conversation.

So, let’s chat.

BOOK UPDATES - PRE-ORDERS, GIFTS, AND EVENTS

The third and final book in the Emry Merlin trilogy is coming out August 27. Kirkus, who was shockingly nice to me (I’m pretty sure I gave the God of Kirkus Reviews a lap dance in a past life), calls it “a rollicking retelling, wrapping commentary on our world into a delightful ahistorical package.”

You can pre-order a copy from Barnes & Noble, Amazon, or your local bookstore. And don’t forget to submit your receipt for a free bookmark from my publisher!

You can also pre-order/order signed copies of any of my Merlin books from The Ripped Bodice.

And, because so many of you asked, the free matching TOM dust jacket promotion from last year is back! This is ONLY for orders placed through The Ripped Bodice (be sure to check the box next to alternate dust jacket to get one)!

Los Angeles friends, I would love to see you at my August 27 launch event at Annabelle’s Book Club, where I’ll be in conversation with the fabulous Hannah Lisa Lohr aka The Paperback Bruncher.

LIFE UPDATES

Oh my god, I had a baby?

WRITING ADVICE

I recently came across some fabulous advice from De Elizabeth, author of the upcoming novel This Raging Sea. She suggested setting aside one day per week where you’re allowed to edit your draft, and honestly, that concept blew my mind a little bit.

I’m a chronic go-back-and-edit-er, frequently polishing language in scenes that I’m going to have to cut, rather than making progress on my draft. Knowing that it’s either an ok-to-edit day, or a not-okay-to-edit day feels like the perfect way to trick myself into moving forward without completely abandoning my process. I’m picking Fridays as my edit days.

If you’re also a go-back-and-edit-er, I hope this mental trick works for you.

SOME RECENT LOVES

I adore whenever The Other Merlin gets compared to My Lady Jane, which has a similarly irreverent tone but a very different plot. So obviously I binged the TV adaptation on Amazon, which was swoony and bonkers and completely delightful.

These ice cream sandwiches taste how you remember ice cream sandwiches tasting as a kid, and you can get them at Target, and they cost TWENTY-FIVE CENTS EACH and I can’t believe the entire internet isn’t freaking out about them.

What are you loving? Have you pre-ordered Merlin 3? Leave a comment and let me know!

Cheers,

Robyn