May Flowers

MY BOOK COMES OUT THIS MONTH!

Just taking a moment to let that sink in. I’m sending out May’s newsletter earlier in the month because I have a few events scheduled (including one this weekend) that I wanted to let you know about as early as possible! Please do join me if you can!

And as a reminder, it isn’t too late to preorder a copy of Behooved! When you purchase from Buffalo Street Books, Jay’s House, or The New Romantics you get a signed copy or signed bookplate, stickers, and a bookmark along with your order as a gift from me to you. And if you preorder or make a library request from anywhere, you can fill out this form to get a free bonus epilogue!

News

Behooved has been on some lovely news roundups recently! Here’s one from BookRiot and another from Paste. I’m so honored by the attention it’s been getting!

Also, The Bookish Box revealed the cover of their special edition! As of this writing, they are still open for May subscriptions, so if you’d like to get this gorgeous version now is your chance! It really is a stunning edition—I can’t wait to have it in my hands.

Writing updates

I’m back in the saddle! I now have a direction for book 2! After taking most of April off of writing, I’m feeling recharged and ready to hit the ground running. I’m now working on world building, character notes, and a synopsis to send to my editors for approval, and once I’ve gotten their thoughts I’m eager to jump into drafting.

I won’t say much about this WIP yet because I tend to hold my projects close to the chest, but I think it’s going to be a lot of fun! It’s a second world fantasy rom com with opposites attract dynamics, and I’m having a good time plotting shenanigans for these characters to get into.

Events and appearances

I have a fair number of events this month to celebrate Behooved’s publication! Most of them are local to the Ithaca area, but a few are online or elsewhere. I’d be honored if you join me!

• “But Make it Gay” panel at Buffalo Street Books, Spring Writes festival, Saturday May 10 @ 12pm, Ithaca NY (registration is free and encouraged)

• Ithaca Irrealist Reading at Liquid State Brewing, Tuesday May 13 @ 7pm, Ithaca NY (I am not sure yet if I will be reading, but I plan to attend either way)

• BOOK LAUNCH PARTY at Buffalo Street Books, Tuesday May 20 @ 6pm, Ithaca NY—come for a raffle, stickers, gluten free treats, and to celebrate with me! I’ll be in conversation with Isabel Sterling. This is the event I’m most excited for—I really just want to have a nice party to celebrate the book, so those are the intended vibes!

• Instagram Live with Dahlia (ofpagesandprint), Saturday May 25 @ 11am PDT/2pm EDT, virtual

• If you’re in the Rochester area, mark your calendars for the 31 of May—this isn’t confirmed yet, but I’m tentatively on the schedule for a conversation and signing at Barnes & Noble!

Crafty Corner

In lieu of craft talk, this being the one and only time I get to put a novel out into the world for the first time, I thought I would take this newsletter issue to celebrate (something I am notoriously bad at doing). So, in no particular order, here are some of the things that have happened since my book sold that have brought me a lot of joy and are celebration-worthy:

• Closing all my job searching tabs and just getting to be a writer for now (I was so burned out, friends, the utter RELIEF)

• Holding bound copies of my book for the first time

• Getting to do copy edits—a stage I have dreamed of getting to for years

• Getting paid for my writing! Literally the dream!

• Writing my acknowledgements and reflecting on how many wonderful people have helped me along the way

• Getting messages from early readers and booksellers, especially fellow people with chronic illnesses, about how much they loved and resonated with Behooved

• Getting a blurb from THE T. Kingfisher something like an hour after laughing to my spouse that of course T. Kingfisher would never have time to blurb me, and squawking at my phone in shock

• Seeing my cover art draft. Art!! For my book!! By a dream cover artist!!!

• Pass pages! I really loved reading through the typeset version and remembering how much I love this book.

• Getting asked for my first blurb! I feel like one of the cool kids now.

• Seeing the incredible aesthetics that some amazing early reviewers put together on Instagram

• Holding finished copies in my hands

There have definitely been some rough spots along the way (who knew, putting an intensely personal project into the world is a deeply emotional experience) but overall it has been a joyful ride, and I am so, so lucky to be here.

Just 15 (!!) days until Behooved is out in the world!

Is there a craft or publishing topic you’d like me to cover? Hit reply or leave a comment!

Book recommendation

This month’s recommendation is The Teller of Small Fortunes by Julie Leong! Read this one for found family, a fantasy road trip, and a dash of adventure. It’s an adult cozy fantasy that feels like a warm hug of a book, and it’s a lot of fun! I’m greatly looking forward to Julie’s next.

To see all my newsletter recommendations, visit the full list here!

Finally, I am back like the Bernie Sanders meme to ask you once more to preorder my debut and/or request it from your local library!

Preorders really do make a huge difference for authors, especially debuts. If you have the means to buy a copy you will have my eternal gratitude and my firstborn child—no, literally, you will get a copy of my first book baby. And also some cute stickers, if you order from one of my indie bookstore partners.

And if you’ve ordered or requested, don’t forget to upload your receipt to get a free digital bonus epilogue with extra horse shenanigans!

Thank you so much for being here!

~Marina