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All the Love to 2023

Hey <<First Name>>!

Welcome to my first quarterly newsletter of 2023! Last time you heard from me, it was December and I was hunkering down for the holidays. I always hesitate to send out a newsletter in January, because I know how many people are gearing up for their New Year's goals. By February, though? Most of us have forgotten them. That said, I know a common one amongst my readers is to write and read more. I think that requires falling in love. How? You'll see below. Though, if you're searching for a romance read for Valentine's Day, may I recommend the Timely Death trilogy? It's my paranormal romance that takes place in Kansas, and it features a starcrossed romance full of fun teenage angst and tension. (Did I mention magical swords? There's magical swords.)

Book 1 is currently free!

As always, each newsletter includes a hidden giveaway. (The last winner was Melissa B., who who a $10 gift card to any bookstore.) You'll find another gift card giveaway in this newsletter. But you'll have to read on to enter.

Blogging News

I have four new blog posts for you. I won't lie, I sometimes think about quitting my blog, only because it doesn't get as many views as it used to, but I love sharing publishing and writing insights too much. (And every once in a while, one post becomes a gem that helps folks out! So maybe one of these will resonate will you.) I really do believe in pursuing what you love. It keeps you energized and happy. That's why I'm still here, blogging away!

I share writing and publishing tips every first and third Monday on my blog at www.ShannonAThompson.com. Catch up by clicking one below!

SAT Update & Writing Tips

Baby girl and I are doing excellent! Despite some bumps in the road adjusting to daycare and back-to-work life, I managed to write 13k in January. Winnie and I also read 48 picture books together. We're about to have our 1-year anniversary with our one-eyed rascally cat, Valentine, too. <3

In writing news, I'm out on sub with my agent! Please keep your fingers crossed for me. Typically, you're not supposed to say that out loud, but y'all are my super secret exclusive-insight friends, so I figure I'm safe to share here. :) It can be really nerve-wracking, knowing my book baby is out in the world, especially a book that is so personal to me. My agent might find the editor of my dreams. She might not. It's out of my control, but I can hope for the best! In the meantime, I am working on my next book. Another novel in verse that is issue-focused, but this time in young adult. I'll also be keeping myself distracted by attending the SCBWI National Conference later this month, where I'll be attending a picture book workshop for the first time. Have I ever attempted to write a picture book? NOPE. But sometimes you need to fall in love with something new.

In fact, did you know that I had never written a contemporary novel, let alone a novel in verse, before I wrote the book that WOW'ed my agent? What finally convinced me to try was the Speaker Series at The Story Center. Every time an author gave a speech, they would mention how their career was struggling until they went out on a limb and tried to write something new. Shortly after, everything fell in place.

For me, I've always wanted to be a science fiction and fantasy author, but I've been pursuing that for so long that I knew I needed a break. I took a leap of faith, wrote a contemporary middle grade (in poetry!), and I've already had more success. That doesn't mean I won't try writing SFF again. (I'm actually still chipping away at my dark academia monster academy book.) But my SFF books may become an indie publishing thing. (And I may or may not be working on a situation already. *wink*)

For now, though, my traditional publishing journey means that I'm writing contemporary pieces, and honestly, I'm falling in love with it. So, that's today's takeaway. If you feel stuck in your writing or reading, try a new genre or age category. One that you never thought you'd try. You may just fall in love with that surprise. You may get energized.

Writing Workshops!

I am booking 2023 writing workshops and school visits. If you know a school or conference that might be interested, please send them my way via my Contact page. If you have ones you think I should apply to, please reply to this email and let me know. You'll be entered twice to win a $10 gift card! If you want to enter once, you can also reply and let me know what topics you would love to see me teach. I plan on creating webinar recordings that live on my website in the near future.

What I've Been Reading and Loving

So far, 2023 has been the year of sequels. All of these reads are part of a series that I am enjoying, so I won't talk about them too much. (Don't want to spoil them for anyone who hasn't been able to check out book 1.) I recommend them all!

You can always follow what I'm reading on Goodreads.

Exclusive Sneak Peek

I'm working on my first novel in verse in the young adult sphere. It's been a lot harder than my middle grade that my agent is taking out on sub. (Fingers still crossed!) But I've made a lot of headway on it, so I wanted to share a tiny bit. Meet Ruby. She loves the ocean, sky, and all the sciencey things. She may also be caught in a love triangle...and has some trauma to work through, too. But first, a summer fling.

Beneath the stars,
we sleep
like starfish,
arms and legs splayed
to the sky
as the fire pit
sparks out to the dark.

None of our phones ring.

Parents not asking
where we are
brings us together.
This void
we fill
with
each other.

cooper
me (fire) and
evie

Once,
in the quietest slice of night,
I think
she grabs my hand
and holds it
tight.

I hope you all enjoyed my first newsletter of 2023! This year's schedule is May, August, and December. (Unless, of course, I have breaking news before then. *wink wink*)

See you all again in May 2023!

Thank you for your continuous support.

Grabby Hands

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